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Lampe finding some light in dark times
Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
Mar. 18, 2004 12:00 AM
At 19, Maciej Lampe should have a tougher time in the NBA.
But the Suns rookie is due some good fortune, like the eight points that fell for him in 18 minutes Tuesday night.
It has been a rocky NBA experience from draft day, when he was projected to go as high as fifth but sat alone until New York made him the first pick of the second round.
A $2 million buyout required in his Real Madrid contract scared away teams. Much of Lampe's three-year, $2.7 million contract will go toward paying what the Knicks could not pay or negotiate down.
Lampe was put on the injured list in New York for three months with so-called shin splints. His work ethic was questioned by Knicks President Isiah Thomas before Thomas dealt him to Phoenix on Jan. 5.
Now, as he gets a chance to play more, Lampe is worried about his mother. She is in a hospital in Sweden after heart surgery.
"It's been tough to stay focused on basketball, but it's what being a professional is all about," Lampe said.
Although behind defensively - like the rest of the team - Lampe has shown he can play anywhere in the frontcourt.
"He's not overwhelmed," Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said. "As a matter of fact, he might be thinking it's easy. The guy's got a toughness about him."
Lampe finding some light in dark times
Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
Mar. 18, 2004 12:00 AM
At 19, Maciej Lampe should have a tougher time in the NBA.
But the Suns rookie is due some good fortune, like the eight points that fell for him in 18 minutes Tuesday night.
It has been a rocky NBA experience from draft day, when he was projected to go as high as fifth but sat alone until New York made him the first pick of the second round.
A $2 million buyout required in his Real Madrid contract scared away teams. Much of Lampe's three-year, $2.7 million contract will go toward paying what the Knicks could not pay or negotiate down.
Lampe was put on the injured list in New York for three months with so-called shin splints. His work ethic was questioned by Knicks President Isiah Thomas before Thomas dealt him to Phoenix on Jan. 5.
Now, as he gets a chance to play more, Lampe is worried about his mother. She is in a hospital in Sweden after heart surgery.
"It's been tough to stay focused on basketball, but it's what being a professional is all about," Lampe said.
Although behind defensively - like the rest of the team - Lampe has shown he can play anywhere in the frontcourt.
"He's not overwhelmed," Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said. "As a matter of fact, he might be thinking it's easy. The guy's got a toughness about him."
Sorry to hear about him mom. Hope all goes well.
