With a line-up boasting such talent as two-time National Basketball Association (NBA) Most Valuable Player (MVP) guard Steve Nash, and perennial All-Star forward Shawn Marion, the Phoenix Suns had the cattle to expect big things from season 2007-08.

However, this didn't stop them from being very busy in the 2007 off-season.

The ball began rolling in early June, when former NBA star and television analyst Steve Kerr was appointed as the Suns General Manager and President of Basketball Operations.

Kerr has a close relationship with team owner Robert Sarver, and was part of the syndicate that purchased the Suns from former owner, Jerry Colangelo.

Next came the 2007 NBA Draft, where the Suns had three picks in total.

With their first pick, they chose Spanish shooting guard Rudy Fernandez with the 24th pick overall, whom they subsequently on-traded to Portland for cash.

With their next pick, 29th overall in the draft, they chose Wisconsin small forward Alando Tucker, and with their third and final selection, pick 59 overall, the Suns selected Maryland guard D. J. Strawberry, the son of baseball legend Darryl Strawberry.

The Suns would then trade aggressively on the open market, bolstering their front-court offensive power by signing perennial All-Star veteran Grant Hill on a one-year, base salary contract, with a option for a second season.

Days later, with the Suns salary cap tightening, Phoenix traded power forward Kurt Thomas and two future first-round draft pick to Seattle, in exchange for a trade exception amounting to $8 million and a condition second-round draft pick.

Finally, exactly one month prior to the Suns first game of the regular season, they signed free agent center Brian Skinner to a one-year deal, to provide back-up to starting center, the well-talented Amare Stoudemire.

With a starting five of Stoudemire (center), Raja Bell (shooting guard), Boris Diaw (power forward) and team co-captains Grant Hill (small forward) and Steve Nash (point guard), the Suns had enough ammunition to seriously challenge for the 2007-08 NBA championship, and upon entering the season, head coach Mike D'Antoni was letting anyone who'd listen know that Phoenix were aiming high in season 2007-08.

With Leandro Barbosa also being productive off of the bench, the Suns raced away to a brilliant start in November, stringing together a sensational eight victories in a row, en route to a 12-4 record for the first month.

They continued on with

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