Suns will likely hire Mark Bryant as new assistant

[wizzard324]

Here's the word on the street...I don't know much about him.

June 18th, 2007 @ 2:34pm

by James Schmehl/Sports 620 KTAR and Craig Grialou/Sports 620 KTAR

Mr. Bryant could be heading to Phoenix, but don't hold your breath - it's not Kobe.

The Suns are strongly considering hiring Mark Bryant as an assistant to replace former assistant Marc Iavaroni, who was hired as coach of the Memphis Grizzlies.

Bryant, a 15-year NBA veteran who played with the Suns from 1996-98, was a one-time assistant with the Dallas Mavericks and attended the Suns draft workout Monday.

Four draft prospects worked out for the Suns on Monday, including Vanderbilt guard Derrick Byars and Eastern Washington guard Rodney Stuckey.

Stuckey, who is often compared to Miami's Dwyane Wade, is a projected mid-first round pick and will likely be off the draft board before the Suns' 24th pick, according to Suns assistant GM David Griffin.

Stuckey said he would be a solid fit in the Suns system.

"That's my game too," Stuckey said. "Coming off screens, pulling up mid-range jumpers."

The 6-foot-5 point guard is strong and quick and can drive to the basket, but has struggled with his shooting mechanics. Stuckey averaged 24.6 points per game his sophomore year, but shot a dismal 27 percent from behind the arc.

"It was time for me to go, while your stock is hot," Stuckey said. "You are not always guaranteed the year after that."

Byars, a skilled shooter throughout his collegiate tenure, was slowed by a quadriceps strain during Monday's workout, which was hosted at Grand Canyon University. The 6-foot-7 shooting guard and small forward is projected to be selected late in the first round.

"I'm a prototypical guy for their system," Byars said. "I'm a wing, who likes to get up and down and I'm versatile - I can play several positions."
Byars, the SEC Player of the Year, compared his style of play to a few Suns forwards.

"They have a lot versatile guys, James Jones, Boris Diaw, (Shawn) Marion," Byars said. "A lot of guys and their mold is somewhat similar to me."

DePaul guard Sammy Mejia and Boston College forward Jared Dudley also attended Monday's session. Arizona guard Mustafa Shakur is scheduled to workout for the Suns on Tuesday.

http://sports.ktar.com/?nid=21&sid=517022

 

[Muggum]

Um, what? Is he a defensive specialist?

 

[F-Dog]

Bryant was a career backup at center, played his early career with Portland. I think he was shipped to Phoenix when they traded Barkley to Houston, and he lasted a couple of years before they dropped him (more than you can say for the other players in that trade).

From what I recall, he was short for a center, but thick and fairly athletic. He had a beard, which set him apart from most players at the time. He scored pretty well for a center, but didn't have a good mid-range shot and was undersized...or maybe I'm thinking of someone else...



I guess he's been hanging around the Mavericks the last couple of years, as part of their college of coaches. The Suns need a big-man coach with Iavaroni gone, and Bryant seems to have been elected...

 

[az1965]

Also foul prone...

 

[azirish]

Mark Bryant got around:

Portland 1988 to 1995
Houston 1995-1997
Phoenix 1997-1998
Chicago 1998-1999
Cleveland 1999-2000
Dallas 2000-2001
San Antonio 2001-2002
He played briefly with three teams 2002-03: Philadelphia, Denver, and Boston

He was a career journeyman statistically averaging under 27 minutes a game his entire career and under 20 with Portland. He didn't shoot much but was a decent rebounder on a per minute basis, but not great.

Often guys who aren't great end up learning the game because they can't rely on physical talent to stay in the league. He played with the Mavs who certainly played better defense in recent years so he's got some credentials.

I find it interesting that the guys we are hearing about to replace Iavaroni seem to be defense specialists.

 

[AZBALLER]

He reminded me a lot of Mark West. Maybe a little more O(not much more), and maybe a little less D(not much less, but less fouls).

 

[Errntknght]

Mark Bryant actually had some moves close to the hoop and could shoot out to about 12 feet. Every now and then he'd play a stretch where he was unstoppable in the low post. What I remember most is that he could not catch a pass while he was moving his feet - he had to be standing still or he'd fumble it away. I guess thats a bit of an exaggeration but it really was folly to throw him the ball when he was running.

I don't recall him being much of a defender and certainly never thought of him as 'coach' material but maybe he was soaking it all up as he moved around the league. He always struck me as being very affable and that ought to be good for a coach.

 

[khilari]

Mark Bryant

He was an assistant coach on the Magic last season. He worked well with their couple of big guys (Howard and Milicic). Would be a nice additioned to the SUNS coaching team.

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

Can be bring howard with him please?

 

[azirish]

Um, what? Is he a defensive specialist?

If you mean Byars, then I'd say that is what he does that sticks out. He's not a pure shooter like Almond, but he's a hard nosed defender who played in key role in beating the Gators at the end of the regular season.

Overall he is considerd a quality shooter with decent athletiicsm and no major weaknesses; but he's not a "knock your socks off" guy in any area. He's right on target that his defense is what will define how high he goes.

 

[justAndy]

I saw him once in the tunnel - Nash (1st or 2nd yr) comes by, smiling, bouncing.
Bryant next - scowling, staring straight ahead, trudging like a Frankenstein -not acknowledging ANYBODY.
He was intimidating, had an intensity and focus.