Yes, the Phoenix Suns are 3-0 after the first week of the NBA Season. Yes, the Suns are running and gunning thus far to a tune of 117.3 points per game. Yes, the Suns are shooting over 50% from three point land including Channing Frye at a 65% clip (13-20). However, have the Suns played any real competition yet this season? The answer is most certainly a resounding No.

After missing the playoffs last season for the first time since Steve Nash’s second coming, fans have been somewhat weary in regards to their expectations for this years Suns. However, that haze has seemingly worn off after the 3-0 start out of the gates. Steve Nash has been excellent thus far averaging 18.7 points and 14 assists, Grant Hill looks as if he found the fountain of youth averaging 20 points and 9.7 rebounds, and Channing Frye is shooting the lights out averaging 19.7 points of 58% shooting. I, like most fans out there am extremely excited by what the Suns have done thus far. A return to the playoffs seems like a foregone conclusion and a title run not outside the realm of possibility…

Then sadly, reality sets back in. The Suns have beaten 3 teams this season with a combined record of 1-8 thus far (Timberwolves, Clippers and Warriors).  The Suns now go on a brutal 5 game road trip against tough Eastern Conference opponents. The Suns start the trip by going to Miami who is also 3-0, followed by 3-0 Orlando and 4-0 Boston. The trip is then rounded off with visits to Washington and Philadelphia before finally returning home to face Chris Paul and the New Orleans Hornets on  November 11th. The road trip is going to be a reality check for this Suns team; facing 5 teams with a combined record of 14-2 thus far. My major concern going into this roadtrip is the same old story with the Phoenix Suns; rebounding and Amare Stoudemire. The Suns have in fact out-rebounded their opponents this season by 6 (125-119), however to expect Grant Hill to average 10 rebounds per game when his career average is only 6.6 is absurd. This is going to be especially prevalent when facing great rebounders like Dwight Howard and Kevin Garnett on the 5 game road-trip. Amare Stoudemire is my primary concern with the Suns this season. I fully expected Stoudemire to come back from surgery on his retina to his former explosive self on offense. After 3 games this season, it is clearly evident that Amare has lost some explosion in his leaping ability. He will still be solid player in the mold of Karl Malone offensively, however without his thunderous dunks he is no longer a momentum changer for the Suns. Furthermore, Amare is rebounding even less than he ever has with only 6 rebounds per game.

This road trip is going to be extremely telling to where this Sun’s team really is in terms of tougher playoff caliber competition. If the Suns can go on the road and go 4-1 and 3-2 they are clearly a legit contender. However until that happens, let’s temper our excitement.