"He was involved defensively on two buzzer-beating Suns heartbreakers, against San Antonio and Indiana.

His most-replayed video clip with the Suns was his attempt at a 360-degree breakaway dunk, which was blocked from behind by LeBron James, sparking a Cleveland comeback. He made public apologies for two in-season driving-related arrests.

Jason Richardson averaged 16.4 points and 4.5 rebounds per game for the Suns, had three 30-point games and posted career-high field-goal (47.7) and free-throw (76.9) percentages last season. But his season was defined by low moments, as he wound up on a lottery team for the seventh time in the past eight years.

But that did not squash the positive outlook of Richardson, who said he never really felt at ease after his first midseason trade. He said he is in the best shape of his career at age 28.

"After pretty much eight years of my career being the go-to guy, being the guy doing all the scoring and the No. 1 option, getting here, some nights I'm the fourth, maybe the fifth, option," Richardson said. "It was a tough transition. I feel like I never really did get my feet. I feel I could do a lot of things better. I'll definitely show them this year."

At the top of his to-do list is playing good defense. Richardson never has been highly regarded defensively, but he says it is in him.

"I'm getting back to the days of Michigan State defense," he said. "I'm polishing up my skills. They want me to come back and be a better defender. I want to be a better defender. I'm definitely putting the effort in.

"I'm not necessarily a Bruce Bowen or a lockdown defender, but I know I can contain my man better than I have.""