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Suns Rookies Impress, Impressed at First Training Camp
By Josh Greene, Suns.com
Posted: Oct. 3, 2007
For most NBA teams, training camp is the time coaches get their first official look at what their rookie players can do. In the Suns’ case, they like what they’ve seen already.
Even though they were only drafted four months ago, Alando Tucker and D.J. Strawberry have already had plenty of early looks at Phoenix’s system, thanks to recent showings with the Summer Suns in Las Vegas, various charity games and voluntary workouts at US Airways Center. But it’s been their initial two-a-day workouts in Tucson that have made impressions with their first NBA squad.
“They are two tough kids who play hard,” assistant coach Dan D’Antoni said. “Both of them are athletic. They obviously have a lot to learn, but any rookie who comes into the league does. Each one does different things, but both bring something to this team.”
Coming off his league-leading 6.4 apg in the 2007 Summer League, Strawberry is, appropriately enough, playing willing student this week at the University of Arizona’s McKale Center.
“I’m just trying to learn, have some fun and do everything as hard as I possibly can,” the young guard said. “It’s about coming out here and playing tough every possession. The guys are really teaching me a lot of things. I’m just trying to soak it all up. That’s a great feeling to be rookie and have every body teaching you and telling you things. That’ll ultimately help you get on the court and help the team win.”
Strawberry especially impressed Head Coach Mike D’Antoni during Tuesday’s workouts.
“D.J. really looked good,” D’Antoni said. “He was impressive today with his ability to knock down shots, finish on the break and he’s a really good defender. We already knew that, but if he can continue to make shots – It’s early, so we’ll have to see how it goes.”
Tucker has also gladly accepted any and all suggestions from his veteran teammates, as he learns the NBA ropes through the team's myriad of rotating drills and five-on-five scrimmages.
“The first days are done, and now I know what to expect,” the forward said. “It’ll only get better. As a rookie, I try to come out here and learn as much as I can. I’ve been watching the guys and shadowing them. It feels good. It’s my first NBA training camp, and it got off on the right foot.
“These guys are always in my ear, giving me tips here and there on defense and how to get a couple more steals to add to the stats sheet. That’s big, to have the whole team helping me through this week as a rookie.”
Looking to improve on "recognizing plays, getting open and creating shots" for himself, the Suns' 2007 first round pick has been impressed by what he’s seen with Steve Nash and Co.
“It’s something how hard they go on every single play,” Tucker continued, “and how attentive they are on things with details. These guys are veterans and they do everything to a T.”
Since Mike D’Antoni’s system doesn’t leave a lot of room for extra minutes on a nightly basis, training camp is crucial for the young players to be brought up to speed on playing Suns basketball in preparation for whatever role they will fill this season.
“This week gives them the situation to get acclimated to what’s going on,” assistant coach Alvin Gentry said. “They have to be able to maintain everything over the course of the whole season. They may play; they may not play. They have to be sure to continue to work and keep themselves in shape.
“They will play hard and do everything they need to do. They will learn everything there is to know about professional basketball and they are really focused in on doing that. They are tough, hard-nosed kids, and that always helps.”
While every NBA player has been in the same situation when they first started out, this rookie duo is ready to do what it takes to both raise eyebrows and expectations in their first season in the purple and orange.
“I have no problem with being at the bottom of the totem pole right now,” Strawberry said. “You have to work your way up and earn the respect of the players and coaches. It’s all about working, staying late, improving and playing hard."
http://www.nba.com/suns/news/jag_071003.html
By Josh Greene, Suns.com
Posted: Oct. 3, 2007
For most NBA teams, training camp is the time coaches get their first official look at what their rookie players can do. In the Suns’ case, they like what they’ve seen already.
Even though they were only drafted four months ago, Alando Tucker and D.J. Strawberry have already had plenty of early looks at Phoenix’s system, thanks to recent showings with the Summer Suns in Las Vegas, various charity games and voluntary workouts at US Airways Center. But it’s been their initial two-a-day workouts in Tucson that have made impressions with their first NBA squad.
“They are two tough kids who play hard,” assistant coach Dan D’Antoni said. “Both of them are athletic. They obviously have a lot to learn, but any rookie who comes into the league does. Each one does different things, but both bring something to this team.”
Coming off his league-leading 6.4 apg in the 2007 Summer League, Strawberry is, appropriately enough, playing willing student this week at the University of Arizona’s McKale Center.
“I’m just trying to learn, have some fun and do everything as hard as I possibly can,” the young guard said. “It’s about coming out here and playing tough every possession. The guys are really teaching me a lot of things. I’m just trying to soak it all up. That’s a great feeling to be rookie and have every body teaching you and telling you things. That’ll ultimately help you get on the court and help the team win.”
Strawberry especially impressed Head Coach Mike D’Antoni during Tuesday’s workouts.
“D.J. really looked good,” D’Antoni said. “He was impressive today with his ability to knock down shots, finish on the break and he’s a really good defender. We already knew that, but if he can continue to make shots – It’s early, so we’ll have to see how it goes.”
Tucker has also gladly accepted any and all suggestions from his veteran teammates, as he learns the NBA ropes through the team's myriad of rotating drills and five-on-five scrimmages.
“The first days are done, and now I know what to expect,” the forward said. “It’ll only get better. As a rookie, I try to come out here and learn as much as I can. I’ve been watching the guys and shadowing them. It feels good. It’s my first NBA training camp, and it got off on the right foot.
“These guys are always in my ear, giving me tips here and there on defense and how to get a couple more steals to add to the stats sheet. That’s big, to have the whole team helping me through this week as a rookie.”
Looking to improve on "recognizing plays, getting open and creating shots" for himself, the Suns' 2007 first round pick has been impressed by what he’s seen with Steve Nash and Co.
“It’s something how hard they go on every single play,” Tucker continued, “and how attentive they are on things with details. These guys are veterans and they do everything to a T.”
Since Mike D’Antoni’s system doesn’t leave a lot of room for extra minutes on a nightly basis, training camp is crucial for the young players to be brought up to speed on playing Suns basketball in preparation for whatever role they will fill this season.
“This week gives them the situation to get acclimated to what’s going on,” assistant coach Alvin Gentry said. “They have to be able to maintain everything over the course of the whole season. They may play; they may not play. They have to be sure to continue to work and keep themselves in shape.
“They will play hard and do everything they need to do. They will learn everything there is to know about professional basketball and they are really focused in on doing that. They are tough, hard-nosed kids, and that always helps.”
While every NBA player has been in the same situation when they first started out, this rookie duo is ready to do what it takes to both raise eyebrows and expectations in their first season in the purple and orange.
“I have no problem with being at the bottom of the totem pole right now,” Strawberry said. “You have to work your way up and earn the respect of the players and coaches. It’s all about working, staying late, improving and playing hard."
http://www.nba.com/suns/news/jag_071003.html
