Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver fights to stay upbeat

Fourteen floors high in downtown Phoenix's new CityScape high-rise, Robert Sarver's office at Alliance Bank headquarters has a sweeping view toward the city's southeast.

The view looks over his other business at US Airways Center, where the vantage point for his Suns is not so elevated as in past years. But the Suns managing partner's outlook remains bright despite experiencing his first losing season since his group bought the Suns in 2004.

Sarver looks on the sunny side of the summer moves, feels like this 20-24 team has enough to make the playoffs and likes how the club is positioned for what he openly calls a transition phase.

Sarver noted how this team is not drastically removed from last year's pace (25-19) and has his "fingers crossed" for another turnaround. A year ago Friday, the Suns began a 28-7 close to last season.