azdad1978
Championship!!!!
Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
Oct. 15, 2004 12:00 AM
Amid a 22-1 run of breakaway dunks and three-pointers, some much-needed Suns defense may have gone unnoticed in Wednesday's preseason opener.
Granted, the Clippers were worse than usual with four starters out. The Suns were thin, too, but still managed to play active defense, especially once Amaré Stoudemire entered. In a three-minute stand, Joe Johnson and Quentin Richardson had three steals and Steven Hunter and Richardson each blocked a shot.
The Suns did not give up a second-chance point until the close of the first quarter.
"We're playing very hard defensively, working on guys making the right rotations," coach Mike D'Antoni said. "We're ahead of where we expected we'd be."
The Clippers shot 35.5 percent and made 23 turnovers.
Still can go big
The Suns have four point guards by trade, but it was Johnson, a 6-foot-7 swingman, who started there Wednesday.
He did not stay there long but it showed the Suns have maintained a big lineup option.
"His vision is a lot better this year," D'Antoni said. "He's a little bit more vocal and playing good basketball. I'm glad we had the opportunity to play him at point last year. It really expanded his game."
JJ waiting
The three-month window to extend rookie contracts for 2001 draftees expires Oct. 31 and Johnson is waiting for good news.
If the Suns do not give him a contract extension, which could be for as many as six years, they would leave him available to hear offers from other teams. But the Suns would be able to match any offer.
"I'm not thinking that if I wait, there will be a bigger contract," Johnson said. "I do have the utmost confidence in myself. If it works out and we can get it out of the way, it'd be great. If not, it's not going to be a burden on my shoulders."
Nash babies
Steve Nash became a father early Thursday when his girlfriend, Alejandra Amarilla, gave birth to twin girls. Lola arrived at 4 pounds, 14 ounces and Bella was 4 pounds, 4 ounces.
Nash's return for Saturday's game at Seattle remains in doubt because of a groin pull.
Free throws
Leandro Barbosa practiced Thursday after missing four days with a groin pull.
• Stoudemire stuck to conditioning due to a sore wrist he hurt as the result of a fall Wednesday.
• Shawn Marion remained home for a second day with an upper respiratory infection.
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/1015sunsnb1015.html
The Arizona Republic
Oct. 15, 2004 12:00 AM
Amid a 22-1 run of breakaway dunks and three-pointers, some much-needed Suns defense may have gone unnoticed in Wednesday's preseason opener.
Granted, the Clippers were worse than usual with four starters out. The Suns were thin, too, but still managed to play active defense, especially once Amaré Stoudemire entered. In a three-minute stand, Joe Johnson and Quentin Richardson had three steals and Steven Hunter and Richardson each blocked a shot.
The Suns did not give up a second-chance point until the close of the first quarter.
"We're playing very hard defensively, working on guys making the right rotations," coach Mike D'Antoni said. "We're ahead of where we expected we'd be."
The Clippers shot 35.5 percent and made 23 turnovers.
Still can go big
The Suns have four point guards by trade, but it was Johnson, a 6-foot-7 swingman, who started there Wednesday.
He did not stay there long but it showed the Suns have maintained a big lineup option.
"His vision is a lot better this year," D'Antoni said. "He's a little bit more vocal and playing good basketball. I'm glad we had the opportunity to play him at point last year. It really expanded his game."
JJ waiting
The three-month window to extend rookie contracts for 2001 draftees expires Oct. 31 and Johnson is waiting for good news.
If the Suns do not give him a contract extension, which could be for as many as six years, they would leave him available to hear offers from other teams. But the Suns would be able to match any offer.
"I'm not thinking that if I wait, there will be a bigger contract," Johnson said. "I do have the utmost confidence in myself. If it works out and we can get it out of the way, it'd be great. If not, it's not going to be a burden on my shoulders."
Nash babies
Steve Nash became a father early Thursday when his girlfriend, Alejandra Amarilla, gave birth to twin girls. Lola arrived at 4 pounds, 14 ounces and Bella was 4 pounds, 4 ounces.
Nash's return for Saturday's game at Seattle remains in doubt because of a groin pull.
Free throws
Leandro Barbosa practiced Thursday after missing four days with a groin pull.
• Stoudemire stuck to conditioning due to a sore wrist he hurt as the result of a fall Wednesday.
• Shawn Marion remained home for a second day with an upper respiratory infection.
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/1015sunsnb1015.html
