The New York Daily News (via blog) reports: From what I gather from people close to Shaquille O’Neal is that the Suns center would welcome a trade to the Knicks if such a deal could be worked out. Shaq’s contract – he’ll earn $20 million next year in the final season of his deal – fits into the Knicks’ free agent plans for 2010… But with Eddy Curry not expected to be much help this season, the Knicks are looking to make a move for a big man. The Sacramento Bee reported today that Brad Miller, who Donnie Walsh once had in Indiana, remains on the Knicks’ radar.
Category: Phoenix Suns Blog
Suns blog – Phoenix Suns blog, on Suns basketball news, rumors and more
Suns suspend Jason Richardson
The Phoenix Suns have suspended guard Jason Richardson for one game without pay for conduct detrimental to the team. The club announced that Richardson will serve the suspension in the Suns’ next game, Tuesday, Feb.17 against the LA Clippers at US Airways Center.
InsideHoops.com editor says: J-Rich needs to learn the difference between driving like a maniac in video games and doing it in real life.
Suns to run again
Good news for all NBA fans: The Suns are going to be fast again. The roster doesn’t allow them to quite be what they were several years ago but this is still positive. The East Valley Tribune reports: Gentry promised a return to the fast-paced style that best utilizes the team’s talent, particularly the skills of playmaker Steve Nash. “We are who we are and I think we have to go back to trying to establish a breakneck pace like we’ve had in the past,” Gentry said at a news conference announcing his promotion.
Jason Richardson arrested for speeding
The AP reports: Phoenix Suns guard Jason Richardson was arrested in Scottsdale after police said he was driving 55 mph above the limit with his unrestrained 3-year-old son in the car. A Scottsdale police officer first saw Richardson driving 67 mph in a 40 mph zone Sunday night and followed him, police said Monday. That’s when the officer clocked him at 90 mph in a 35 mph zone and pulled him over… The officer saw Richardson’s son in the back seat of the car and that he was not in a child seat.
Phoenix Suns fire coach Terry Porter
The Phoenix Suns today announced that the team has relieved Terry Porter of his head coaching duties. Alvin Gentry, a Suns assistant coach since 2004, will assume the role of interim head coach.
“I hired Terry because I believed he would be able to provide the balance our team needed in order to perform at a very high level. Unfortunately the transition from last season to this one proved to be very difficult, and we have not played to our potential. It’s imperative that we move forward and do what’s best for our team. Alvin has been an integral part of our successes the previous four years and knows our talent as well as anyone,” said Suns President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Steve Kerr.
A 29-year coaching veteran, Gentry originally joined the Suns staff as an assistant on June 1, 2004, and has served in that position the last four-plus seasons as Phoenix posted the winningest four-year stretch in franchise history. Gentry takes the reins as head coach of his fourth NBA team after stints with the Los Angeles Clippers (2000-03), Detroit Pistons (1997-2000) and Miami Heat (1995) in which he compiled a 177-226 (.439) career record. Gentry’s 1998-99 Pistons earned a playoff berth. In 2001-02, his second season with the Clippers, he guided Los Angeles to an improbable 39-43 (.476) record, the team’s highest win total in nearly 10 seasons, a season after leading the club to a 16-win improvement in 2000-01, his rookie campaign with the club.
In 20 seasons in the NBA, Gentry has worked alongside or under some of the game’s most respected coaches, including Larry Brown, Kevin Loughery and Doug Collins. The 53-year-old Gentry received his first assistant coaching job in the NBA under Brown with the San Antonio Spurs in 1988-89 after serving under Brown with the 1988 NCAA Champion Kansas Jayhawks men’s basketball team.
Porter was named the 13th head coach in Suns franchise history on June 9, 2008. In 51 games this season, Phoenix compiled a 28-23 (.549) record and currently sits in ninth place in the Western Conference.
Danny Ainge on his later playing days
The Boston Globe (Marc J. Spears) reports: “I was fortunate enough to play in the heyday of the Celtics in the ’80s,” Danny Ainge said. “As things were going downhill, I was fortunate to play with Portland for two years and go to the Finals and also play for Phoenix for three and go to the Finals. Those experiences helped me and taught me there is more than one way to win and different personalities. “I feel fortunate that I had a chance to play with Kevin Johnson, Dan Majerle, Tom Chambers, and Charles Barkley. It was different than in Boston.” Ainge joined the Suns as a free agent before the 1992-93 season, as did Barkley, now a Hall of Famer. Phoenix had the league’s best record (62-20) that season and advanced to the Finals to play Michael Jordan and the Bulls. In Ainge’s sixth and last Finals appearance, the Suns lost the series in six games. The Suns were eliminated by Houston in the second round of the playoffs in 1994 and ’95.
Shaq Jabbawockeez dance at 2009 All-Star game introduction
Dwyane Wade 2009 All-Star interview
Here’s what Miami Heat superstar Dwyane Wade said Friday at 2009 NBA All-Star weekend:
Question: Talk about the trade for Jermaine O’Neal and Jamario Moon.
Dwyane Wade: It gives us some power down low which we need to compete. Our main thing is we can get it together faster. We just got to get everybody on the same page. Hopefully we can get a breather during the All‑Star. It is really under the radar for what he can do.
Question: What are your thoughts on Amar’e Stoudemire while you are here in Phoenix?
Dwyane Wade: You hear he is one of the best in the game. You never know if it is real or not. Everyone’s name is eventually going to come up in a trade rumor. That’s what happens. I think the best thing is not to worry about it. Just continue to do what you are doing. If you go somewhere, embrace it. If he doesn’t, try to stay here and lead your team to the playoffs?
Question: Talk about Shaquille O’Neal, what you think of him.
Dwyane Wade: There will never be another him, his creativity. We got a chance to see him in Miami for a couple years. It was unbelievable. Dwight Howard has that personality somewhat and he can bring it once he gets more comfortable in the star role.
Question: How does the dynamic of the team change with the trade, getting Jermaine O’Neal?
Dwyane Wade: It gives us a presence down low. Jermaine, he gives us what we have been missing in Alonzo Mourning as a shot blocker. I think he is going to help us. He is the push we have to make it to the end of the year.
Question: One thing the trade does is pull Beasley out of the trade rumors. Are you glad he is sticking around?
Dwyane Wade: Michael is a guy, as you can see, he is 14‑6 off the bench in limited minutes. He proved last night going 9‑for‑10 on the road versus the Bulls, that he is very capable. This will give him more opportunity to showcase his talent. He is the future of our team. He is 20 years old with an unbelievable upside. I think this will give him opportunity, more confidence to go and be the player we want him to be.
Shaq sentimental about possible last All-Star game
The Boston Globe (Marc J. Spears) reports: Suns center Shaquille O’Neal is sentimental about playing in tonight’s All-Star Game since he knows it could be his last. “I’m soaking it in,” O’Neal said. “I’m getting real happy about knowing it’s all about to end. I remember when I was [young], I looked at people and said I wanted to do this. When it’s all said and done, I’ll be able to say I’m in the top five in scoring, not bad, the top 10 in blocks, not bad, four different teams, not bad, hell of a player, everybody liked him, not bad. I was able to accomplish more than I wanted to accomplish.” O’Neal will be reunited with Phil Jackson and Kobe Bryant on the West team tonight. They won three titles together with the Lakers, but after several verbal battles with Bryant, O’Neal was dealt to Miami in the summer of 2004. “To us, it’s really not that big of a story,” Bryant said. “I’m not revisiting that. It wasn’t a fun time for me, so I’m not about to revisit it.”
Suns sign Courtney Sims to second 10-day contract
The Phoenix Suns have signed free-agent center Courtney Sims to a second 10-day contract, the club announced. Sims will join the team on Monday, Feb. 16 following the 2009 NBA All-Star break.
The 6-11, 245-pound Sims signed his first 10-day contract with Phoenix on Jan. 20 but did not appear in a game for the Suns. Sims has spent the last two seasons with the Iowa Energy of the NBA Development League. The Energy, coached by Nick Nurse, became the Suns’ affiliate this season.
The Suns’ roster now stands at 13.
The Suns open the second half of the NBA season on Tuesday, Feb. 17, hosting the L.A. Clippers at US Airways Center at 7 p.m. Game action can be seen live on FS Arizona and heard on Sports 620 KTAR.