Alvin Gentry was inserted as the interim coach last season and he earned the full time gig by going 18-13 (58.1%) the rest of the season. Gentry likes the run and gun style which plays to the strength of the roster the Suns have. Gentry still has a lot to prove as he has a career regular season record of 195-239 (44.9%) and he is 2-3 (40%) in the post season. The Western Conference in the NBA is tough but the Suns will expect Gentry to get them back to the playoffs this year.

The Suns will give 26-year old former first round pick Channing Frye his first real chance to shine as the starting center when the season begins. Frye played in 63 games for the Trailblazers last season and he averaged 11.8 minutes, 4.2 points, 2.2 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game. Frye is not really a physical player in the paint but he’s a good shooter who can drag the opposing center away from the basket opening the key for Amare Stoudemire. 21-year old Robin Lopez will miss the start of the season due to injury but when he returns to action he will back up Channing Frye. Lopez played in 60 games as a rookie for the Suns last season and he averaged 10.2 minutes, 3.2 points, 2.0 rebounds and 0.1 assists per game. Until Lopez is ready to return to action Amare Stoudemire will likely play center when Channing Frye needs a break.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE CENTERS IN 2009-2010: D

26-year old Amare Stoudemire was rumored to be traded all during the off-season but he didn’t go anywhere. He played in 53 games for the Suns last season and he averaged 36.8 minutes, 21.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.1 blocked shots per game. Stoudemire will likely have another outstanding season for the Suns this year. 21-year old Earl Clark was the Suns’ first round pick (#14) out of Louisville and he will back up Stoudemire this season at power forward. He is likely going to be a really solid NBA player. 26-year old Louis Amundson will likely be #3 in line at power forward for the Suns this season. He played in 76 games for the Suns last season and he averaged 13.7 minutes, 4.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game. Amundson should get more playing time than he did last season as he has earned it.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009-2010 SEASON: A-

The Suns have brought back 37-year old Grant Hill who will start at small forward for the Suns this year. Hill played in all 82 games for the Suns last season and he averaged 29.8 minutes, 12.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 steals per game. The Suns will likely try to limit Hill’s playing time to keep him healthy this season. 26-year old Leandro Barbosa will likely get a lot of minutes backing up both Jason Richardson (at shooting guard) and Grant Hill (at small forward). He definately has the skill set to excel at small forward. 24-year old Jared Dudley will likely be #3 in line at small forward. Dudley played in 68 games for the Suns & Bobcats last season in which he played in 17.0 minutes, 5.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game. 23-year old former first round pick Alando Tucker will also be on hand to try to help the Suns here this season. He played in 30 games for the Suns last season and he averaged 9.4 minutes, 4.6 points, 1.0 rebound and 0.4 assists per game. 23-year old Taylor Griffin was the 18th pick of the second round of the NBA Draft out of Oklahoma. The 6′7″, 238 pound Griffin is nowhere near as good as his brother (Blake, Clippers) as he wasn’t even a starter in college.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE SMALL FORWARDS IN 2009-2010: C

The Suns have Jason Richardson and Leandro Barbosa at shooting guard and not many teams can match that quality or depth. The 28-year old Richardson will be the starter for the Suns. He played in 72 games for the Bobcats and Suns last season in which he averaged 33.5 minutes, 16.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.1 steals per game. Look for his numbers to improve in his first full season with the Suns. Leandro Barbosa is one of the best sixth men in the NBA as he could start somewhere for almost every team in the NBA. The 26-year old played in 70 games for the Suns last season and he averaged 24.4 minutes, 14.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.2 steals per game. Barbosa is a good long range shooter and he is a outstanding defensive player. He will also get some minutes at small forward this season.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE SHOOTING GUARDS IN 2009-2010: A-