Suns 120, Jazz 111: Frye, Gortat, Dudley Score 20+

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Suns Ticket Prices Not Going Up, Many To Drop

As is the case with struggling teams that also don't draw well, the Phoenix Suns announced that there will be no increases in ticket prices. It will be the fourth straight year without an increase.

In fact, season ticket prices are being reduced for more than 35% of the seats at US Airways Center, including seats in the upper, lower and club level seating. The Suns are also expanding their $10 seating option so that 33% of the upper concourse seating is priced at an average of $10 per game.

While this is a noble gesture to some, it is pure and simple. They can't raise prices. The team is not good. They have not big draw. People aren't excited about the team. Lowering prices is what struggling teams do. They don't do it for fun. They do it because they have to.

To be honest, while it prices some fans out, if the team were in a place that warranted increases, the vast majority of fans would be happy because the team would be winning. And they would be willing to pay more.

So while this is good news to many, it isn't really good news. It is just the cold reality of the state of the Suns.

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Phoenix Suns Beat Utah Jazz For 6th Straight Home Win, Catch Jazz In Standings

Entering the game between the Phoenix Suns and Utah Jazz, the Suns were a game behind the Jazz in the standings in the Western Conference. The Suns fell behind as many as 13 points, but rallied in the second half to net their six straight win at US Airways Center and beat the Jazz 120-111.

The first quarter was one of little defense by Phoenix. The Jazz shot 54 percent from the field and led by eight. However, the Suns responded with a 31 point quarter, including a 11-0 run, to tie the score just before halftime.

The second half belonged to the Suns, who got a balanced scoring effort from their starting lineup and energy from their bench.

Three Suns scored over 20 points. Channing Frye led the way with 26 points and nine rebounds, including 5-10 on threes. Marcin Gortat added 25 and Jared Dudley 21. Steve Nash had his fifth straight double-double with 12 points and 16 assists.

Utah was led in scoring by both Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap with 18 points.

The win pulled the Suns into a virtual tie with the Jazz in the Western Conference.

Phoenix plays next on Thursday against the Clippers and again on Friday against the Pistons.

Catch more Suns coverage at Bright Side of the Sun.

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Phoenix Suns Want To Sign Aaron Brooks 'At Right Price'

For years, the Phoenix Suns have been looking for a quality player to back up Steve Nash. They have gone through Leandro Barbosa, Goran Dragic, Aaron Brooks, Ronnie Price and Sebastian Telfair (the latter two this season alone). Brooks would have been playing in the NBA this season, but with the lockout, he decided to go to play professionally in China.

Now, as the season in China is finishing up, Phoenix wishes to bring him back for the stretch run, as reports Chris Broussard in his ESPN Insider column. He writes:

Phoenix still has its eye on Aaron Brooks, who will be playing in the Chinese Basketball Association championship this month. The Suns want to re-sign Brooks at the right price and intend to visit him in China during the championship series. Portland and Sacramento also have interest in Brooks.

However, the interest that Portland and Sacramento have is useless.

As explained on Bright Side of the Sun, since it is after March 1, Brooks is limited in his options.

As restricted free agents, the only way...Brooks can leave their current NBA team for another NBA team is to sign an "offer sheet". The "offer sheet" becomes a contract within 3 days, with the original team having the right to take it on or allowing the new team to take it. However, offer sheets can only be tendered by March 1 of any league year, and this year is no different.

So, if Brooks and Chandler are not back in the states (and cleared by FIBA to re-join the NBA) by March 1, the players have only two remaining choices

sit out the entire NBA season and become restricted AGAIN this summer or, re-sign with their current team.

The current team can offer a multi-year contract to keep the player long-term, or just give them a one-year contract and let them walk away on July 1 with no compensation. Obviously, the latter option is the worst one for the team.

The Suns now have all the leverage. They can and should offer him a longer deal at backup money. He has to accept or become a restricted free agent again in a season he did not play in the league.

If he returns, he could possibly bolster the PG position, as he should be a better option than either Ronnie Price or Sebastian Telfair.