Phoenix Suns Blog – Page 73 – NBA Blog

Phoenix Suns ticket prices staying same in 2009-10

The Phoenix Suns announced today that there will be no increase in prices for Suns season tickets for the 2009-10 season. The club will mail complete renewal information to season ticket holders today. In addition to the price freeze, the plan includes a new interest-free flexible payment option and free parking for those who choose to pay in full.

“It is not ‘business as usual’ for our season ticket holders in this challenging economy,” said Rick Welts, President and COO of the Phoenix Suns. “We want our most devoted fans to know that their team is listening to them and that the plan we are unveiling today addresses their concerns. Our goal is to ensure that our fans can continue to enjoy the experience of Phoenix Suns basketball at a great value.”

Bryant’s Lakers beat Shaq’s Suns 132-106

The AP reports: Without Steve Nash, nobody got the ball inside to Shaquille O’Neal, and that made the Phoenix Suns a pushover. The Los Angeles Lakers scored 70 points in the first half and rolled past the Nash-less Suns 132-106 Thursday night for their sixth consecutive victory. Kobe Bryant had 22 points and eight rebounds for the Lakers, while O’Neal had 12 points while taking just seven shots, and grabbed seven rebounds for the Suns in the former teammates’ first meeting since sharing MVP honors at the All-Star game… Lamar Odom had a team-high 23 points and Pau Gasol added 16 points and nine rebounds for the Lakers, who own the NBA’s best record at 48-10 and lead the Pacific Division by 15 games over the Suns… Leandro Barbosa scored 18 points and Alando Tucker added 16 starting in place of Nash. Jason Richardson added 13.

Suns spoil Diaw and Bell’s return to Phoenix

The AP reports: All the focus was on the return to Phoenix of Raja Bell and Boris Diaw. Instead, Steve Nash, Shaquille O’Neal, Jason Richardson and their teammates spoiled the party. Nash scored 22 points before leaving with an ankle injury, O’Neal and Richardson each had 20, and the Suns beat the Charlotte Bobcats 112-102 Tuesday night, spoiling the return of Diaw and Bell to US Airways Center… Diaw finished with a season-high 27 points, along with nine rebounds and six assists. Bell scored 23 with three rebounds and three assists. The Suns, however, had more balanced scoring. Leandro Barbosa added 17 points and Matt Barnes 14.

Rondo goes nuts, Celtics beat Suns 128-108

The AP reports: Rajon Rondo was off and running, and Kevin Garnett was hardly missed. Rondo scored a career-high 32 points to go with 10 assists on his 23rd birthday in Boston’s 128-108 victory over the Suns on Sunday… Ray Allen scored 31 and Pierce 26 in Boston’s first game since Garnett went down with a strained muscle in his right knee that is expected to sidelined him for at least two weeks… Jason Richardson scored 21 for the Suns in their first loss in four games under new coach Alvin Gentry. Steve Nash added 19 points and 11 assists. Leandro Barbosa scored 18 and Shaquille O’Neal 17 for Phoenix.

Amare Stoudemire out 8+ weeks

The Arizona Republic (Paul Coro) reports: Valley retinal surgeon Dr. Pravin Dugel first saw Suns star Amaré Stoudemire on Thursday night on a referral from team ophthalmologist Jay Schwartz, who examined Stoudemire’s right eye that afternoon. Dugel, with Retinal Consultants of Arizona, said Stoudemire’s vision was disturbed as badly as 20/50 and he had blood in his eye. It was clear he had a “very large” retinal detachment on the nasal side. The ragged tears indicated they were caused by trauma. Stoudemire was struck near his eye Wednesday while fouling Al Thornton but that was not a sole cause… The eight-week prognosis for a return to physical activity is loose, considering his job.

Suns likely to keep Amare Stoudemire

A source familar with Phoenix Suns discussions involving Amare Stoudemire tells InsideHoops.com editor Jeff Lenchiner that there’s a very good chance the star power forward won’t be going anywhere this season.

There have been rumors involving Stoudemire and multiple teams around the league for much of the last month, and especially over the last two weeks.

And, talks have taken place. But the source tells InsideHoops.com that the Suns feel that the coaching change is probably enough for now.

Of course, it only takes one team to make an offer that the Suns, or anyone else, cannot refuse. But as of now, odds are Stoudemire stays in Phoenix for the time being.

–InsideHoops.com editor Jeff Lenchiner

Suns rout Clippers again, 142-119

The AP reports: Amare Stoudemire had 42 points and 11 rebounds, shooting 15-for-20 from the field and leading the Phoenix Suns to a 142-119 rout of the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night. Steve Nash had 21 points and 12 assists for the rejuvenated Suns, who played their second game under interim head coach Alvin Gentry and are back to their old ways of up-tempo basketball following Monday’s firing of Terry Porter. Shaquille O’Neal had 16 points and six rebounds, helping complete a four-game sweep of the season series. Grant Hill played 21 scoreless minutes while shooting 0-for-5.

Zach Randolph suspended for punch

Zach Randolph of the Los Angeles Clippers has been suspended two games without pay for striking Louis Amundson of the Phoenix Suns in the face, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.

The incident, in which Randolph was assessed a Technical Foul and was also ejected, occurred with 32.3 seconds remaining in the first quarter of the Suns 140-100 victory over the Clippers at US Airways Center on Feb. 17.

Randolph will begin serving his suspension tonight when the Clippers host the Suns at Staples Center.

Big Barbosa game, Suns destroy Clippers 140-100

The AP reports: The Suns’ big win came at the expense of a Clippers squad without center Marcus Camby, out with an inner ear infection. The Clippers also played most of the game without leading scorer Zach Randolph, who was ejected in the first quarter after punching Phoenix reserve Louis Amundson. Leandro Barbosa scored 24 points and Amare Stoudemire added 23 as the Suns began their second-half push for the postseason. They’re one game behind Utah in the race for the last Western Conference playoff spot… The Suns shot 75.6 percent from the floor in the first half, with most of their buckets coming on layups and dunks. At halftime, Phoenix had more points in the paint (50) than the Clippers had total… Eric Gordon had 24 points for the Clippers.

NBA to borrow $175 million

The Sports Business Journal (Daniel Kaplan and John Lombardo) reports: The NBA is set to borrow $175 million Feb. 26, marking one of the first league financings since the implosion of the credit markets last fall. The money, which will be available to 15 teams, supplements an existing $1.7 billion leaguewide credit facility that uses the NBA’s media contracts as collateral to secure loans for the clubs. The NBA surveyed its teams, and 15 responded they would like to tap into the new borrowing. While the league said it is pleased to borrow in an extremely illiquid credit market, the deal came at a cost, with interest rates up to 8.27 percent, hammering home the notion that the era of cheap money in sports is over. The 15 teams can use the money for any purpose, but covering operating losses may be high on the list.

InsideHoops.com editor says: Loan me three fiddy. I want some ribs.