Googs Interview

[jbeecham]

From Suns.com: http://www.nba.com/suns/news/gugliotta_030801.html

Since signing a free agent contract with the Suns in the summer of 1998, Tom Gugliotta has seen his share of injuries, criticism and doubts that he could play at the level he was accustomed to in his previous six season in the league before coming to Phoenix.

Googs took a moment away from a rigorous workout at America West Arena to chat with Suns.com about his summer regiment, his goals for the upcoming season and his thoughts on this being the last year of his Suns’ contract.

Suns.com: How has your summer been?

Tom Gugliotta: My summer’s been good. It’s been nice. I’ve been mostly here (in Phoenix). I went to New York and visited family for a while. I’ve been working out and this is the first time I’ve been able to play the whole summer, so it’s been exciting for me.

Suns.com: How is your health?

Gugliotta: I feel good. My foot is feeling much better. That’s the thing that was slowing me down, so with that having been healed, I’ve been able to do a lot of working out and trying to get back to doing the things I was able to do.

Suns.com: What are your goals for this season?

Gugliotta: For one, just be healthy. I want to come into camp in great shape and prepare to help the team in any way. Obviously, I want to play as much as I can. I’m working hard to where that’s a possibility.

I’m just going to be ready. There’s a lot of opportunity for me next year to help out in several areas and I just want to be ready for it and get back to having fun and help this team achieve another level. We have the ability to do that.

Suns.com: How frustrating was last season for you?

Gugliotta: It was frustrating. The summer before last season I had a foot problem where I was getting pain and there was inflammation, but there was no indication of any possible break or anything like that. So I kind of sat out most of the summer not doing impact-type stuff just to rest it. The beginning of the season came and I tried to work myself back into shape, and I broke my foot.

That was frustrating, but that was really the only thing that was frustrating. Amaré (Stoudemire) came in and did a great job. It gave him a chance to come in and gain some confidence, and he obviously has the potential to be a spectacular player and demonstrated that last year. To me, it doesn’t mean I still can’t play.

I’m a basketball player. I can adapt to whatever my role is. If I get out there and I’m feeling good and I’m healthy and I can get out and run up and down the court, which is what I’m really trying to do, I think I can help this team a lot.

Suns.com: Are you looking at this year as a time to prove you can still play?

Gugliotta: Yeah, it is a challenge. I know I still can do it. The problem has been my health. That’s been mind-boggling and that takes a lot of the confidence away. Three consecutive years I came up with pretty significant injuries.

That’s frustrating, especially considering prior to that, I went eight years without a major injury. When that sneaks up, it kind of takes the wind out of your sails. But I really feel like I’m passed those and all the work I’ve done all offseason to get my body to work like it used to, just to prevent other injuries, I think is going to pay off.

I’ve watched film from when I first got here and when I was in Minnesota, and the biggest thing I saw was how I ran the court. That was a big asset I had. I never stopped moving. I was running and running. I haven’t been able to do that in recent years and without that, it takes a lot away from my game. In order for me to help, I’ve got to be able to run and open things up. Everything else just comes naturally.

Suns.com: Do you feel like you’re at the point where you can run the court freely?

Gugliotta: I really am. I’ve been working really hard on my cardio, being able to be on treadmills and being able to do basketball-type agility drills. Even right now, I’m in pretty good shape and still have some time before camp.

When I get to camp, I plan on being able to run and move, and then see what happens. Big guys don’t like to keep moving and that’s been my asset. I’m not stronger than most guys, but my ability to move has been the difference. Big guys at the four and five positions don’t want to do that, so I’m thinking I’ve got a shot at that.

Suns.com: Is there added pressure for you being in the last year of your contract?

Gugliotta: I don’t worry about it. This is going to be my 12th year in the league. As a young player, maybe you worry about it. But at this point in my career, I’m just trying to get myself back into playing well. I hope it’s here. I hope they allow that to happen, but I have no control over it. I’m really not worried about it.

To be honest with you, I’m excited for how I feel and for the work I’ve put in. I think it will give me a chance to go out and have some fun finally.

 

[Chaplin]

I always feel so bad when I read interviews or articles about Googs. He's seems like such a good guy--the old adage is true, bad things happen to good people.

I like the optimism in his responses, and you know that FJ will play him.

 

[hcsilla]

Yes, he feels soooo good.
I believe it when I see.

 

[Dr. Dumas]

I sure hope that Googs does not see too much playing time regardless of how good he feels. Any time he's on the floor is time away from Amare. That's unless Frankie puts Tom at the center spot with Amare at the PF spot. Which is not recommended, put who knows with FJ.

 

[rkellysunsfan]

I sure hope that Googs does not see too much playing time regardless of how good he feels. Any time he's on the floor is time away from Amare. That's unless Frankie puts Tom at the center spot with Amare at the PF spot. Which is not recommended, put who knows with FJ.

Googs was once a great player in this league, but the luxury we have is, we don't need him to be that player anymore. However, if he can come off the bench and be effective, there's certainly room for him. Whether you want to believe it or not, we're not going to be a team that never plays small ball, and the truth is anyway, that small-ball can be effective if used in the right way. It shouldn't be our go-to lineup, most likely, but with the personel we had last season, there really wasn't any reason for it not to be. Even so, I would think Googs should get 15-20 minutes next year on a nightly basis, if he can perform at a level that merits such time. Amare would still get 35-40 minutes a night, and it would give us insurance for the nights that Amare gets in foul trouble, or God forbid he gets injured at any time.

One of this team's strong suits a few years ago was our bench. Last year, our bench was ok, but it left much to be desired. I'm not sure how much we'll get out of Zarko or Barbosa, but with JJ, Voshkul, and Googs alone, we'd have a pretty good bench. Having a healthy Tom Gugliota would be a huge asset to this team.

 

[Dr. Dumas]

rkellysunsfa, you bring up some good points. I do know that Googs was once a 20/10 guy or pretty close to it untill Livingston crashed into him. I will be happy if he's not laboring up and down the court and can make a few 15 footers.

 

[Chaz]

IF healthy Googs can help this team next year.

Penny came back and was an effective role player last year. I think (and hope) that Googs can make a similar comeback.

 

[notakiddfan2]

Exactly. There's no reason he can't do that. Well, maybe the worst knee injury in NBA history is somewhat of a reason, but from what I've heard the guy has a very good work ethic. His midrange jumper abilities could help us attack the other team's zone defenses that we had trouble with often this past season, and at 6'10, he could be another person to bang down low if we need it. Even in the limited time he played last season, he showed that he could still be an effective rebounder, and he's always been a pretty decent low-post defender. I guess in the end it all just depends on whether the guy can stay healthy, and once that happens, if a healthy yet completely reconstructed knee is good enough for him to get the job done. Most likely (never say never..) he'll never be a 20 and 10 guy again, but any way we can strengthen our bench really helps in this super-deep Western Conference. Besides, Tom Gugliota is one of the nice guys in the NBA, so you really just want to pull for him, whatever team you are a fan of.

Or, at least that's what the media wants you to believe, mwwaahahahahaha! (evil laugh)

 

[JCSunsfan]

Even if Googs is healthy, how is he going to contribute to this team?

The minutes are just not there.

He can play pf, and do spot work at center. As a pf he is at best 4th on the depth chart behind Amare, Bo, and Zarko.

At the center position he is 4th or 5th on the depth chart behind Jake, Jake, Zarko, and maybe even Amare. Good grief, Bo played more c last year than Googs will see.

 

[Errntknght]

A 'healthy' Googs still won't be that healthy, compared to himself before his knee problems so assuming he's as healthy as he can be at this point he doesn't figure to play a whole lot. I guess I'd as soon see him on the floor as Scott Williams unless the latter is having one of those rare games where he's hitting his jumpers.

Another situation where he might be a help to the team is any time that Penny isn't on the floor. Last year the offense stagnated at those times so Googs passing ability and cool head could be what is needed. I think this is probably beyond Frankie, besides which he won't be looking to build anything around Googs so he won't stumble upon it.

 

[Chaz]

.

Origionally posted by JCSunsfan
Even if Googs is healthy, how is he going to contribute to this team?
The minutes are just not there.

JC,

Maybe there won't be minutes for Googs, but minutes for anyone will have to be earned. I expect Googs will get a fair chance from training camp. Lets not be to quick to assume minutes for young players like Zarko and when healthy Googs has a jumper the defense has to respect unlike Outlaw. I expect Gugliotta, Outlaw, Voskul, and Zarko to get backup minutes on the front line. Face it, the Suns don't really use the 5 on offense and a good center will probably be doubled on defense anyway.

Going back to the Hardaway example, the coaches tried to give the starting 2 position to Johnson last year and it took about a week for Penny to start over JJ. It can be difficult to predict minutes in August especially for young players.