azdad1978
Championship!!!!
Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
Jun. 3, 2005 12:00 AM
The Suns have resorted to threats in an effort to keep Joe Johnson.
"I'm going to break your other eye socket if you don't come back," Quentin Richardson told his good friend on the way out of America West Arena on Thursday.
Johnson talked about the future of the club as if he would be a part of it, and Suns President and General Manager Bryan Colangelo certainly sees it that way too, having committed to re-signing Johnson for months. Johnson is a restricted free agent as of July 1, although Phoenix can retain him by matching any offer.
"I'd love to stay here and be a part of it," Johnson said. "But like I've been saying all year, this is a business and business comes first.
" . . . Anything is possible. Nothing is set in stone. It's going to be tough. It's going to be an interesting summer."
Cleveland, the Los Angeles Clippers and Atlanta are expected to have the most interest in Johnson, who wanted a six-year, $50 million deal before the season. Managing owner Robert Sarver did not offer more than $45 million but Johnson could wind up with a contract worth $10 million annually. A new collective bargaining agreement may cut the contract length to five years.
"It's our intention to keep our core together," Colangelo said.
D'Antoni reiterated Thursday how Johnson's injury greatly detracted from the Suns' postseason effort. He has said he didn't think they would beat Dallas without him. In winning that series without Johnson in the last four games, it forced players into unfamiliar roles.
"Steve (Nash) had to up his game to a new level in Dallas," D'Antoni said. "That's hard to repeat and have the energy to go to another series. I think it zapped him a bit."
D'Antoni also said Johnson looked tired to him in Wednesday's Game 5 for the first time all season. Johnson admitted that his mask was "irritating."
"We were so close with Joe back in the lineup," D'Antoni said. "We just want to tweak it some, get it better and we think we can get over the hump."
Hunter's mind-set
Suns center Steven Hunter left AWA knowing he is wanted back and knowing he wants to be there. Now, it's a matter of numbers to follow up the best year of his four-year career. Hunter wants to pass on his $745,046 player option for next season to negotiate a deal with more long-term security.
"I have a lot of upside," said Hunter, 23. "I haven't even scratched the surface of my offensive game. I'm going to get bigger and stronger to become an even better defender and a better low-post scorer. There are definitely better things to come from Steven Hunter."
Parting ways
Veterans Jake Voskuhl, Walter McCarty and Bo Outlaw all may have left the team for the last time Thursday.
Voskuhl might pass on his $1.9 million player option for a chance to play elsewhere.
"Ultimately, everyone wants to play," Voskuhl said. "That's a no-brainer, so we'll see. There's a lot of things that are unknown. I've got to pray about it and wait for the Lord to guide me on what to do."
McCarty said he had no regrets in his decision to come to Phoenix, where his role diminished in the postseason. McCarty sacrificed a $1,475,000 player option for next season to be traded from Boston to Phoenix.
"It's one of the funnest seasons I've had in a long time," McCarty said. "I kind of got rejuvenated about the game."
He said the Suns brass said they were "very interested" in bringing him back. "I'm pretty sure there are areas I could've helped out."
Outlaw is an unrestricted free agent. He came to Phoenix with a major role in mind and wound up out of the rotation. He admitted it was trying despite his affable front.
"It's a tough decision," Outlaw said.
Paul Shirley has a team option that may be used because of his familiarity with the system and low cost.
It all starts here
These five players gave us a season of "run and fun."
Shawn Marion
Regular season highlight: Marion got his first All-NBA selection (third team) by ranking second in double-doubles (53) and in the top five of steals and rebounds.
Playoff highlight: With Amaré Stoudemire fouled out, Marion had a signature game in teh series-clincher against Dallas with 38 points and 16 rebounds.
Looking head: Marion will continue to be teh most underappreciated 20-and-10 guy in the league. He can reserve a descending trend in his three-point accuracy.
Steve Nash
Regular season highlight: Nash became an unlikely but deserved MVP by posting career highs in shooting (50 percent) and assists (11.5 per game).
Playoff highlight: Nash lifted Phoenix when Joe Johnson was out, stunning Dallas with an unprecedented four-game run of at least 25 points and 10 assists.
Looking ahead: Is there even another level? He keeps improving with his dedication, passion and rigorous summer conditioning.
Joe Johnson
Regular season highlight: Johnson finished second in the league in three-point accuracy and finished the season with a month of All-Star-caliber play.
Playoff highlight: Less than three weeks after suffering a displaced orbital fracture, Johnson's 17-point second half sparked Phoenix to a victory against San Antonio.
Looking ahead: He is a restricted free agent but he wants to stay, and the Suns staff wants the steadily improving 23-year-old to stick around, too.
Amaré Stoudemire
Regular season highlight: With an improved jumper, he averaged 26 points. He posted six 40-point games, including a career best 50 against Portland.
Playoff highlight: Going against San Antonio's Tim Duncan, Stoudemire averaged 37 points in five games. It was the highest-scoring conference finals debut.
Looking ahead: He could become the best power forward the game has ever seen if his offense continues to expand and his defense and rebounding come in more than flashes.
Quentin Richardson
Regular season highlight: The three-point shootout champ tied for the NBA lead in threes made with 226, including a franchise record nine in one game.
Playoff highlight: Richardson had his only 20-point game in his playoff debut, but it took 20 shots to get 22 points in Game 1 against Memphis.
Looking ahead: Richardson is a dangerous streak shooter but his post-up game was rarely used and he could improve his defense and mid-range shooting
The Arizona Republic
Jun. 3, 2005 12:00 AM
The Suns have resorted to threats in an effort to keep Joe Johnson.
"I'm going to break your other eye socket if you don't come back," Quentin Richardson told his good friend on the way out of America West Arena on Thursday.
Johnson talked about the future of the club as if he would be a part of it, and Suns President and General Manager Bryan Colangelo certainly sees it that way too, having committed to re-signing Johnson for months. Johnson is a restricted free agent as of July 1, although Phoenix can retain him by matching any offer.
"I'd love to stay here and be a part of it," Johnson said. "But like I've been saying all year, this is a business and business comes first.
" . . . Anything is possible. Nothing is set in stone. It's going to be tough. It's going to be an interesting summer."
Cleveland, the Los Angeles Clippers and Atlanta are expected to have the most interest in Johnson, who wanted a six-year, $50 million deal before the season. Managing owner Robert Sarver did not offer more than $45 million but Johnson could wind up with a contract worth $10 million annually. A new collective bargaining agreement may cut the contract length to five years.
"It's our intention to keep our core together," Colangelo said.
D'Antoni reiterated Thursday how Johnson's injury greatly detracted from the Suns' postseason effort. He has said he didn't think they would beat Dallas without him. In winning that series without Johnson in the last four games, it forced players into unfamiliar roles.
"Steve (Nash) had to up his game to a new level in Dallas," D'Antoni said. "That's hard to repeat and have the energy to go to another series. I think it zapped him a bit."
D'Antoni also said Johnson looked tired to him in Wednesday's Game 5 for the first time all season. Johnson admitted that his mask was "irritating."
"We were so close with Joe back in the lineup," D'Antoni said. "We just want to tweak it some, get it better and we think we can get over the hump."
Hunter's mind-set
Suns center Steven Hunter left AWA knowing he is wanted back and knowing he wants to be there. Now, it's a matter of numbers to follow up the best year of his four-year career. Hunter wants to pass on his $745,046 player option for next season to negotiate a deal with more long-term security.
"I have a lot of upside," said Hunter, 23. "I haven't even scratched the surface of my offensive game. I'm going to get bigger and stronger to become an even better defender and a better low-post scorer. There are definitely better things to come from Steven Hunter."
Parting ways
Veterans Jake Voskuhl, Walter McCarty and Bo Outlaw all may have left the team for the last time Thursday.
Voskuhl might pass on his $1.9 million player option for a chance to play elsewhere.
"Ultimately, everyone wants to play," Voskuhl said. "That's a no-brainer, so we'll see. There's a lot of things that are unknown. I've got to pray about it and wait for the Lord to guide me on what to do."
McCarty said he had no regrets in his decision to come to Phoenix, where his role diminished in the postseason. McCarty sacrificed a $1,475,000 player option for next season to be traded from Boston to Phoenix.
"It's one of the funnest seasons I've had in a long time," McCarty said. "I kind of got rejuvenated about the game."
He said the Suns brass said they were "very interested" in bringing him back. "I'm pretty sure there are areas I could've helped out."
Outlaw is an unrestricted free agent. He came to Phoenix with a major role in mind and wound up out of the rotation. He admitted it was trying despite his affable front.
"It's a tough decision," Outlaw said.
Paul Shirley has a team option that may be used because of his familiarity with the system and low cost.
It all starts here
These five players gave us a season of "run and fun."
Shawn Marion
Regular season highlight: Marion got his first All-NBA selection (third team) by ranking second in double-doubles (53) and in the top five of steals and rebounds.
Playoff highlight: With Amaré Stoudemire fouled out, Marion had a signature game in teh series-clincher against Dallas with 38 points and 16 rebounds.
Looking head: Marion will continue to be teh most underappreciated 20-and-10 guy in the league. He can reserve a descending trend in his three-point accuracy.
Steve Nash
Regular season highlight: Nash became an unlikely but deserved MVP by posting career highs in shooting (50 percent) and assists (11.5 per game).
Playoff highlight: Nash lifted Phoenix when Joe Johnson was out, stunning Dallas with an unprecedented four-game run of at least 25 points and 10 assists.
Looking ahead: Is there even another level? He keeps improving with his dedication, passion and rigorous summer conditioning.
Joe Johnson
Regular season highlight: Johnson finished second in the league in three-point accuracy and finished the season with a month of All-Star-caliber play.
Playoff highlight: Less than three weeks after suffering a displaced orbital fracture, Johnson's 17-point second half sparked Phoenix to a victory against San Antonio.
Looking ahead: He is a restricted free agent but he wants to stay, and the Suns staff wants the steadily improving 23-year-old to stick around, too.
Amaré Stoudemire
Regular season highlight: With an improved jumper, he averaged 26 points. He posted six 40-point games, including a career best 50 against Portland.
Playoff highlight: Going against San Antonio's Tim Duncan, Stoudemire averaged 37 points in five games. It was the highest-scoring conference finals debut.
Looking ahead: He could become the best power forward the game has ever seen if his offense continues to expand and his defense and rebounding come in more than flashes.
Quentin Richardson
Regular season highlight: The three-point shootout champ tied for the NBA lead in threes made with 226, including a franchise record nine in one game.
Playoff highlight: Richardson had his only 20-point game in his playoff debut, but it took 20 shots to get 22 points in Game 1 against Memphis.
Looking ahead: Richardson is a dangerous streak shooter but his post-up game was rarely used and he could improve his defense and mid-range shooting
