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InsideHoops.com is examining each NBA team as the 2005-06 season approaches. Today, a look at the Phoenix Suns.

Head Coach: Mike D'Antoni (4th season, 97-96)

Last season: 62-20, tops in the NBA

Projected Starters: PG Steve Nash, SG Raja Bell, SF James Jones, PF Shawn Marion, C Kurt Thomas

Key Subs: PG Leandro Barbosa, GF Boris Diaw, FC Brian Grant, G Eddie House, SF Jim Jackson

New Faces: SG Raja Bell (free agent), GF Boris Diaw (traded from Hawks), FC Brian Grant (free agent), G Eddie House (free agent), SF James Jones (free agent), C Kurt Thomas (traded from Knicks), GF Dijon Thompson (traded from Knicks)

Key Losses: G Joe Johnson (traded to Hawks), GF Quentin Richardson (traded to Knicks), C Steven Hunter (free agent)

Strengths: Decision making and experience. Reigning MVP Nash should keep Phoenix both efficient and flashy at the same time, and the key pieces to this lineup know better what it takes after a trip to last season's Western Conference Finals. Energetic forward Shawn Marion rivals KG in the all-around-freak talent category. This year's Suns will be more defensively sound with the additions of Thomas, Bell and Diaw.

Weaknesses: Inside scoring. Amare Stoudemire was primed to challenge the NBA's elite for MVP honors; now after knee surgery that should keep him out until at least February he'll be adhering to David Stern's dress code during games until the spring, when he'll be trying to play himself back into shape. Kurt Thomas is solid but not a difference-maker on the offensive end. Brian Grant is broken.

Outlook: Stoudemire's injury is obviously devastating, sending the Suns plummeting from championship contender to the middle of the playoff pack at best and out of the playoffs at worst. Essentially, they've replaced Amare with Kurt Thomas, Joe Johnson with Raja Bell, Quentin Richardson with Jim Jackson and Boris Diaw, and Steven Hunter with Brian Grant. That doesn't amount to an improvement. Phoenix will still be fun to watch with Nash and Marion exhausting opponents under Mike D'Antoni's run'n'gun system. Kurt Thomas bullied his way to 3.9 fouls per contest last season, but look for his overall numbers to improve as he spends more time shooting and rebounding, less time hacking under D'Antoni's guidance. Without Johnson's steady hand to spell Nash, the Suns will need Brazilian backup Barbosa to finally live up to his potential as a playmaker and shooter.

Sure Sign of Trouble: It already happened. The franchise's present and future are riding on Stoudemire returning to full strength after surgery to repair the dreaded micro-fracture in his knee.

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