Phoenix Suns Blog – Page 92 – NBA Blog

Suns assign Alando Tucker to D-League

The Phoenix Suns assigned swingman Alando Tucker to the Albuquerque Thunderbirds of the NBA Development League, it was announced today by Suns President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Steve Kerr.

The 6-6, 205-pound Tucker makes his third trip to the Suns’ D-League affiliate after being assigned first on Nov. 28 and then again on Jan. 10. In 11 total games with the Thunderbirds this season, Tucker has averaged 26.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 39.6 minutes. The Wisconsin product was selected by Phoenix with the 29th overall pick in the first round of the 2007 NBA Draft.

The three-time defending Pacific Division Champion Phoenix Suns (42-22) tonight host the Golden State Warriors (40-23) at 7:30 p.m. at US Airways Center in a battle for Western Conference playoff position. All the action can be seen on TNT and heard on Sports 620 KTAR.

Fan says he gave Shaq ride in Honda Prelude

A random fan posting on message boards claims he gave Shaquille O’Neal a ride in a parking lot to where Shaq’s car was parked. And he has the photos to back up his story.

Check it out here.

Gordan Giricek joins Suns

As expected thanks to a zillion newspaper reports saying it was going to happen, the Suns have signed Gordan Giricek. No word if Giricek will invite Jazz coach Jerry Sloan to his house to celebrate.

Giricek isn’t exactly a speed demon, but the dude can shoot. He shot a career-best 42.6 percent from beyond the arc in 2006-07 with the Jazz and owns a 36.7-percent career three-point average. And in the 24 playoff games he’s played, Giricek has hit 46.3% of his threes.

Suns sign Linton Johnson to second 10-day contract

The Phoenix Suns signed forward Linton Johnson to a second 10-day contract yesterday, the team announced.

The 6-8, 205-pound Johnson signed his first 10-day contract with the Suns on Feb. 22, 2008. The four-year NBA veteran has averaged 2.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, 0.5 assists and 10.0 minutes in four games with Phoenix.

The Suns (39-20) sit just 2.5 games out of the top spot in the highly-competitive Western Conference and tonight kick-off their two-game road swing through Portland and Denver by taking on the Trail Blazers (31-29) at the Rose Garden. Slated to tip-off at 8 p.m. Phoenix time, the game can be seen on My45 or heard on Sports 620 KTAR.

Suns still expected to sign Giricek

The East Valley Tribune reports: General manager Steve Kerr said Monday that guard Gordan Giricek could be in uniform as soon as Tuesday’s game at Portland. Philadelphia released Giricek on Friday and he should clear waivers Tuesday.

76ers waive Gordan Giricek

InsideHoops.com NewsWire: Philadelphia 76ers President and General Manager Ed Stefanski announced today that the team has waived guard Gordan Giricek. Per team policy, terms of the agreement are not disclosed.

In 12 games with the Sixers, Giricek averaged 3.1 points, 1.2 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 9.2 minutes, while shooting 31.7% (13-47) from the floor.

Several Phoenix-area newspapers had reported in recent days that, should the Sixers buy Giricek out, the Suns would be interested in adding him.

I think if the Suns do add him, his playing time would probably be very limited.

Suns sign Linton Johnson to 10-day deal

The Phoenix Suns today signed forward Linton Johnson to a 10-day contract, the team announced.

The 6-8, 205-pound Johnson joins his fifth NBA team after spending parts of the last four seasons with the Chicago Bulls, San Antonio Spurs, New Jersey Nets and New Orleans Hornets. In 133 career games (27 starts), Johnson owns averages of 4.2 points and 3.5 rebounds in 15.0 minutes. The four-year NBA veteran enjoyed his best career season in 2005-06 with the Hornets, posting averages of 5.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 18.1 minutes in 27 games. Johnson signed his first NBA contract with the Bulls on Sept. 29, 2003.

A four-year athlete at Tulane University, Johnson averaged 6.7 points and 4.9 rebounds in 107 career games. An undrafted free agent out of college, Johnson averaged 9.0 points and 6.5 boards as a senior during the 2001-02 season.

The Suns roster now stands at 13.

Rumor: Suns want Quinton Ross

The East Valley Tribune (Jerry Brown) reports: With only second-round picks (or perhaps cash, or both) the Suns are trying to pry 6-foot-6 guard Quinton Ross away from the Los Angeles Clippers. Ross makes only $824,000 this year and will be a free agent at the end of the season. He is a strong defender and rebounder who started against Phoenix in the Western Conference Quarterfinals two years ago. His offensive capability is limited, but the Suns won’t be asking him to score.

Suns want wing

The Arizona Republic (Paul Coro) reports: Phoenix could know by the end of the night whether they can work out a deal for a player like the Los Angeles Clippers’ Quinton Ross, Denver’s Yakhouba Diawara or Seattle’s Mickael Gelabale. Golden State’s Mickael Pietrus is also an outside possibility but he would come at a costlier price tag with a salary this season of about $3.5 million, which would be prorated for the season’s remainder but would also add to the Suns’ luxury tax hit. Phoenix is seeking a wing player who is a versatile, strong defender and Ross fits that bill at a great price.

Suns may want Brent Barry from Sonics

The East Valley Tribune (Scott Bordow) reports: The Suns may not be done wheeling and dealing. A team source said that Phoenix would like to find a way to acquire veteran sharpshooter Brent Barry, who was traded Wednesday from the San Antonio Spurs to the Seattle SuperSonics. For Barry to become a Sun, the Sonics would have to buy out his contract, the source said.