In case anyone missed it...
Hunter Ready to Man the Middle
With the ink barely dry on his contract, new Suns center Steven Hunter hit the airwaves on XTRA Sports 910’s afternoon sports talk show to chat with hosts John Gambodoro and Mark Asher.
The 6-11 center came out after two seasons at DePaul University and spent three years maturing and learning in Orlando after being selected with the 15th overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft. Hunter posted averages of 3.5 points and 2.5 rebounds in 12.1 minutes of play with the Magic, and told Gambo and Ash that he is ready to take the next step to being a regular contributor in the middle.
“I think it’s a learning process,” the Chicago native said. “Those three years in Orlando, I wouldn’t take them back for the whole world, because I really learned a lot on and off the court. I learned a lot about work ethic and what I need to do to be a successful center in the NBA. It’s not all just about (playing) time. Now, I think I realized what I need to do and I’m going to bring all that to the table this year.”
On a team with a significant amount of offensive firepower, Hunter realizes his role will be to the Suns’ dirty work in the paint. He blocked five shots in a game against Utah last season and has the potential to be a double-digit rebounding threat. In addition to training with renowned trainer Tim Grover in Chicago, Hunter watches video of a couple of the best defensive specialists of the present and past for guidance and pointers.
“Right now I watch a lot of tape of Theo Ratliff,” he said. “I watch rebound tapes of Dennis Rodman. I think on the defensive end, blocking shots and rebounding, I feel like I can be one of the better centers in the NBA.
“I came into the league as a little scrawny kid, but I’ve gotten stronger as I’ve matured and I’m ready to take the next step.”
Hunter will be able share the experience of coming to the Valley with former DePaul teammate and freshly signed guard Quentin Richardson. The two still work out together in the offseason and “Q” even had a hand in getting his friend to the Valley.
“(The Suns) are getting a true warrior,” he said. “Even dating back to DePaul, Q was our leader vocally and he also demonstrated it on the court. You’re getting a guy who you can throw the ball down to in the post. He’s going to punish smaller guys. He’s a great rebounder for his size (and) he’s also a great three-point shooter. Q is just a great competitor and he’s a winner.
“He recruited me. He wanted me to come and play with him. He knows how talented I could be and he’s always said he was going to bring the professional out of me.”
However, while Hunter is following Richardson to Phoenix, he won’t be following him down the aisle any time soon.
“I’m going to let Q do the marriage thing right now,” he said. “Obviously, he’s ready to get married. Hopefully, I’ll get there in a couple of years. Right now, I’m just having fun.”
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It really seems that Q had a role in the signing of Hunter
Good to know that Hunter knows his role; hopefully he can fulfill it
Hunter Ready to Man the Middle
With the ink barely dry on his contract, new Suns center Steven Hunter hit the airwaves on XTRA Sports 910’s afternoon sports talk show to chat with hosts John Gambodoro and Mark Asher.
The 6-11 center came out after two seasons at DePaul University and spent three years maturing and learning in Orlando after being selected with the 15th overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft. Hunter posted averages of 3.5 points and 2.5 rebounds in 12.1 minutes of play with the Magic, and told Gambo and Ash that he is ready to take the next step to being a regular contributor in the middle.
“I think it’s a learning process,” the Chicago native said. “Those three years in Orlando, I wouldn’t take them back for the whole world, because I really learned a lot on and off the court. I learned a lot about work ethic and what I need to do to be a successful center in the NBA. It’s not all just about (playing) time. Now, I think I realized what I need to do and I’m going to bring all that to the table this year.”
On a team with a significant amount of offensive firepower, Hunter realizes his role will be to the Suns’ dirty work in the paint. He blocked five shots in a game against Utah last season and has the potential to be a double-digit rebounding threat. In addition to training with renowned trainer Tim Grover in Chicago, Hunter watches video of a couple of the best defensive specialists of the present and past for guidance and pointers.
“Right now I watch a lot of tape of Theo Ratliff,” he said. “I watch rebound tapes of Dennis Rodman. I think on the defensive end, blocking shots and rebounding, I feel like I can be one of the better centers in the NBA.
“I came into the league as a little scrawny kid, but I’ve gotten stronger as I’ve matured and I’m ready to take the next step.”
Hunter will be able share the experience of coming to the Valley with former DePaul teammate and freshly signed guard Quentin Richardson. The two still work out together in the offseason and “Q” even had a hand in getting his friend to the Valley.
“(The Suns) are getting a true warrior,” he said. “Even dating back to DePaul, Q was our leader vocally and he also demonstrated it on the court. You’re getting a guy who you can throw the ball down to in the post. He’s going to punish smaller guys. He’s a great rebounder for his size (and) he’s also a great three-point shooter. Q is just a great competitor and he’s a winner.
“He recruited me. He wanted me to come and play with him. He knows how talented I could be and he’s always said he was going to bring the professional out of me.”
However, while Hunter is following Richardson to Phoenix, he won’t be following him down the aisle any time soon.
“I’m going to let Q do the marriage thing right now,” he said. “Obviously, he’s ready to get married. Hopefully, I’ll get there in a couple of years. Right now, I’m just having fun.”
-----------------------
It really seems that Q had a role in the signing of Hunter
Good to know that Hunter knows his role; hopefully he can fulfill it
