Suns News

Suns not rushing rookie Clark
Comment
November 7
Arizona Republic
 
"Suns rookie Earl Clark is on his first real NBA road trip and is enjoying a run of five stops in seven days more than his teammates. He loves the hotel room service. He got a rush out of facing Orlando's Dwight Howard. He is thankful for the team support he gets. As for how he fits into the daily Suns mix . . . "I'm just clueless," Clark said "I just try to be ready when Coach (Alvin Gentry) calls me because I never know if I'm going to play five minutes or 20 minutes. I always stay focused on the game to see what's going on. I try not to watch it as a fan but as a player, like seeing what a guy likes to do and moves he's making so I can defend him well if I get in." True to the summer ..."
Stoudemire stating his case
Comment
November 7
Boston Globe
 
"Still a pup in the game of life at age 26, Amar'e Stoudemire wears his NBA experience on his face. A bushy beard. A reflective tone. An understanding that these may be his final days in Phoenix. The Suns have tried to trade him in the past. He is toying with the idea of opting out of the final year of his contract (worth more than $17 million) and becoming an unrestricted free agent, joining what is turning into the legendary class of 2010."
Sunburned
Comment
November 7
Boston Globe
 
"The Phoenix Suns played their style of basketball last night. And, for much of the game, the Celtics did the same thing. The result was a 110-103 Suns' victory, ending the Celtics' six-game winning streak to start the season. Steve Nash (12 assists) directed the show and Jason Richardson (34 points, 10 rebounds) played a starring role as the Suns got into their comfort zone, transitioning and firing up 3-pointers (hitting 13 of 24). Phoenix (5-1), in the midst of a five-game road trip and nearly 3,000 miles from home, acted like they were performing before a friendly, sun-soaked, Maricopa County crowd."
Grant Hill too tough to move
Comment
November 7
Boston Herald
 
"Depending on who you ask, Grant Hill either nearly became a Celtic last summer or knew all along that he would remain a Sun. Even the Phoenix swingman, who has enjoyed a late-career renaissance as a Sun, seemed a little unsure of the machinations prior to his team's 110-103 win against the Celtics at the Garden last night. "Man, there was a lot going on at the time," he said. "I was trying to gather a lot of information, trying to sort out all of the teams I was looking at. I was certainly very interested, and it was very flattering to have their interest. "I can tell you that I have a lot of respect for (general manager) Danny Ainge, (coach) Doc Rivers and (owner) Steve Pagliuca, who's a ..."
Cracks in armor create imperfection
Comment
November 7
Boston Herald
 
"In the blink of a game, the undefeated season was lost. A stunned Garden crowd dispersed. Greg Dickerson wept openly. By Monday, kids in the poorer regions of the planet will have "Celtics 82-0" T-shirts to go with their Patriots Super Bowl XLII Champions hoodies. Steve Pagliuca's polling numbers will take a hit. The young and impressionable will turn away in horror when video of last night's 110-103 loss to Phoenix shows up on ESPN. Surely we jest, but evidence of Celtics fallibility was certainly coming. Doc Rivers was a voice in the wilderness as he pointed out shortcomings after each of the first six games/victories. Even when Minnesota shot 52 percent and forced the Celts to sweat out ..."
Jared Dudley an above-par sub
Comment
November 7
Boston Herald
 
"Even when he was the ACC Player of the Year at Boston College, Jared Dudley never had the type of game typically associated with star players. No one skill made Dudley stand out. Instead, it was the sum of all the little things he did on the court that made him successful. With that in mind, it's no surprise that Dudley has thrived as a role player in the NBA. The Phoenix Suns forward is averaging 8.5 points and 3.7 rebounds off the bench, and he scored 10 points in a 110-103 victory over the Celtics last night. "I come in, bring a lot of energy, get up, switch the tempo and bring a spark," Dudley said yesterday morning. "It's always going to take a couple months for me to show the coaches ..."
Celtics 'D' gets burned from too much Suns
Comment
November 7
Boston Herald
 
"Every team has a bad matchup out there in the hinterlands. For the Celtics, that hellish opponent just might be the Phoenix Suns - an athletic, transition-driven unit that last night was immune to the deepest team in the NBA. The Suns, with their 110-103 win at the Garden, sullied the record of what had been the last undefeated team in the Eastern Conference and gave the Celts their first true pause for thought. For the second straight game, the C's went up against an opponent grooved enough to shoot better than 50 percent from the field. And this time that foe accomplished two firsts this season - a win and a 100-point game against the Celts. Kevin Garnett's best offensive night of the ..."
Suns' Barbosa could return vs. Celtics
Comment
November 6
Arizona Republic
 
"The Suns missed Leandro Barbosa's speed in Wednesday night's loss to Orlando, but Barbosa's sore right wrist may be healed enough to allow him to play Friday. Other than testing it out briefly Tuesday and Wednesday, Barbosa has given the wrist four days of rest while sitting out two games. The swelling and pain have been reduced. "If I feel good, I'll go," Barbosa said. "Right now, when I dribble, it feels like something pops in my wrist. The pain is not as bad as it used to be. "I hope I get better. I just want to come back." Suns head athletic trainer Aaron Nelson has Barbosa's wrist in a cushioned wrap during the day and in a protective sleeve while he sleeps. Griffin's debut Suns ..."
Magic's Mickael Pietrus picture of perfect health in win over Phoenix Suns
Comment
November 5
Orlando Sentinel
 
"Mickael Pietrus sat at home Tuesday night as his teammates lost to the Detroit Pistons. He could barely watch the game on TV — not because the Orlando Magic played poorly, but because he suffered from a fever, an aching body and a pounding headache. Twenty-four hours later, he made the Phoenix Suns feel ill. Pietrus woke up Wednesday morning feeling better and told Magic trainer Tom Smith that he wanted to play against the Suns at Amway Arena. He would come off the bench to score 15 points in 27 minutes and help the Magic to a 122-100 victory over the Suns. "I'm feeling better now that we won that game," Pietrus said. "It doesn't matter if I have the flu or how I feel. Every time I step on ..."
Grant Hill advised Jameer Nelson not to play in last season's NBA Finals
Comment
November 5
Orlando Sentinel
 
"Magic fans probably don't want to hear about Phoenix Suns SF Grant Hill advising any Magic player about playing with injuries. But Hill said before facing his old club on Wednesday night that he did speak with point guard Jameer Nelson last season and encouraged his former teammate not to come back to play in the playoffs. "Put that on the record. You can ask him. I told him not to play, just from my own experience," Hill said. "Not so much from a basketball standpoint. Maybe I shouldn't have, because you don't want to plant that seed in somebody before they're going out to play. But I said, 'Look, I've been out there when [I'm] not right and even when you are right, it's a process when ..."
Shots fall in home return as Orlando Magic scorch Phoenix Suns
Comment
November 5
Orlando Sentinel
 
"Sometimes the worst thing for players about the NBA marathon schedule is that there's always another game. And sometimes the best thing for players about the NBA marathon schedule is that there's always another game. In World Series parlance, they can't wait for that next at-bat after a strikeout — or in this case, a flame-out. Dwight Howard, Jameer Nelson and Ryan Anderson were eager to jettison the memories of Motown out of their minds from the previous 24 hours. They all erased the taste on Wednesday night at Amway Arena in a collective comeback, helping the Magic beat Phoenix 122-100 and hand the Suns their first loss. For once, this was a blessed back-to-back bounce-back after the ..."
Barbosa sits out with sore wrist
Comment
November 4
Arizona Republic
 
"Suns guard Leandro Barbosa probably could drive past anyone with a hand tied behind his back. But Barbosa's sore right wrist took hits in the previous two games, prompting him to sit out Tuesday night's game against the Heat. "I definitely want to play and be there for my teammates, but I want to be able to do something," said Barbosa, who did not shoot a jumper in Sunday's game. "I don't think I can play with one hand." Barbosa tried passing and catching Tuesday morning, and it "shocked" his hand. His shots were short, and he said he barely could open his hand. His status will be re-evaluated for tonight's game at Orlando. Barbosa sprained the wrist in early September during the FIBA ..."
Heat unable to sustain in loss to Suns
Comment
November 4
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
 
"For more than a month, Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra has extolled the virtues of his team's depth. Tuesday night, it proved to be blind faith. Opening the final period with a lineup that might even be questioned in the preseason, the Heat eventually frittered away what remained of a 13-point lead in what turned into a 104-96 loss to the Phoenix Suns at AmericanAirlines Arena. "It was a little bit of different lineup," Spoelstra said, "but I don't think that was the change." Instead of matching the franchise record with a 4-0 start to the season, the Heat fell victim to the guile of point guard Steve Nash, who sparked Phoenix's comeback and moved the Suns to 4-0. While Heat guard Dwyane ..."
Suns' Barbosa doubtful for tonight at Miami
Comment
November 3
Arizona Republic
 
"Suns guard Leandro Barbosa doubts that he will play tonight. Barbosa's ongoing soreness in his right wrist has worsened recently. The injury originally occurred in early September, when Barbosa was hit while in the air on a driving layup and braced his fall with his hands. He was able to play through training camp and preseason but was still bothered by the soreness, especially on his frequent falls. After a foul on that wrist in the Golden State game, Barbosa had an MRI performed on the wrist. There is a cyst inside it but he was told it is too tiny for surgery. He was fouled again on the wrist in Sunday's Minnesota game."
Suns' conditioning paying off
Comment
November 3
Arizona Republic
 
"The Suns pushed their conditioning last month to prepare for the way they want to play and for the grind of the season, and the players are helped when the staff backs off on practice days, as it did Monday. Suns coach Alvin Gentry believes it already made a difference in the first two of the Suns' three games. But can the Suns run 6,849 miles, the length of this road trip? The Suns begin a stretch of five games in seven nights Tuesday night, when they play at Miami, seeking the third 4-0 start in team history. "We're in better shape than I thought we were," said Gentry, who figures his nine- to 10-man rotations will help maintain the desired pace. "When the game is fun, you don't really ..."
Frye on fire, but award talk too soon
Comment
November 3
Arizona Republic
 
"Suns center Channing Frye is about to feel the backhanded compliment that comes with award talk. After averaging 4.2 points per game last season and having only one season - as a rookie in 2005-06 - in which he averaged double figures in scoring, Frye is bound to wind up in Most Improved Player conversations as a Suns starter who figures to triple his scoring average from last season. But like Boris Diaw felt as a member of the Suns four years ago when he won it, or Hedo Turkoglu two years ago, a Most Improved Player candidate usually does not discover some off-season secret about his game. Often, he just gets more of an opportunity. Portland did not have a place for a long-range shooting ..."
Contrasting styles present conflict in Phoenix Suns-Miami Heat match-up
Comment
November 3
Miami Herald
 
"And if things go according to plan for the Heat, its defense would prevent Steve Nash from being the guard that keeps on giving Tuesday when the two-time league MVP leads the Phoenix Suns into AmericanAirlines Arena. In addition to owning identical 3-0 records, the Heat and Suns statistically are the NBA's best teams at their contrasting styles. The Suns bring the league's best shooting team and highest-scoring offense to face the NBA's stingiest defense in field-goal percentage allowed. ``He'll test our defense in so many different ways, and they can stretch us out with their shooting,'' Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said of Nash and a Suns offense averaging 117.3 points and shooting 52.4 ..."
Good effort in loss to Suns is a start for young Timberwolves
Comment
November 2
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"This is a work in progress, Kurt Rambis reminds us. And he's OK with that. "As long as I see the light bulb turning on, and I see they're understanding," the first-year Timberwolves coach said. "And even more than anything else, I just want to see them play hard." So Rambis felt pretty good Sunday night, even as his young team learned a hard lesson from the Phoenix Suns, who showed them what a veteran, well-schooled team does in a 120-112 victory at U.S. Airways Center. The Timberwolves played well enough for a young team learning the ropes, and still were no match for Phoenix. Channing Frye made 6 of 10 shots from three-point range, and Steve Nash had 14 points and 14 assists as the Suns ..."
Suns' Richardson makes debut
Comment
November 2
Arizona Republic
 
"Jason Richardson worked harder in the off-season than he ever has during his career. And then he had to sit at home as the Suns won their first two games, serving a two-game suspension for a DUI conviction last season. "I felt a little like a fan, yelling at the refs through the TV," Richardson said. On Sunday night, he finally got a chance to put all that off-season work to use, making his season debut for the Suns against Minnesota. Richardson said he came to training camp 10 pounds lighter than last season after spending the off-season working with a personal trainer to improve his conditioning. "It was good last year, but this year I want to have the energy for both ends of the ..."
Warriors struggle in lopsided loss to Phoenix
Comment
October 31
Oakland Tribune
 
"Inept. That's how Warriors coach Don Nelson described his team's offense in Friday's 123-101 loss to the Phoenix Suns at U.S. Airways Center. Golden State shot 42.4 percent, turned over the ball 22 times (leading to 31 points), and failed to produce a 20-point scorer. Guard Monta Ellis led the Warriors with 19 points on 7-for-19 shooting. Swingman Kelenna Azubuike had 17 off the bench. "Not executing the plays very well," said rookie guard Stephen Curry, who had 12 points, four assists and three turnovers in 39 minutes. "I think it was just not being able to run the plays that we wanted to and getting the shots we wanted. And we were kind of scrambling all night. That's what inept means to ..."
Nash teaches Curry how it's done
Comment
October 31
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"When Warriors rookie Stephen Curry was yanked in the closing minute of the first half Friday night, a courtside fan stood up and yelled, "Take some notes, Curry." Consider Friday's 123-101 loss to Phoenix learning experience No. 2 of the point guard's two-game career. After making a costly turnover in the final 1 1/2 minutes of the Warriors' one-point loss to Houston on Wednesday, Curry got a game's worth of lessons from Steve Nash at the US Airways Center. "Hopefully, Curry will learn a little from each game," coach Don Nelson said. "He saw a great point guard tonight, one that I know he would like to emulate." Nash had 18 points, 20 assists and six rebounds, and he didn't make any of his ..."
Suns forcing foes to shoot jumpers
Comment
October 31
Arizona Republic
 
"The Suns feel they can outshoot opponents, and they have the data to back it up. After leading the NBA in field-goal percentage the past four seasons, they like their chances to win a jump-shooting contest. That is why their defense remains predicated on taking away easy baskets and withstanding some hot shooting. That's what happened Wednesday, when the Los Angeles Clippers opened the game by making their first four jumpers. "If we have them just shoot jump shots and take away a lot of the layups and dunks, then you're probably talking about low 40s (shooting percentage for opponents)," Suns coach Alvin Gentry said. The Suns' defense still was criticized in seasons they finished in the ..."
Suns run with ease in home opener
Comment
October 31
Arizona Republic
 
"Coach Alvin Gentry went through a list of kudos Friday night as long as his arm after the Suns' 123-101 victory over Golden State in their home opener. There was plenty to commend, including the Suns' defense and rebounding, Channing Frye's six 3-pointers, two well-played halves by the Suns reserves and the scoring bursts by Leandro Barbosa in the second quarter (12 points) and Grant Hill in the first quarter (11 points). Then Gentry remembered who passed the baton during the Suns' sprint relay. After the Suns opened the season with two fast-break points Wednesday, point guard Steve Nash put the Suns back on the running track Friday with 18 points, 20 assists and six rebounds. He won ..."
When to shoot is an art cultivated by Curry, Nash
Comment
October 30
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"When Don Nelson acquired Steve Nash as an unestablished third-year player in Dallas for the 1998-99 season, the coach threatened to fine the point guard if he didn't shoot the ball at least 10 times a game. "He just wanted to pass the ball and make everyone happy, so he was half the player I thought he could become," Nelson said. "I had to try a whole bunch of different stuff to get him to take his shots." That point finally sank in during the 2000-01 season, when Nash nearly doubled his shot total, averaged 15.6 points and 7.3 assists and made the first of six All-Star Game appearances. Four seasons later, Nash won his first of back-to-back MVP awards in Phoenix. Nelson, now the Warriors ..."
Suns' Amar'e searching for swagger
Comment
October 30
Arizona Republic
 
"In Amaré Stoudemire's past two visits to play the Clippers in Los Angeles, he has posted a 42-point game in February and a 16-point effort Wednesday. He made one perimeter shot to score 42 in February. He did not make a shot in the lane in Wednesday's 109-107 Suns win. In between, there were three eye surgeries and weeks of inactivity to put him in search of his swagger. Some of the difference was how well Steve Nash thought the Clippers defended the pick-and-roll, how many extra bodies Stoudemire felt were put on him and how the Suns never got fast breaks. But there was also hesitation, such as when he had deep position on Chris Kaman in the fourth quarter but dribbled and pump-faked ..."
Suns rally to win over Clippers
Comment
October 29
Arizona Republic
 
"The fun-and-gun Suns did not run but they won. The Suns didn't score at the pace they used to hit the 140-point mark twice last season against the Clippers. But they still ruined the Clippers' home opener when Steve Nash scored the last two of his 15 fourth-quarter points with a twisting, winning, left-handed drive in the Suns' 109-107 opening victory. "I went to the old White guy YMCA shot," Nash said of his left-handed finish. "I was lucky to make something happen." Nash had told Suns coach Alvin Gentry in the preceding huddle that he might have to drive because he did not want to get stuck on the perimeter against Baron Davis. Nash scored 13 of the Suns' final 18 points, saying that ..."
Blake Griffin has empathy from his brother on the rehab process
Comment
October 29
Los Angeles Times
 
"The person perhaps best able to understand Blake Griffin's frustration at being sidelined up to six weeks because of a stress fracture in his left kneecap is another player in NBA. That would also be his older brother. "I think he's at the point now where he's realizing that he has to deal with it and move on," Phoenix Suns rookie forward Taylor Griffin said before the game against the Clippers on Wednesday at Staples Center. "Of course, he was pretty down the first few days. It stinks, but it's an occupational hazard." Taylor arrived in town in time to grab lunch with Blake and their mom, Gail. The Clippers gave Gail Griffin a specially created jersey, combining the elements of the ..."
Clippers can't finish it
Comment
October 29
Los Angeles Times
 
"Calling this a must-win game -- after all, it is the Clippers' second of a long-and-winding NBA schedule -- either suggests an incredible loss of perspective or close examination of last season's 0-6 start. Let's go with loss of perspective. Seriously, though, the Clippers needed a win, a psychological boost after a tumultuous few days to steady their often-fragile equilibrium. Failing to build on the promising moments from their season opener against the Lakers, the Clippers blew a seven-point, fourth-quarter lead one night later as the Phoenix Suns rallied for a 109-107 victory on Wednesday night at Staples Center. It turned into a riveting battle down the stretch, essentially featuring ..."
Lack of rebounding could kill Suns
Comment
October 28
East Valley Tribune
 columnist Scott Bordow
"Certain phrases in sports have double meanings. "We're going to use both quarterbacks." Neither of our guys can play a lick, so we'll see if one of them can complete a couple of passes in a row. "He's a dead fastball hitter." He could steal the catcher's signs, have the pitcher announce what he's throwing, and he still couldn't hit a curveball. "We're going to have to rebound as a team." We're small, and our big guys think a rebound is something you do after a bad relationship. For years, the start of the NBA season was a big event around here. The Suns were the pride and joy of the Valley, their quest for a championship intoxicating. Now, Wednesday's opener against the Los Angeles ..."
Suns claim veteran center Collins
Comment
October 27
Arizona Republic
 
"The NBA's balance of power did not shift Monday when the Suns gained the rights to veteran center Jarron Collins, but a Suns roster trend did. The Suns will carry more than the 13-player league minimum on opening night for the first time since 2005. Since then, only the 2007 Washington Wizards and 2009 Toronto Raptors opened a season with 13 players. But the Suns made it 14 when a waiver claim on Collins was granted, giving Phoenix some help with size, rebounding and post defense. Collins will join the Suns' practice today in preparation for Wednesday's season opener at the Los Angeles Clippers. Collins, 30, is a 6-foot-11, 249-pound center who played eight seasons with Utah. Phoenix ..."
Suns coach has home-grown humility, dedication
Comment
October 25
Arizona Republic
 
"Few signs in North Carolina point to Shelby, a genuine small town on wooded rolling hills with a yesteryear of thriving fabric mills. All signs about Phoenix Suns head coach Alvin Gentry point back to Shelby, the town where his strong roots took hold amid the Piedmont's rocks. Gentry, whose Suns open their season on Wednesday, is in his fourth incarnation as an NBA head coach, a telling feat for a coaching career that began in 1977, the year he played his last basketball game for Appalachian State University. That longevity demands a love for the game. The affinity was formed when free time went to playing basketball on a dirt court in the backyard of the home of his cousin, former star ..."
Kerr's latest plan unfolding for Suns
Comment
October 24
Arizona Republic
 
"Steve Kerr can take a punch. Can he throw one? He was once smacked in the face by Michael Jordan during practice, and ultimately responded by taking Jordan's pass in Game 6 of the 1997 NBA Finals and swishing the title-winning shot. Will the 2009-10 Suns be Kerr's revenge? Or just another regret? "A successful season for us is if we really re-develop our identity not just as a running team, but playing hard and playing together and really coming together as a team," said Kerr, the Suns' general manager. "I'd be really surprised if that didn't happen. I think the circumstances are right." With a new NBA season upon us, it's hard to know anything for sure except (a) the replacement ..."
Gentry gained respect en route to Suns job
Comment
October 24
Arizona Republic
 
"When Alvin Gentry and David Thompson grew up in Shelby, N.C., any debate over who would have a longer NBA career would have been quicker than Thompson's first step past by his younger cousin. Thompson was more hailed than Michael Jordan in his high school days and had an All-Star career with greatness derailed only by drug use. Gentry was two years younger and a rung below as a player, landing a scholarship to Appalachian State and never playing again. But Gentry is in his 22nd NBA season, all as a coach. He was named head coach of the Suns in May after taking over on an interim basis in February. It is the fourth time he has been a head coach. "It might've been hard to live up to my name ..."
Suns' rebounds hit a low in loss
Comment
October 24
Arizona Republic
 
"You needed the preseason to learn that the Suns don't rebound well like you needed a thermometer to know that the Valley summer was hot. Still, it is shocking how bad the Suns fared on the boards in the preseason, considering how much it was emphasized for a month. The Suns finished the preseason with the NBA's worst rebounding differential - minus-8.8 per game, about four rebounds worse than the next-lowest team. Subtract a game against Partizan Belgrade and the Suns' differential was minus-10. The problem hit a low in Thursday's preseason finale loss to Portland. Phoenix was out-rebounded 50-28, with center Channing Frye getting one rebound in 32 minutes and power forward Amaré ..."
Portland 113, Phoenix 93: All signs point to Steve Blake starting
Comment
October 23
Oregonian
 
"One week before the Trail Blazers concluded their exhibition season, Steve Blake sat shirtless in the visiting locker room in Utah with his arms crossed and his left foot submerged in a bucket of ice. His body was shivering, his teeth were chattering, and all in all, the veteran point guard looked miserable after a loss to the Jazz. The scene might as well have summed up his play to that point: cold, slightly uncomfortable and out of sorts. "I have not played particularly well in our (exhibition) games," Blake acknowledged a day later at practice. But despite this discouraging truth, as the Blazers wrapped up their exhibition season Thursday night with a 113-93 win against the Phoenix ..."
Amar'e making 'unbelievable strides'
Comment
October 22
Arizona Republic
 
"Sacramento power forward Jason Thompson, all 6 feet 11 inches and 250 pounds of him, was at the free-throw line at US Airways Center on Tuesday night when the Suns' Amaré Stoudemire loudly chimed in from the lane. "I've got a mouse in the house at the other end," said Stoudemire, officially an inch shorter and a pound lighter. The classic line for a size mismatch in the post drew a dismissive "pffft" from Thompson, who later fouled out in 22 minutes of play. "That lets your teammates know that you're totally in tune," Stoudemire said. "You're ready to go. It lets the opposing team know that we got a problem on our hands." Stoudemire has been as confident in his comeback, often stating how ..."
Dickau, Powell cut after Suns win
Comment
October 21
Arizona Republic
 
"The writing was on the wall in the Suns' locker room for Dan Dickau and Carlos Powell. Though other players have the personalized purple metallic nameplates over their stalls, Dickau and Powell had a piece of athletic tape with their names handwritten. They knew their chances to make the Suns roster were slim when they arrived for voluntary workouts last month. It made the gut punch of reality no softer late Tuesday when they were cut after the Suns' 143-127 preseason win over Sacramento at US Airways Center. In the Suns' first rotation rehearsal for next week's season opener, Channing Frye scored 29 points, Goran Dragic bounced back with a 21-point, eight-rebound game, and coach Alvin ..."
Suns left dissatisfied with win; Nash leaves game in 2nd half
Comment
October 21
Arizona Republic
 
"The Suns won by 16 and scored 143 points. The Suns scored 51 points on free throws. Channing Frye scored 29 with four 3-pointers. Amaré Stoudemire scored 27. Phoenix outscored Sacramento by 32 when Goran Dragic was on the floor. Scores used to be enough to satisfy scores of Suns. But after Phoenix's 143-127 home preseason victory Tuesday night against the Kings, there was more dissatisfaction heading into the preseason finale Thursday. Phoenix has no problem getting points, but taking care of points of emphasis has been another issue. In the much-emphasized categories of defense and rebounding, the Suns surrendered 50 percent shooting for the game Tuesday and gave up 16 offensive rebounds ..."
Suns offer Kings tough test of Carril's lessons
Comment
October 20
Sacramento Bee
 
"The refreshing taste of victory against Golden State on Saturday served as a reminder to the Kings that hustle and rebounds can generate a lot of goodwill. And then there's Pete Carril, the Hall of Fame coach who douses that good cheer by reminding all comers that this is still very much a work-in-progress process: The Kings have one triumph in four exhibition attempts. There are three more exhibition games this week as the crash course session begins on tightening up a player rotation as the season opener at Oklahoma City looms. When Carril stopped scrimmage Monday afternoon to make a point, everyone listened, including head coach Paul Westphal, who hustled over to absorb the tutorial. ..."
Suns' Dragic seeking comfort zone
Comment
October 20
Arizona Republic
 
"The Suns will use their final two preseason games, including Tuesday night's at home against Sacramento, to find the rhythm of a 10-man rotation they will use most often when the season starts next week. Goran Dragic, a second-year Slovenian, is entrenched in that mix as the backup point guard - but not based on his training camp or preseason. He began camp three weeks ago trying to find comfort with a knee he had sprained last month. He still appears to be trying to find comfort with his NBA game. Dragic has shot 0 for 12 from the field in the past two games, and his ability to run the offense has been a mixed bag. In transition, Dragic often seems most comfortable, although recent games ..."
Iguodala's 23 points help 76ers top Suns
Comment
October 19
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"Swingman Andre Iguodala scored 23 points last night as the 76ers beat the Phoenix Suns, 116-94, in a preseason game in Monterrey, Mexico.The two teams met for the second time in three days. On Friday night in Phoenix, the Suns handed the 5-1 Sixers their only loss of the preseason, 115-113. Iguodala went scoreless in that game."We challenged our starters tonight, and Andre really took the bull by the horns and really took us to another level," Sixers coach Eddie Jordan said. "Our defense was good, a lot more energy tonight, and we sustained it in the second half.""
Suns taking precautions on Mexico trip
Comment
October 18
Arizona Republic
 
"Sunday night's Suns-76ers game at Arena Monterrey will be the NBA's 18th game since 1992 in Mexico. The Suns are playing in Monterrey, Mexico's third largest city, after playing two preseason games in Mexico City in 1996. The Suns sent staff early for community relations efforts and a home-like game production but players have trepidations about H1N1 flu and crime. "Don't leave the hotel. Drink bottled water. Don't leave the hotel," Suns guard Jason Richardson said of what players were told before arriving in Monterrey early Saturday. Teammate Amaré Stoudemire said the prevailing message was to steer clear of the flu. "Keep your hands clean," he said. "If you see us high-fiving with the ..."
Suns show positives in narrow win
Comment
October 17
Arizona Republic
 
"Suns coach Alvin Gentry consistently has praised Jason Richardson's defensive effort and Amare Stoudemire's progress since training camp, but the merit in such compliments was never as obvious as Friday night. While cheers at US Airways Center went Channing Frye's way for getting his touch back in a 17-point effort, it was Richardson's work on defense and Stoudemire's intensity on the boards that were just as striking and effective in the Suns' 115-113 home victory over Philadelphia. Phoenix led 100-85 with 7:05 to go, but the bench lost the lead. The Suns' Dan Dickau was fouled on a 3-pointer with 38 seconds to go and converted all three free throws to put Phoenix back ahead for good. ..."
Sixers' rally falls short in loss to Suns
Comment
October 17
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"Marreese Speights scored 32 points on 12-for-18 shooting and Lou Williams added 27, but the Sixers fell short in a 115-113 preseason loss at Phoenix.The Sixers mounted a furious fourth-quarter comback, outscoring the Suns, 41-28.First-round pick Jrue Holiday played 30 minutes, scoring 14 points on 5-for-9 shooting."
Phoenix 110, Trail Blazers 104: Rip City goes retro for a night
Comment
October 15
Oregonian
 
"About 90 minutes before the Trail Blazers stepped back into the past, Steve Blake and LaMarcus Aldridge strolled into the home locker room at Memorial Coliseum, peered around and chuckled at the scene in front of them. Cramped quarters, wood-panel lockers, showers that didn't work and a dated, old-school feel. "We went back in time y'all," Aldridge shouted, laughing as he searched for his locker. "We went back in time, fellas." In more ways than one. On a night that paid tribute to the Blazers' heritage, the team that enters its 40th season with sky-high expectations looked more like one of those all-offense, no-defense teams of the NBA's past during a 110-104 loss to the Phoenix Suns. ..."
Miller, Oden shine in 'Turn Back the Clock' loss
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October 15
Portland Tribune
 
"It was Turn Back the Clock night as the Blazers began celebration of their 40th anniversary by playing their first game at Memorial Coliseum - home of the franchise for its first 25 seasons - since moving to the Rose Garden in 1995. A sellout crowd of 11,740 watched the Suns win a fast-paced contest in which Portland at times resembled the original Blazers - who allowed opponents to average 120 points a game en route to a 29-53 record - from a defensive standpoint. "We never established ourselves on the defensive end of the floor," Portland coach Nate McMillan said. "We let (the Suns) control the tempo. We scored, but we didn't play any defense." Guards Steve Nash and Leandro Barbosa had ..."
Suns continuing preseason travels
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October 14
Arizona Republic
 
"Two weeks from opening the NBA season on the road, the Suns are at least getting used to playing away from home. After arriving in Indian Wells, Calif., on Friday for Saturday's outdoor game and losing at Oklahoma City on Monday, the Suns' preseason itinerary brings them to Portland, Ore., Wednesday night for the first of two exhibition games against the Trail Blazers. The other is next Thursday in Vancouver, after a game Sunday in Mexico. The Suns are 0-2 against NBA teams this preseason (plus a win vs. Partizan Belgrade) but that is no cause for alarm, considering coach Alvin Gentry is tinkering with lineups and finishing close games with the end of his bench. The team's traditional ..."
Thabo Sefolosha back in gear
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October 13
The Oklahoman
 
"Three minutes into the third quarter, Phoenix forward Grant Hill stripped Kevin Durant at the free-throw line and darted down court for a two-on-one fastbreak. It was a run-out that routinely would have ended in an uncontested basket last season. But Thabo Sefolosha never gave up on the play. The Thunder's shooting guard caught up to the action, blocked forward Amare Stoudemire's dunk attempt and persevered a four-point lead that swelled to 17 by the end of the period.The Thunder's defensive stopper was back.After missing the first two preseason games, and the past week of practice with a mild concussion, Sefolosha stepped in and picked up where he left off last season. He contested shots, ..."
Five reasons for Oklahoma City Thunder fans to keep an eye on Phoenix Suns
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October 12
The Oklahoman
 
"Oklahoma City opens its preseason home schedule tonight against the one opposing team Thunder fans should track the most in 2009-10 — the Phoenix Suns. Tonight's game is only game three of the exhibition season for both teams. That means there is the potential for some bad stretches of basketball played by guys you might have never heard of. But Thunder fans should pay close attention to these Suns this season because no team will have more of an impact on Oklahoma City. Here are five reasons to watch the Suns: ? The Thunder owns Phoenix's first-round pick Here's why Thunder fans want to root against Phoenix. The worse the Suns do, the better the draft selection becomes that Phoenix must ..."
Second NBA outdoor game a success for Suns
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October 11
L.A. Daily News
 
"The weather was milder, the scoring more abundant, and the Phoenix Suns felt the second NBA outdoor exhibition game was a success as far as the event was concerned. But it wasn't as successful for the Suns on the floor as Phoenix fell 104-101 to the Golden State Warriors on Saturday night at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. The game drew 14,979 fans, aoff from last year's sell out of 16,236. "I think it was a success," Suns general manager Steve Kerr said. "We had a good crowd. We didn't have quite as big a crowd as last year but I know all the fans around me said they loved it. I think the players enjoyed it and it would be great if it can come back." The points were much more abundant ..."