I remember the period ranging from December 2003 to the summer of 2004. Dark times for professional sports in Arizona. First, Dave McGinnis (Cardinals head coach) was fired, then the ax came for the Suns coach. In the midst of that dismal 2004 season, Bob Brenley, skipper of the Diamondbacks, was given his walking papers.
All of the franchises were stinking up the place.
Not the best time to be a professional sports fan in Arizona.
Now we're in May of 2006. Not all that long, if you look at the grand scheme of things. The Suns are in the second round of the playoffs, having dispatched the hated Kobe Lakers. Mind you, the Suns are missing their star player (Amare Stoudemire) but do have the leagues' MVP on the court. The Diamondbacks, while not likely to go to the postseason, are holding their own. (With Brandon Webb shining every time he takes the mound.) And the Cardinals, the NFL's perpetual whipping boy, are showing significant signs of life. And are drawing a lot of interest from the public, to the point that season tickets are sold out.
Maybe now is the best time to be a professional sports fan in Arizona.
Before the ax falls. Let's be realistic. The Suns won't go to the NBA finals, much less win it all. The Diamondbacks, as mentioned above, will be going home come October. And the Cardinals may finish above .500, but that might be it.
Then again, considering the Cardinals, most folks here would be happy with a winning season. :)
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