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A Big Chat with Big Daddy
Check out Suns.com's new lifestyle section, "One-on-One," presented by the Arizona Department of Health Services.
(Jeramie McPeek/Suns Photos)
Suns Assistant General Manager Mark West played for six teams in his 16-year career, but it's always been Phoenix that he's considered home. A two-time center for the Suns, "Big Daddy" played in the 1993 NBA Finals and a total of 69 playoff games while wearing the purple and orange. The veteran also averaged 6.9 points and six rebounds per game, shooting .613 from the field in 543 games in Phoenix. Mostly revered for his rebounding and shot blocking in over 1,000 career games, West's career .580 field goal percentage ranks him second in NBA history.
Staying active with the organization he played with for eight seasons, Mark has served in the Suns' front office since retiring in 2001. Working closely with Suns President and General Manager Bryan Colangelo, he handles the business of basketball, player relations and development. Respected by both players and his peers, Mark's current contributions make him just as valuable now as when he was patrolling the courts at Veterans Memorial Coliseum and America West Arena.
West discussed both of his Suns careers in a live online chat during the Suns-Blazers game on Feb. 4. The following is a transcript of that chat session, presented by the Arizona Department of Health Services.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gene (Atlanta): Now that Joe has really stepped up, how does that change the plans for the future? Will the building be around Amare, Shawn, and JJ?
Mark West: (10:23 PM ET ) I think in theory that's pretty much the way we're going. I don't think the plans have really changed that much with him stepping up. I think they changed because of the Penny and Stephon trade with New York. He's really stepped up, though, and is using the skills we always thought he had to the utmost. Right now, Joe, Amare and Shawn definitely seem to be the core of our team and a rock we can build on. Hopefully Zarko and Leandro will become part of that core, and Jake Voskuhl is really developing also.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pete, Glendale: What was it like when KJ wore #41 in your honor at the All-Star Game?
Mark West: (10:24 PM ET ) I thought it was great. It was one of those things where we were good friends and still remain good friends. I didn't expect it to happen, but it was a thrill when it did. lt was definitely an unforgettable moment for me.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scottsdale: How do you feel about the similarity in foul trouble you and Jake Voskuhl have experienced? Have you discussed it with Jake or given him any advice?
Mark West: (10:25 PM ET ) Well, it's tough to be an undersized center in this league on a team where most of your stars are perimeter players. If there is any situation where a call is going to be made between you and those star players, it's going to be you. My advice to Jake would be "just play smart and try not to do anything that's going to be a silly foul." You have to worry about the things you can control and not those that you can't control.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
David (Germany): Do you shoot around with the suns for fun or have you lost your touch?
Mark West: (10:26 PM ET ) (Laughs) I've never had a touch as far as shooting in concerned. But no, I don't shoot around with the players. If any of the guys are away from the game, working out by themselves and just want me to rebound the ball for them, I'll do that. But as far as shooting around with them, no.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grace (Santa Clarita, CA): What are your thoughts on Barkley being back in good standing and about him going up in the Ring of Honor?
Mark West: (10:28 PM ET ) I'm just ecstatic about that situation. He's obviously one of the greatest players to ever play for the Suns, as well as the entire league. So to have him represented in the Ring of Honor is fantastic and to have him around the organization is a real bonus for us and for him. If we're lucky, hopefully we'll have our second Hall-of-Famer represent the Suns in the Hall of Fame someday.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
buckeye: How did you prepare mentally and physically before the games...and keep such a cool head??
Mark West: (10:29 PM ET ) Well, I prayed a lot. Did a lot of that. But after a while it becomes a routine where you just know what to do, because you do it so many times. And like I said with my advice to Jake, you have to control what you can control. You can't let any outside sources or other people, by their say or their actions, dictate how you're going to perform your job.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
David (Germany): Who do you think will play in the NBA Finals this season? I see the Kings and the Pacers.
Mark West: (10:31 PM ET ) I probably would agree with that. But that's if, and only if, the Lakers don't finish the second half of the season as a healthy unit. Meaning Karl Malone, Shaq, Kobe or Gary. This year they've had two or three of those guys out at all times. But if all of them are healthy, I think they have a great shot of being in the NBA Finals again. But don't discount Minnesota either. I like Minnesota.
I think the Pacers are probably the front runners from the East and Detroit also has an outside shot. My long shot would probably be the Hornets.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Evan (Tempe, AZ): What positions/roles are you looking to fill this offseason with free-agency and the draft? I think a big center with a game similar to yours would be ideal.
Mark West: (10:33 PM ET ) I'm pretty sure if there's a talented big guy out there, we'll definitely look for someone that can compliment Amare on the inside. You know, someone who's a strong rebounder and can score baskets inside. Although it's going to be hard to find someone who's going to be a big time scorer and a big body. If there was, he would probably go No. 1 overall in the draft.
Other than that, we need shooters. Hopefully the kid, (Milos) Vujanic... if he's anything like we expect him to be, he can answer that need for a decision maker and another shooter in our lineup.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Joe (Flagstaff): Hey Mark, The Suns are having a rough night, what would you think about suiting up for the 4th?!?!
Mark West: (10:34 PM ET ) (Laughs) It's just part of the growing pains that young teams have to go through. There are going to be nights like this, but hopefully you don't have to many of them. When it does happen, though, you just try to bear down, live through it and live to fight another day. But as long as there's time left on the clock, there's always a chance.
RIght now the Blazers are passing the ball well, shooting the ball well. But that can change over the course of a quarter. There's always this thing when you have a key player that's been out and he comes back -- like Amare did tonight -- that can throw you out of sync. That's happening tonight without a doubt. I think Joe and Shawn are thrown out of sync because Amare is another player who demands the ball. It's a good thing to have in the long run, but in the short run they have to get back in sync with each other.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stuart (Peoria): What are your thoughts about Dan Marino deciding not to take the front office position with the Dolphins? How tough is it to make that move from player to management?
Mark West: (10:37 PM ET ) I think it has to be something that you have a strong interest in, not something that someone suggests you should do. It's like playing. You have to have a passion for it. So I think Dan would have to find a passion for that sort of thing, working in the front office. A passion like he had when he was a quarterback. But once he does that, he'd be good at it, because he had to be a decision maker out there on the field his whole career. And he did that at a high level.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
stas (nj): Maciej Lampe. What do you think about this kid. Is he ready? Does he have a good work ethic? Should we see more of him this season, as that would probably help him develop faster. Thanks.
Mark West: (10:40 PM ET ) I think he is a player that we're going to develop. He has an abundance of skills for a guy his size. He does the fundamentals well, shooting, passing, dribbling. He still has to learn the intesity of the game, playing hard every night. But there's lots of time for him to develop and with the basic fundamentals he has for a kid his size, I think he can become a real good player. A lot of people have those skills, but don't know how to use them. He's going to have to learn how to use those. This is going to be a big summer for him. A great example is Zach Randolph of the Blazers. He's a lot better today than he was two years ago. Another guy like that is Jermaine O'Neal. He started off with an abundance of natural skills and, when given the time, developed into a great player even though you didn't see a lot of him early in his career, as far as floor time.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neal(Sevile): What kind of a player do you think Barbosa will turn out to be?
Mark West: (10:42 PM ET ) I think he'll be a very steady player for us. He has unbelievable speed and quickness with the ball. Plus, he's a great athlete. I think once he starts to get more efficient with the ball, he's going to be great. You look at a guy lilke Joe Johnson, who has really developed over time, and I think Leandro will be the same way. I think Leandro will need to pick up his defense, which is a tough thing to learn at this level. He's picking that up, though. He's learning about shot selection and clock management. Those things are extremely important when running a team as a point guard. But I think he's picking it all up quickly, especially for a guy who speaks another language.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Heidi & Jim (Tempe): With such a lack of good centers in the NBA, do you think the position will demand less necessity?
Mark West: (10:44 PM ET ) No, I don't. I think there's a lack of them, but you go through these phases in the league where there's an abundance for some time and then all of a sudden there are very few. But there will always be a need for guys who can score in the paint. I think skilled players -- guys like Tim Duncan -- with that kind of size really matter in this game. The more that your team can control the paint, the better your team has a chance to win. That's on both the defensive end and the offensive end.
Like in football, great quarterbacks are hard to find, but you need one to play the game. The same is true with centers.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
David (Germany): Hi Big Daddy,What do you think the Suns were missing from those teams in the early '90s, that kept them from winning it all?
Mark West: (10:46 PM ET ) I think in the long run we just ran out of time. I think earlier if we had gotten Charles two or three years earlier we would have won a championship. When Tom (Chambers) was a little younger and I was a little younger we would have had a great chance. But in looking back, if we had even had Cedric Ceballos, who got hurt before the Finals, might have been the difference in '93. But one of the big things is, we didn't win a championship because of the same reason so many other teams didn't win. Michael Jordan.
Mark West: (10:47 PM ET ) Before I go, I'd like to say be patient with the changes. In the short run we'll have some pain and anguish, but in the long run this will be a very competitive team. I think we're on our way to being an elite team again.
I also want to thank you all for all the questions. They were all great and this was a lot of fun. Finally, thanks for your continued interest in our team and your support.
Check out Suns.com's new lifestyle section, "One-on-One," presented by the Arizona Department of Health Services.
(Jeramie McPeek/Suns Photos)
Suns Assistant General Manager Mark West played for six teams in his 16-year career, but it's always been Phoenix that he's considered home. A two-time center for the Suns, "Big Daddy" played in the 1993 NBA Finals and a total of 69 playoff games while wearing the purple and orange. The veteran also averaged 6.9 points and six rebounds per game, shooting .613 from the field in 543 games in Phoenix. Mostly revered for his rebounding and shot blocking in over 1,000 career games, West's career .580 field goal percentage ranks him second in NBA history.
Staying active with the organization he played with for eight seasons, Mark has served in the Suns' front office since retiring in 2001. Working closely with Suns President and General Manager Bryan Colangelo, he handles the business of basketball, player relations and development. Respected by both players and his peers, Mark's current contributions make him just as valuable now as when he was patrolling the courts at Veterans Memorial Coliseum and America West Arena.
West discussed both of his Suns careers in a live online chat during the Suns-Blazers game on Feb. 4. The following is a transcript of that chat session, presented by the Arizona Department of Health Services.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gene (Atlanta): Now that Joe has really stepped up, how does that change the plans for the future? Will the building be around Amare, Shawn, and JJ?
Mark West: (10:23 PM ET ) I think in theory that's pretty much the way we're going. I don't think the plans have really changed that much with him stepping up. I think they changed because of the Penny and Stephon trade with New York. He's really stepped up, though, and is using the skills we always thought he had to the utmost. Right now, Joe, Amare and Shawn definitely seem to be the core of our team and a rock we can build on. Hopefully Zarko and Leandro will become part of that core, and Jake Voskuhl is really developing also.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pete, Glendale: What was it like when KJ wore #41 in your honor at the All-Star Game?
Mark West: (10:24 PM ET ) I thought it was great. It was one of those things where we were good friends and still remain good friends. I didn't expect it to happen, but it was a thrill when it did. lt was definitely an unforgettable moment for me.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scottsdale: How do you feel about the similarity in foul trouble you and Jake Voskuhl have experienced? Have you discussed it with Jake or given him any advice?
Mark West: (10:25 PM ET ) Well, it's tough to be an undersized center in this league on a team where most of your stars are perimeter players. If there is any situation where a call is going to be made between you and those star players, it's going to be you. My advice to Jake would be "just play smart and try not to do anything that's going to be a silly foul." You have to worry about the things you can control and not those that you can't control.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
David (Germany): Do you shoot around with the suns for fun or have you lost your touch?
Mark West: (10:26 PM ET ) (Laughs) I've never had a touch as far as shooting in concerned. But no, I don't shoot around with the players. If any of the guys are away from the game, working out by themselves and just want me to rebound the ball for them, I'll do that. But as far as shooting around with them, no.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grace (Santa Clarita, CA): What are your thoughts on Barkley being back in good standing and about him going up in the Ring of Honor?
Mark West: (10:28 PM ET ) I'm just ecstatic about that situation. He's obviously one of the greatest players to ever play for the Suns, as well as the entire league. So to have him represented in the Ring of Honor is fantastic and to have him around the organization is a real bonus for us and for him. If we're lucky, hopefully we'll have our second Hall-of-Famer represent the Suns in the Hall of Fame someday.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
buckeye: How did you prepare mentally and physically before the games...and keep such a cool head??
Mark West: (10:29 PM ET ) Well, I prayed a lot. Did a lot of that. But after a while it becomes a routine where you just know what to do, because you do it so many times. And like I said with my advice to Jake, you have to control what you can control. You can't let any outside sources or other people, by their say or their actions, dictate how you're going to perform your job.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
David (Germany): Who do you think will play in the NBA Finals this season? I see the Kings and the Pacers.
Mark West: (10:31 PM ET ) I probably would agree with that. But that's if, and only if, the Lakers don't finish the second half of the season as a healthy unit. Meaning Karl Malone, Shaq, Kobe or Gary. This year they've had two or three of those guys out at all times. But if all of them are healthy, I think they have a great shot of being in the NBA Finals again. But don't discount Minnesota either. I like Minnesota.
I think the Pacers are probably the front runners from the East and Detroit also has an outside shot. My long shot would probably be the Hornets.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Evan (Tempe, AZ): What positions/roles are you looking to fill this offseason with free-agency and the draft? I think a big center with a game similar to yours would be ideal.
Mark West: (10:33 PM ET ) I'm pretty sure if there's a talented big guy out there, we'll definitely look for someone that can compliment Amare on the inside. You know, someone who's a strong rebounder and can score baskets inside. Although it's going to be hard to find someone who's going to be a big time scorer and a big body. If there was, he would probably go No. 1 overall in the draft.
Other than that, we need shooters. Hopefully the kid, (Milos) Vujanic... if he's anything like we expect him to be, he can answer that need for a decision maker and another shooter in our lineup.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Joe (Flagstaff): Hey Mark, The Suns are having a rough night, what would you think about suiting up for the 4th?!?!
Mark West: (10:34 PM ET ) (Laughs) It's just part of the growing pains that young teams have to go through. There are going to be nights like this, but hopefully you don't have to many of them. When it does happen, though, you just try to bear down, live through it and live to fight another day. But as long as there's time left on the clock, there's always a chance.
RIght now the Blazers are passing the ball well, shooting the ball well. But that can change over the course of a quarter. There's always this thing when you have a key player that's been out and he comes back -- like Amare did tonight -- that can throw you out of sync. That's happening tonight without a doubt. I think Joe and Shawn are thrown out of sync because Amare is another player who demands the ball. It's a good thing to have in the long run, but in the short run they have to get back in sync with each other.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stuart (Peoria): What are your thoughts about Dan Marino deciding not to take the front office position with the Dolphins? How tough is it to make that move from player to management?
Mark West: (10:37 PM ET ) I think it has to be something that you have a strong interest in, not something that someone suggests you should do. It's like playing. You have to have a passion for it. So I think Dan would have to find a passion for that sort of thing, working in the front office. A passion like he had when he was a quarterback. But once he does that, he'd be good at it, because he had to be a decision maker out there on the field his whole career. And he did that at a high level.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
stas (nj): Maciej Lampe. What do you think about this kid. Is he ready? Does he have a good work ethic? Should we see more of him this season, as that would probably help him develop faster. Thanks.
Mark West: (10:40 PM ET ) I think he is a player that we're going to develop. He has an abundance of skills for a guy his size. He does the fundamentals well, shooting, passing, dribbling. He still has to learn the intesity of the game, playing hard every night. But there's lots of time for him to develop and with the basic fundamentals he has for a kid his size, I think he can become a real good player. A lot of people have those skills, but don't know how to use them. He's going to have to learn how to use those. This is going to be a big summer for him. A great example is Zach Randolph of the Blazers. He's a lot better today than he was two years ago. Another guy like that is Jermaine O'Neal. He started off with an abundance of natural skills and, when given the time, developed into a great player even though you didn't see a lot of him early in his career, as far as floor time.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neal(Sevile): What kind of a player do you think Barbosa will turn out to be?
Mark West: (10:42 PM ET ) I think he'll be a very steady player for us. He has unbelievable speed and quickness with the ball. Plus, he's a great athlete. I think once he starts to get more efficient with the ball, he's going to be great. You look at a guy lilke Joe Johnson, who has really developed over time, and I think Leandro will be the same way. I think Leandro will need to pick up his defense, which is a tough thing to learn at this level. He's picking that up, though. He's learning about shot selection and clock management. Those things are extremely important when running a team as a point guard. But I think he's picking it all up quickly, especially for a guy who speaks another language.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Heidi & Jim (Tempe): With such a lack of good centers in the NBA, do you think the position will demand less necessity?
Mark West: (10:44 PM ET ) No, I don't. I think there's a lack of them, but you go through these phases in the league where there's an abundance for some time and then all of a sudden there are very few. But there will always be a need for guys who can score in the paint. I think skilled players -- guys like Tim Duncan -- with that kind of size really matter in this game. The more that your team can control the paint, the better your team has a chance to win. That's on both the defensive end and the offensive end.
Like in football, great quarterbacks are hard to find, but you need one to play the game. The same is true with centers.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
David (Germany): Hi Big Daddy,What do you think the Suns were missing from those teams in the early '90s, that kept them from winning it all?
Mark West: (10:46 PM ET ) I think in the long run we just ran out of time. I think earlier if we had gotten Charles two or three years earlier we would have won a championship. When Tom (Chambers) was a little younger and I was a little younger we would have had a great chance. But in looking back, if we had even had Cedric Ceballos, who got hurt before the Finals, might have been the difference in '93. But one of the big things is, we didn't win a championship because of the same reason so many other teams didn't win. Michael Jordan.
Mark West: (10:47 PM ET ) Before I go, I'd like to say be patient with the changes. In the short run we'll have some pain and anguish, but in the long run this will be a very competitive team. I think we're on our way to being an elite team again.
I also want to thank you all for all the questions. They were all great and this was a lot of fun. Finally, thanks for your continued interest in our team and your support.
