The Western Conference has its teams generally considered to be NBA Finals worthy (Lakers, Blazers, Spurs, Jazz), a few others that one would consider hit or miss to win a playoff series (Wolves, Sonics, Kings), still more that are knocking on the postseason door (Mavs, Rockets, Warriors, Nuggets) and then the bad (Clips, Grizzlies). So where does one place the Phoenix Suns?

	When it came to getting the ball to the right place, nobody was better than Kidd.

The conference's No. 5 seed last season, the Suns overcame plenty of adversity to get to the second round of the playoffs. But is this merely a fun team that overachieved, or a good team that could challenge the top teams? We ask and answer this question in this, our 21st offseason team spotlight, the Phoenix Suns. As always, we have our opinions, which are below, but we also appreciate yours. Click on the file to the right and see what the users were thinking.

Why the Suns were 53-29: Frankly, with all the problems they had staying healthy, it's amazing new coach Scott Skiles was able to pull it off. The Suns didn't just field a team, which at times wasn't easy, but they thrived. This now makes 12 straight years the franchise has made it to the postseason, but admit it, how many of you figured the streak would end when player after player went down?

First Danny Ainge quits out of nowhere (early in the season, Dec. 13). Then Penny Hardaway gets hurt (misses 21 games). Shawn Marion gets hurt (misses 31 games). Tom Gugliotta nearly dies from a seizure, then he gets hurt (tears up a knee, plays 54 games total). Then Jason Kidd gets hurt. All of a sudden you're looking at Oliver Miller, Kevin Johnson and Todd Day playing key roles.

Well maybe it wasn't quite that bad. But, consider that Penny and Kidd didn't really play all that much together. Kidd broke his ankle down the stretch, necessitating the desperate KJ signing (and give KJ a break. He wasn't in shape because he had no idea he needed to be). Googs had one of his worst seasons -- when he was able to play -- and Rex Chapman and Luc Longley were pretty miserable.

Here's how the Suns were able to succeed and eventually knock off the defending champion Spurs and scare the Lakers a bit. Clifford Robinson may have scored and rebounded more in his Portland days, but make no mistake, this was the best year of his career. He should have been an All-Star and he carried this team on many nights at both ends of the floor. Penny was pretty solid, resurrecting his career with an all-around game. Kidd led the league in assists and was second on the team in rebounding, and for the first two months of the season was scoring about 18 points a game. Then there was Rodney Rogers, exiled from Clipperland by winning the Sixth Man award and being the only Sun to play in 82 games.

This was clearly a fun team to watch, but also a dangerous one. Just imagine what might have happened had the team been healthy (and had a real center, but that's another problem).

	Current projected top 6
	PG	Jason Kidd
	SG	Penny Hardaway
	SF	Shawn Marion
	PF	Tom Gugliotta
	C	Luc Longley
	6th	Rodney Rogers

Team MVP: With apologies to the league's top assist guy and its best sixth man, Uncle Cliffy saved this team. In December and January, a critical time for the Suns when it came to coaching and injuries, Robinson averaged more than 23 points and shot 50 percent. Team LVP: With apologies to Chapman, who was just horrible, Longley was worse. Longley hadn't scored fewer points since his Timberwolves days, and in a mere 19.7 minutes he managed to still commit his usual three fouls a night and turn the ball over a ton, and do no rebounding. But this was the closest he's come to playing a full season since 1993-94. In today's NBA he probably warrants a raise. Surprise! A capable but unproven scorer back in the other L.A., Rogers knew he had a lot to prove. And he sure did. But where did that .439 three-point shooting come from? Rogers should have his numbers go down if others stay healthy. Up and comer: Watch out for Marion. The ninth pick in the draft wasn't an afterthought, but who figured he'd score, rebound and block shots this well coming off a season at UNLV? He made 38 starts and proved he could do more than jump high. Now he needs to handle the ball and shoot from the outside better, while still jumping high.

What they need: To go at least a few days straight without consulting the team physician. The Suns have their pieces in place to win another 53 games or more, but they need to be on the court. A starting lineup of Longley, Googs, Marion, Penny and Kidd is very solid, with Rogers playing more than Longley and Robinson more than either guy. Incoming free agent Tony Delk (from the Kings) should be a better backup for Kidd than Randy Livingston was and Corey Blount brings his big body back to the frontcourt.

Then there are a series of names you may not know. Paul McPherson, an undrafted rookie who played a year at DePaul, led the team's summer league club at the Rocky Mountain Revue in Salt Lake City with an average of 18.7 points a game and led the league in field-goal percentage, hitting 61.9 percent of his shots. He's only 6-2, but calls himself a power forward. Daniel Santiago, who played at St. Vincent College and is 7-1, also kicked butt at the Rocky Mountain Revue. Mr. Longley could lose time to this guy. Ruben Garces and Justin Love are two other free agents that were signed, likely signalling the end to Toby Bailey and Todd Day's days. And the player the Suns took on draft day, big Greek center Iakovos Tsakalidis, won't be here this year or anytime soon, but people say he has game. He's a legit 7-footer.

Kidd and Penny didn't play a whole season together, but it wouldn't be a problem when they do. Penny is clearly the two-guard here, unlike in Orlando, and has top-notch passing skills. This team likes to run, and both these guys do that well, with few better than Kidd when it comes to finding the open man. Marion, who may or may not start over Robinson at small forward, is a fantastic finisher off the break. Gugliotta and Rogers are quality forwards.

What the plan is: Skiles represented himself and his team pretty well last year, motivating a shorthanded bunch to finish strong (winning 7 of 9 at one point late) and very nearly earn the home court against San Antonio. Without Duncan, the Spurs only took one game. And while the Suns only managed one win against Shaq and the Lakers, Games 2 and 3 of that series were decided in the final seconds and could have gone either way. The Suns blew the Lakers out in Game 4.

The Suns certainly plan to be among the top teams in the West yet again, but their exciting style of play isn't made for the playoffs. The fact there is no dominant center (or even a decent one) also doesn't help.

Marion should be better and there's no reason to believe that the injuries suffered to Kidd or Gugliotta will hold them back. Hardaway seems to be hurt every year, but he was strong down the stretch, averaging better than 20 points in the Lakers series and erasing doubts that he was through.

There's nothing wrong with this team. Sure, the Suns could use a devastating injury to Shaq or Duncan in the playoffs, but other than that this team is set. In a halfcourt playoff atmosphere where the team's top inside threat is the three-point toting Robinson, it's a lot harder to advance out of the West. But it's going to be a whole lotta fun watching them win 50-plus games.

Direction heading: We still think the Lakers, Blazers and Spurs are better, but 55 wins and the No. 4 spot in the West is sitting there for them -- good health or not. There's just too much talent to win less than 50.