Leandro Barbosa News: Pro Sports Daily

Suns reserve guard Leandro Barbosa ready for Tuesday return

Comment

March 15

Arizona Republic

"A couple of possible weekend appearances for Suns guard Leandro Barbosa turned into more delays, but Barbosa pledges that Tuesday night will mark his return to action. Barbosa was cleared to practice last week and had chances to return Friday or Sunday but felt too weak to dribble for Friday's game and asked Suns coach Alvin Gentry on Sunday morning for one more game off to make sure he is ready for the final month. If he plays Tuesday, it would be seven weeks after his wrist surgery to remove a cyst. The original timetable was for him to be out four to six weeks. "It's feeling good," Barbosa said. "I'm very happy about the results and can't wait to come back. I'm going to wait one more ..."

Leandro Barbosa ready for Tuesday return

Comment

March 15

Arizona Republic

"A couple of possible weekend appearances for Suns guard Leandro Barbosa turned into more delays, but Barbosa pledges that Tuesday night will mark his return to action. Barbosa was cleared to practice last week and had chances to return Friday or Sunday but felt too weak to dribble for Friday's game and asked Suns coach Alvin Gentry on Sunday morning for one more game off to make sure he is ready for the final month. If he plays Tuesday, it would be seven weeks after his wrist surgery to remove a cyst. The original timetable was for him to be out four to six weeks."

Barbosa will not play tonight against the Hornets

Comment

March 14

Arizona Republic

"Suns guard Leandro Barbosa will not return to action for tonight's game against New Orleans, saying that he asked coach Alvin Gentry this morning to take one more game off and make his comeback against Minnesota on Tuesday, which will be seven weeks after his surgery. Barbosa's original timetable after Jan. 26 wrist surgery was to return in four to six weeks. He was slated to return Friday night against the Lakers but was bothered by feeling weak with his dribble Thursday at practice."

Phoenix Suns' guard Leandro Barbosa says he's not ready for Lakers game

Comment

March 12

Arizona Republic

"Steve Nash, Goran Dragic and Leandro Barbosa all took part in at least limited scrimmaging during Thursday's practice, and Dragic and Nash said they're ready to go Friday against the Lakers . Barbosa said he isn't. He had a cyst removed from his right wrist a little over six weeks ago. "No, I'm going to wait," he said. "I don't know how many games. I'm not strong yet with the (right) hand. It's still a little bit weak. I can't pass the way I want to pass. Hopefully I'll be back soon. I'm excited and wanted to play, but I want to make sure I get back right." Coach Alvin Gentry said as early as Tuesday that Barbosa was actually shooting the ball better than anticipated, and indicated he ..."

Leandro Barbosa's return to squeeze Phoenix Suns backcourt

Comment

March 11

Arizona Republic

"The squeeze is coming, and for the Suns that might be a good thing. With Leandro Barbosa expected to make his return from wrist surgery against the Lakers the Suns have a numbers crunch in their backcourt. Backup point guard Goran Dragic has played unexpectedly well this season at both ends of the court. Shooting guard Jason Richardson, who briefly was replaced in the starting lineup by Barbosa, is playing some of his best basketball since joining the club. And Steve Nash is orchestrating like an MVP again. But that's four players for two positions on the court - not even counting Grant Hill, who can swing from forward to guard and is having flashbacks to the '90s. Still, with all the ..."

Leandro Barbosa's return to squeeze Phoenix Suns backcourt

Comment

March 10

Arizona Republic

"The squeeze is coming, and for the Suns that might be a good thing. With Leandro Barbosa expected to make his return from wrist surgery against the Lakers the Suns have a numbers crunch in their backcourt. Backup point guard Goran Dragic has played unexpectedly well this season at both ends of the court. Shooting guard Jason Richardson, who briefly was replaced in the starting lineup by Barbosa, is playing some of his best basketball since joining the club. And Steve Nash is orchestrating like an MVP again. But that's four players for two positions on the court - not even counting Grant Hill, who can swing from forward to guard and is having flashbacks to the '90s. Still, with all the ..."

Suns' Leandro Barbosa back; Steve Nash getting needed rest

Comment

March 9

Arizona Republic

"Leandro Barbosa, who had surgery on his right wrist six weeks ago, returned to practice, and Gentry hopes he'll be available to play against the Lakers. "I'll speak with the trainers, but he'll do a little more contact stuff (today) and practice Thursday, and if everything is OK he should be ready to go, I would think." Barbosa said his right arm is still "a little weak" and there is some swelling, but he added that if he feels comfortable Thursday he likely will play Friday. "I'm very hungry to come back and help my teammates," he said. "We'll see what happens." He said his fitness is good. "The wind is great," he said. "The trainers have been pushing me really hard, and I appreciate ..."

Suns guard Leandro Barbosa gets medical clearance

Comment

March 2

Arizona Republic

"Suns guard Leandro Barbosa got farther away from the basket with his shots Monday, putting him closer to a return. Barbosa was given a full medical clearance Monday, allowing him to use Monday's pregame time to take his first perimeter shots since he underwent surgery Jan. 26 to remove a cyst from his right wrist. There is no timetable for Barbosa's return to game action, especially with the Suns not having any practices this week because they are in a five-day, four-game stretch. Barbosa said his expectation was that the Suns would use next week's five consecutive off days to prepare him for a return, but he said he might be able to get in some two-on-two or three-on-three work this week ..."

Suns guard Leandro Barbosa gets medical clearance

Comment

March 2

Arizona Republic

"Suns guard Leandro Barbosa got farther away from the basket with his shots Monday, putting him closer to a return. Barbosa was given a full medical clearance Monday, allowing him to use Monday's pregame time to take his first perimeter shots since he underwent surgery Jan. 26 to remove a cyst from his right wrist. There is no timetable for Barbosa's return to game action, especially with the Suns not having any practices this week because they are in a five-day, four-game stretch. Barbosa said his expectation was that the Suns would use next week's five consecutive off days to prepare him for a return, but he said he might be able to get in some two-on-two or three-on-three work this week ..."

Is Cleveland big enough for Amare & Shaq

Comment

February 15

ESPN.com

"On Sunday, ESPN.com's Chris Broussard reported that the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Phoenix Suns had seriously discussed a trade that would send Amare Stoudemire to Cleveland for J.J. Hickson (and the expiring contract of Zydrunas Ilgauskas). As Broussard reported, the Cavs had made the offer and the ball was in Phoenix's court. In the meantime, I've spoken to sources connected to the Cavs, the Suns and other teams around the league, and while they confirm that the Stoudemire trade discussions between Cleveland and Phoenix are at a serious stage, they also describe a fluid situation, with trade discussions taking place on multiple fronts."

Iguodala trade talk: Phoenix, Houston

Comment

February 6

Philadelphia Inquirer

"The latest trade talk circulating around 76ers swingman Andre Iguodala has him going with teammate Samuel Dalembert to the Phoenix Suns for star power forward Amar'e Stoudemire and, possibly, guard Leandro Barbosa. According to an NBA source, the two teams have discussed this and other trade scenarios, although there are a few snags with the potential trade. Stoudemire's contract situation is chief among them. The NBA's trade deadline is Feb. 18. Iguodala has four years and $56 million remaining on his contract; Dalembert will earn $12 million next season, after which his contract expires. Stoudemire's contract expires at season's end, but he has a player option to earn $17 million for the ..."

Suns' Leandro Barbosa has cyst removed from wrist

Comment

January 27

Arizona Republic

"Suns guard Leandro Barbosa underwent the surgery to remove a ganglion cyst from his right wrist Tuesday. The team is saying he will be out four to six weeks, adding two weeks of flexibility from the original prognosis. The surgery was performed by Suns team physician Dr. Thomas Carter and the Orthopedic Clinic's Dr. Joey Haber. Barbosa is expected to be allowed to start conditioning work in about a week, which should help keep his rehabilitation process on the shorter end by staying in shape. It is the same wrist Barbosa injured during the summer, when he was playing for his Brazilian national team and sprained it on a fall. The wrist bothered him through camp and he took three games off ..."

Suns' Leandro Barbosa to have surgery on wrist, will miss a month

Comment

January 24

Arizona Republic

"Suns guard Leandro Barbosa will undergo surgery to remove a cyst from his right wrist on Tuesday and miss a month of play. The Suns basketball and medical staffs met before Saturday night's game against Golden State and brought Barbosa into Coach Alvin Gentry's office to involve him in the final decision. Barbosa, inactive for Saturday's game, considered having fluid drained from the wrist after the swelling and pain in his right hand worsened during Friday's loss to Chicago. Barbosa has struggled with the wrist problem since the summer, when it apparently originated from spraining the right wrist on a fall during play for the Brazilian national team. Barbosa is averaging 10.6 points this ..."

Suns guard Leandro Barbosa dealing with less playing time

Comment

January 12

Arizona Republic

"Leandro Barbosa still has a big role with the Suns. It's just not as big. Barbosa has reclaimed court time alongside Steve Nash but still is playing less than in the past now that Goran Dragic has taken hold of the backup point-guard time. Barbosa also has struggled with injuries and performance. "It's a little bit of a new role for him in that we can't seem to get him as many minutes as in the past," coach Alvin Gentry said. "But that could all change in a week. As I told the guys, 'You'll be called on at some stage to do things to help us win, and you have to be focused on that right here.' That might end up being 15 minutes or 30 minutes. "LB's very important to our team. We've made ..."

Barbosa makes a happy return for Suns

Comment

December 26

Arizona Republic

"Leandro Barbosa still might have been sore, but the Suns did not hurt for having him back. The guard returned to action from an ankle sprain after missing nearly four weeks, recording 12 points and four assists in 21 minutes during the Suns' 124-93 rout of the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night at US Airways Center. Barbosa helped stretch a four-point lead to eight during his first nine minutes of action in the second quarter, when he scored six points by penetrating on the baseline, off a curl and on an isolation drive. It was a one-on-one speed element that the Suns had missed. "I was feeling comfortable out there," Barbosa said. "I was happy Coach (Alvin) Gentry trusted me to ..."

Suns guard Leandro Barbosa returning from injury

Comment

December 25

Arizona Republic

"There is nothing left for Suns guard Leandro Barbosa to do but play. He has gone through every form of rehabilitation. He practiced three times this week, increasing his workload and seeing his first five-on-five, full-court action Thursday. He has done extra training and more shooting at night at the arena with relatives. That set up Barbosa for his first game action since he sprained his left ankle Nov. 29 at Toronto, when he scored 17 points to help the Suns win and move to 14-3. Since then, Phoenix is 4-8. "I'm excited," Barbosa said. "I wanted to come back as soon as possible, but I just want to make sure everything's healthy so that I can come back for good and do what I like to do: ..."

Suns' Barbosa to return from ankle injury Friday

Comment

December 23

Arizona Republic

"Leandro Barbosa is in the spirit, wearing his red-and-green, snowflake-decorated Christmas game shoes to practice recently. He will be a gift to the Suns on Friday, when he returns against the Clippers at home. Barbosa had his first contact in practice Tuesday in four-on-four, half-court games. After practice, Barbosa stayed for a more exhausting session of shots and sprints with Idan Rivan, who works out the NBA's top players. "I'm impressed with what I did," Barbosa said. "I'm very happy." The Suns are 4-7 since he has been out with an ankle sprain suffered Nov. 29 in a win at Toronto that made Phoenix 14-3."

Barbosa mending

Comment

December 13

Arizona Republic

(scroll down)

"Suns head athletic trainer Aaron Nelson said guard Leandro Barbosa is "progressing well and getting stronger" from the left-ankle sprain he suffered Nov. 29. Barbosa can start jogging Monday on a treadmill that takes up to 80 percent of his body weight off the track."

Barbosa to miss at least two games with ankle sprain

Comment

November 30

Arizona Republic

"Amar'e Stoudemire waved his arms, and the Air Canada Centre crowd roared. Stoudemire can pick his spots about as well as Steve Nash, the Suns' Canadian point guard who was being introduced at the time. Canadians cheer each time Nash plays in Toronto, his home for many summers while playing for the Canadian national team, and jeer the Raptors each time he plays them. Nash's record against the Raptors since rejoining the Suns in 2004 improved to 12-0 on Sunday with a 113-94 victory. Phoenix won its fourth game in a row and improved the NBA's best record to 14-3. Nash had 20 points and 16 assists. "It's one night out of 82 when you step on the floor, but it's definitely more special than ..."

Suns go deep with 3-point shooters

Comment

November 24

Arizona Republic

"The Suns are like all basketball players. Given a ball and an open floor, most gravitate to the 3-point line for a shot. The Suns just do it better. Like a team exceeding expectations, Phoenix is the NBA's top 3-point shooting team at 44.4 percent and is on an NBA-record pace of 10.4 makes per game. Of the 42 NBA players making at least 40 percent of their 3-pointers, seven are Suns. They ended last season with only Steve Nash at better than 40 percent, not counting pre-trade Raja Bell (46.8) or Amar'e Stoudemire (3 for 7). In 2007-08, only Nash and Bell hit 40 percent. This group did not figure to be the Suns' best 3-point shooting team, but it is beating them all. Jared Dudley was a ..."

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 ..."

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 ..."

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' Barbosa getting fresh start

Comment

September 26

Arizona Republic

"Last season, Leandro Barbosa lost his mother, his favorite basketball ways and his health during the Suns' playoff push. This summer, Barbosa gained a daughter, a gold medal and optimism about the Suns. Barbosa rejoined the Suns later than usual Friday, just in time for next week's training camp. He had been busy leading Brazil to his second FIBA Americas Championship gold medal and the team to a 2010 World Championship berth. Barbosa hopes the Suns can have a turnaround as strong as his personal summer rebound. On June 25, Barbosa and his girlfriend, Brazilian soap opera actress Samara Felippo, became parents to a girl, Alicia. He said Alicia looks like his mother, to whom he was very ..."

Barbosa expected back vs. Kings

Comment

April 3

Arizona Republic

"If it seems as if it's been forever since Leandro Barbosa last suited up for the Suns, well after all, it was last season. At least it was if you're counting the final eight games as a "new season" as the Suns are in their desperate attempt to overtake Dallas for the final Western Conference playoff spot. The Mavericks, who play at Memphis Friday, hold a four-game lead. The Suns are 1-0 in this new season after beating Houston, and Friday night they hope to take revenge on the Sacramento Kings, who coincidentally ended the Suns' "last" season five days ago in Sacramento, a dispiriting 126-118 Phoenix defeat. Barbosa, who suffered a tibial bone bruise in his left knee March 18, had ..."

Barbosa sits out against Rockets

Comment

April 2

Arizona Republic

"Suns guard Leandro Barbosa did not play Wednesday against Houston, moving his target return date to Friday's home game against Sacramento. Barbosa has missed the past six games since suffering a left tibial bruise less than two minutes into his appearance in a March 18 game against Philadelphia. He practice for the first time Tuesday and tested his knee area at Wednesday morning's shootaround. "It's not what I expected," Barbosa said after he was the last player to leave the practice floor. "I'm very stiff today and very sore. "Every time I jump, it's painful. Every time I stand, it's sore.""

Barbosa still out for tonight's game

Comment

April 1

Arizona Republic

"Suns guard Leandro Barbosa will not play in tonight's home game against Houston, moving his target return date to Friday's home game against Sacramento. Barbosa has missed the past six games since suffering a left tibial bruise less than two minutes into his appearance in a March 18 game against Philadelphia. He practice for the first time Tuesday and tested his knee area at Wednesday morning's shootaround. "It's not what I expected," Barbosa said today after he was the last player to leave the practice floor. "I'm very stiff today and very sore. "Every time I jump, it's painful. Every time I stand, it's sore." If Barbosa was ready, Suns coach Alvin Gentry planned to use him no more than ..."

Barbosa could take longer to return

Comment

March 24

Arizona Republic

"Guard Leandro Barbosa has been on the Suns' practice court the past two days, but his shooting layups while sitting in a chair and gingerly climbing stairs with his hands on both rails does not bode well for an imminent return. Barbosa hyperextended his left knee Wednesday, and the resulting bone bruise to the top of his tibia put the Suns' sixth man out one to three weeks. That made a three-game road trip, which starts Thursday in Portland, the earliest he can return, but Barbosa said it could take longer. "I don't think so," Barbosa said of playing on the trip that has weekend stops at Utah and Sacramento. "If I feel that I'm OK, I need to practice first and make sure I'm OK. If I have ..."

Suns' Barbosa to miss 1 to 3 weeks

Comment

March 20

Arizona Republic

"Suns guard Leandro Barbosa will be out of game action one to three weeks after suffering a bone contusion in his left knee during Wednesday's win against Philadelphia. Barbosa hyperextended his left knee inward when his leg planted as he ran past the basket and looked back at his layup that was blocked. Barbosa left the game. His X-ray was negative. Suns head athletic trainer Aaron Nelson said a Thursday MRI exam showed Barbosa's knee did not have ligament damage but had a bone contusion on the top of his left tibia, where the femur hit upon hyperextension. Nelson said a straight-in hyperextension reduced the chance of ligament damage and that his extra step before planting kept his full ..."

Suns' Barbosa to miss 1 to 3 weeks

Comment

March 19

Arizona Republic

"Suns guard Leandro Barbosa will be out of game action for one to three weeks after suffering a bone contusion in his left knee during Wednesday night's win against Philadelphia. Barbosa planted his left leg awkwardly in the final minute of Wednesday's first quarter, hyperextending his left knee inward as he ran past the basket and looked back at a driving layup attempt that was blocked. Barbosa was helped off the floor and had a negative X-ray Wednesday before undergoing a MRI exam today. Suns head athletic trainer Aaron Nelson said Barbosa did not suffer any ligament damage but the MRI did show a bone contusion to the top side of the tibia, where the femur came down and connected upon ..."

Suns' Barbosa playing through pain

Comment

March 16

Arizona Republic

"Suns guard Leandro Barbosa's second half against Cleveland on Thursday was hard to watch. But it was even worse for him to play. That 0-for-5 second half was the worst Barbosa has felt with an abdominal strain that has been bothering him for nearly two weeks, since the start of the 0-4 road trip through Florida and Texas. It still was lingering Sunday night, although it was again difficult to tell by the way Barbosa moved for 21 points and four assists in just under 21 minutes. "It's very, very tight," Barbosa said. "Every time I try to walk or run, it hurts. It gets worse when I play. After the game, I can't sleep. "Anything I try to do with power hurts, even when I walk.""

Barbosa bounces back vs. Hawks

Comment

January 26

Arizona Republic

"Suns guard Leandro Barbosa did not score in double digits in any of the Suns' three consecutive losses entering Sunday. It was the first time that had happened in three successive games since 2005, but it was over in a blur Sunday, when he scored 20 with big momentum baskets to help the Suns beat Atlanta. "He gave us a big lift off the bench," said coach Terry Porter, who had Barbosa play the final 15 minutes. "When he comes off the bench and gives us that kind of production, we're a different team." Porter was concerned about being small at the wings with Barbosa and Jason Richardson, but Barbosa handled Marvin Williams well when isolated."

Suns struggling to implement Barbosa

Comment

January 4

Arizona Republic

"Suns coach Terry Porter is trying to find time for Leandro Barbosa at the wing with Steve Nash, a mix that started Friday's fourth quarter well. But that Barbosa has been sacrificed to maximize the best players' minutes, turning Barbosa into a backup point guard. "I don't practice as a point guard so I don't know all the plays," Barbosa said. "Every time I catch the ball, I look to Terry to see what we can run. Most of the time, we just give the ball to Shaq. I'm just focusing on not turning the ball over." Barbosa has made 30 percent of his 3-pointers this season after hitting 41 percent in his first five years. With Nash out, he thrived in the extra time at Oklahoma City (career-high ..."

Barbosa leads Suns past Grizzlies

Comment

November 11

East Valley Tribune

"These have been tough days for Leandro Barbosa. While he struggles to grasp the Suns' new offense and tempo after missing much of training camp, his mother, Ivete, still lies unresponsive in a Sau Paulo hospital. Her youngest son misses the several daily chats on the phone, rarely going more than a few hours without making contact. He has several religious necklaces around his neck along with pictures of his mom, keeping him close. But Monday, when the rest of the Suns were in a sluggish malaise against the improving Memphis Grizzlies, it was Barbosa who was upbeat and aggressive. And while the Suns really needed his 27 points - 16 of which came in the fourth quarter - to hold off the ..."

Barbosa, Amaré back in practice

Comment

October 14

Arizona Republic

"Suns guard Leandro Barbosa spent the past two weeks emotionally drained while he essentially lived at his mother's side in a Sao Paulo, Brazil, hospital. After he saw her health improve, Barbosa physically drained himself to be by his teammates' sides Monday: He took a 13-hour flight to land in Phoenix at 10 a.m., an hour before surprising the Suns by joining a two-hour practice. Suns General Manager Steve Kerr sent Barbosa a text message to check in with him Monday morning, only to find his sixth man in the locker room minutes later. "Everything's going to be OK at home and also here," Barbosa said after practice. "I was there, but my mind was here. I was really worrying about ..."

Barbosa back to Suns practice

Comment

October 14

Arizona Republic

"Suns guard Leandro Barbosa was a surprise return to practice today. Barbosa returned to Phoenix at 10 a.m. today without anyone knowing until he walked into the locker room. He has been in Sao Paulo, Brazil, with his ailing mother since the start of training camp two weeks ago but her condition has improved. Barbosa is practicing with the team and there is a chance he will play in this week's two preseason games in Atlanta and Syracuse"

Suns notebook: Barbosa leaves camp to tend to ill mother

Comment

October 1

East Valley Tribune

"The excitement of the first day of training camp was tempered by the absence of guard Leandro Barbosa, who had to leave for Brazil to be with his critically ill mother. Ivete Barbosa is well-known within the Suns family. She often spends extended parts of the season in the Valley, cooking traditional family meals and rooting on her son. She overcame a bout with a serious illness a few years ago but has suddenly fallen gravely ill. Barbosa arrived in Tucson with the team Monday night but left after the team gathered for a precamp dinner. He is likely to miss the entire stay in Tucson, which runs through Saturday, and Suns general manager Steve Kerr said there is no immediate timetable for ..."

Suns Barbosa leaves camp to tend to ill mother

Comment

September 30

East Valley Tribune

"Suns guard Leandro Barbosa did not join the team in training camp which opened today in Tucson. Barbosa had to fly back to Sao Paulo, Brazil on Tuesday for an indefinite period of time because his mother, Ivete, is ill with an undisclosed illness. Barbosa and his mother are very close."

Blur needs to sit

June 1

East Valley Tribune

columnist Jerry Brown

"Leandro Barbosa wants to rest this summer. And after playing year-round basketball for several years, the Suns want Barbosa to rest, too. But Brazil, which has missed the last two Olympics in basketball, needs their “Blur” to have a shot at one of the final three spots for the 2010 Olympics at the qualifying tournament, which begins in Athens, Greece, on July 14. In Sao Paulo, Barbosa has complained of some right knee soreness since the end of the season — going as far as pointing and explaining the injury on a television sports report making the Internet rounds — and saying he needs to return to Phoenix to be re-examined."