The Suns came into free agency wanting to make a splash. They wanted to re-sign Tim Thomas and rightfully so. They wanted to address their backup swingman needs by building a bench that can still help produce the March wins while keeping the starters fresh for the playoffs. Well, you can?t always get everything you want.

Phoenix was spurned by Thomas, who opted to take more money and sign with the Clippers. Since then, the pickings have been slim. With the exception of Eric Piatkowski, perhaps the epitome of a one-trick pony who can survive in the NBA, the Suns were relatively active in the pursuing the players but quiet in trying to get them to sign the dotted line. They also struck out on John Salmons, who was snatched up by their former GM.

The summer was bleak until they turned their attention towards Marcus Banks. Banks was considered to be one of the better point guards on the market. It may not be saying much since Eddie House is in the same boat, but Banks has a lot to offer the Suns. Having played for two teams in his NBA career, he was originally drafted by Memphis, then sent to Boston in a draft-day deal, Banks hasn?t received the chances a young point guard needs to progress. He?s already played in over 200 games, but has started in less than 40 of them. He gets a lot of minutes, but not the quantity of minutes a young player needs to progress.

Banks is, and always has been, inconsistent. He will look great one game (19 point game against the Suns at Phoenix with Minnesota), then show everyone why he?s a backup the next game, throwing away passes and not playing the D he?s capable of bringing every night.

He has the capabilities of taking on anyone due to his strength and tough handle. It?s not a flashy handle like a Baron Davis, but it rarely gets stolen because he?s able to force his defender into trying to stop Banks? drives by strength rather than trying to pick him. He can finish at the rim because of his strength and has the size to have the same effect on defense. But?

There?s inconsistency that has hindered him from becoming a consistent contributor. He loves to push the tempo, but because he?s not the pass-first PG teams would like out of someone like him, he can?t get the time to make bad decisions. He will force the pass when, if he waits, it will be there a second or two later, when the opposing team is trying to figure out what he where he wants to put the ball. He makes it easier on the defense by forcing the action.

On defense, it?s always there, but when his confidence goes on offense, his ability to lock down his man wanes, as well. That?s where the Suns come in.

Head Coach Mike D?Antoni had to live with the mistakes Leandro Barbosa makes and will continue to make. But with Banks, they have someone who can help initiate the offense, push the tempo and makes the mistakes he needs to make in order to become a better overall point guard. He will learn a lot under Nash, but he will have to learn that when pushing the ball, the best option has to be used in the Suns? offense, otherwise, they won?t get the best result. Nash will help him see the court and figure out where to get the ball for the Raja Bell?s and Boris Diaw?s of the team. Once he figures out how to harness what has hurt him in the past, it will only help him in the future.

As a point guard, it?s about making sure everyone?s in the right spot. Banks will have to learn that in a constantly moving offense that Phoenix utilizes, he will have to be patient to pick his spots. He is strong enough to take it on his man each time down the floor. But he will have to initiate the offense around the pick & roll, something he hasn?t had the chance to fully do in his short time as a professional. He is off the charts when it comes to the athletic intangibles. He will just have to make sure that, in his 20 minutes of p.t., he makes it easier for everyone on his team on both ends of the floor.

Almost forgetting that I had the Wolves-Suns game on tape, I went back to watch how he had an impact. On defense, he slid underneath the pick, forcing Nash to either go back or to shoot. This took away from the Suns? offense in the few possessions he was able to do this. That type of defense will help the Suns, who don?t have the true shot blocker to help out on opposing guards who take it to the rim. He took away the options Nash usually uses and with Phoenix, if he can do those little things on D, it will open up his offense.

On offense, he was able to get where he wanted, when he wanted. It helped him that he had a prolific scorer in Ricky Davis and the best power forward in the NBA in Kevin Garnett. He was able to exploit his match-up with Nash by driving it on him and picking the shots that would make the offense the most efficient he possible could make it. His team lost, but he was by far the player of the game for the Timberwolves. He showed off his 3-point range (shot over 40% during the season) and showed off his ability to get to the rim. He was able to show the team that needs a backup that he was the guy they would benefit most by going after.

Overall, this offseason hasn?t been the best for the Suns. They weren?t able to get the swingman that compliments Barbosa in John Salmons. (The rumored deal was supposed to be Kurt Thomas and possibly a pick for Steven Hunter and a re-signed Salmons. Don?t have anything to back it up. Just a rumor.) So they went for the one position they desperately needed for Nash in the playoffs and the regular season: point guard. Banks has to show some more control in his overall game, but the Suns were able to grabbed the point guard they needed. If he can provide the lock-down D he?s known for and also provide tons of energy but the right decision making, Phoenix will have yet another steal.

Now, if they just get that shot blocker.