Disturbing signs have Matt worried, such as Phoenix giving sincere consideration toward signing Erick Dampier. A not-so-obvious, yet very revealing quote by Hedo Turkoglu also gives the SMOL crew reason to wonder if the second coming of Boris Diaw has already arrived. Brian and Matt break it down, wondering if the common threadbetween Diaw and Turkoglu is coincidence or concerning.

Do you want Dampier in a Suns uni? Will Turkoglu underwhelm just as Diaw did? Let us know by e-mailing sevenminutesorless@fanster.com.

S.M.O.L. is a Phoenix Suns podcast for the fans, by the fans, in seven minutes or less. The weekend features a full 24-minute shot-clock for the show, with a more in-depth look at the Suns, including responses to e-mail questions/comments from fans and listeners. If your comment/question is good, you could be asked to make an appearance on the show.

Download audio file (1092010.mp3)

Through a fortunate connection via BleacherReport.com, Matt was able to talk with Grant Hill about multiple topics, including his campaign against MRSA, his opinion on Miami, and his forecast of Planet Orange.

Despite the variety of subjects, there was a common thread – Hill’s honesty. He was up front about what was important (informing people about MRSA). He was straightforward about “The Decision” (about the five-minute mark), and he was quick to call those expecting Turkoglu to fill in for Amare “foolish.”

Find out why Hill is a stalwart on and off the court, and feel free to check out Matt’s feature on Hill, which was inspired by the interview.

And don’t forget — visit STOPMRSANOW.ORG.

S.M.O.L. is a Phoenix Suns podcast for the fans, by the fans, in seven minutes or less. The weekend features a full 24-minute shot-clock for the show, with a more in-depth look at the Suns, including responses to e-mail questions/comments from fans and listeners. If your comment/question is good, you could be asked to make an appearance on the show.

Download audio file (grant-hill.mp3)

Matt has one unasked question about LeBron before moving on to more important things – the Suns. A 2011 playoff berth may be too tall an order for this Phoenix team, and Brian points to the lack of inside scoring as the main culprit. Also, how encouraging is banking on a guy compared to Lamar Odom (Earl Clark) to fortify your frontcourt depth?

Will the Suns make the playoffs? Can Nash defy the odds again? Will Clark pan out? Let Matt and Brian know your take by e-mailing sevenminutesorless@fanster.com.

S.M.O.L. is a Phoenix Suns podcast for the fans, by the fans, in seven minutes or less. The weekend features a full 24-minute shot-clock for the show, with a more in-depth look at the Suns, including responses to e-mail questions/comments from fans and listeners. If your comment/question is good, you could be asked to make an appearance on the show.

Part One – Best of LeBron already done(?) and preparing for the Hakim Warrick Era.

Download audio file (071010part1.mp3)

Part Two – Playoffs?! and Earl Clark

Download audio file (071010part2.mp3)

The Suns’ draftees themselves weren’t nearly as interesting as their positions — both are power forwards. Matt sees this as another sign Amare is leaving Phoenix. Devin  (A.K.A. NostraDuncan) already has contingency predictions/plans available, including the Earl Clark Era. Matt is understandably depressed.

Will the Suns’ picks matter? Can Clark step up like Lopez and Dragic did in their second years? Where will Amare go? Matt and Devin hash it out, and invite you to do the same by commenting or emailing sevenminutesorless@fanster.com.

S.M.O.L. is a Phoenix Suns podcast for the fans, by the fans, in seven minutes or less. Saturday features a full 24-minute shot-clock for the show, with a more in-depth look at the Suns, including responses to e-mail questions/comments from fans and listeners. If your comment/question is good, you could be asked to make an appearance on the show.

Part One – Suns planning for life without Amare?

Download audio file (062410part1.mp3)

Part Two- Earl Clark to the rescue and a look at free agency

Download audio file (062410part2.mp3)

Through a series of luck rivaled only by the Suns‘ playoff run, I managed to snag a phone interview with producer DJ Steve Porter, the guy responsible for “All-I-gotta-do-is-FOCUS,” and the other rythmic commercials during the 2010 postseason.

Obviously, the show had to go longer than seven minutes.

Steve talks about the production itself, his lucky break, and how aspiring artists in any field can best sew seeds for their own fortunes. Also, find out where Steve’s NBA allegiances lie. To read more about Steve’s ascent to NBA entertainment, click here.

If you love these commercials as much as I do, e-mail your comments to sevenminutesorless@fanster.com. They’ll be sent off to Steve Monday.

Seven Minutes or Less is a Phoenix Suns podcast for the fans, by the fans, in seven minutes or less. Saturday features a full 24-minute shot-clock for the show, with a more in-depth look at the Suns, including responses to e-mail questions/comments from fans and listeners. If your comment/question is good, you could be asked to make an appearance on the show.

PART ONE

Download audio file (interview1.mp3)

PART TWO

Download audio file (interview2.mp3)

It’s been a while due to a finals-induced sabbatical from the show, but SMOL is back in time to see Phoenix oust Portland in Game 6. That’s what Keaton and Matt think will happen, anyway.

Matt’s only concern is the Suns’ defense with Brandon Roy starting. Granted, he might not be that effective, but that still might be more than Steve Nash can handle. Either that or he’s guarding Batum. Keaton’s calling a superhuman performance by Stoudemire tonight.

Either way, Suns are winning this one. Who do you want in the second round? Let us know by e-mailing sevenminutesorless@fanster.com or commenting below.

S.M.O.L. is a Phoenix Suns podcast for the fans, by the fans, in seven minutes or less. Saturday features a full 24-minute shot-clock for the show, with a more in-depth look at the Suns, including responses to e-mail questions/comments from fans and listeners. If your comment/question is good, you could be asked to make an appearance on the show.

Download audio file (042910.mp3)

That didn’t take long.

Experts and pundits are already pointing out the Suns’ flaws, saying they’ve got zero chance against the Lake Show and might even get upset by the Portland Walking Dead.

Matt is incensed. Apparently the fact that Portland’s wins were before the All-Star break were overlooked. Apparently the Suns haven’t fixed their defense (have) or their bench (have). Apparently, experts and pundits are idiots.

How upset are you over the lack of respect towards the Purple and Orange? Let your reactions be heard and addressed in tomorrow’s mailbag show by commenting below or e-mailing sevenminutesorless@fanster.com

Seven Minutes or Less is a Phoenix Suns podcast for the fans, by the fans, in seven minutes or less. Saturday features a full 24-minute shot-clock for the show, with a more in-depth look at the Suns, including responses to e-mail questions/comments from fans and listeners. If your comment/question is good, you could be asked to make an appearance on the show.

Download audio file (041510.mp3)

Portland was already without Greg Oden and Joel Pryzbilla, and now Brandon Roy (torn meniscus) might not be available for the playoffs. That has Matt wanting a 3-6 matchup between Phoenix and Portland in the worst way.

The Suns need to look to their own games, though, and that means beating a Denver team on the second night of a back-to-back. While ‘Melo is back this time, Matt will be watching the battle of backups (Goran Dragic vs. Ty Lawson).

Who has the better backup point guard? Can the Suns win out tonight and tomorrow in Salt Lake City? And should Robin Lopez come back in the middle of a series if he’s not in top shape? E-mail your input to sevenminutesorless@fanster.com, or comment below, and hear it addressed this week.

S.M.O.L. is a Phoenix Suns podcast for the fans, by the fans, in seven minutes or less. Saturday features a full 24-minute shot-clock for the show, with a more in-depth look at the Suns, including responses to e-mail questions/comments from fans and listeners. If your comment/question is good, you could be asked to make an appearance on the show.

Download audio file (041310.mp3)

Sure, Channing Frye hit a couple big buckets in crunch time over the Rockets…but that was only after helping Houston almost win it with his awful play up to that point. Compare Frye (who wants more money this summer) to Lou Amundson’s uplifting play (and unspoken fiscal desires), and Matt thinks Sarver should fork the dough over to Lou before Frye.

Meanwhile 48 hours remain until the end of the regular season, and the Suns could still end up anywhere from second to fifth. Keaton has a hunch as to where they’ll land and who they’ll face, as well as a growing feeling that Stoudemire should be re-signed, max offer or not.

Is Lou more deserving of dough than Frye? Who do you want the Suns to face? E-mail sevenminutesorless@fanster.com, and hear them addressed tomorrow as the playoffs approach.

S.M.O.L. is a Phoenix Suns podcast for the fans, by the fans, in seven minutes or less. Saturday features a full 24-minute shot-clock for the show, with a more in-depth look at the Suns, including responses to e-mail questions/comments from fans and listeners. If your comment/question is good, you could be asked to make an appearance on the show.

Download audio file (041210.mp3)

Following an inexcusable sabbatical, Seven Minutes or Less is back. Matt and Devin break down the Suns’ possible playoff opponents, as well as how Phoenix would fare against each one. Also, Earl Clark got significant PT against OKC, which Devin hopes is a sign of things to come. Matt isn’t so anxious for the Earl Clark era quite yet.

Who do you want to see in the first round, or not see? Should Earl Clark get more PT? And what’s your starting five for a trouble-making team? E-mail sevenminutesorless@fanster.com and hear your input addressed on the show.

S.M.O.L. is a Phoenix Suns podcast for the fans, by the fans, in seven minutes or less. Saturday features a full 24-minute shot-clock for the show, with a more in-depth look at the Suns, including responses to e-mail questions/comments from fans and listeners. If your comment/question is good, you could be asked to make an appearance on the show.

Part One – Isaiah Rider makes news in AZ, and Channing Frye doesn’t help his cause

Download audio file (041010part1.mp3)

Part Two – Breaking down the rest of the playoff matchups, and avoiding the Earl Clark Era

Download audio file (041010part2.mp3)

Running on meds and fumes, Steve Nash dug in deep and came up with an MVP-like performance in crunch time last night, helping the Suns to their eighth, and ugliest, win in a row.

Now the Suns face the even uglier Nets tonight, but close shaves against the ‘Wolves and Bulls has Matt hoping a letdown isn’t on the horizon.

Will Nash ever slow down? How much longer can he keep this up? Tell us what you think at sevenminutesorless@fanster.com and hear them addressed this Saturday.

S.M.O.L. is a Phoenix Suns podcast for the fans, by the fans, in seven minutes or less. Saturday features a full 24-minute shot-clock for the show, with a more in-depth look at the Suns, including responses to e-mail questions/comments from fans and listeners. If your comment/question is good, you could be asked to make an appearance on the show.

Download audio file (033210.mp3)

Robin Lopez is out, and it sounds like management thinks he could be gone for the postseason. No one would’ve said this before the season, but this could really doom the Suns come playoff time.

On a plus side, Phoenix is slowly overtaking the rest of the West, now in fourth place and only a game and a half behind second-place Dallas.

Is Lopez’s injury a harbinger of doom? Where will the Suns end up? E-mail sevenmintesorless@fanster.com and here your voices answered this Saturday.

S.M.O.L. is a Phoenix Suns podcast for the fans, by the fans, in seven minutes or less. Saturday features a full 24-minute shot-clock for the show, with a more in-depth look at the Suns, including responses to e-mail questions/comments from fans and listeners. If your comment/question is good, you could be asked to make an appearance on the show.

Download audio file (033110.mp3)

I’ve been a harsher critic of Stoudemire than most. Heck, I was on his case  in my live game blog for letting Anthony Tolliver (it’s ok if you don’t know who he is) go off on him last night .

But I have to admit I was overwhelmingly impressed with Stoudemire in crunch-time last night. The dunk (see below) started it, but it wasn’t just that. It was his demands for the ball, and the fact that he didn’t need Nash to spoon-feed him in the pick-and-roll.

Nick was equally impressed, and wonders if Amare has officially become the franchise player we’ve wanted him to be for so long. Me? I don’t know about that, but I can say that for one night, at least, Amare fulfilled every expectation I’ve had of him for the last half-decade.

Has Stoudemire turned the corner? Has he made the leap to franchise player status? Or is this just another extended tease? E-mail your thoughts to sevenminutesorless@fanster.com, and hear them addressed this Saturday.

S.M.O.L. is a Phoenix Suns podcast for the fans, by the fans, in seven minutes or less. Saturday features a full 24-minute shot-clock for the show, with a more in-depth look at the Suns, including responses to e-mail questions/comments from fans and listeners. If your comment/question is good, you could be asked to make an appearance on the show.

Download audio file (032310.mp3)

It’s the 24-minute shot clock edition of Seven Minutes or Less, and Matt and Steve cover a little bit of everything.

The Suns won a grind-it-out, ugly, defensive affair…tell me I’m not the only one excited about this. Personifying this sudden change was Channing Frye, and his Amundson-like hunger on the glass.

Of course, the Suns have to turn around and play Golden State tonight, which seems the perfect recipe for a complete 180 in style. That’s not bad, as long as the Suns’ astronomical point total is more than the Warriors’ when the buzzer sounds.

What stood out? Frye’s board-work? Dudley’s crunch-time teeth? Lopez’s no-show? Let us know by e-mailing sevenminutesorless@fanster.com, and we’ll tackle your comments in this Saturday’s edition of the show.

S.M.O.L. is a Phoenix Suns podcast for the fans, by the fans, in seven minutes or less. Saturday features a full 24-minute shot-clock for the show, with a more in-depth look at the Suns, including responses to e-mail questions/comments from fans and listeners. If your comment/question is good, you could be asked to make an appearance on the show.

Download audio file (032210.mp3)

It’s the 24-minute shot clock edition of Seven Minutes or Less, and Matt and Steve cover a little bit of everything.

The Suns don’t blow their big lead versus Utah this time around, although the Jazz’s injuries certainly lent a helping hand. Steve responds to a fan’s comment that Barbosa brings out the best in Nash and should start/finish games. And Matt brings up a sacrilegious debate: would Kevin Johnson or Jason Kidd have brought more success to the Suns during the team’s contending years of 2004-2007?

Tell us what you think of that question, or whether it’s even out of the question to consider it, by e-mailing sevenminutesorless@fanster.com. We’ll respond to it in next Saturday’s shot clock edition with gusto.

S.M.O.L. is a Phoenix Suns podcast for the fans, by the fans, in seven minutes or less. Saturday features a full 24-minute shot-clock for the show, with a more in-depth look at the Suns, including responses to e-mail questions/comments from fans and listeners. If your comment/question is good, you could be asked to make an appearance on the show.

PART ONE – Suns stomp on wounded Jazz, and honesty concerning Barbosa

Download audio file (032010part1.mp3)

PART TWO- Would tragic endings be different with KJ/Kidd at the helm?

Download audio file (032010part2.mp3)

Arizonans, sadly, do not have a team to favorably move up in their brackets this month. But there is a consolation prize…sort of. This month in the NBA is the stretch run for teams trying to secure the best playoff seed they can get, and the Suns are in the thick of the “Avoid the Lakers” race. Games against the Jazz and Blazers are huge if Phoenix really wants that number four seed. But should they want it that bad if it means playing the Jazz and then the Lakers in the first two rounds?

E-mail your thoughts on the Suns’ playoff run or comment below, and we’ll address your say this Saturday on Seven Minutes or Less.

S.M.O.L. is a Phoenix Suns podcast for the fans, by the fans, in seven minutes or less. Saturday features a full 24-minute shot-clock for the show, with a more in-depth look at the Suns, including responses to e-mail questions/comments from fans and listeners. If your comment/question is good, you could be asked to make an appearance on the show.

The Timberwolves had to have something positive to talk about after last night’s mauling at the hands of the Suns. Too bad Robin Lopez was the victim. And we mean victim (see below). Still, aside from being a foolish poster boy, Lopez had a good night (along with everyone else wearing a Suns uniform). Devin likes the bench with Barbosa’s scoring at its disposal, but agrees with Gentry that he’ll have to earn his way back into the rotation.

Were we too harsh on Lopez? Not harsh enough? And what’s your take on LB’s return? Let us know by e-mailing sevenminutesorless@fanster.com, and we’ll respond this Saturday.

S.M.O.L. is a Phoenix Suns podcast for the fans, by the fans, in seven minutes or less. Saturday features a full 24-minute shot-clock for the show, with a more in-depth look at the Suns, including responses to e-mail questions/comments from fans and listeners. If your comment/question is good, you could be asked to make an appearance on the show.

Download audio file (031710.mp3)

Tonight is a game the Suns should not lose, but Phoenix always seems to let those kind of games get more competitive than they should be. Barbosa’s back too (finally), and has the gall to demand a minimum amount of playing time after chickening out of the Lakers game.

Am I being too harsh saying it like that? Personally, if you ditch out on an important game and then demand time, there’s an issue. Send your thoughts on that and the Suns in general to sevenminutesorless@fanster.com, and we’ll address them this Saturday.

S.M.O.L. is a Phoenix Suns podcast for the fans, by the fans, in seven minutes or less. Saturday features a full 24-minute shot-clock for the show, with a more in-depth look at the Suns, including responses to e-mail questions/comments from fans and listeners. If your comment/question is good, you could be asked to make an appearance on the show.

Download audio file (031610.mp3)

It’s a question we can seriously consider in the wake of Amare’s sustained tear: is he the best power foward in the league? Thanks to Keaton wondering this aloud, we ponder both the answer and the gravity of the question. Plus, we give thanks to Robin Lopez for doing a better job than Shaq bringing out the best in Amare.

That’s not to say we don’t understand if you disagree. If you do, by all means e-mail your own argument to sevenminutesorless@fanster.com, so we can answer it when we bust open the mailbag this Saturday.

S.M.O.L. is a Phoenix Suns podcast for the fans, by the fans, in seven minutes or less. Saturday features a full 24-minute shot-clock for the show, with a more in-depth look at the Suns, including responses to e-mail questions/comments from fans and listeners. If your comment/question is good, you could be asked to make an appearance on the show.

Download audio file (031510.mp3)

A couple inconsolable Suns fans pick apart last night’s lost to the Lakers, breaking down the good (Amundson and Co.), bad (Lopez’s no-show) and ugly (crunch-time no-calls). Has Lou earned more playing time, and does Channing Frye’s versatility open the door for that to happen? Plus, we open the mailbag and address a S.M.O.L. critic.

E-mail your take on where the Suns go from here to sevenminutesorless@fanster.com, and we’ll read and respond on next Saturday’s 24-minute shot clock edition.

S.M.O.L. is a Phoenix Suns podcast for the fans, by the fans, in seven minutes or less. Saturday features a full 24-minute shot-clock for the show, with a more in-depth look at the Suns, including responses to e-mail questions/comments from fans and listeners. If your comment/question is good, you could be asked to make an appearance on the show.