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East Valley Tribune: So Far, Suns Enjoying Successful Summer
By Mike Tulumello
East Valley Tribune
July 23, 2004
It’s only summer league play, but a few of the Suns look like they’re ready for the regular season.
The club’s entry in the Rocky Mountain ***** spotted the San Antonio Spurs a few points early, then came back to roll to a 90-83 win Thursday. The Suns now are 3-2 in this league and 6-2 overall this summer.
The Suns got a big game from Maciej Lampe (21 points, 10 rebounds), who had struggled at times over the past two weeks, and Leandro Barbosa (19 points, four steals.)
Also enjoying solid games were Casey Jacobsen (14 points, five assists) and rookie Jackson Vroman (13 points, seven rebounds).
Barbosa controlled the floor. Though he shot just 5-for-14 from the field, he attacked the basket whenever the Suns needed points and hit 7-of-9 free throws.
"He’s no longer a rookie," Suns coach Marc Iavaroni said of Barbosa. "He knows he’ll have a quickness advantage."
In the past, Barbosa used "blazing speed. Now, it’s change of speeds. . . . He’s playing more under control," Ivaroni said.
Barbosa said he has a sore knee, back and neck but will continue playing.
BONUS SHOTS: Among the players in the Utah summer league is Tommy Smith, the former Arizona State star drafted in the second round last year by Chicago. He didn’t make the Bulls, but he’s back with their team this summer, averaging, 7.8 points and 3.5 rebounds.
Also playing is Miles Simon, the former Arizona star who is playing for Denver. Simon, who made the NBA for one year, is averaging 8.3 points and 4.3 assists. . . .
Heading into Thursday’s action, Barbosa ranked No. 4 in the league in scoring at 16.5, just behind No. 3 Ben Gordon, the Chicago rookie who was picked No. 3 in the draft last month.
By Mike Tulumello
East Valley Tribune
July 23, 2004
It’s only summer league play, but a few of the Suns look like they’re ready for the regular season.
The club’s entry in the Rocky Mountain ***** spotted the San Antonio Spurs a few points early, then came back to roll to a 90-83 win Thursday. The Suns now are 3-2 in this league and 6-2 overall this summer.
The Suns got a big game from Maciej Lampe (21 points, 10 rebounds), who had struggled at times over the past two weeks, and Leandro Barbosa (19 points, four steals.)
Also enjoying solid games were Casey Jacobsen (14 points, five assists) and rookie Jackson Vroman (13 points, seven rebounds).
Barbosa controlled the floor. Though he shot just 5-for-14 from the field, he attacked the basket whenever the Suns needed points and hit 7-of-9 free throws.
"He’s no longer a rookie," Suns coach Marc Iavaroni said of Barbosa. "He knows he’ll have a quickness advantage."
In the past, Barbosa used "blazing speed. Now, it’s change of speeds. . . . He’s playing more under control," Ivaroni said.
Barbosa said he has a sore knee, back and neck but will continue playing.
BONUS SHOTS: Among the players in the Utah summer league is Tommy Smith, the former Arizona State star drafted in the second round last year by Chicago. He didn’t make the Bulls, but he’s back with their team this summer, averaging, 7.8 points and 3.5 rebounds.
Also playing is Miles Simon, the former Arizona star who is playing for Denver. Simon, who made the NBA for one year, is averaging 8.3 points and 4.3 assists. . . .
Heading into Thursday’s action, Barbosa ranked No. 4 in the league in scoring at 16.5, just behind No. 3 Ben Gordon, the Chicago rookie who was picked No. 3 in the draft last month.
