Reasons 21-29
21. STEPH CURRY.
22. That’s right, the Phoenix Suns thought they were getting Steph Curry. In the 2009 NBA draft the Suns and Warriors had in place a deal that would send Amar’e Stoudemire and the 14th pick to the Warriors for, in return, the 7th pick (plus a whole bunch of other pieces). The whole Suns front office woke up on draft day knowing they were going to make this deal. Come draft night the Timberwolves passed on Steph Curry twice and took Ricky Rubio, (hmm that is ironic now), and the Warriors proceed to take Steph Curry. The 14th pick rolled around and the Suns draft big man Earl Clarke who the organization thought was going to Golden State. Turns out the trade would fall apart based upon Stoudemire’s knees and the Warriors did not want that risk and therefore, what was once the opportunity of a life-time, turned into Earl Clarke and not the future MVP, 4-time NBA Champion, and Hall of Fame point guard. That one really stings.
23. The year is 2010 and the Phoenix Suns are facing the Los Angeles Lakers. Game 3. Derek Fisher for no reason at all reached in at Steve Nash 94 feet from the basket and, broke Steve Nash’s nose. The Suns would go on to lose the series with a less than 100% Steve Nash and once again the “what if” question comes into place.
Phoenix Suns
24. Steve Kerr. Does that name ring a bell? He was named the Suns’ General Manager in 2007, and in 2010 said he would not return for the 2011 season. His leaving seemed interesting. He was well liked throughout the franchise and his absence raised eyebrows especially after his claiming there was no disagreement between himself and owner Robert Sarver. But we all know that is not the case…
25. Kerr claimed he was not very good at his job, but said it gave him experience in the league outside of playing and relationship skills. These certainly proved prevalent as four years later he became the head coach of the Golden State Warriors winning 21 out of his first 23 games and winning four out of six Finals appearances. While the Suns during those years won a combined 126 games and cycling through four coaches.
26. The Shaqtus.
27. Mike D’Antoni and Robert Sarver sent prime Shawn Marion, the Matrix, to Miami for backend-of-his-career, Shaquille O’Neal. This was done against Steve Kerr’s wishes. Shaq was only in the Valley for a year-and-a-half, and after one unsuccessful playoff run, D’Antoni left town.
28. Wrap your mind around this for a second:he last Phoenix Sun player to be selected to an All-Star game was Steve Nash in 2012. It has been seven years since we have had someone represent the Suns in an All-Star game. Try and think of another NBA team without an All-Star for seven straight years…I’ll wait.
29. The year later this happened: