All about the Suns big PG workout

[slinslin]

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http://www.nba.com/suns/news/livingston_qa_040619.html
Question: What do you think you did in Chicago that impressed them enough for them to bring you back today?

Shaun Livingston: Obviously, my body has matured a little bit; I added a couple of pounds. I showed them some of my ball handling; I try to show them that my shot has improved a little bit. Hopefully, they liked what they saw. I was just honored to be able to come out here and work out for them.

Question: What gives you the confidence to know that you can make the leap from high school to the NBA?

Livingston: I’ve got a strong supporting cast and I feel inside myself that as my game develops I think that by playing with guys at another level, I’ll play to that level and hopefully, sooner than later, I’ll play above.

Question: How have you taken to the workout process? Has it been draining? Exciting?

Livingston: It’s been both. It’s new to me, just traveling on the road every day, but it’s routine now. This is just a taste of it, so if I can’t handle it now, I’m not going to be able to handle what’s coming up ahead.

Question: What impressed you about the Suns?

Livingston: They’ve got a good team. I’ve always followed them and they have always played competitive ball up and down type system. Run and gun, but also structured, so that’s a good system.

Question: KJ, Kidd, Marbury, maybe Livingston? That’s a long line of good point guards.

Livingston: We’ll see. Only time will tell, but those are pretty big shoes to fill. I’m just taking it one day at a time.

Question: How do you feel you did at today’s workout?

Livingston: It was good coming in here against Jameer (Nelson), obviously one of the toughest guards in the country. Player of the year last year and I’m just honored to get a chance to play against him, and just try to compete.

It was good. I felt confident about it. Playing against guys like that brings another level out of you, playing against great guards like that. I feel pretty good.

Question: Do you pay attention to the mock drafts and all the talk leading up to the draft?

Livingston: I stopped looking on the Internet and reading the paper back in high school. You can’t keep up with all of that stuff, so you just have to know inside yourself, because that will have you on a roller coaster.

Question: How much of a difference has it made to add some weight?

Livingston: It’s a big difference. It helps me play more aggressive. Obviously, I’ve still got a long way to go as far as strength. Playing against strong guards like that just helps me become more aggressive and not lackadaisical.

Question: Do you study the roster of the teams you are going to work out for?

Livingston: I study. You have to, just to know where you’re going to fit in. This team obviously has great players and I feel that I could come in and make a contribution, as far as getting guys in their strength spots and helping the guys score.

Question: How far away do you think you are to being able to contribute on the NBA level?

Livingston: Hopefully sooner then later. I’ve got a long ways to go. I’m just taking it a day at a time and try to work as hard as I can.

 

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http://www.nba.com/suns/news/jameer_nelson_040619.html
Question: How did it feel to be back for workout No.2 with the Suns?

Jameer Nelson: It was great. They are serious, real serious about who they bring out for their second workout. I’m just very fortunate to be here in this position.

Question: Will this put you over the hump in terms of maybe coming here?

Nelson: Hopefully. Obviously, I always think I can do better. But that’s what basketball is all about, and you just have to bounce back.

Question: Are you paying attention to where you may fall in the mock drafts?

Nelson: Not at all. Especially not a mock draft. The only person I listen to is my agent, and the guys I work out for. Nobody knows for sure, so it’s hard to pay attention to any of that stuff.

Question: What other teams have brought you in for a second look?

Nelson: Nobody right now. I did a second interview with Toronto yesterday over the phone. They hired a new GM who wanted to talk to me and get a feel as to how I am as a person.

Question: Will you be in New York for the draft?

Nelson: Yes.

Question: One of the drawbacks they say about you is that you’re kind of small in terms of being a lottery pick, but then you match up against 6-7 guys today.

Nelson: Most of the time I matchup with players taller than me, so if I can do the same thing somebody else can do, what does height have to do with anything? Shaun Livingston is a great player, and he’ll most likely be a lottery pick.

Question: Where do you think you fit in terms of being a point guard with the Suns?

Nelson: I’d fit in well. You have great talent. It goes up and up. Hopefully if I become a Sun, the team will do even better next year.

Question: Have you been doing anything differently since your last Suns workout? Bulking up?

Nelson: No, no, just trying to keep in shape for these workouts with NBA teams. Not to impress, but to be myself.

Question: What was different today than some of your other recent workouts?

Nelson: Not as much shooting. Today was more about playing. Other teams want to see me shoot. Even though they know I can shoot the ball, they want to see you in person shooting.

Question: How do you overcome the downside of your frame?

Nelson: You just go play. My heart is just as big as anybody’s. That’s the biggest thing. I bring heart. I have confidence in myself no matter who I’m on the court with. Heart and courage take you a long way.

 

[George O'Brien]

Nelson feels like a reach at #7, but he may be in the mix if the Suns do a day of the draft swap down.