Valley of the Suns
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Phoenix Suns: Top 10 Home Games To Watch In 2015-16

By Gerald Bourguet

Nov 10, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; The Phoenix Suns Gorilla interacts with fans during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at US Airways Center. The Suns beat the Pelicans 101-94. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 10, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; The Phoenix Suns Gorilla interacts with fans during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at US Airways Center. The Suns beat the Pelicans 101-94. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports /
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Phoenix Suns
Mar 30, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) shoots over Phoenix Suns center Alex Len (21) at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Aldridge Coming To Phoenix

The Opponent: San Antonio Spurs
Date: Jan. 21, 2016 @ 8:30 p.m.
Nationally Televised? TNT

Boy, if only we had been reading that headline a month ago, huh? There’s not much reason for animosity between Suns fans and LaMarcus Aldridge. To be fair, he made a smart basketball decision choosing the Spurs over the Suns, opting for a franchise with championship culture and a legitimate shot at winning it all this season.

But Suns fans won’t — and shouldn’t — forget about how his decision ultimately doomed their offseason.

The acquisition of Tyson Chandler was a good one and general manager Ryan McDonough did a nice job rounding out the Suns’ roster, particularly with Mirza Teletovic and Sonny Weems. But by hedging their bets on Aldridge picking Phoenix as his free agency destination, the Suns made a defendable but ill-fated trade that may dash their postseason hopes in 2015-16.

By trading Marcus Morris, Danny Granger and Reggie Bullock to the Pistons in a salary dump, McDonough cleared out cap space to show Aldridge the Suns were committed to giving him the max. But when Aldridge made his decision, the Suns were left with a bitter Markieff Morris, who is now demanding a trade for the way he and his brother were disrespected.

McDonough did all he could to land a top-tier free agent, but was left empty-handed. Not only did it cost the Suns a somewhat useful backup off the bench in Mook, but it may cost them Keef as well. To that end, beating Aldridge would feel good no matter what team he was on, let alone those darned Spurs.

Next: Ball So Harden

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