That title probably went over most of your heads like a pass attempt at Erick Dampier.

 

Tonight is Star Wars Night at the American Airlines Center! And no, i’m not sure about the timing either. Obviously the occasion is in direct correlation to the recently released Star Wars: The Force Awakens. But that was December 18th. Many teams have already held a Star Wars Night, the Nets and Trail Blazers for example.

 

I’ve already written one Star Wars themed Game Night preview, but i’m a super nerd so you better be okay with it or I will strike you down with all my hatred.

 

Anyway, about this game.

 

The title stems from one of many, many problems with the Phoenix Suns. A team predicted by many to make the Playoffs out west this season has been, to put it lightly, absolutely turrible.

 

It all started when they traded Marcus Morris to the Detroit Pistons in a cap clearing room, all apart of a grand effort to sign free agent LaMarcus Aldridge, who ended up signing with the Spurs. Good choice, LaMarcus.

 

Morris’ twin brother Markieff was not happy, and the season has shown that he simply cannot let the business side of the game go. He misses his twin bro.

 

After starting every game last year for the Suns and averaging career bests across the board, the 26-year old has been nothing but trouble this year for Jeff Hornacek and what’s left of the Suns coaching staff. Morris has played in only 31 of the team’s 48 games, starting 19 of them. Sure there’s been some injuries, but he also threw a towel at his coach, earning a two game suspension.

 

Recently things have been a little better, but the Suns have oh so many other problems to deal with.

 

Their season is already over at 14-34, tied with the Timberwolves for the third worst record in the Association.

 

Just before the calendar flipped to 2016, they lost their best player Eric Bledsoe for the season with a knee injury. Their other point guard Brandon Knight won’t play on the team’s current road trip and their big free agent acquisition Tyson Chandler can’t seem to stay on the floor.

 

A problem that plagued a whole lot of Tyson’s pre-Dallas Mavericks career, the 2011 NBA Champion is averaging just 5.5 points and 8.3 rebounds a night in 39 games and 33 starts. These are indeed his lowest totals since 2009-2010 with Charlotte.

 

The next year he was a Maverick and a Champion. And we miss him a whole lot but his contract, four years and $52 million is tough to justify and Zaza Pachulia has made things a lot easier.

 

Phoenix hasn’t won a road game in 2016 and while they host a myriad of glaring problems, they do have some really nice young pieces. T.J. Warren (first round pick, 2014), Devin Booker (first round, 2015) and recently Archie Goodwin (first round, 2013) as well as Alex Len (5th overall, 2013) make for some very fine pieces. But with an imbalance of large contracts and youth, it’s hard to tell what the Suns are right now. Except for bad.

 

Injury Report:

Mavericks: Devin Harris (Toe), Game-Time Decision

Suns: Brandon Knight (Groin), Out

Ronnie Price (Foot), Out

Eric Bledsoe  (Knee), Out For Season

 

How to Watch: 6:00 PM CST on Fox Sports Southwest