Post by JP Inawat on May 19, 2012 13:01:06 GMT
THE PHOENIX SUNS TRIBUNE
Hello, Phoenix fans from all over the world! Here at The Suns Tribune, we will give you all of the latest news about your Suns!
GAME TIME
It was announced earlier this week that Steve Nash would be traded to the Toronto Raptors along with Shannon Brown for Josh Smith and Jarrett Jack. Emotional Suns fans rushed to buy tickets to fill the US Airways Center to watch Steve Nash’s potential final game as a Phoenix Sun against the Sacramento Kings.
Steve Nash delivered a passionate performance, dishing 8 assists to his teammates. He also added in 10 points.
In addition to Nash’s 10 points, Michael Redd scored 21, Jeremy Lin scored 16, Grant Hill scored 15 and Marcin Gortat scored 11 to defeat the Kings 88-80. (Box score here.)
In the post-game press conference, Steve Nash thanked the Suns fans for loving and believing in him. He also praised the Suns coaching staff including head coach Alvin Gentry for doing a great job working with what the Suns have. Looking ahead in the future, Steve Nash’s goals remain the same. He wants to win a championship ring. Whether that is with the Toronto Raptors remains to be seen, but he reassured everyone that he’s going to continue playing like there’s no tomorrow. He also added that while he is leaving Phoenix, he will forever cherish the bond that the city and he, shared.
We caught up with new GM JP Inawat for comment, "I believe everyone knows that Steve Nash’s time in Phoenix was coming to an end. It seems fainter and fainter that Nash’s hope of winning a championship ring with the Suns will happen, and Toronto has made some pretty big moves this season. Also, Nash will be closer to home over there.” Later in the interview, he added, “I still hope Steve Nash retires as a Phoenix Sun.”
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We also asked Jeremy Lin about his comments. “I have very big shoes to fill. Somehow I knew that when the Suns traded for me, I would be Steve Nash’s successor. I just didn’t imagine it would happen this fast. During the short time I have been here with Steve, we have become close friends. I imagine we will continue to be good friends going forward.”
He also added, “I’d like to thank the Suns Front Office for believing in me. I will not disappoint everyone.”
Steve Nash leaving Phoenix, however, also marks Josh Smith’s arrival.
After spending 3 days bonding with his new teammates, Josh Smith was ready to begin the next phase of his career as a Phoenix Sun. The Phoenix Tribune caught up with Josh Smith during a practice session and he had this to say. “I believe in this team. The front office has been making good moves to improve this franchise. And they believed in me enough to trade Steve Nash away for me.”
And disappoint did he not.
In his first game as a member of your Suns, J-Smoove delivered an outstanding performance, scoring 31 points (6 from beyond the arc) and grabbing 7 boards. Gortat added 13 points as your Suns defeated the Detroit Pistons 102-96. (Box score here.)
During the post-game press conference, head coach Alvin Gentry had this to say about Smith’s performance. “Wow. Just wow. Things are looking up for us.” Suns General Manager JP Inawat also added, “I had no doubt Josh Smith would improve this franchise. I still have no doubts.”
The other games your Suns played this week were against the Lakers and the Jazz.
Nash scored 29 points and dished 11 assists, but is wasn’t enough as your Suns fell to the Los Angeles Lakers, 124-108. (Box score here.) Two days later, Nash dominated again, scoring 32 points and dishing 8 assists, but again, wasn’t enough to beat the Jazz, 95-105. (Box score here.) Two days later, it was announced that Nash’s trade was finalized.
OTHER NEWS
A trade has recently went public that the Suns are trying to trade Grant Hill, Robin Lopez and Hakim Warrick for Antawn Jamison and Alonzo Gee of the Cavaliers. We caught up with Grant Hill, another staple of the Suns in recent years, and asked for his comments. “At this point in my career, I can’t imagine playing for a team other than the Suns. I am so grateful to this organization for giving me a second wind in my career, and I’d like to retire here also. Although I understand how this trade would benefit us, a part of me wishes I could continue playing for the Suns. But, hey. They traded away Steve Nash, so anything can happen."
And that's the second issue of the Phoenix Suns Tribune!