Does Suns management ever go to bed wondering, "If only we played in the East?" That sure would make things easier in light of the last 48 hours' events.

Thursday, the Suns hosted the Spurs in Phoenix for the first time since their controversial playoff series last year. The game had everything (tempers, involved fans, flopping)...except scoring. Unfortunately, that always favors San Antonio.

There was hope that the Suns would be able to win ugly, but that rarely happens. Stoudemire reappeared in the fourth quarter after abysmal play early on, only to choke at the free throw line with two opportunities to tie.

Memo to Amare: show some All-Star-like consistency.

Even had the Suns eked out the win, it wouldn't have been seen as a statement. Phoenix would've escaped by the skin of their teeth, and they would've known that. Not very encouraging when the game was played sans Tony Parker.

Now the Suns' nagging doubts about playoff basketball and a black-and-silver jinx have resurfaced. Pundits (cough, Charles Barkley, gasp) continue to question whether Stoudemire can consistently play up to par against his western conference counterparts in the post.

That leads to the most recent piece of bad news for Phoenix: the trade that sends Pau Gasol from Memphis to the Lakers. With this move, the Lakers have vaulted themselves from "darkhorse" to "contender" status.

Now, Stoudemire will be facing double-trouble the next time he sees purple and gold in Gasol and growing man-child Andrew Bynum (assuming he's healthy).

Let's not forget the Marion isn't exactly a fan of having to defend post players that have five inches and fifty pounds on him in the first place. Marion struggled as it was guarding Lamar Odom, who will now be the third-tallest player on the Lakers' frontline at a paltry 6'10".

The one advantage the Suns may have over the Lakers would be footspeed, but don't think a coach like Phil Jackson won't prepare his team for that.

The Suns have more than a fighting chance with solid defenders Grant Hill, Brian Skinner and (when motivated) Boris Diaw. The last thing they needed, however, was a bigger challenge out west.

Life is full of those idyllic scenarios that we imagine to ourselves and say, "Hey, it could happen." I most often experience those with women and sports.

Members of the opposite sex often leave me hoping for the best and experiencing the opposite. "She's gorgeous, and wonderful, and funny and sweet. Maybe she'll think the same thing about me. Hey, it could happen."

On those rare times it does, it's agonizingly temporary. There comes that defining moment where she "needs space," or to "think things over." During the emotionally wrenching interval, I think, "She'll realize that this is what she really wants. She'll have a defining come-to-terms with herself (like in the movies) and think 'Why would I ever leave him?' Hey, it could happen."

A few days later, I get the official word that the "we" is back to "me."

Then there's sports; more specifically, the Phoenix Suns. The Suns faced the Jordan-lead Bulls in '93. I tried to convince myself that Chicago would lose to the Suns. "The Bulls are old, and they'll be complacent. Barkley and KJ are hungry and deserve to win. They'll raise a banner in Phoenix. Hey, it could happen."

Most recently, in the era of the resurrected Nash, there have been so many of those moments. 2004-05, against the Spurs in the conference finals, I thought that since they had a historic turnaround, it was a year of destiny, and tried to tell myself that, "This will be the storybook season. Lottery one year, championship the next. Hey, it could happen."

2005-06. Sans-Stoudemire, Phoenix managed to avoid the Spurs and Mavs until the conference finals. The Mavs were the opponent, having slain the Spurs dragon for us. Even without Stoudemire, I thought, "The Suns didn't fight all the injuries and the L.A. challenges in the first two rounds to be stopped now. We've got Dallas, and we know we can beat them, and then get to the Finals and win even without Amare. Hey, it could happen."

Last season, in the face of suspensions and physical Spurs defense, and for 45 minutes of Game 5, I did my best to keep saying, like a sacred verbal talisman, "Even though they're overmatched, the Suns are playing with so much heart. We can hold on for three more minutes and then go into Game 6 with a 3-2 series lead and finally beat the freaking Spurs. Hey, it could happen."

I think the worst part about all of the occurrences above, is that I truly didn't believe it myself. There was that part of me, in my gut, that would ache and tell me, "You want to believe, but you know, despite everything, that it won't work out that way."

I hate that. I hate how the "Hey, it could happens" have happened to everyone but my team. How the Spurs landed Duncan in the one year the Admiral was out of commission. How Miami gets a once-in-a-lifetime performance out of D-Wade to lift them over an 0-2 finals hole. How all those wonderful, best-case scenarios work out for other fans, but not for me. Not only me, but forty years worth of Suns fans. Not once.

This year, I really believe. There is no secret tummyache that betrays a false faith this time. I really believe the Suns will win it this year.

Nash is angry and determined. Stoudemire looked good last year, but this preseason has looked more spry and athletic, like the pre-microfracture version that took the league by storm.

Hill looks healthy and is running with the offense. Marion hasn't peeped since training camp. Diaw isn't fat. Banks is shooting the lights out.

Yes, San Antonio looks stronger than ever. Yes, Miami got a shot in the arm with Ricky Davis. Yes, Boston's triumvirate of All-Stars is enviable. Yes, Dallas could finally have a psychological breakthrough.

None of that matters. The Suns will win. I believe it. They'll beat San Antonio and Dallas if/when they face them. Phoenix will play like a team. The parts will mesh. They'll make the plays and get the breaks that all championship teams need. They'll be NBA champions for the first time in their 40-year history, and I will see it as it unfolds.

That and I'll find the girl of my dreams this same year. Hey, it could happen.

Rookie of the Year-Kevin Durant: Even if Oden were healthy, i'm not sure he would've beaten out Durant, simply because Seattle will depend more on KD than Portland would have on Oden.  The same could be said for Atlanta's Al Horford.  The former Gator has shown in the preseason that he can fill the stat sheet, but unfortunately is among the plethura of forwards that litters the Hawks' roster.  While Durant at shooting guard may not be pretty at times, it should be enough to win him ROY.

6th Man of the Year-Andres Nocioni: I was trying to decide between Noc and Adam Morrison, but then the bomb dropped yesterday that 'Stache would be out for the season with a torn ligament.  Nocioni has already shown this preseason that he can provide the offensive punch that Chicago will need off the bench.  Gordon and Deng can only do so much, and Nocioni has the consistent firepower (and inner fire) to get the job done.

Most Improved Player- Andrea Bargnani:  Everyone's been harping about Dwight Howard's improved offense, but the jump in stats from last year to this season may not be large enough to warrant the nod from voters.  While Toronto is loaded at the guard and wing spots, their options in the middle are mediocre at best.  Bargnani will see plenty of playing time, as GM Bryan Colangelo will want to see further returns from his #1 draft pick.  Expect coach Sam Mitchell to tweak the offense around his dynamic duo of Bargnani and Bosh, now that he knows what the Italian sensation is capable of.

Defensive Player of the Year-Shawn Marion: Just as I can't support Marion on his recent rave about underappreciation, neither can I support that Marion has never been named to an All-NBA Defensive team.  This includes last year, when he was somehow left off both the first and second teams despite finishing fourth in Defensive Player of the Year award.  He's the only player in the league that can guard successfully all five positions on the floor.  He's always among the league leaders in both steals and blocks.  What more can you ask for? 

Coach of the Year-Rick Adelman: The only concern with the running philosophy of Adelman being applied to Houston is whether Yao Ming will have the necessary stamina to do the job.  When they set up in a half-court offense, however, Adelman will be sure to take advantage of Yao's exceptional passing, and teammates McGrady, Bonzi Wells, Steve Francis and Luis Scola should thrive, and hopefully do so past the first round.  Orlando's Stan Van Gundy is another candidate here.

MVP-Kevin Garnett: His stats may not be impressive while playing with two other All-Stars, but KG could very well have the same effect on the Celts that Shaq and Nash had on their respective clubs in the 2004-05 season.  Boston is bound to improve dramatically, and KG's effect, both statistically and otherwise, will be impossible to ignore.  Nash, Nowitzki, James and Bryant will all be in the discussion, but Boston's renewal under a new face will likely give Garnett a few extra votes.

This isn't how it was supposed to be. After Phoenix's heartbreaking loss to the Spurs, the feeling of injustice and redemption was supposed to unite the Suns like never before heading into the 2007-08 season. Now, the Suns would settle for a quiet training camp.

Shawn Marion's unaltered trade demand, of course, will be the center of attention for both fans and outsiders alike. Opponents can only hope that Phoenix's most powerful wing will break during the course of the season, while Suns fans are hoping fervently that Marion will remember how a lot of people would love to be as mistreated as he is.

It's doubtful that anything noteworthy will leak during camp, when every NBA club puts on a facade of almost comical optimism. As the season wears on the players physically and emotionally, however, Marion's discontent may resurface, and the Suns can only hope it doesn't happen during a losing streak. If it does, teams will be able to low-ball their offers in hopes of landing the Matrix at a used-DVD price as opposed to the action-packed movie premiere that he is.

Of more immediate concern to the Suns is the breaking news of another knee surgery to be performed on Amare Stoudemire.

While STAT was praised for his comeback from microfracture surgery on his left knee, people forget that it was actually the right knee that held the majority of problems during his recovery, and ultimately forced him to abort a premature comeback late in the 2005-06 season. Stoudemire had the right knee operated on at that point, removing a cyst and cleaning up the knee.

This new operation will also be performed on the troublesome right knee. Initial reports are that it will be a "clean-up" procedure, much like what teammate Raja Bell underwent earlier in the summer. With such shaky knee history, however, Suns' fans are understandably...nervous.

Because the procedure is being performed now, Stoudemire will miss the next two to three weeks, including training camp. Teammates, especially newcomers like Grant Hill, Alando Tucker and DJ Strawberry, will find that learning an offense without one of its central components to be a temporary hindrance at the very least.

These setbacks, both physical and emotional, couldn't come at a worse time for the Suns, who could use a strong start to bolster their confidence as they approach the playoffs. The NBA world is watching to see if things will be resolved before they become unraveled.

It's a head-scratching ordeal when a player that is earning over $16 million a year harps about how underrated he is. In the case of the Matrix, he's had valid points. Yes, it's true that too few realize how vital he is to the Suns success. The majority of verbal kudos have been freely given to point man Steve Nash and coach Mike D'Antoni.

But while Marion's impact may be underappreciated by less-than-avid fans, the human pogo-stick must also realize that he is not nearly the franchise player that he would like people to see him as. Franchise players take control of the game, make sure the outcome is in their hands when the going gets tough towards the end of the contest.

Marion does not do that. He does what so few NBA players are willing to do. He allows others to set up the offense and often helps convert their missed attempts into offensive rebounds and second chance points. He moves through the seems of the defense to be wide open (wide open for Steve Nash, anyway). He does not, nor cannot take a team on his shoulders and hit the big shot when it is needed.

This is no disrespect to Marion. Again, without him, Phoenix would be nowhere near as successful. He deserves to have his name in the Ring of Honor at the United Airways Arena after his career. Let it be reminded, however, that basketball is a team game where understood roles are vital to the team's success. Any role for Marion that demands more attention on or off the court would only be detrimental to the Suns.

Marion and Ben Wallace are much alike. For years, basketball purists and observers harped about how there yeoman's work was a throwback in today's give-me-the-glory sports economy. After a few years, however, their underrated-ness has been talked about frequently and loudly enough to make them almost overrated. Do Wallace and Marion really meret the title as highest-paid-player on their respective teams? Many would say no.

It's unfortunate that the thirst for public acknowledgement has been the cause of intangible strife between Marion, Stoudemire and inadvertently Nash. The Matrix and STAT should be constantly praising each other to sports reporters for how much they compliment and help each other on both ends of the floor. They need to take Nash's lead and acknowledge that their personal success is contingent on the other four players on the floor.

If indeed Marion feels slighted as has been hinted/rumored for half a decade now, he deserves credit for not letting it boil over and publicly damaging the franchise. Assuming he still feels that way, he could do no worse than change his outlook on his situation. He owes his career to the great point guards who he has played with. He is the highest-paid player on the team. He owns the coolest nickname in the NBA.

On the other hand, if all of this bad karma is just rumor and Marion does not feel overshadowed, then this is his chance to prove everyone wrong. He could be the bannerman for revived comeraderie in the lockerroom, that for whatever reason or another seemed to be semi-dormant last season.

Marion should give thanks for what he has, covet not what he doesn't, and make the ride enjoyable for not only himself, but those around him.