Deja vu all over again for the Phoenix Suns

“Not Again…!?”

That’s a familiar refrain this time of year at Casa Calvisi. In recent years, it’s been my reaction to the D-backs putting the “bull” into bullpen. Over and over again. But since that is now a thing of the past (A heartfelt thank you to Kirk Gibson & Kevin Towers), the “Not Again” mantra now belongs to Mrs. Paulie Blog.

See, that’s exactly what I hear every year when I schedule our summer vacation. “Not again…!?” Now, do I almost always book the same summer getaway to the same destination? Year after year? Look, that’s not important. Cuz, honestly, nobody really cares about my decision-making (thankfully).

As for the Phoenix Suns… well, I think we can all agree that when Suns fans are saying “Not Again”… that’s entirely more meaningful.

Translation: didn’t we find ourselves in precisely this same situation last summer? The Suns facing almost an identical decision: when does Planet Orange become Planet Green – the color of money?

If sending away Amare Stoudemire was a business decision, then the same goes now for keeping Steve Nash. Right? Different decisions for the same reason: it’s good business.

Too bad it’s not good basketball. Anybody think the Suns were a better basketball team last season without the self-proclaimed Sun-Tzu? Didn’t think so.

Now, anybody think the Suns are contenders next season? (You can say contend for the playoffs or compete for a title, and we’ll gauge your optimism, or delusion, accordingly).

In business, a balance sheet is a snapshot of a company. It features two main sections: assets and liabilities. Amare’s surgically repaired knees were a liability. Hence, no contract offer. Steve Nash is a major asset. And keeping him means that the Suns won’t have to get on their hands & knees and beg for season ticket holders to stay on board.

Which isn’t a surprise. To the fan base, Nash isn’t just the franchise player, he’s the Suns franchise. Period.

Off the floor, Nash is the team identity. On the floor, Nash is the offensive system. Nash is what keeps the Phoenix Suns from becoming the Indiana Pacers.

So when the Suns return to camp this fall and submit their “What I Did On My Summer Vacation,” may Paulie Roundball suggest that the Suns format their report like a balance sheet.

Basketball decisions tabulated next to business decisions. And we’ll see how the Win/Loss column compares with the Asset/Liability column.