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Give Voskuhl an assist for unselfish play
Suns center opts out of starting lineup
Tim Tyers
The Arizona Republic
Nov. 12, 2003 12:00 AM
Ego often overrides common sense and team commitment in the NBA.
So appreciate the gesture the Suns' Jake Voskuhl made after the team acquired 6-foot-9, 290-pound Jahidi White from Washington in a trade for guard Brevin Knight.
He demoted himself. The 6-11, 250-pound Voskuhl went to coach Frank Johnson and suggested that White replace him as the starting center.
"I just felt it was better for the team," said Voskuhl, who helped lead Connecticut to the 1999 NCAA title. "When the team wins, everyone gets the credit, it doesn't matter. I think we're a better team like this and it's a better fit for right now.
"We had success last year with Bo Outlaw, Joe Johnson, Casey Jacobsen and me coming off the bench with a lot of energy. This year it was different. Bo isn't here, and Joe and I were in the starting lineup. Even though we were in there, it seemed like we were missing the shock value coming off the bench."
In all likelihood, Voskuhl volunteered to do something that would have happened in a couple of weeks, anyway. But the gesture made Frank Johnson's job easier, expedited the move and, no doubt, eased White's transition to the Suns, who are 2-0 since his arrival.
Voskuhl should also be credited for knowing who and what he is in the NBA.
The fourth-year player comes wrapped in a finesse player's body, but there's nothing finesse about him. He's the proverbial bull in the china shop, and his high-energy, kamikaze charges to the boards have the element of surprise.
"Jahidi has been a huge lift. We needed some beef down low to go along with Amare (Stoudemire) and provide us with a physical presence at the start of games," Voskuhl said.
"It's especially needed in the Western Conference, where the guys are so big. There's Erick Dampier, Shaq O'Neal, Tim Duncan, Jerome James - all big and very physical guys. We needed someone like Jahidi."
Johnson, of course, was not the least bit surprised when Voskuhl made the offer.
"I told him to be careful what he asks for because he might get what he asks," Johnson said, laughing. "Actually, I think Jake is comfortable in that role coming off the bench, and I think he has done a wonderful job in the role.
"It probably would have happened, anyway. With Jahidi starting, we're able to set a tone with the big guys. We also don't have to double-team inside as much. Then Jake comes in with that energy, and he's playing sometimes against second-team guys, and I'll take that matchup any time I can get it."
There is another area Johnson finds easy to take with Voskuhl.
"He's unselfish and will give himself up for the team," Johnson said.
"Watch him sometime during a game. Jake cheers for everyone because he really wants everyone to do well. He could be having the best game of his career, and if I pulled him out, it wouldn't matter. He'd say it was OK and start cheering for everyone."
Give Voskuhl an assist for unselfish play
Suns center opts out of starting lineup
Tim Tyers
The Arizona Republic
Nov. 12, 2003 12:00 AM
Ego often overrides common sense and team commitment in the NBA.
So appreciate the gesture the Suns' Jake Voskuhl made after the team acquired 6-foot-9, 290-pound Jahidi White from Washington in a trade for guard Brevin Knight.
He demoted himself. The 6-11, 250-pound Voskuhl went to coach Frank Johnson and suggested that White replace him as the starting center.
"I just felt it was better for the team," said Voskuhl, who helped lead Connecticut to the 1999 NCAA title. "When the team wins, everyone gets the credit, it doesn't matter. I think we're a better team like this and it's a better fit for right now.
"We had success last year with Bo Outlaw, Joe Johnson, Casey Jacobsen and me coming off the bench with a lot of energy. This year it was different. Bo isn't here, and Joe and I were in the starting lineup. Even though we were in there, it seemed like we were missing the shock value coming off the bench."
In all likelihood, Voskuhl volunteered to do something that would have happened in a couple of weeks, anyway. But the gesture made Frank Johnson's job easier, expedited the move and, no doubt, eased White's transition to the Suns, who are 2-0 since his arrival.
Voskuhl should also be credited for knowing who and what he is in the NBA.
The fourth-year player comes wrapped in a finesse player's body, but there's nothing finesse about him. He's the proverbial bull in the china shop, and his high-energy, kamikaze charges to the boards have the element of surprise.
"Jahidi has been a huge lift. We needed some beef down low to go along with Amare (Stoudemire) and provide us with a physical presence at the start of games," Voskuhl said.
"It's especially needed in the Western Conference, where the guys are so big. There's Erick Dampier, Shaq O'Neal, Tim Duncan, Jerome James - all big and very physical guys. We needed someone like Jahidi."
Johnson, of course, was not the least bit surprised when Voskuhl made the offer.
"I told him to be careful what he asks for because he might get what he asks," Johnson said, laughing. "Actually, I think Jake is comfortable in that role coming off the bench, and I think he has done a wonderful job in the role.
"It probably would have happened, anyway. With Jahidi starting, we're able to set a tone with the big guys. We also don't have to double-team inside as much. Then Jake comes in with that energy, and he's playing sometimes against second-team guys, and I'll take that matchup any time I can get it."
There is another area Johnson finds easy to take with Voskuhl.
"He's unselfish and will give himself up for the team," Johnson said.
"Watch him sometime during a game. Jake cheers for everyone because he really wants everyone to do well. He could be having the best game of his career, and if I pulled him out, it wouldn't matter. He'd say it was OK and start cheering for everyone."
