Why Aren't The Phoenix Suns Setting Their Sights Higher?

I went on the radio in Phoenix this morning and played party-pooper, because I don't think qualifying for the playoffs is such a grand goal.

It is a nice goal, don't get me wrong, especially for an overachieving team like the Suns. But the ultimate goal is to win a championship, and if the Phoenix Suns could have acquired Pau Gasol from the Los Angeles Lakers for the insurance-covered contract of Emeka Okafor, along with a first-round draft pick, they should have done it.

Gasol could have gotten them out of the first round, and maybe even further. And that is why columnist Chris Bernucca listed the Suns as one of the losers in his column looking at February free agency.

And again, the goal is to win a championship, not just to make the playoffs. After all, the Milwaukee Bucks made the playoffs last year, which has meant nothing to them this year. They have the worst record in the NBA.

Also, the Suns haven't quite made it into the playoffs yet, and with the way the Memphis Grizzlies (currently ninth in the West) have been playing, you'd have to think Phoenix is the most likely team to get caught. That wouldn't have been the case if Gasol was on their team.

More on the situation in Phoenix in this podcast with Brad Cesmat on Sports360az.com in Phoenix.