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The wait is over as the first two days of the 2009-2010 NBA season is over and done. We saw strong teams get beaten, players coming back (Mr. Arenas!), rookies who don’t play like one and more and more exciting plays. It’s just exciting isn’t it? So here are some of our thoughts from the first two days.

• The Cleveland Cavaliers are 0-2 after losing to the Boston Celtics and the Toronto Raptors. Lebron James has been fantastic in the first two games but we still think that their lineup isn’t that strong this year even with Shaq and new addition Anthony Parker around. The Cavs need to get things together or else…
• Gilbert Arenas is back! We know it’s just one game but if you saw how he played he had thing in control on his way to a 29 point game where he had 9 assists. He didn’t record any assists but he shot well,10-21 from the field. It looks like the 2 years did his body good as he tries to revive his career.
• We loved Andrew Bynum in his first game where he posted a line of 26 points, 13 rebounds while shooting 9-15 from the field and 8-10 from the line. We have a good feeling that he will stay healthy this year.
• The Philadelphia 76ers really had a hard time against the Orlando Magic and we don’t like what we’re seeing with Elton Brand. As for Marreese Speights, this guy really looks like he will battle Samuel Dalembert for minutes and he could end up being their starter by December.
• So much for Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy saying that Dwight Howard can hit close to 75% of his free throw attempts. He started the year going 3-6.

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Image by kevindooley via flickr

The Phoenix Suns are now on the outside looking in for the first time since Steve Nash arrived in Phoenix in the summer of 2004. They’re trailing the Dallas Mavericks, who’s in 8th place, by 4 games but things have been positive with the Suns’ recent win steak. Making the playoffs for the Suns is reachable but it won’t be easy. Here are some reasons why they will make the playoff and why they won’t.

Why the Suns will make the playoff:

• Steve Nash will play like old Stevie

I don’t mean like an old Steve Nash, which was how he was playing under the system of Terry Porter. What I mean is playing like his MVP seasons. We all know that he is the quarterback of the Suns and they’re a completely different team without him. I still think that he should have been voted in the All Star team if it weren’t for Terry Porter. (more…)

You're out Porter, You're in Gentry

League sources say that team officials of the Phoenix Suns were meeting on Sunday afternoon with Alvin Gentry to finalize a deal for him replace Terry Porter as head head coach of the Suns.

As this deal is being finalized, Terry Porter said that he hasn’t heard anything from Suns officials and they will be meeting later today.

Gentry, who has had head coaching experience with the Los Angeles Clippers, Detroit Pistons and Miami Heat, is the lead assistant and will be taking over the Suns for the remainder of the season.

Reasons for the firing of Porter are obvious as he wasn’t able to bring the defensive mindset that the management was looking for when he was in Detroit. Another is that the whole offense of the Suns became too slow and was focusing too much on Shaquille O’neal. These led to the trading of D’Antoni’s favorite Boris Diaw and crowd favorite Raja Bell to the Bobcats for Jason Richardson and Jared Dudley in December. Coach Porter also loosened up the offense and it looked like they were winning again but losing 8 out of the final 13 games convinced management that it was time for him to go.

This could be great news for Phoenix Suns fans as Amar’e Stoudemire might not be traded after all. It also looks like they have a good relationship with coach Alvin Gentry as he has been with the Suns since 2004. Let’s just hope that Gentry learned a thing or two from D’Antoni’s run ‘n gun system as this will boost the production of all the Suns players except Shaquille O’neal.

If Amar’e stays, look for the Suns to go to him more and play Phoenix Suns basketball with all the running. Steve Nash’s career will be rejuvenated after it took a step back for half a season this year. Look for them to score more this second half and I’m pretty sure that fantasy owners of Suns players and Suns fans are all excited with this.

“James told the Cleveland Plain Dealer he is pleased with the Cleveland Cavaliers’ improvement and is considering signing an extension during this summer.” – ESPN.com

Drew Gooden will be out 7-10 days because of a sprained ankle. – ESPN.com BuhayBasketball’s Notes: Andres Nocioni, who has been playing well the past few games, will now start and is a good source for points, threes and rebounds. Tyrus Thomas, because of his upside, is also worth a look if you need rebounds and blocks.

Glen “Big Baby” Davis was hospitalized after car crash. – boston.com BB’s notes: Big Baby doesn’t have much fantasy value but I hope the big fella is all right. Patrick O’Bryant replaced him in the lineup.

“If the Wolves can find a way to lose that game (Grizzlies), they will set the record of 17 straight losses the following night at Dallas. – twincities.com

“The Suns are staging a free-agent workout Monday to sign a point guard for the 13th roster spot, which must be filled by Wednesday. The participants are slated to be Darrell Armstrong, Dee Brown, Eddie Gill, Troy Hudson, Walker Russell Jr. and Damon Stoudamire.” – azcentral.com BB’s notes: The Suns need a backup point guard just in case Steve Nash goes down with an injury. Goran Dragic has been unimpressive so far in his rookie season.

“The Cavs and Nets have not discussed a Carter swap in any form. In fact, the Nets and Cavs haven’t discussed any type of trade in a month and a half.” – cbs sports

Check out some of Steve Nash’ VitaminWater commercials. Nash, the former MVP and an aspiring filmmaker, said he wrote the ads that had lines like, “I just like to take a big brand, put it on my back, give them a little piggyback ride for a while. See how good they can be,” and “I’m just like you but 10 times better. When you think of MJ, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Me! I know.” (more…)