Phoenix Dynasty 2004 - 2005

[Mark.]

Hey since my time with Toronto is finished ive started with Phoenix. Mainly because they have got a little amount of space and wont be too hard to win with but it wont be easy either.

I'm planing on making a lot of moves at the start but not many after that. (Bet you i will though )

[Mark.]

It is currently the end of the 2003 - 2004 regular season.

Phoenix Press - ( I'm from New Zealand so i dont know what the name of the main paper in Phoenix is)

Today it was anounced by the Phoenix Suns management that they have hired a new GM.

Match_66 will be taking over the Suns and hoping to build them into a Championship contender in the next few years.

"I see the Phoenix Suns as having a good base for a team. All we need to do is find a way to fill the gaps". - GM Match_66

Match_66 has signed a contract that will run for the next two seasons, and then an extension could be made depending on performance.

[Mark.]

Phoenix Suns Offseason


The First thing to be done was to resign players. Phoenix decided not to resign any of thier free agents as they didnt see them as key parts of the team ( Plus i cant remember who they were )

Note: During the 2003 - 2004 season Antonio McDyess was traded to Seattle for Ronald "Flip" Murray.

The next big step was the Rookie Draft

Phoenix had the best chance of getting the number one pick with a 4-24 season record, but their chances didnt convert only managing to secure the 4th pick.

With their 4th pick they managed to pick up

Harvey Preacher
6'10" 232lb
Power Foward
Born in Orange City, IA
Attended Iowa
65 overall
The Suns hope to be giving Preacher time at both the Power Foward and Center positions.

With the first pick of the second round the Suns took

Kerry Hunt
7'0" 240lb
Center
Born in Lake Wales, Florida
Attended West Virginia Tech
51 overall
Hopefully Hunt will see some quality minutes but it wont be gauranteed.

The Suns decided to not do any trading during the offseason, deciding to wait until the begining of the reguar season to see how players played etc.

The Suns played played one game which was a loss, and decided that they needed another Guard that was a good scorer, and also another Big man wouldnt go amiss.

The Suns managed to swing a deal with Chicago that saw Joe Johnson, Howard Eisley and Leandro Barbosa leave to Chicago and saw Eddy Curry, Jamal Crawford and Dahntay Jones head over to the West.

The Suns then went in search of a Three point shooter. The player was found in Utah. Dermarr Johnson was aquired in a sign and trade deal that involved Ron Mercer being signed by the Suns and then traded along with Jahdi White to Utah for Dermarr Johnson.

The suns then played 3 more games which they won two and lost one.

After this GM Match_66 that he wanted to aquire Kyle Korver.

Another sign and trade deal was made. The deal saw the Suns sign Vincent Yabrough and trade him along with rookie Kerry Hunt to the 76ers in exchange for Kyle Korver and John Salmons.

GM Match_66 then decided that he saw no other nessecary trades to be done for the time being and that the final two holes could be filled by signing some key free agents.

The two signings were:
SF Gordan Giricek
PF Malick Badiane

Phoenix Press

Interview with Phoenix Suns GM, Match_66

Press - "This past month has seen you swing a number of deals and sign some key free agents, obviously the biggest deal was the trade with Chicago, how do you see this helping you team?"

Match - "I think getting Eddy and Jamal was the best move ive ever made in my career. Eddy takes some of the pressure off Amare, but he is not too worried about getting less shots, he has shown his worth by averaging 9 points and 9 rebounds for us since the trade. Jamal has steped into his role just as well, my main goal for the starting lineup this season was to have to combo guards rather than a shooting guard and point guard, Jamal works really well with Flip".

Press - "There has been a lot of doubt over your trade for Korver, why did you swing this deal?"

Match - "I've always liked Kyle, even though he is really just a shooter, that is the area that we were lacking in our offence even after getting Dermarr. Now with Kyle as well as Gordan we have a resembly potent outside game. Also by getting John we have another defensive swingman, which will allow Shawn to sit a little more especially when we need a defensive stop".

Press - "Word has been going round that the Suns may now be a championship contender, what do you think?"

Match - *Laughs* "Well we will have to see a few more games to tell yet, you cant make assumptions in this league, but im very confident in my teams abilities"

Press - "Thanks a lot, we look foward to many more interviews"

Match - "No worries"

Phoenix Press

Today the starting line-up for the new look Suns has been announced.

Eddy Curry will be starting at Center. Amare Stoudemire and Shawn Marion will man the foward positions, with Amare at Power and The Matrix at Small. Flip Murray will be joined at the guard position by Jamal Crawford, with both player sharing the Point Guard duties.


Tell me what you think and any ideas you have, also game recaps will start after i play the next game.

[mp3]

You have build yourself a nice team there, love the trade to bring in Kyle Korver and John Salmons
Looking forward to reading about your Dynasty

[Mark.]

You have build yourself a nice team there, love the trade to bring in Kyle Korver and John Salmons
Looking forward to reading about your Dynasty

Cheers man its good to get some feedback, im enjoying your Kincks one too.

I've asked Mafia if i can use his idea of game previews, and he said it is fine, so i will be including them in posts.

Phoenix Press

Game Preview

Today the new look Suns ( 2-2 ) will be hosted by the struggling Cleveland Cavs ( 1 -4 ).

This will be an interesting game as, the Suns will be wanting to give their new players a run, but at the same time they won't want to drop this game, which will put them below .500.

The Cavs are looking to come back from a 3 game losing streak so the Suns wont be expecting an easy win tonight.

But with all these factors, the TAB tips the odds in favour of the Suns at 3:2.

Starting Lineups
Phoenix:
SF: Shawn Marion
PF: Amare Stoudemire
C: Eddy Curry
G: Ronald Murry
G: Jamal Crawford

Cleveland:
SF: Kendrick Brown
PF: Carlos Boozer
C: Zydrunas Ilgauskis
SG: Jeff McInnis
PG: LeBron James

Match-ups to watch:

Boozer vs Amare
Both these players are coming into their 3rd year in the league, and both are developing into Star players. Boozer will be looking to prove something as Amare was rookie of the year in 2002 - 2003. Expect these two to battle it out on the boards and inside.

[Mark.]

Suns @ Cavs

The first quarter started off slow, but steadily, the suns shooting a high percentage and running out to a 16 -8 lead, behind 7 points from Amare Stoudemire. After that run the suns slowed down and Cleveland managed to pull back for a little off some fast break baskets by Brown, usually fed by King James. The Suns managed o hold their lead and went into the 2nd quarter with a 6 point lead 26 - 20.

Amare was leading the Suns with 9 points while The Matrix had pulled down 7 rebounds and dished 3 assists. The Cavs were paced by Kendrick Brown with 6 points while Bron had dished 4 assists.

The second period was a slow paced affair with the lead changing hands frequently. The Cavs had a run near the end which pushed them ahaead at the half 48 - 42. The Suns were being led by Marion and Stoudmire who had 14 points and 3 assists a piece, with Marion also having 10 boards. Brown led the Cavs with 12 points.

The 3rd quarter saw pretty much the same as the 2nd except the Suns managed to pull riht up close to the Cavs to make it 73 - 72 Cavs at the end of the Period. Marion added 1 rebound to his total and Murray had served up 5 assists by this time. LeBron had 10 assists at this time.

The Fourth was closely contested with both teams shooting well. With only 2 minutes the Suns were having trouble closing the lead being down by 6 95 - 89. So the ball was given to Amare who posted up, drew the double team and dished back out to Dermarr Johnson, who steped up and knocked down the 3. 95 - 92. The Suns played some extremely good D with Marion coming up with a huge block on Brown, which he collected and dished to Crawford who knocked down the pull up 3. 95 - 95. Once again the Suns played good D forcing LeBron to put up and Ill advised 3 which Amare Rebounded and Threw to Dermarr, who passed to Crawford, then cut accross to the corner to recive the ball and pull up for antother 3, nothing but net. With only 3 seconds left the Cavs put Amare to the line who knocked down both shots to seal the game.

Suns win 100 - 95

POG Shawn Marion 14 points 13 rebounds 3 blocks 6 assists 1 steal

Main player stats for game

Suns
Crawford 21 points 2 steals 3 assists
Curry 4 points 10 rebounds 7 assists
Amare 19 points 10 rebounds 4 assists
Flip Murray 16 points 6 assists
Dermarr Johnson 14 points 2 rebounds 15 minutes ( Played all of 4th quarter, while Murray sat)

Cavs
Brown 20 points 3 reboudns 3 steals 8 TO
LeBron 5 points 2 rebounds 13 assists
S. Valicevic (rookie PG) 12 points
Boozer 12 points 9 rebounds
Big Z 10 points 6 rebounds 5 blocks
Mcinnis 12 points 4 rebounds

Phoenix Press

Interview with Shawn Marion

Press - " You had a good win tonight, but we didnt see that much fomr you on the offensive end, well not shooting wise anyway"

Marion - " Yeah tonight i just wasnt feelign it form the start, i tild myself to help my team in other areas instead of taking too many shots, plus with Dermarr firing in the 4th and Jamal having a solid shooting game, iwasnt too worried"

Press - " This season you are one of the most hyped up teams in the league, and there has been plenty of talk of you being a championship contender this season"

Marion - " We have a very talented team this season, but we are still learning to play together, when to give a player the ball, where we are sweet from etc, but i think if we start to play to our full potential we will make it out of the West"

Press - " Thanks for that Shawn, we look foward to our next interview"

Marion - " Me too, see you later"

Press Announcement

Us here at the Phoenix Press have seen how much love was given out to Kyle Korver during his rookie season at Phillidelphia, so we thought we would give him some attention here in our paper. We will be printing a section called "Korver watch" where we will give news and stats on his most recent game. We hope you enjoy reading it.

[Mark.]

I wont post a game preview for this game as the recpa is gonna suck, cos i forgot to keep the stats, and make notes.

It was against the knicks and i lost 123-113.

I really hated this game since it was really high scoring, i just couldnt stop them.

POG was Starbury who had 18 points and 15 assists

I remember Amare had 25 points and 15 rebounds
Marion 19 points 8 rebounds 6 assists

Anyway for the Korver update he had 7 points 3 rebounds 1 assist, in 10 minutes.

[mp3]

wow... seems like the Knicks are the team to beat for the Suns and Pistons...lol
tough loss but iam sure with the team that you have you will soon bounce back

[Andrew]

Nice reports, great to see such enthusiasm. How's Preacher doing so far in his rookie campaign?

[Mark.]

Nice reports, great to see such enthusiasm. How's Preacher doing so far in his rookie campaign?

Thanks Andrew, good to see people are enjoying reading it.

Preacher is averaging: 5ppg 17mpg 61%fg 3.8rpg

Not bad considering he has to compete with Amare and Eddy for not only court time but also for touches of the ball.

Phoenix Press

Today will see the 3-3 Suns take on the 5-3 Memphis Grizzlies, the game will be held in Memphis.

Both these teams are looking for a place in the finals this season, and both are in good position. Memphis has the record to prove it while, the Suns started out slow, but are showing the promise and determination that is needed.

Key match-up

Amare Stoudemire vs Pau Gasol

Both these players were the Rookie of the Year for their respective rookie seasons, and both are trying to lead their teasm to the playoffs. This game will hinge on who dominates who in the post.

Interview with Amare Stoudemire

Press - "Amare its nice to get a chance to talk with you. Tonight you will be facing Pau Gasol who had a very similar rookie season as you, both of you are now leaders in your teams, how are feeling about tonights game and how will you handle Pau?"

Amare - "I'm really looking foward to this game because they (Grizzlies) are sitting one game above us in the Conference, and to beat them will one more step to the finals"

Press - "And how about the Pau matchup?"

Amare - "Yeah im just gonna go out there and use my size and strentgh to try and get the upper-hand on him in the post, it will a challenge guarding him since he is a bit more faster off the dribble than me."

Press - "Thanks Amare, good luck for tonight"

Amare - "Thanks"

[Mark.]

Phoenix vs Memphis

The game started out fast and stayed that way. Phoenix started to get some quick fast breaks flowing and ended up on top in the first 34 - 18.

Memphis came back fast in the second and third, and managed to come out on top at the end of the 3rd 88 - 87.

The fourth quarter was The Matrix vs Memphis as Marion came out to score 22 of his 32 points in the quarter.

Final Score 122 - 100 Suns, the game saw some stellar defense from Phoenix in the last quarter holding Memphis to 12 points on 4/12 shooting.

POG Shawn Marion 32 points 15/22 7 rebounds 3 blocks 4 assists in 31 mins

Key Players

Flip Murray 25p 8reb 10assists
Eddy Curry 10 points 6 reboudns 5 assists
Crawford 9points 5 assists 0TO
Amare 16points 13rebounds 3 assists
Kyle Korver 15points 3 rebounds in 18mins

Gasol 19points 10rebounds
Bonzi Wells 28points 5rebounds 4assists
Jason Williams 20points 6assists
Wright 4points 13rebounds
Battier 12points
Miller 11points

Phoenix Press

Interview with Phoenix GM Match_66

Press - "Your team played very well tonight, we think we may be seeing a top contender here."

Match - *Chuckels*"Yeah if we play the way we did tonight we should do well, its just a matter of staying consistent, and thats a hard thing to do when you are a young team."

Press - "We known you don't want to say much on this subject, but do you seen any weakness on your team?"

Match - "Well i think the main thing is our bench, i mean our bench is strong but we are yet to have a solid 6th man who can lead the team when Amare, Shawn and Flip are having a bad night, but at this time we are still giving players a chance to step up and if no-one does then we will do something about it soon."

Press - "Good to talk to you Match"

Match - "Yes"

[Andrew]

That's an impressive outing for Flip Murray. It was definitely worth giving up 'Dyess.

What do you think about Eddy Curry? I've noticed that after a strong start to the season, his numbers have dropped off a fair bit. Obviously acquiring KG would mean fewer shots and boards for Curry, but it seems his stats really suffer when playing alongside a talented frontcourt player.

[Mark.]

Yeah i find he plays way better if i get the ball to him more often, even if he isnt making the shots his overall game is better, he played Shaq well in my last game, even tho he couldnt score on him.

[Mark.]

I've decide to stop the game previews, as each time i do one they are getting smaller, because i get stuck for time often.

But not to worry i will still do my game recaps, with interviews and the like to keep it in theme.

Sorry guys if i dissapoint


Anyway for the next game recap:

Phoenix Press

Powerful Suns Breakdown!!

4-5 LA Lakers are hosted by the 4-3 Phoenix Suns

The game started out with the Lakers scoring the first 12 points. Phoenix managed to get their defence under control, after the spurt and managed to come out on top 26 - 24 at the end of the quarter, following a dominating 13 point and 3 rebound performance from Amare.

The second quarter saw the Suns make a huge break lead once more by the powerful Amare Stoudemire, making a strong All -Star bid this season, at the end of the first half the Suns were up 59-47 with Amare sitting on 20 points and 6 rebounds.

The Thrid was closely fought with the lead staying the same, but at the end LAL pulled in close to close the quarter 78 - 74 in favour of the Suns.

The 4th saw the first big collapse by the Suns under their new GM. The Suns weren't playing good D at all, and on the other end, they weren't converting. The Suns made a late run but it was far too late.

End Score 109-105 Loss

POG:
Shaq 16 points 12 rebounds 7TO

Main Player stats:

Marion 28 points 5 rebounds 4 blocks 3 assists 1 steal
Amare 33 points 13 rebounds 1 block 4 assists
Eddy Curry 0 points 9 rebounds
Flip Murray 13 points 4 rebounds 3 assists
Crawford 11 points 3 rebounds 4 assists

Kobe 20 points 4 rebounds 1 assist
George 26 points 4 rebounds 4 assists
GP 15 points 3 assists

Intervew with Amare Stoudemire

Press - "Tough game tonight, you played well but your team came out beaten. Do you think you did every thing you could tonight?"

Amare - "I think you could say our team was playing like a championship team for the first 3 quarters, but from then on, we just didnt play together at all."

Press - "So you still consider the Lakers one of the main teams to beat, even though they have lost Karl, and GP and Shaq are growing old."

Amare - "Yeah well you know what they say, 'A champion team will always beat a team of champions.' I think that is what GM Match has been trying to teach us, but we went and did the opposite tonight, in the 4th we all tried to be champions."

Press - "You've been playing very well this season, a lot better than last season, and people were supprised you didnt make the all star game last year, do you agree that you deserve a place this year."

Amare - "Well thats up to the coaches and fans, but i still don't think im playing to my potential yet, this may sound arrogant, but i think im only going to get better."

Press - "Well thats a reassuring comment, thanks for this interview, we'll let you go get some rest"

Amare - "Thanks see yah rnd"

Korver Update 6 points 2 rebounds in 15 minutes

[Andrew]

Shame about the loss to the Lakers. I just played them in my Dynasty (a 90-77 victory), Devean George top scored in that game too. As you noted Curry is pretty good at handling Shaq. Did you double-team everytime the ball came in to the Diesel after he established position?

[Mark.]

Nah i didnt find him that big a problem, i just let Curry handle him, and if he really needed help i just double teamed him.

[Mark.]

Phoenix Press

Traded!! Matrix Johnson Salmons Badiane

We all thought that Phoenix Suns GM Match_66 had finally got the team he needed, but we were wrong.

Today the Suns performed 3 trades, which majorlly changed the team.
Firstly the star of the Suns Shawn Marion was sent packing to New Orleans for All Star point guard Baron Davis.

The second trade was a little smaller, it saw John Salmons, who was aquired earlier in the season from Phillidelphia along with Kyle Korver, traded to the Magic in exchange for Pat Garrity.

The third trade was pretty significant, which saw SG Dermarr Johnson and PF Malick Badiane sent to Portland in exchange for GF Darius Miles and PF Rashard Perkins.

Interview with Phoenix GM Match_66

Press - "We thought that we may have seen the end of changes for you this season, but today you really shocked the public by not only making 3 trades but also trading away one of the star players from the team, what made you decide to make these changes?"

Match - "Well for the Marion trade, it was a really though decision, but i really liked the way that Amare played when he had Marbury running the show. I knew it would be too hard to get Stehpon back, so i went after Baron, also Baron helps to add to our outside shooting. I'm very sorry to see Shawn go but you have to do whats right for the team"

Press - "Ah ok, so what about the other two trades?"

Match - "Well the trade for Pat, was really just to give us some more strength at the Foward position, also Amare, Eddy and Harvey are all inside big men, but Pat is a very good shooter which will help to mix things up. The trade for Darius was really to fill the void that Shawn left, Darius will never fill Shawn's spot, but he is very athletic and will be a great fit for our team"

Press - "So how do you think you went overall with these trades?"

Match - "I think we have made our team a whole lot better, we got a floor general in Baron, we have created a sixth man since either Jamal or Ronald is going to have to come off the bench, and we also have added more depth to our bench"

Press - "Thanks for the interview Match_66, we look foward to seeing the new team play together.

[Mark.]

Phoenix Press

Traded!! Matrix Johnson Salmons Badiane

We all thought that Phoenix Suns GM Match_66 had finally got the team he needed, but we were wrong.

Today the Suns performed 3 trades, which majorlly changed the team.
Firstly the star of the Suns Shawn Marion was sent packing to New Orleans for All Star point guard Baron Davis.

The second trade was a little smaller, it saw John Salmons, who was aquired earlier in the season from Phillidelphia along with Kyle Korver, traded to the Magic in exchange for Pat Garrity.

The third trade was pretty significant, which saw SG Dermarr Johnson and PF Malick Badiane sent to Portland in exchange for GF Darius Miles and PF Rashard Perkins.

Interview with Phoenix GM Match_66

Press - "We thought that we may have seen the end of changes for you this season, but today you really shocked the public by not only making 3 trades but also trading away one of the star players from the team, what made you decide to make these changes?"

Match - "Well for the Marion trade, it was a really though decision, but i really liked the way that Amare played when he had Marbury running the show. I knew it would be too hard to get Stehpon back, so i went after Baron, also Baron helps to add to our outside shooting. I'm very sorry to see Shawn go but you have to do whats right for the team"

Press - "Ah ok, so what about the other two trades?"

Match - "Well the trade for Pat, was really just to give us some more strength at the Foward position, also Amare, Eddy and Harvey are all inside big men, but Pat is a very good shooter which will help to mix things up. The trade for Darius was really to fill the void that Shawn left, Darius will never fill Shawn's spot, but he is very athletic and will be a great fit for our team"

Press - "So how do you think you went overall with these trades?"

Match - "I think we have made our team a whole lot better, we got a floor general in Baron, we have created a sixth man since either Jamal or Ronald is going to have to come off the bench, and we also have added more depth to our bench"

Press - "Thanks for the interview Match_66, we look foward to seeing the new team play together.

[Mark.]

Game Recap

5 - 4 Suns @ 3 - 9 Denver Nuggets

Starting Line-ups

Phoenix
F:Darius Miles
F:Amare Stoudemire
C:Eddy Curry
G:Flip Murray
G:Baron Davis

Denver
F:Carmelo Anthony
F:NeNe
C:Marcus Camby
G:Voshon Lenard
G:Andre Miller

This game was decided in the first quarter, the Suns broke out with a flurry of fastbreaks and 3 point shots to give them a 39 - 24 lead at the end of the quarter. The newly aquired Sun, Baron Davis had 7 assists at the end of the quarter.

The second quarter was much the same with the Suns increasing the lead by another 12 points. At the end of the Half the Suns were up 71 - 44.

The third quarter was once again the same story with Phoenix dominating, and increasing their lead by 11. At the end of the third the score was 102 - 64.

The 4th quarter saw the Suns go to their bench and let thier bench players have a run, during this time the Nuggets managed to pull back a little, but it hardly changed the outcome.

End Score: Nuggets take the W 128 - 96

Player of the game: New Sun Baron Davis 28 points 11/19 FG 10 rebounds 1 block 2 steals 15 assists

Stats:

Jamal Crawford 16pts 2rebs 3stls 4asts
Eddy Curry 6pts 3asts 9rebs
Darius Miles 24pts 11/16FG 3rebs 4asts
Flip Murray18pts 3rebs 5asts
Kyle Korver 8pts 15mins
Harvey Preacher 4pts 4rebs 1blk 1stl 3asts
Amare Stodemire 15pts 11rebs 3blks 4asts

Carmelo Anthony 12 pts 4rebs 1blk 3asts
Marcus Camby 18 pts 13 rebs 1blk 2asts
Voshon Lenard 14ppts 2rebs
Andre Miller 10pts 2rebs 11asts
NeNe 12pts 8rebs 2stls
Rodney White 13pts 3rebs

Interview with Baron Davis and Darius Miles

Press - "Both of you being new to the Suns team, you were the highlights of the game tonight, Baron with you Triple Double and Darius with your vast aray of highlight dunks"

Baron - "I actually wasnt trying to make a statement tonight, i didn't take too many shots, its just that the one s that i was taking were hitting. I jsut went out there to try and let my new team mates know how i could help them, and to try and learn how they play"

Darius - "Yeah as Baron said, i just went out there to try and fit in, i was actually suprised how many shots we were given. But you can't really go by how many points we scored tonight because our team scored 128 points so thats a lot of scoringto dish around"

Press - "Being with this almost totally rebuilt team, do you see your Championship hopes increasing??"

Darius - "Deffiantely, with Cleveland i knew we had a long way to go, and then with Portland we were close but we didnt seem to be going anywhere, but now with Phoenix everyone seems to be supercharged and fully confident"

Baron - "Yeah pretty much what Darius said, i think teams are going to find it very hard to stop us now, we almost have as strong an offense as Sacramento".

Press - "Well we hope you two are right thanks for the interview"

[-BHZMAFIA-]

I like the 1st deal, because you needed a PG more than a SF anyway. Where did Joe Johnson go? I didnt think you needed to do the last deal if you still had JJ...nevermind, i see that JJ was traded earlier in the year to the Bulls.

[Mark.]

Yeah i think keeping JJ would have worked for the best, but tis too late now, i guess its good to have jamal and eddy tho

[Andrew]

Great debut for B-Diddy (or Beer Baron as I call him, in honour of that episode of The Simpsons). I'm impressed with Miles' stats too. I probably wouldn't have made those deals so early in the season, but they seem to have paid off.

[Mark.]

yeah it seems like they are early on, but its almost the trade deadline

[Andrew]

Ah yes. I forgot you were playing a 28 game season.

[Mark.]

Yeah, i've vowed that next time i start a season it will be a 82 game one.