I'm not sure how much Cassell has left in the tank, but he could definitely bring veteran leacership and scoring in limited minutes. Stoudamire...I think I saw his game on a milk carton.

After the nonsense Cassell and his fellow Rockets brought with them after their trade to PHX years back, there's no way PHX would ever consider bringing him back.

I'm not entirely sold on Stoudamire, either. We NEED to do something though. Last night's loss to the Clippers was PATHETIC.

Sky-

What is the root cause for the Suns current funk? Don't say it is because of Grant Hill.

They are one of my favorite teams, but I said it before, they are losing in uncharacteristic ways this season. What's the scoop man?

My guess? Partially Hill's absence but probably more than that. Their defense has been rather lackluster as has been their intensity. They established what i thought would be a devastating tone early by securing a 10 point lead in the first five minutes but allowed the Clips to claw back.

Diaw needs to go. He's far too inconsistent and lacks the motivation to go hard to the basket. He has a propensity to overpass, and that leads to missed shots, turnovers, or a 24 second violation at times. It's maddening!

I don't know.. but to let a 38 year old Cassell run rampant on us and score 32 points is totally unacceptable. Somebody needed to foul him hard a few times to keep him honest.

In my opinion, their struggles (if you call 1/2 game back of 1st place in the West struggling) are linked to motivation. For years, the Suns have rolled over everyone in the regular season only to have everyone tell them "The regular season doesn't matter". So my question is... If the regular season doesn't matter, why's everyone so worried about the Suns (and praising the Lakers)?

I have a feeling that come March & April, the Suns will be at the top of their division and ready for the playoffs.

Again, it's just my opinion.

There seems to be a lot of indifference on the Suns' team right now. Oddly, the players that seem to not care change from, game to game. Sometimes Stat will play 30 minutes and pick up 5 rebounds. Matrix will stop playing D when he feels he does not get enough offensive touches. Diaw's play, as stated above, is absolutely maddening. Not sure how much interest there would be from other teams but, Diaw would be a great as a 1st option low post player for a team in need ala Suns' 05-06 season. Chicago anyone?

I wouldn't mind seeing a much more mature Sam Cassell in a Suns uniform to pick up the 10-15 minutes a night that Steve sits. I just don't know if that would be a roll Sam would be happy with and could cause further chemistry issues. As anyone that follows the NBA knows. Sam is not one to sit back and be quiet whether he's happy or not.

I do agree with you Jay in that I also feel the Suns will be okay once April/May rolls around but, I would not mind seeing a minor trade for a back up PG or a descent inside defensive presence

After the nonsense Sam and his crew pulled while briefly being Suns, there's no chance- NONE- that he ever suits up in the purple and orange again. I'd rather have Damn Stoudamire or someone else than a broken down Cassell.

Oops.. that should read "Damon". LOL

Yeah, bring in the Damn Stoudamire!

Everything's lovely in LAKERLAND!!!

I like Cassell better than Stoudamire. I think Cassell will bring in steady numbers that will ease the hole left by Nash when he sits out.

But it is sad that the Suns can't run AT ALL without Nash. What does that say about their other guys?

sky.....would you want to be traded from a championship team to a team that is trying to make the playoffs......a team in the year before hit your teammate in the head with a ball........i think not.....Sam has grown up a lot since then.....sam would be a great 2nd point behind Nash.....Nash would be well rested for the playoffs.......they mite want to see if their a shot blocking / rebound big in the D-League too

Can someone tell me what this Sam's story about PHX is?

Getting back to Suns, I can't agree that motivation (or lack thereof) is their biggest issue (except Marion). I mean you can't tell me they weren't motivated or not play hard against LA in their first matchup. They just got beat by superior defense and better coaching.

I have to say that Steve Kerr isn't fitting the bill. Maybe he just takes orders from the owners, nonetheless, they sorely miss Kurt Thomas. Skinner has been ok, but rather than a replacement, Skinner should have been an addition.

Diaw is the biggest woos of alltime. He doesn't seem to mind minutes being cut, 'coz he shows no passion to earn them (see barbosa and learn from him). Diaw passes up layups and throws the ball for a contested 3-pointer. His assists numebrs and thus misleading. If they can trade him and get something, they should do it.

w/o knowing Cassel's PHX background, I do think he can help Suns come playoffs. he has the killer instinct; That's what is needed in April. Cut Diaw and sign Cassel

MrMykel: Cassell doesn't have the wheels to play at the Suns' frenetic pace and would invariably slow down the offense. Sure, he has veteran savvy and a deft shooting touch, but I don't think he'd seriously be worth the potential drawbacks he'd bring to the team. It's a toss up at best.

I'd like to see Rafer Alston in that wide open Phoenix attack

Alston wouldn't work here. He's more flash than substance and should go back to playing on the And1 Mix Tape tour.

ESPN... It's funny that you mention the Laker game because that was absolutely a motivation issue. The Lakers were motivated to beat the team that knocked them out of the playoffs (twice) while the Suns weren't overly excited about "just another game" when they had 81 more to play before they started to matter.

While the lakers reign at #1 in the west will be short lived with the absence of bynum, just know that the suns are not as good as they once were even if they lead the pac division.. They were close to the championship, but their window has closed.. They are not blowing teams out like they were before, and thats troubling for you suns fans..

When the playoffs come around, the refs let teams bang around a bit more, thats when phoenix will become fodder for the powers in the west.. They are just too weak inside defensively to win. Kurt Thomas was a bigger piece to the "puzzle", i guess.. Not sure if a backup pt would help so much in the quest for the title.