The professional sports teams in Arizona rarely provide for a dull moment. Last week, however, was one of the exceptions to the rule. The weekend of October fifteenth and sixteenth was exceptionally quiet. Not only were the state’s NFL team, Arizona Cardinals, off for the week, but the Diamondbacks , the state’s MLB team, who had recently claimed the divisional title and began (as well as ended) their post-season efforts were sorely missed from the schedule.

And if that’s not enough, the seemingly endless conflicts over between the players and owners of the NBA seem to have what should be the beginnings of the current season in a perpetual state of suspended animation. We as fans have already endure the stress of the potential black out from the frustrating results of the meetings that occurred earlier in the year. And many of us held out hope that an agreement would be reached and preseason games would not be affected. That’s obviously gone with the wind as well. And it seems that at least two weeks of the regular season have been shaved from the schedule.

This obviously leaves the players, as well as the owners, extremely frustrated, but what does it mean for and how does it affect the fans? Many of these people are struggling against their own enormous economic problems, and can barely afford a professional basketball ticket. It’s difficult for even the most obsessed fans to maintain a sense of commitment to the players’ cause, or to lend any hand of empathy. Many people are looking into money mutual financial assistance just to survive, while the NBA is bickering over outrageous entitlement to profits. It’s beginning to seem more like a bunch of spoiled children, on both sides, who have no idea how fortunate they are in the first place. And while that’s not to mitigate the respect deserved to professional basketball players, it does emphasize the outrageous rift in salaries between professional athletes and those of other professions.

So, what does this all of this mean for the players of the Phoenix Suns as well as for the fans? Phoenix is an incredibly committed basketball city, and Suns also draw a solid fan base from outside of the state. Anyone who loves Suns’ basketball is upset over the current situation, though most fans have tried to maintain some sense of rationally based support for the team. Then there are players like Grant Hill, who is probably the team’s most important defensive player as well as one of its strongest leaders and a great offensive contributor as well. He’s currently a free agent and the longer the black out exits, the more likely it begins that he could slip off into the sunset. The troubled instability of the NBA continues to trouble the fans. The fans want basketball, they just don’t want to have to get a lender to pay for a ticket.

Professional sports in Arizona has some interesting, and in part troubling, aspects. The MLB team, Arizona Diamondbacks, continue to lead the Western Conference and are currently four games ahead of the Giants. While the Giants seem strong with their never ending line up of pitchers, their injuries, and lately mistakes, are really getting in their way. Looks like the Dbacks just might be Goliath this year. Well, that’s the good news. On the slightly more disturbing end, the quiet news of Grant Hill’s free agent status is really shaking some hearts. Yes, female Suns fans tend to adore him, but the same thing is true for male fans, though it manifests slightly differently.

Everyone knows the charmed, though also injury laden, history of Grant Hill. Still, it’s fun to bring it up every once in a while. He was a star back in his college days at Duke University and among the highlights from his collegiate career include that legendary in-bound pass during the 1992 regional finals game against Kentucky. As the story goes, Duke was down in overtime, 103-102, and with just 2.1 seconds remaining, Hill lobed in the pass, heaving it across 75 feet of basketball court mind you, right into the hands of Laettner. Laettner dribbled once and made a jump shot to win the game. Every basketball and Grant Hill fan is familiar with this story, and it’s easy to watch his pass over and over again on Utube. That’s just one of the great highlights from Hill. Meanwhile, his tenure with Phoenix is at an impasse. That might not be the best way to state it. The lingering free agent status is not due to conflicts with Phoenix, it’s on account of the major impasse between interested parties in the NBA, ie, the players and the owners. Let the Transglobe Smart Cars impart some advice while transporting negotiators to their meetings.

So, when will an agreement be reached? Will professional basketball be played this year? Where will Grant Hill finish his career? All signs continue to point toward staying with the Suns, though a sundry of teams have shown interest, and why wouldn’t they? Boston and New York are a couple of examples and the latest rumor mill puts Miami into the mix. Hill could definitely provide the much needed leadership and stability the Heat is greatly lacking, but he wouldn’t be in the starting line up and would probably not be appreciated fully. With the Heat’s axis of evil, James, Wade and Bosh receiving just about as much celebrity pamper as a city can muster, there seems like little room could be made for a new star. But that’s not the biggest argument against Hill signing with Miami, he thrives in Phoenix. Well, okay, he can thrive anywhere, but still. He is an inextricable part of the Suns and he and Nash make an incredible leadership team. No doubt any leading Canadian property management company would love to see their Golden Sun back home again, but he too is destined for the Arizona sunset. The Suns have a chance to go all the way, and Hill is a vital element in the picture. He can win a ring and he can do it here. Stay in Phoenix Grant Hill!