Monday, March 7, 2011

The Suns are Done?

With Channing Frye out two to three weeks, one local radio host is calling the Suns' season over.  With just over 20 games remaining and the Suns sitting a game and a half out of the 8th and final playoff seed, can they make up ground without a starter? 

Mark Asher, of KTAR's afternoon duo Gambo and Ash, says no.  With this team's recent history, can anyone blame Ash for bailing?  Vince Carter can score 30 points a night, but only against the Oklahoma City Thunder.  Grant Hill can still defend anyone in the league, but forgot to contribute offensively in last night's overtime loss.  Steve Nash is still a top 5 point guard, but his medical issues are pushing Aaron Brooks into a bigger role that anyone had expected. 

At the end of the day, Ash may be right and the Suns may miss the playoffs.  It just seems a shame to call the season over now. 

Monday, January 31, 2011

The Super Bowl and the Dallas Ice Storm

With the Super Bowl in Dallas this year, no one was expecting temperatures to rival those in Detroit a couple years ago.  But here we are.  At least the Steelers and Packers (and their fans) will be comfortable, even if the people of Dallas are frozen solid.  And in the next couple years the Super Bowl will be held in Indianapolis and New York.  Let's remind the NFL that Phoenix doesn't get ice storms.  All the more reason to bring the Super Bowl back here more than every 7 or 8 years

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

What Will it Take for the Coyotes to Get Recognized?

There is a significant chance that, in 2011, only one professional sports team in Arizona will make the playoffs.  So why do the Coyotes get no respect?

Much is structural: the Coyotes are competing against team that have been in Arizona much longer (Cardinals and Suns) and against a team that won Arizona's only professional sports championship (Diamondbacks). 

Part is based on the personal experience of Arizonans.  Most of us grew up playing baseball, basketball, and football.  Before the Coyotes moved here, hockey in Arizona was something that Canadians did.

When will the Coyotes get the recognition they deserve?  Not until they get the ownership issues cleared up.  And not until they can produce a consistent winner.  Arizona sports fans have options.  There is no need to support a bad team just because they are in your town.  Once the Coyotes can prove, not just say, that they will be here long term, that process can begin.