Video

New ties in Phoenix Dec. 19: Steve Nash talks about the changes in Phoenix, from new coaches to teammates.

/

At least some fans may be wondering if Kerr’s moves have left Porter with a puzzle that’s too hard to put together. But remember to win a NBA championship a team has to have all the components that make that happen. In the best of all worlds, Porter molds the Suns so they have two huge plusses going for them. They can still run opponents off the court but also when needed, especially in the postseason, they can toughen in the trenches and succeed with a defensive minded, half-court game. His greatest challenge in pulling this off is how well he can find combinations of his personnel that click since the Suns’ roster has a mix of players who are either much more effective playing a wide-open style or much better suited to half-court basketball.

Kerr wouldn’t have changed the roster to the degree he has if he didn’t feel like the new look gives Phoenix a better chance of winning the Western Conference and playing for a NBA title. While some other top clubs in the West, namely the Lakers and the Suns’ playoff nemesis -- the Spurs -- will be tough hurdles for them to clear, Phoenix remains a forceful team, one from which 50 wins should come this season. In terms of the constitution of the team, the Suns are better now than they were a year ago. As they play more with each other and get better as a unit, they are going to cause more problems for opponents. Having O’Neal playing better and Richardson on board reinforces the notion the Suns should be a team to be reckoned with come the playoffs.

Kerr’s moves have been about addressing what he felt has kept the Suns from winning a NBA championship. They didn’t have a big potent force in the middle, their bench was lacking and in the playoffs they couldn’t grind it out half-court style and get the best of top-tier opponents.

Kerr admits if what he’s done works out, he’s a genius. If it doesn’t, he’ll be second guessed forever. He realizes the window of opportunity to win a championship for the cast he has assembled could very well be only this season and next. Nash, 34, isn’t getting any younger and either is O’Neal, 36. Both become free agents in the summer of 2010 as does Stoudemire, who is standing by his comments of earlier in the season that he has no preference on where he will play when he becomes a free agent. So when the Suns tip their 2010-11 season, it could be without Nash, O’Neal and Stoudemire. But even more of a question than that is will they have won a NBA championship by then?

More news

NBC Sports

Will experience carry Celtics?

  SportsTalk: Will the veteran Celtics beat the younger, more athletic 76ers in Game 7 today?

Jesse D. Garrabrant / Getty Images Contributor

CSN: Why Celtics will beat 76ers in Game 7

CSN: It's going to be a close one, but signs indicate the Celtics will beat the 76ers in Game 7 on Saturday. John Gonzalez breaks down the evidence.

Headlines

• Label

CSN: Surgery ends season for Celtics' Bradley

SportsTalk: Do Heat actually want Celtics?

PBT: Spoelstra fined $25K for criticizing officials

PBT: Knicks give Woodson multiyear extension

PBT: Knicks' J.R. Smith arrested in South Beach

PBT Extra: Can young Thunder stun Spurs?

PBT: How do Thunder deal with Spurs' Parker?

PBT: As The Magic Turn — no decision on Howard