2012-13 NBA Division Preview: Pacific Division

4. Phoenix Suns- 33-33 (2011-12)

For the last two seasons the Suns have been on the outside looking in come playoff time. And that was with Steve Nash in the lineup. It’s hard to imagine a nucleus of Marcin Gortat, Michael Beasley, Goran Dragic, Luis Scola and Jared Dudley ending the team’s playoff drought. Before training camp started, Channing Frye was diagnosed with an enlarged heart and is expected to miss the entire season, making the small chance of the team making the playoffs even more unlikely.

This current Suns team reminds me of the Houston Rockets squads of the last several season. They are a tough and competitive team, there’s just not enough talent to crack the postseason.

After spending the start of his career as a backup, Marcin Gortat proved his worth last season as a starting center in the NBA, averaging 17 points and 11 rebounds. But that was while playing alongside Steve Nash. This is Gortat’s chance to prove last season’s performance wasn’t solely a byproduct of playing with Nash.

Key Players: Marcin Gortat, Michael Beasley and Luis Scola
Key Additions: Michael Beasley and Luis Scola
Key Losses: Steve Nash

Next Page: Sacramento Kings