This is part two of a five part series previewing the Phoenix Suns' 08-09 season. Part 1 can be found here.

Since the dawn of the Sarver era, Suns fans have been treated to some of the weakest offseasons since the days of television before reality TV, when re-runs spelled primetime boredom for couch potatoes countrywide.  The Suns off-seasons were similarly predictable. They could be counted on to make one "splash" free agent signing (Raja Bell, Grant Hill, Marcus Banks) and then to sell their draft picks like trading cards (Sarver's seller rating on eBay is AWESOME).

The knock on Sarver has been that he's a cheap@$$ who only cares about the bottom line.  Not so, as the Suns roster has been among the most expensive -- and winningest -- since he assumed ownership of the team.  More accurate is that he's penny wise (selling draft picks, which is arguable the cheapest way to acquire and develop talent) and pound foolish ($45 mil to Boris Diaw, $25 mil to Marcus Banks, $40 mil to the Shaquille O'Neal Restraining Order Defense Fund).

This offseason, though, with the aid of new consigliere Steve Kerr, the Suns sought value, value and more value.  Lacking money to throw at their problems, the Suns hit the draft and the NBA's bargain bin alike to rejuvenate their aging bench and replace Coach D'Antoni.   Let's take a look at what they found.

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One week removed from my fabulous Vegas Vacation the image of casino floor desperation is fading but the smell of Summer League perspiration lingers on.

That line just proves I should stick to basketball observation and leave the poetry to my betters.

I'd like to think though when I see great things they make a mark and when dreams crumble in front of me that's hard to miss as well.

Here's a recap of those crushed dreams and rising stars...

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