Injured Suns, Rumored Guns

So how do you beat one of the best teams in the league? Easy, play them when they're injured. The Suns are 4-10 without Nash since he joined the team, 2-3 without him this season. The last two games they lost, Boris Diaw's absence worsened the situation. At best, the Suns have six solid starters, all flourishing under the careful guidance of their 2-time MVP general, Mr. Nash. Without two of their big boys, all hell breaks loose. Banks is all right to come in as a fifth man, a sub, a guy to give Barbosa or Nash a breather, but he cannot be expected to run the Suns. Nor can Barbosa for that matter, he just doesn't exert the same command--and hey, compared to the reigning MVP, that's not meant to be a criticism. The whole team knows it, and this is what feeds the Suns. Without Nash, they don't believe in themselves. It's not so much of Nash being the little engine that could, Nash is THE engine. Take it away, and the Suns fall apart.

Good news for Phoenix fans is that this shoulder injury is really not that serious. Trust me. On top of everything, he gets a couple weeks rest halfway through, he's going to come back energized and lead his team to their rightful number two spot and hopefully a match-up in the conference finals VS the Mavericks.

Now, far more interesting, to me at least, are the various rumors swirling around the leagues. Carlos Zambrano--ah, baseball is in the air again, can't wait cannot wait--says he will bolt if he doesn't get a long-term deal before Opening Day. Can you see him pitching for the Mets? Because I can. Sure the Yankees always come up, but I know Minaya, and as a Mets fan, I am salivating at the chance of landing this arm for the Mets. We need it--our young guns are still too young, and Glavine, well, he's not get any younger that's for sure. If there was some way to get Carlos this year...but there's not. Ten to one he sticks with the Cubs anyway. They cannot afford to let him go, as he is the one anchor they have.

Papelbon adds a curve as he tries to make it as a starter again. Will he succeed? Ridiculous as he was, I just don't see it. But hey, I'm not saying he's going to be terrible, but he will not have the same impact as he had last year. For a solid two months, he was a baseball immortal coming out of the pen, a special time for all baseball fans. It was a time we won't see again from him, though he'll certainly have his share of dominating performances. Remember how Beckett pitched for the Sox last year? I see about the same happening, but who knows...

That's what's great about baseball, you just never know with these guns they have.

How sweet would Jason Kidd be on the Lakers? But just like Nash and the Suns, trade away Kidd and there go the Nets. Microfracture surgery or not, Kidd is an animal, a triple-double threat who gives maximum effort and is a model teammate. What's sweetening the possibility is the fact that this year's draft class is incredibly deep and the Lakers have picks--but do you really want to create the Toronto Raptors in New Jersey? Surrounding Vince Carter with a bunch of no names? Sure the Nets would still have Richard Jefferson, K-dog, and Marcus Williams...you know what, go for it. Nets build for the future, Lakers go out right now. Plus, I want to see what Kidd and Kobe can do together, and not just on the court. Can you imagine what would happen if these guys double-teamed some girl? That has to be the plot of one of the scariest movies ever, and then Chris Kaman shows up...oh God, I have to stop before I get nightmares. But seriously, I would pay to watch that reality show.

Or how about Kidd on the Cavaliers? Someone needs to not only take some of the load off Lebron, but light a fire under his ass--though I still think he's just waiting for the playoffs. Hey, he's young, he knows he's an animal, lull teams into a false sense of security, then pop them one in the mouth. It's what the Colts did, remember the rush defense that couldn't stop Peyton's grandma? Looked pretty good once it really mattered...

Now, Pau Gasol I think is a bigger catch for some teams, because let's face it, the Grizzlies are done. How about the Nets? Can you imagine Gasol, Kidd, and Carter? Automatic contender. Gasol on the Bulls as well, that was the particularly hot rumor though it seems to have cooled off due to the injury to Nocioni. All I know is that Gasol wants out, and he is the final piece to a lot of teams for a late playoffs run...and Garnett? He's not going anywhere.

Gasol is a potential wildcard, a force that must be reckoned with, and honestly, would you rather have Ben Wallace or Pau Gasol if you're the Bulls? Send over Ben, a couple picks, and maybe some young talent and see what happens. Memphis wants to ship him out as well, supposedly West wants to cut payroll, and this is a must-have player. If the Knicks could somehow get him...I'm sure we'd get the eighth playoff spot then. Ha.

We'd be a force. See us take out the Lakers? Eddy Curry, what what. Always helps when Kobe doesn't have the last shot, I'd give it to Odom as many times as he wanted it. Odom got skills, but he ain't no Kobe. Still, I suppose the Lakers got to keep other teams honest.

Well, enough for today. I'm going to do a random rundown on various NBA/NHL/NCAA action soon, including an unranked Duke hoops team for the first time since 1996. And of course I'll be keeping my eyes open on any trade rumors...

Mighty interesting times right about now, folks. Mighty interesting.