Steve Kerr won't return as general manager of the Phoenix Suns, despite building a team that made a surprising run to the NBA's Western Conference finals.

The Phoenix Suns were a reassuring testament that team chemistry means something, even in the me-first world of the NBA. A deep bench and one of the best cast of 3-point shooters in league history didn't hurt, either.

Among Kobe Bryant's myriad of inimitable talents is what's known to opposing coaches simply as the "rise-up."

A path through the lane suddenly opened up before Ron Artest. Kobe Bryant's missed 3-pointer dropped right into his hands, and Artest's awkward layup banked neatly through the net as the buzzer sounded on Game 5 of the Western Conference finals.

The Lakers' swagger is more of a stagger after consecutive losses in the Western Conference finals.

Losing one game in Phoenix was tolerable for the Los Angeles Lakers. Two losses and things start to get uncomfortable for the reigning NBA champions.

Amare Stoudemire is taking a lot of heat for his defense, or lack of it, thus far in the Western Conference finals. Then again, nobody ever confused him with Kevin Garnett as an NBA stopper - and he is playing against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Channing Frye is just grateful an NBA playoff series doesn't follow the Tour de France's rules.

The Phoenix Suns have reacted with a collective smirk to Phil Jackson's suggestion that Steve Nash travels with the basketball.

Hungry after taking a 3-0 lead on the San Antonio Spurs with a fifth straight playoff win, the Phoenix Suns ate dinner early Saturday at one of the few places they could find open.

Los Suns ganaron. That means the Suns won. Amare Stoudemire had 23 points and 11 rebounds, Channing Frye made 5 of 6 3-pointers, and Phoenix, wearing its orange "Los Suns" jerseys in part to protest Arizona's new anti-immigration law, pulled away for a 110-102 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night, taking a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference semifinals.

The San Antonio Spurs need only look back a few days for a reminder that a Game 1 playoff loss in Phoenix is not the end of the world.