Tucson training camp permanent?

[HooverDam]

So in this article: http://www.nba.com/suns/news/faye_071002.html

Its mentioned that the Suns may look into making the Tucson training camp a more permanent arrangement, how would everyone feel about this? Personally, what I'd MUCH rather see is that camp rotate every other year between Flagstaff and Tucson. For both players and fans traveling to watch the scrimmage for instance, Flagstaffs weather is so much nicer this time of year, plus Northern Arizona is growing quite fast too, and it'd be nice to tap into the Flagstaff-Prescott market.

Personally, I'm much more inclined to go see a game in Flagstaff than Tucson, as it offers a nice change of pace from Phoenix life, whereas Tucson is in a sense just like a smaller Phx.

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

Other: I cant get an accurate reading on how much I care. Too low for measurement.



p.s. Tucson is the bowels of Phoenix.

 

[azirish]

Apparently they have signed up the two main cable companies in Tucson to carry the Suns and Al McCoy will be carried directly rather than hoping to get KTAR. Considering all, that is a pretty good investment by Sarver.

 

[TheHopToad]

I don't see camp moving away from Tucson, especially with Sarver and Kerr's ties. It's all they can do to include that area of the state in the team's season, just as the D-Backs do with their spring training.

Heck, I'm surprised that Sarver hasn't tried to change the team name to the "Arizona Suns"...

 

[Chaplin]

Other: I cant get an accurate reading on how much I care. Too low for measurement.



p.s. Tucson is the bowels of Phoenix.

Signed,
Person who has never been to Tucson










Granted, I'm not a big fan of Tucson either, but it's not as bad as disgruntled ASU fans make it out to be. I'll never live there again, but it's mostly because there is nothing to do there. The north part of the city is fairly nice, it's close to snowboarding and skiing, and the weather is nicer than Phoenix. (By the way, I wouldn't live back in Phoenix either)

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

Ive been to Tucson plenty of times. The only redeeming quality it has is the U of A campus and surrounding area. It's a metropolitan area of a million planned for 250 thousand. The scenery is grim, and the city limits welcomes you with the stench of rotten eggs and wet garbage. It has it's nice areas, and I have a few friends who live in those areas, but its not enough to redeem the place as a whole imo.

You dont have to be disgruntled to find tucson unappealing.

Bit of late night sass tonight eh, chap?

 

[Mulli]

Tucson is okay. It really is. Rocco's Pizza is there after all.

Should the Suns' train there?

 

[abomb]

Rocco's Pizza is there after all.

Rocco's! We used to go there eat wings and pizza and drink Old Style.

We would also speak in Chicagoland accents.

 

[Maligzar]

So in this article: http://www.nba.com/suns/news/faye_071002.html

Its mentioned that the Suns may look into making the Tucson training camp a more permanent arrangement, how would everyone feel about this? Personally, what I'd MUCH rather see is that camp rotate every other year between Flagstaff and Tucson. For both players and fans traveling to watch the scrimmage for instance, Flagstaffs weather is so much nicer this time of year, plus Northern Arizona is growing quite fast too, and it'd be nice to tap into the Flagstaff-Prescott market.

Personally, I'm much more inclined to go see a game in Flagstaff than Tucson, as it offers a nice change of pace from Phoenix life, whereas Tucson is in a sense just like a smaller Phx.

I'd rather see the team practice ind Flagstaff. Aside from the reasons you mentioned regarding Tucson sucking; I think training in Flag could give our guys an early season edge. There is a reason why endurance athletes train in high altitude conditions.

I don't like the Euro-training camp that we had last year. I'm sure it's nice for the guys to visit Europe and all; but it seems like too much of a distraction. Early season wins translate to better seeding in the playoffs.

 

[scoutmasterdave]

I went to the Flagstaff public scrimmage three years in a row - Flag is beautiful this time of year, and a nice change from Phoenix. I'm not a fan of Tucson at all, and it has nothing to do with the fact that I'm an ASU alumnus. Not much to do, not much to see, and the weather is the same. I'd rather watch a webcast.

 

[FArting]

I chose other because the last 2 times we were in Tucson Amare got hurt. We should stay in Flagstaff.

 

[HooverDam]

I was also thinking earlier today of an addition to my dream plan of the Suns rotating between Flag and Tucson each year. At the end of camp they can have an intrasquad scrimmage, like they do know, but their first preseason game should also be at the camp site. Imagine how exciting it would be for the people of Flag to get to see the Suns play another NBA team at the Skydome, or vice versa. I wonder how much of a travel inconvenience this would be to the other team though.

 

[myrondizzo]

i say they should stay in flag, but from a financial stand point its probably good to get some Tucson support. but i hate that place with a passion and no it's not because i dropped out of an asu summer school class once. i have an uncle that lives there and have spent way too much time getting lost trying to find his place/something to do.

 

[Lefty]

Kerr has already said Tucson is now the permanent training site for the Suns. The new practice facility will be ready by next year so there will be two more courts to practice on. The facilities are much better than NAU can offer.

By the way, I live on the Northwest side of Tucson near the Catalinas and I love it. The scenery is beautiful and I am very content. Phoenix is becoming a LA wannabe and will get worse. I prefer living in a smaller city/big town than a major city. I have lived in NYC and never will do that again. There is a lot to do there but there are a lot of negatives also.

Of course every city/big town has it's bad parts and good parts and it's a personal choice. Some like the big city, some don't. I have been offered jobs in Phoenix but decided I did not want to live there. Who knows, maybe down the road I'll change my mind, but not now. I have friends come out here and they think Tucson and Arizona is beautiful but they are scared to leave due to the money they make out there.

 

[Lefty]

Here is the article about Tucson and the Suns.
http://www.azstarnet.com/altds/pastframe/sports/205094

Suns to call Tucson their camp home
By Casey Crowe
Arizona Daily Star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 10.07.2007

Tucson is now Phoenix Suns training camp central.
Suns general manager and former UA basketball standout Steve Kerr announced before Saturday night's intrasquad scrimmage at McKale Center that the franchise intends to make Tucson its annual residence for preseason camp.
"This is not just Phoenix's team, but this is all of Arizona's team," Kerr said. "We want you to feel a part of that."
Kerr's message rivaled the excitement on the floor, in which neither side of the NBA's highest-scoring team a year ago scored more than 100 points.
In a low-scoring affair, at least for the hyper-paced Suns, the Orange team, led by Shawn Marion and Grant Hill, the team's highest-profile signing of the off-season, was topped by former NBA MVP Steve Nash's White squad 97-91.
Nash finished with 15 points and nine assists — 10 and four, respectively, in the second half — in just over 37 minutes of play. Forward Boris Diaw also contributed 21 points and 10 rebounds.
"It was a close game, but we were just better than them," Nash joked. "We kind of knew their plays."
Marion, who made public his request to be traded during the off-season, turned out a series of highlight-reel dunks, including an alley-oop in the second quarter, on his way to 10 first-half points.
He finished with a game-high 30 points, hitting 14 of 18 shots, most coming from within 5 feet of the basket, often in transition.
"The new guys are catching up to our pace, and the guys that have been here are just letting it roll," Marion said. "It's starting to flow."
Hill went 10 of 18 from the floor for 21 points, mainly scoring on mid-range jumpers.
"I love Grant. I always followed him before he got here, and now that he's out there with us, it makes it that much easier for everyone," Marion said.
The crowd of 7,635 was primed for the exhibition, offering healthy ovations to every notable Suns player — from All-Stars Nash and Marion to role players such as defensive specialist Raja Bell and Diaw — as they walked onto the floor for warmups one-by-one.
Those who didn't take part in the game were still shown plenty of love.
Every movement All-Star Amare Stoudemire made became a reason for the McKale Center crowd to scream. And the fifth-year center didn't even play.
Stoudemire, just days removed from a right knee surgery, rode a stationary bike at the end of the bench and went through a series of agility drills during the game. The crowd around him cheered everything he did — from taking off his sweatshirt to lying down on the floor for a breather.
"We got the work in that we needed to. And it was great to come down and see the people in Tucson," Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said. "Looking forward to coming back next year."