THROUGH THE YEARS
	Year	Record	Playoffs
	1994-95	59-23	6-4
	1995-96	41-41	1-3
	1996-97	40-42	2-3
	1997-98	56-26	1-3
	1998-99	27-23	0-3
	Totals	223-155	3-5

The Present
The Suns, now under coach Scott Skiles, are 11 games over .500, stand third in the Pacific Division, and hold the fourth playoff slot in the Western Conference. It was an up tempo team that forced turnovers (over 17 per game), ran the break well under the leadership of Jason Kidd (league-leading 10 assists per), and could score in clusters (just under 100 ppg). They played a unique game in which the guards (Kidd and Hardaway) were their best post-up players, and the big guys (Robinson, Gugliotta and Rogers) were their best perimeter scorers. But they were at their best when they ran. Kidd rebounded at the defensive end, advanced the ball on a quick dribble, then created the scoring plays.

But now -- with Wednesday's injury to Kidd (a broken ankle) against Sacramento that takes him out for the season -- those hopes are dashed! What a crushing blow for a team that has been smitten with injuries all season! Of course, Gugliotta's also done for the year and Longley is out for the immediate future. Skiles might have patched a force together without Googs and Big Luc -- but without the services of the dynamic, creative Kidd, the Suns have all but set.

I was very impressed with the Suns as I watched them fly up and down the court against Miami in early-March. I came away feeling that this was a team with upset potential in the playoffs ... something that has been lacking with the franchise since the '93 season when the Suns went to the NBA Finals before losing in six games to Michael's Bulls. After being ousted in the first round for the last four seasons, I thought this might be the year. It's a bleak, cold day in Phoenix today -- even though the weather report says "sunny and warm."

Skiles faces the task of working out new roles for his players, patching new pieces into the lineup and rebuilding team confidence. It's a big job for the rookie coach, but Skiles is an upbeat, resourceful sort who will look the challenge right in the eye and get the best results possible.

He will have to give Hardaway more ball-handling and play-making responsibilities. Penny is capable of both, but it may impact negatively on his own scoring. Skiles will also have to get consistent production out of Kidd's backup, Randy Livingston, who shows signs of fulfilling the hope many had for him when he first came in the league with Houston.

Hopefully, he'll get Longley back at 100 percent before too long and get Luc to step up his game; and get a bit more from Marion, Rogers and Robinson -- who are already playing very well. Former All-Star point guard Kevin Johnson was brought out of retirement on Thursday to help out, but he skipped all of last season and it's unclear what he can bring.

But, unfortunately for Phoenix, there's just no replacing Jason Kidd -- the best point guard in the league.

The Future
The future for the Suns hinges on the recovery of their two starters, Kidd and Gugliotta, and the ability of the Colangelos -- Jerry and son Bryan -- to get some high quality players to fill the breach. It won't happen this season for the two players -- and perhaps not even next for Googs -- but don't underestimate what the Suns management team can come up with.

The Suns have an excellent scouting group led by Dick Percudani, which includes veteran NBA observer Al Bianchi and the two Colangelos. That group has done a marvelous job over the years coming up with sleeper draft picks that have had consistent success in the NBA. Marion is another example of their good work.

Then, there's also the geographical factor that works in the team's favor. Players like to live in the Phoenix area, and many stay there after their playing days are over. That helps the Suns in signing free agent players.

There's also a positive in the creative ways -- within cap regulations -- that Jerry Colangelo has found to offer lucrative contracts to players whom he regards as significant to team success. He has also been a man of his word, in whom players develop a deep sense of trust. Bryan possesses the same qualities.

And I like Skiles. He's a no-nonsense type, who knows the game and works at his craft. He'll only get better as a coach.

But the present and the future, which looked so promising for Phoenix just a day ago, is suddenly not as bright.

The Suns are back to square one.