Steve Nash, we are all completely and entirely empathetic, 'there are too many Urkels on your team, that's why your Wins/low'.

I give a lot of credit to Nash's loyalty to Phoenix, but this is the same problem Justin Timberlake had with N'Sync and like Nash, JT only had so many years in his prime remaining. The reason for the Suns (Robert Sarver) to not have the generosity of spirit to trade Nash, while also taking a productive first step in improving their five-year outlook with what they would receive in return, is financial just the same.

I was in the Phoenix locker room following the Ron Artest shot in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals and the immediate feeling of regret over the missed opportunity to bring the series back home for a shot to go to the Finals was palpable. Nash handled the loss publicly with the kind of dignity he handles everything, but you could tell he realized Amar'e Stoudemire was leaving and that the shot wouldn't happen against with the Suns.

The Suns are in some ways the same team they have always been throughout Nash's second tenure-- just not nearly as talented. They are excellent in the Nash pick and roll, and have as many capable of shooters on the floor at once as possible. Phoenix ranks sixth in points scored per 100 possessions, which is a true testament to Nash considering what he has to work with. He won't win the MVP this season of course, but this might be his best season in terms of pure 'value' in the perspective of the supporting cast.

Defensively, the Suns are ranked 26th and that's about where they have been since they traded Shawn Marion. They allow too many easy buckets from ball movement and their frontcourt defense is a gigantic vulnerability.

Desperation Meter: The Suns are in a maddening limbo because there is no realistic chance of the team improving quickly enough to contend again with Nash, yet they are in no rush to trade him to a team where he would be the missing piece and be willing to trade 105 cents on the dollar.

Goran Dragic and Robin Lopez looked like two promising young cornerstones, but Google each guy with 'regress' attached to your search and see what happens.

I'm not sure who the Suns can/would want to rebuild around, but their attractiveness around the NBA is the training staff for chronically injured players and the place seventh and eighth men go for bloated contracts.

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