"After four minutes and 40 seconds of the third quarter Wednesday night, Suns forward Hedo Turkoglu left the US Airways Center floor with the Suns trailing by nine and never returned in a 112-110 loss to San Antonio.

But the Suns coaches could not pull him off the floor Thursday. Turkoglu stayed more than an hour after practice to work with Suns player development personnel, new hire Nenad Trajkovic and Mercury coach Corey Gaines.

Turkoglu will not be moved to the bench for Friday's home game with Memphis, despite some support for Hakim Warrick to take his spot. Turkoglu also will not move from his belief that he will figure out this new position and role soon. Through the Suns' 1-3 start, Turkoglu is averaging 8.5 points (on 38 percent shooting), 3.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists.

"I don't want people to misunderstand," Turkoglu said. "I'm here as Hedo Turkoglu. I didn't come here to fill anyone's shoes. I don't want to be compared with somebody else. I'll just try to do my stuff that I've been using so many years in the league. I'm in a different role and I'm just trying to spread the floor when Steve (Nash) and Robin (Lopez) play screen-and-roll."

Coach Alvin Gentry expected to put the ball in Turkoglu's hands more against San Antonio's DeJuan Blair but Turkoglu went 2 of 7 from the field. Turkoglu noted that part of the reason he is not involved more in the offense is because he inbounds after made baskets and winds up trailing the Suns' fast-developing plays.

"By the time I'm at half-court, we're on a quick pace," he said. "Somebody will take a shot or Steve will drive and kick to somebody. Sometimes, I won't be in those situations. I have to keep myself ready and positive and run to be in those situations and rebound and push it.""