I'm just hoping that college football can sustain me until the Phoenix Suns start playing. I'm not predicting a championship around or anything like that, but I am very excited to see what this team can do. Show
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/0922bickley0922.html
Work ethic may make Suns likable
The Arizona Republic
Sept. 22, 2004 12:00 AM
Turmoil stains the NBA.
Shaq is using rap lyrics to blast Kobe. Marquee players are asking to be traded. No one knows whether Gary Payton will even bother showing up in Boston.
Here, the Suns are way ahead of the game.
"We should be guardedly optimistic," point guard Steve Nash said.
What, and ruin the fantasy?
Related link
• Vroman to miss 4-6 weeks
No matter where they stand in a slimmed-down Western Conference, the Suns have a chance to be a rare commodity. They could be a NBA team that people actually like. The face lift is staggering.
With all due offense to other point guards who have caromed through Phoenix, it's hard to imagine any of them looking like the new leader. Nash hasn't grown a bit in all these years, still looking like the drummer in a British rock band.
Yet his footsteps bring respect. He carries a mystical presence and the heat of purpose. Why, Tuesday's voluntary workout is nearly 10 minutes old, and he still hasn't missed a shot.
"Steve is setting the tone," President and General Manager Bryan Colangelo said. "And it leaves no excuses."
They have been at this for nearly three weeks, a new team scrimmaging against each other, and both spirits and attendance rates are unusually high. The other night, they all gathered for a party at coach Mike D'Antoni's house, and key members of the organization were treated to Brandy, the pop star, not the beverage.
"Like I say, I've got the easy part," said new guy Quentin Richardson, who is engaged to Brandy. "She has the whole entertainment thing. I've just got to go out and throw the ball through a stupid hoop."
Have a question for your favorite Suns, Cardinals, Coyotes, D-Backs player? Click here to submit the question for one of our reporters to take it to the source. Look for the answers on Page 2 of Saturday's Arizona Republic.
Soon, Richardson will have plenty of his own fans in Phoenix.
We are only now getting around to the cold steel of Amaré Stoudemire, who brazenly calls himself the franchise. On the court, other people are calling him "Stat," said to be an acronym for Standing Tall and Talented.
His game is still frightening, his age both an asset and a liability.
"In my eyes, I feel I've got a chance to be a great player," Stoudemire said during the Olympics.
A bit later:
"Nothing is going to deter me."
Quickens the pulse, doesn't it?
Naturally, the Suns have envisioned a dynamic starting five with Nash, Richardson, Stoudemire, Joe Johnson and Shawn Marion. This takes some imagination, because Marion hasn't actually been here yet.
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He is advised to end his Olympic break soon, lest the younger Colangelo feel the familiar trading itch once again.
This scenario also requires Stoudemire to occasionally play center, and we all know he's not too keen on that idea. Surely, his mother isn't, either, and, there she is now, sitting in the front row of the gym, wearing a shirt that says "Bling Bling."
Oh, yes, this will be an interesting season, and already that is a key victory in the NBA, where cities are often embarrassed or enraged by their teams.
Here, these Suns don't mind the work. They seem to like each other. They have a solid chance to be liked in return.
In today's NBA, that's almost as important as being good.
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/0922bickley0922.html
Work ethic may make Suns likable
The Arizona Republic
Sept. 22, 2004 12:00 AM
Turmoil stains the NBA.
Shaq is using rap lyrics to blast Kobe. Marquee players are asking to be traded. No one knows whether Gary Payton will even bother showing up in Boston.
Here, the Suns are way ahead of the game.
"We should be guardedly optimistic," point guard Steve Nash said.
What, and ruin the fantasy?
Related link
• Vroman to miss 4-6 weeks
No matter where they stand in a slimmed-down Western Conference, the Suns have a chance to be a rare commodity. They could be a NBA team that people actually like. The face lift is staggering.
With all due offense to other point guards who have caromed through Phoenix, it's hard to imagine any of them looking like the new leader. Nash hasn't grown a bit in all these years, still looking like the drummer in a British rock band.
Yet his footsteps bring respect. He carries a mystical presence and the heat of purpose. Why, Tuesday's voluntary workout is nearly 10 minutes old, and he still hasn't missed a shot.
"Steve is setting the tone," President and General Manager Bryan Colangelo said. "And it leaves no excuses."
They have been at this for nearly three weeks, a new team scrimmaging against each other, and both spirits and attendance rates are unusually high. The other night, they all gathered for a party at coach Mike D'Antoni's house, and key members of the organization were treated to Brandy, the pop star, not the beverage.
"Like I say, I've got the easy part," said new guy Quentin Richardson, who is engaged to Brandy. "She has the whole entertainment thing. I've just got to go out and throw the ball through a stupid hoop."
Have a question for your favorite Suns, Cardinals, Coyotes, D-Backs player? Click here to submit the question for one of our reporters to take it to the source. Look for the answers on Page 2 of Saturday's Arizona Republic.
Soon, Richardson will have plenty of his own fans in Phoenix.
We are only now getting around to the cold steel of Amaré Stoudemire, who brazenly calls himself the franchise. On the court, other people are calling him "Stat," said to be an acronym for Standing Tall and Talented.
His game is still frightening, his age both an asset and a liability.
"In my eyes, I feel I've got a chance to be a great player," Stoudemire said during the Olympics.
A bit later:
"Nothing is going to deter me."
Quickens the pulse, doesn't it?
Naturally, the Suns have envisioned a dynamic starting five with Nash, Richardson, Stoudemire, Joe Johnson and Shawn Marion. This takes some imagination, because Marion hasn't actually been here yet.
Stay in touch
Enter your e-mail address to get Breaking Sports News newsletters.
He is advised to end his Olympic break soon, lest the younger Colangelo feel the familiar trading itch once again.
This scenario also requires Stoudemire to occasionally play center, and we all know he's not too keen on that idea. Surely, his mother isn't, either, and, there she is now, sitting in the front row of the gym, wearing a shirt that says "Bling Bling."
Oh, yes, this will be an interesting season, and already that is a key victory in the NBA, where cities are often embarrassed or enraged by their teams.
Here, these Suns don't mind the work. They seem to like each other. They have a solid chance to be liked in return.
In today's NBA, that's almost as important as being good.
