azdad1978
Championship!!!!
June 2, 2005
From Staff Reports
Joe Johnson, who will be a restricted free agent this summer, said he’d like to return to the Suns. "I would love to come back but nothing is set in stone," Johnson said. "This is a business."
Johnson is expected to be pursued by several clubs. The Suns can match any offer for the fourth-year pro and are expected to do so.
The Suns could have signed Johnson to a contract extension back in October. Though the Suns and Johnson failed to conclude a deal, he later said he and the club were "close" to agreement.
Since then, Johnson’s value has gone up with his near-All-Star season.
AMARÉ WITH PROGRAM
The Suns’ other main objective this offseason will be to sign Amaré Stoudemire to a maximum six-year contract extension.
Though he stopped short of saying he would do so, Stoudemire reiterated he sees no hang-ups.
"Everything is looking swell with the team and the organization," he said. "It’s looking good."
DUNCAN’S RESURRECTION
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich all but predicted beforehand that Tim Duncan would bounce back with a vengeance from his poor game Monday in San Antonio.
He was right. Despite the Suns’ concentration on him, he put up 34 points and 15 rebounds. He did so without a word of advice or instruction from Popovich.
"He’s harder on himself than anybody could be on him," Popovich said. In this game, "He was possessed . . . though you’d never know it by looking at him or talking to him.
"I haven’t talked to him for two days. I just leave him alone in these situations.
Duncan said, "I didn’t want to have one of those again.
"I wanted to put together a better game, give our team a chance to win and not be what I call a hinderance . . . in that I miss nine free throws and can’t finish plays."
KUDOS FOR STOUDEMIRE
Stoudemire might be the toughest opponent the Spurs ever have faced, Popovich suggested in response to pregame questions.
"I don’t remember anybody ever scoring 40 a game, so I guess he’d be No. 1, if you go by stats.
"He’s been absolutely stupendous and unstoppable for us."
Stoudemire runs like a guard, he said, and, "He can attack. He’s good in the post.
"His second jump is quicker than anybody’s except maybe Shawn Marion. . . . He’s got the whole package."
The Spurs were known for playing solid defense on Shaquille O’Neal and the Lakers in recent years. With this in mind, Popovich was asked why he’s had so much trouble guarding the hoop when Stoudemire has the ball.
Stoudemire, he replied, isn’t really a center.
"He’s a very quick, very powerful, very explosive ‘four’ man who plays anywhere he wants.
"Most centers aren’t like that. They don’t move like him. They don’t run the floor like him, and they’re not as explosive. So he’s different."
‘POP’ ON CARLESIMO
That P.J. Carlesimo, the Spurs assistant coach, finally is being considered for head coaching jobs again — he recently interviewed for the Minnesota opening — is "great," said Popovich.
Carlesimo, of course, was involved in the incident in which Latrell Sprewell choked him when the two were at Golden State. "We all get labeled so quickly," Popovich said, pointing out nobody neatly fits one label.
"Once incident made everybody think a certain way" about Carlesimo. "We felt the opposite way." And the Spurs were rewarded.
"He’s been a huge, huge bonus for me and my program," Popovich said. "I can’t think of many people who are as knowledgeable or get along better with people. My players love the guy."
BONUS SHOT
Among the players who have worked out for the Suns the past two days: guard B.J. Elder of Georgia Tech; forward/center Eddy Fobbs of Sam Houston State; forward Sharrod Ford of Clemson; guard/forward Josh Pace of Syracuse; forward Angelo Gigli of Italy; guard Chris Rodgers of Arizona; and forward Chevon Troutman of Pittsburgh.
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=42351
From Staff Reports
Joe Johnson, who will be a restricted free agent this summer, said he’d like to return to the Suns. "I would love to come back but nothing is set in stone," Johnson said. "This is a business."
Johnson is expected to be pursued by several clubs. The Suns can match any offer for the fourth-year pro and are expected to do so.
The Suns could have signed Johnson to a contract extension back in October. Though the Suns and Johnson failed to conclude a deal, he later said he and the club were "close" to agreement.
Since then, Johnson’s value has gone up with his near-All-Star season.
AMARÉ WITH PROGRAM
The Suns’ other main objective this offseason will be to sign Amaré Stoudemire to a maximum six-year contract extension.
Though he stopped short of saying he would do so, Stoudemire reiterated he sees no hang-ups.
"Everything is looking swell with the team and the organization," he said. "It’s looking good."
DUNCAN’S RESURRECTION
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich all but predicted beforehand that Tim Duncan would bounce back with a vengeance from his poor game Monday in San Antonio.
He was right. Despite the Suns’ concentration on him, he put up 34 points and 15 rebounds. He did so without a word of advice or instruction from Popovich.
"He’s harder on himself than anybody could be on him," Popovich said. In this game, "He was possessed . . . though you’d never know it by looking at him or talking to him.
"I haven’t talked to him for two days. I just leave him alone in these situations.
Duncan said, "I didn’t want to have one of those again.
"I wanted to put together a better game, give our team a chance to win and not be what I call a hinderance . . . in that I miss nine free throws and can’t finish plays."
KUDOS FOR STOUDEMIRE
Stoudemire might be the toughest opponent the Spurs ever have faced, Popovich suggested in response to pregame questions.
"I don’t remember anybody ever scoring 40 a game, so I guess he’d be No. 1, if you go by stats.
"He’s been absolutely stupendous and unstoppable for us."
Stoudemire runs like a guard, he said, and, "He can attack. He’s good in the post.
"His second jump is quicker than anybody’s except maybe Shawn Marion. . . . He’s got the whole package."
The Spurs were known for playing solid defense on Shaquille O’Neal and the Lakers in recent years. With this in mind, Popovich was asked why he’s had so much trouble guarding the hoop when Stoudemire has the ball.
Stoudemire, he replied, isn’t really a center.
"He’s a very quick, very powerful, very explosive ‘four’ man who plays anywhere he wants.
"Most centers aren’t like that. They don’t move like him. They don’t run the floor like him, and they’re not as explosive. So he’s different."
‘POP’ ON CARLESIMO
That P.J. Carlesimo, the Spurs assistant coach, finally is being considered for head coaching jobs again — he recently interviewed for the Minnesota opening — is "great," said Popovich.
Carlesimo, of course, was involved in the incident in which Latrell Sprewell choked him when the two were at Golden State. "We all get labeled so quickly," Popovich said, pointing out nobody neatly fits one label.
"Once incident made everybody think a certain way" about Carlesimo. "We felt the opposite way." And the Spurs were rewarded.
"He’s been a huge, huge bonus for me and my program," Popovich said. "I can’t think of many people who are as knowledgeable or get along better with people. My players love the guy."
BONUS SHOT
Among the players who have worked out for the Suns the past two days: guard B.J. Elder of Georgia Tech; forward/center Eddy Fobbs of Sam Houston State; forward Sharrod Ford of Clemson; guard/forward Josh Pace of Syracuse; forward Angelo Gigli of Italy; guard Chris Rodgers of Arizona; and forward Chevon Troutman of Pittsburgh.
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=42351
