Suns White on a Roll
By Mike Tulumello
East Valley Tribune
Feb. 27, 2004
Jahidi White isn't the kind of guy to do cartwheels. Even if he was that expressive, his 300-or-so-pound frame wouldn't allow him to bounce around in quite that way.
But lately, White's playing as though he's continuing to celebrate the passing of the trade deadline last week, when the Suns were trying to deal him.
That's because the center has one year and $5.9 million left on his contract; trading him would increase the Suns' salary room to go after free agents this summer from about $8 million to about $14 million. In the three games since the deadline, he's averaged 8.7 points on 60 percent shooting, plus 8.3 rebounds in 27 minutes per game.
In the first game after the deadline passed, Feb. 20 in Memphis, he hauled down 13 rebounds. That's the most he's had in two seasons.
His best game might have been Sunday; he had only four points and five rebounds but managed to hang in the game for 33 minutes while battling Shaquille O'Neal of the Lakers.
For more coverage of Phoenix sports,
be sure to visit eastvalleytribune.com
White figures that, at least subconsciously, he's been able to relax and enjoy the game more now that he knows where he's going to be for the rest of the season.
"I don't like that type of stuff," he said of the recent trade talk. "I don't think anybody does.
"At the same time, it's part of the business you have to deal with. But you don't have to like it." White has bounced back and forth between starting, coming off the bench and sitting out games entirely, depending on what coach Mike D'Antoni wants in any particular game.
White is set to back up Jake Voskuhl tonight against Seattle because D'Antoni figures White is a good matchup for Jerome James, the SuperSonics' backup center.
In some cases, such as against the Dallas Mavericks, who often employ three forwards up front, White will sit.
But in general, the way he's going, "We'll ride him.. . . If it's a normal (opposing) lineup with normal centers, he's going to play," said D’Antoni.
The way White is playing, of course, can only make him easier to trade in the offseason. One thing is for sure, said D'Antoni. "He'll always have value in this league. He has a skill not many people have: He can guard Shaq."
http://www.nba.com/suns/news/tribune_040227.html
By Mike Tulumello
East Valley Tribune
Feb. 27, 2004
Jahidi White isn't the kind of guy to do cartwheels. Even if he was that expressive, his 300-or-so-pound frame wouldn't allow him to bounce around in quite that way.
But lately, White's playing as though he's continuing to celebrate the passing of the trade deadline last week, when the Suns were trying to deal him.
That's because the center has one year and $5.9 million left on his contract; trading him would increase the Suns' salary room to go after free agents this summer from about $8 million to about $14 million. In the three games since the deadline, he's averaged 8.7 points on 60 percent shooting, plus 8.3 rebounds in 27 minutes per game.
In the first game after the deadline passed, Feb. 20 in Memphis, he hauled down 13 rebounds. That's the most he's had in two seasons.
His best game might have been Sunday; he had only four points and five rebounds but managed to hang in the game for 33 minutes while battling Shaquille O'Neal of the Lakers.
For more coverage of Phoenix sports,
be sure to visit eastvalleytribune.com
White figures that, at least subconsciously, he's been able to relax and enjoy the game more now that he knows where he's going to be for the rest of the season.
"I don't like that type of stuff," he said of the recent trade talk. "I don't think anybody does.
"At the same time, it's part of the business you have to deal with. But you don't have to like it." White has bounced back and forth between starting, coming off the bench and sitting out games entirely, depending on what coach Mike D'Antoni wants in any particular game.
White is set to back up Jake Voskuhl tonight against Seattle because D'Antoni figures White is a good matchup for Jerome James, the SuperSonics' backup center.
In some cases, such as against the Dallas Mavericks, who often employ three forwards up front, White will sit.
But in general, the way he's going, "We'll ride him.. . . If it's a normal (opposing) lineup with normal centers, he's going to play," said D’Antoni.
The way White is playing, of course, can only make him easier to trade in the offseason. One thing is for sure, said D'Antoni. "He'll always have value in this league. He has a skill not many people have: He can guard Shaq."
http://www.nba.com/suns/news/tribune_040227.html