"FTA:Reloaded" - 2010 Jan Recap + Player/League Overviews

2010 January Recap

W-L Record: Jan (11-7), Overall (28-19)
Power Ranking: 23rd



The Phoenix Suns began the 2010 new year giving up a combined 260 points in two tough losses to conference rivals, Houston and San Antonio, then lost shooting guard Jason Richardson to injury for the third time this season in a win over Sacramento.

For Steve Kerr, Richardson's injury-proneness had run the GM's patience thin; added to his nonchalance on defense, bloated 13.33M salary and general underachievement since being acquired from Charlotte in 2008, Richardson's fragility and lingering health issues did little to soothe the GM's growing disappointment.



In contrast, Kerr's confidence in rookie Gerald Henderson was growing. Often he saw hints of a raw, young D-Wade in the rookie's game with his ability to drive and finish despite contact or knock down an open jumper or create shots for teammates or shut down his assignment; but Kerr wanted to be sure before considering any major roster changes. A quick phone call was made to head coach Alvin Gentry and the rookie was inserted as the Suns' starting 2-guard during Richardson's projected 2-week injury absence.

The Suns ended up losing to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Henderson's starter debut but the rookie had chalked up 21 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists, and tied teammate Amar'e Stoudemire for team-high scorer; It was the output Kerr had hoped Henderson could deliver.

A few nights later, Henderson would only tally 11 points, 3 assists and a steal in a rematch against the Lakers, but more importantly the Suns would claim their second victory of the season over the defending champs. Phoenix seemed to be playing better overall; more cohesive and focused as a unit on the defensive end and moving the ball with poise and purpose offensively.



The Suns tallied four more consecutive wins after defeating the Lakers, including a hard-fought road victory against the surging powerhouse Denver Nuggets, further testament to Henderson's effectiveness and commitment to team play. After the win, Amar'e Stoudemire dubbed the rookie, "Gatorade" for the energy and unity he was bringing to the team.

Phoenix's five-game win streak would eventually end on January 18th, but it would take a heartbreaking 147-144 double-overtime home defeat plus an incredible 46 point, 11 rebound, 3 assist career-night by the Knicks' rising star and franchise future, Wilson Chandler, to do so.



After the tough double-OT loss, Gerald Henderson helped Phoenix bounce back strongly in a 12 point, 2 rebound, 6 assist, 2 steal effort vs Sacramento, limiting the Kings to a 13-point 4th quarter in the Suns' strongest defensive showing of the season.



Richardson was cleared to play on January 21st by team doctors but was kept inactive on the IR list prompting rumors of a pending trade. It was a move orchestrated by coach Gentry more than GM Kerr, however, in a attempt to test his new rookie's limits as well as challenge Richardson with the message that his starting position was in jeopardy if he didn't step up his game.



With Richardson effectively benched, the Suns continued to start Henderson at 2-guard, losing on the road to Houston, defeating the Spurs while injured PG Tony Parker watched from the sidelines, withstanding the Rockets in a rematch win at home then stumbling against CP3 and the Hornets.

When the Suns suffered a second defeat to Dwight Howard's Magic in a 113-114 nail-biter and Henderson was held to single digits in two straight losses, coach Gentry felt it was time to reinstate Richardson to the starting lineup... however an unexpected proposition at month's end would set a series of negotiations in motion, triggering significant and permanent roster changes and shifting the course of the Suns' franchise forever.



GM Steve Kerr received the stunning offer from the Wolves front office early Saturday morning - big man Al Jefferson in exchange for swingman Jason Richardson in a straight one-for-one trade.

Kerr was well aware of Minnesota's dire situation and league-worst 10-33 record. The Wolves were obviously desperate to bring in any veteran leadership in hopes of turning their season around while Richardson's numerous ailments were privately a growing concern for Kerr regarding the Suns' future. Kerr also saw the Wolves' proposal as a possible way to cut free of Richardson's heavy financial burden which he resented each passing day, especially given Henderson's potential and steady development.

At first, Kerr entertained the idea of a Jefferson/Stoudemire frontcourt terrorizing the league the way Duncan and Robinson had during the late '90s up til the Admiral's retirement; but capable as the tandem could potentially be, he conceded the duo could never be the next Duncan and Robinson.

Also a concern was Al Jefferson's tendency toward the slower tempo half-court game, an experiment that failed miserably during Shaquille O'Neal's short stint and a direction which the Suns were attempting to steer away from. The Suns already had reliable, mobile big men in Channing Frye, Louis Amundson and Jason Maxiell and the most devastating of weapons in Amar'e Stoudemire. Development of young talents, Jared Dudley and rookie Earl Clark, who could shift between Forward positions further made Kerr question the impact and need for the Wolves' offered big man.

Minnesota did have someone to offer that Kerr felt could help the Suns tremendously IF he realized his anticipated potential... but it would be a big risk. Ultimately, Kerr decided the potential benefit was worth the gamble, and a counter-offer was quickly sent to the Wolves' front office.





Enter "La Pistola"

Ricard "Ricky" Rubio was selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves as the 5th overall draft pick of 2009 and opted to forgo a buyout plus 6-year contract offer from FC Barcelona for the challenge of life in the NBA. Expectations could not have been higher for the young playmaker called a basketball "virtuoso" by Wolves' President of Basketball Operations, David Kahn.

But the Khan-Rubio honeymoon quickly fizzled as the young Spaniard failed miserably to meet unfair expectations and struggled to adapt to NBA life while fellow rookie teammate Jonny Flynn flourished and put up potential Rookie of Year numbers nightly. He eventually dropped in the Wolves PG rotation, behind 2nd-year man Bobby Brown and even 11-year veteran Chucky Atkins and many analysts and disappointed Wolves fans were quick to label Rubio a bust.



GM Steve Kerr and coach Alvin Gentry, however, had their own conclusions.

They believed Rubio's early difficulties were clearly fault of an impatient Wolves' organization coupled with their disheveled style of play more than the player's lack of ability. They also felt a nurtured and confident Rubio could potentially thrive in the Suns' up-tempo system while greatly benefiting from the tutelage of veteran Steve Nash.

Desperate, the Wolves' agreed to Kerr's counter-offer and sent big men, veteran Mark Blount and rookie Henk Norel in the Rubio package while also taking the Suns' backup PG, Goran Dragic, as insurance.



The Suns finished January defeating the visiting Detroit Pistons 119-111 led by an unstoppable Amar'e Stoudemire who racked up a season-high 40 points while pulling 15 rebounds and adding 2 blocks and a steal for good measure.





Ricky Rubio debuted in a Suns uniform wearing the number "9" and while he only finished a humble 2 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, his playmaking and smothering defense were instrumental in keeping Detroit's reserves in check.

"It was tough letting a crowd favorite like Jason (Richardson) go, but we're confident our decision will greatly benefit our organization in the longer-term." - Steve Kerr, Phoenix Suns General Manager

COMPLETE BOX SCORES *

Jan 01 - HOU @ PHX 134-127 L
Jan 03 - PHX @ MIA 119-106 W
Jan 04 - PHX @ SAS 116-126 L
Jan 07 - SAC @ PHX 103-122 W
Jan 08 - PHX @ OKC 111-122 L
Jan 10 - LAL @ PHX 102-111 W
Jane 12 - POR @ PHX 101-109 W
Jan 15 - PHX @ DEN 112-109 W
Jan 17 - MIL @ PHX 105-107 W
Jan 18 - NYK @ PHX 147-144 2OT L
Jan 20 - SAC @ PHX 76-110 W
Jan 22 - PHX @ HOU 105-112 L
Jan 25 - SAS @ PHX 95-111 W
Jan 26 - HOU @ PHX 104-111 W
Jan 28 - PHX @ NOH 111-121 L
Jan 30 - PHX @ ORL 113-114 L
Jan 31 - DET @ PHX 101-113 W

* ("almost" complete; boxscores unfortunately lost for Jan 13 OKC @ PHO)


PLAYER OVERVIEW
Tracking changes (+/-) in statistics from month-to-month
** = Recent Acquisition

Centers & Forwards

Amar'e Stoudemire C/PF
24.0 ppg (-.1)| 8.8 rpg (+.5)| 1.3 apg (+.2)| 0.53 spg (-.06)| 2.57 bpg (-.26)| .714 fg% (-.19)| .111 3p% (+.111)| .781 ft% (-.031)

Louis Amundson PF/C
5.7 ppg (-1.4)| 5.5 rpg (-1.2)| 0.9 apg (-.3)| 0.43 spg (-0.12)| 0.78 bpg (-0.22)| .646 fg% (-.023)| .000 3p% (0)| .515 ft% (-.027)

Channing Frye C/PF
5.6 ppg (+2.4)| 4.0 rpg (+1.3)| 0.6 apg (+.2)|.23 spg (+.16)| 0.62 bpg(+.03)| .632 fg% (-.073)| .200 3p% (+.200)| .896 ft% (+.021)

Jason Maxiell PF/C
4.2 ppg (+.2)| 4.2 rpg (0)| 0.6 apg (0)| 0.28 spg (0)| 0.74 bpg (-.16)| .606 fg% (-.004)| .000 3p% (0)| .574 ft% (-.026)

Earl Clark SF/PF
2.5 ppg (-.2)| 0.9 rpg (0)| 0.5 apg (0)|0.17 spg (+.04)| 0.20 bpg (-.05)| .410 fg% (-.013)| .143 3p% (-.107)| .571 ft% (-.108)

Jared Dudley SF/PF
6.6 ppg (+.4)| 2.2 rpg (-.2)| 0.9 apg (-.2)| 0.49 spg (-.03)| 0.06 bpg (-.04)| .429 fg% (+.007)| .323 3p% (-.01)| .756 ft% (+.018)

Mark Blount C**
1.8 ppg| 1.4 rpg| 0.1 apg| 0.24 spg| 0.21 bpg| .588 fg%| .000 3p%| .917 ft%

Grant Hill SF/SG
13.6 ppg (-.1)| 3.7 rpg (0)| 2.4 apg (0)| 0.91 spg (+.08)| 0.04 bpg (+.01)| .487 fg% (-.08)| .143 3p% (-.57) | .733 ft% (+.36)

Henk Norel PF**
(n/a) ppg| (n/a) rpg| (n/a) apg| (n/a) spg| (n/a) bpg| (n/a) fg%| (n/a) 3p%| (n/a) ft%

The Guards

Steve Nash PG
21.0 ppg (-.7)| 1.4 rpg (0)| 4.3 apg (0)| 1.23 spg (-.08)1.31| 0.06 bpg (+.03)| .507 fg% (-.001)| .555 3p% (+.62)| .906 ft% (+. 014)

Gerald Henderson SG/PG
10.6 ppg (+1.1)| 1.1 rpg (+0.4)| 2.2 apg (+.5)| 0.60 spg (+.13)| 0.15 bpg (+.08)| .460 fg% (-.01)| .352 3p% (-.067)| .800 ft% (-.042)

Leandro Barbosa PG/SG
10.3 ppg (-.9)| 0.8 rpg (-.1)| 1.9 apg (-.4)| 0.74 spg (-.16)| 0.11 bpg (-.01)| .440 fg% (+.03)| .450 3p% (+.036)| .904 ft% (+.031)

Ricky Rubio PG**
2.7 ppg| 0.9 rpg| 2.0 apg| 0.39 spg| 0.06 bpg| .302 fg%| .429 3p%| .885 ft%

Tarence Kinsey SG
2.3 ppg (+.9) |0.1 rpg (+.1)| 0.5 apg (+.1)| 0.27 spg (-.13)| 0 bpg (0)| .417 fg% (+.084)| .286 3p% (+.286)| .750 ft% (+.25)

League Overview

Western Conference


Eastern Conference




January Players of the Month

West Rookie - James Harden (OKC) - 12.9 ppg | 3.9 rpg | 3.1 apg | 0.75 bpg | 1.06 spg
East Rookie - Marreese Speights (PHI) - 6.1 ppg | 5.3 rpg | 0.5 apg | 1.40 bpg | .73 spg
West Player - Yao Ming (HOU) - 26.8 ppg | 10.3 rpg | 35 apg | 1.88 bpg | .88 spg
East Player - LeBron James (CLE) - 22.8 ppg | 8.3 rpg |7.3 apg | 1.79 bpg | 2.21 spg

Player Movement & Team Transactions

1/31/10 - Suns trade 8-yr pro swingman Jason Richardson and 1-yr pro PG Goran Dragic to the Timberwolves for rookie PG Ricard Rubio, 9-yr pro C Mark Blount and rookie PF Henk Norel

1/26/10 - Pistons sign 7-yr pro PG Juan Dixon to a 6-year, 31.09M contract

Looking Ahead

Last edited by Clutch on Sat Oct 03, 2009 2:15 am, edited 3 times in total.

Amar'e is just a beast!

Yeah Amare is tearing it up. Also nice job acquiring Rubio, hope he puts better stats than in Minnesota.

40 pts, 15 rebs is simply awesome, he's a phenom.. love the rubio trade, though i doubt if he can play his real game w/ limited time behind nash

Is this one still going?

Wow. The standings look very realistic. Keep this going.

Is this one still going?

sorry guys; totally lost momentum on this one too busy with other things, so the answer is likely no.