Feb 27, 2013; San Antonio, TX, USA; Phoenix Suns head coach Lindsey Hunter reacts during the second half against the San Antonio Spurs at the AT

Since our beloved Phoenix Suns couldn’t find their way into the playoffs for the third consecutive season, the NBA season has ended early for Planet Orange. However with the NBA lottery taking place later on today it’ll be the first page for the Phoenix Suns’ 2013-2014 season. So what are some hot topics involving the Suns and the NBA?

Eric’s take:

I think his role is the same as the normal GM’s in that he will have the final say along with President of Basketball Operations Lon Babby and Owner Robert Sarver on all personnel decisions starting with the new head coach and on to the players. During the coaching selection and the draft, McDonough will take the recommendations of the people already in place in the organization as just that, recommendations. He will then decide what the best course of action will be.

Eric’s take:

This seems like a question between drafting Ben McLemore (risk) versus Otto Porter (safe). Both are consensus top-three picks this year that Arizona Republics’ Paul Coro accurately described in his article today as a draft that is, “heavier on depth than stars.” I would say go for the safe pick in Otto Porter who seemingly has a high-character, motivation and motor, and looks like he has a higher floor. In other words, Porter is less likely to be a bust and can contribute to the team significantly over the years. Management can swing for the fences (Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker, Ruben Randle) next year.

4) Which of the three remaining teams has the best chance to dethrone Miami?

Matt’s take: 

What team did Reggie Miller play for in the NBA? Oh that’s right! The Indiana Pacers! A week ago I thought the Memphis Grizzlies would be the Heat’s kryptonite but I think that throughout the playoffs, the Pacers have been the better team. Roy Hibbert has stepped up in a big way for the Pacers in the playoffs and so has the rest of his squad.

The Pacers also match up against the Heat much better than the Heat does against them. If the Pacers can turn the Heat into a jump shooting team, they will have a great shot at their second trip to the finals in franchise history.

Eric’s take:

I think it’s Memphis hands down. They have the exact lineup that can bring down South Beach. Indiana doesn’t have the go to scoring yet, and San Antonio is too old in key spots to deal with Miami for a whole series. I would go in order: Memphis, San Antonio, and Indiana.

Memphis can exploit the weaknesses of the Heat. Think about Marc Gasol defending Bosh and vice-versa. He would eat him up! Tony Allen and Quincy Pondexter can take turns defending Lebron. Gasol and Randolph will take ALL of Miami’s rebounds with ferocity. Also, Mike Conley is coming into his own and his penetration will hopefully seal the deal.

Nov. 17, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Miami Heat forward LeBron James (6) drives the ball during the game against the Phoenix Suns forward Michael Beasley (0) in the first half at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-US PRESSWIRE

The Phoenix Suns (4-7) fell to the Miami Heat (8-3) at home on Saturday night by the final score of 97-88. The Suns now fall to 3-3 at home but the good news is they don’t play until Wednesday night, and they will play their next 2 games at home before heading out on a 6 game road trip.

The Suns would think they would have a great chance at winning this game given that Dwyane Wade sat out with a foot injury and LeBron James woke up yesterday morning with flu-like symptoms.

LeBron didn’t have his typical game but he did end up with 21 points and 7 rebounds, however it was his partner in crime Chris Bosh that dominated Saturday’s match-up. Bosh dropped 24 points on 9 of 11 shooting and pulled down 9 rebounds.

The Suns began the game against Miami ice cold missing all first 9 of their shot attempts to begin the game and trailed early 9-0 but the Suns would storm back on a 23-11 run to close out the quarter but Shane Battier responded with a 3-pointer from nearly 30 feet out to tie the game with time winding down in the 1^st at 23-23.

The Suns would begin the 2^nd quarter aggressive both offensively and defensively. The Suns would take a 46-39 lead after a jumper by Shannon Brown. However it was Miami who closed the quarter strong behind LeBron and Bosh who scored 9 of Miami’s final 13 points in the 2^nd quarter to tie the game at 52-52 heading into halftime; originally the Suns had the lead 53-52 but the officials took a point away after they ruled a Brown 3-pointer as a 2-pointer after they looked at the replay and saw his foot was on the line.

Nov. 17, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Miami Heat center Chris Bosh (1) shouts on the court during the game against the Phoenix Suns in the second half at US Airways Center. The Heat defeated the Suns 97-88. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-US PRESSWIRE

The Suns bench played a terrific game scoring 51 of the Suns 88 points. Markieff Morris led all Suns scorers with 16 points, Shannon Brown and Michael Beasley each added 14 points each; and Goran Dragic recorded 12 points and 8 assists.

The Heat as usual shot the ball out of their minds. Miami shot 54% overall from the field and 42% from downtown including 8 made 3s; 4 3-pointers were made by Shane Battier.

The Suns heading into the 2^nd half began the 3^rd quarter much like how they began the 1^st quarter, the Suns shot 1 of 9 coming out of halftime and found themselves trailing 73-60 but behind Markieff Morris the Suns closed out the 3^rd on an 11-2 run; 7 consecutive points scored by Morris during that stretch. The Suns trailed Miami 75-71 heading into the 4^th.

The Suns would tie the game at 79-79 with 8:29 left to go in the ball game on a Markieff Morris put back. Unfortunately Miami went on a 9-0 capped off by a vicious reverse dunk by LeBron James and the led 88-79 with 5:29 to go.

Like it’s been all season, the Suns had one more run left in them. The Suns would then go on a 9-2 run of their own capped off by a steal and score by Dragic and the game was within the grasp of the Suns as they trailed only 88-90 with 2:11 left to go in the game.

The Suns, much like they did two nights ago against the Lakers, they ran out of gas. Miami would go on to score the next 7 points and they closed the on a 7-0 run. LeBron James scored on a spin move lay-up off of Marcin Gortat with 44 seconds left in the contest and that would ultimately be the dagger.

The Suns will have 4 days to workout whatever issues they may have before they have to face the Portland Trail Blazers at home on Wednesday. Alvin Gentry said after the game there will be a change in the starting line-up, keep up with SunNgun.com for news regarding that situation.