Suns home schedule lacks star power
Dec 6, 2011, 3:27 PM | Updated: 4:18 pm
The reigning MVP. The Defensive Player of the Year. Ten
of the 12 Eastern Conference All-Stars. Six of the eight
Eastern Conference playoff teams. And Amare Stoudemire.
Fans will see none of the above at US Airways Center this
season.
The Suns home schedule is devoid of many of the game’s
biggest names (Derrick Rose, Dwight Howard, LeBron James,
Dwyane Wade) and best teams (Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat,
Boston Celtics, Orlando Magic, New York Knicks, Indiana
Pacers).
However, the Suns do get two visits from the best team.
The defending world champion Dallas Mavericks will play in
Phoenix on Monday, January 30 and Thursday, March 8.
The Suns will open at home on Monday, December 26 against
New Orleans and close out the lockout-shortened season
with five of their final six games at “The Purple Palace”,
including the finale on Wednesday, April 25 against San
Antonio.
The NBA—which will officially release the schedule later
this afternoon (Paul Coro of The Arizona Republic obtained
a copy) is squeezing in a 66-game schedule into a four-
month window.