Post by JP Inawat on Jun 2, 2012 19:21:53 GMT
THE PHOENIX SUNS TRIBUNE
May 26 - June 2
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!
It’s been a very tough week for your Suns as they faced 4 straight losses to the Spurs, the Raptors, the Rockets and the Nets. They also dropped down to the 12th spot in the Western Conference Standings.
GAME TIME
SUNS LOSE TO THE NASH-LED RAPTORS
This week, Steve Nash returned to Phoenix as a member of the Toronto Raptors to take on your Suns.
All eyes were on Jeremy Lin as they see exactly how Steve Nash’s successor compared to their idol.
Steve Nash scored 26 points on 43% shooting and dished 9 assists in 45 minutes, while Jeremy Lin put up 20 points on 42% shooting and dished 6 assists in 39 minutes. Pretty equal performances from both guys.
In addition to Lin’s 20, Antawn Jamison finished the game with 19 points, while Josh Smith added in 16. Despite this, though, your Suns fell to the Raptors 74-94 as the Suns came out of the gates slow on the 1st half. (Box score here.)
Other games this week include:
- The Suns couldn’t stop Tony Parker as he went off for 41 points as they fell to the San Antonio Spurs 93-105. (Box score here.)
- The Suns gave up an 18-point lead to the Rockets in Houston and couldn’t quite recover as they lost 99-104. (Box score here.)
- The Suns suffered a very tough overtime loss at home against the Brooklyn Nets. Despite the great overall level of play by the team, it wasn’t enough as they finished just short, 117-119. (Box score here.)
When asked about the Suns’ current losing streak, head coach Alvin Gentry had this to say: “We have always been streaky. We’ve been working extra hard at practice trying to get back in the game and it’s been showing against the Rockets and the Nets. Don’t expect us to lose our next one.”
TRANSACTIONS
SUNS TRADE FRYE AND GEE FOR FREDETTE AND SPEIGHTS
The Suns made a couple of moves in the trading market this past week. The first of which is a trade that sent Channing Frye and newly-acquired Alonzo Gee to the Kings for Jason Thompson and Jimmer Fredette. (Story here.)
This deal clears cap space by sending out Channing Frye’s contract, while getting a solid and young PF in return. In addition to this, your Suns also get the young offensive firecracker, Jimmer Fredette.
Jason Thompson would only get to play one game in a Suns uniform, however, as he was quickly traded to Memphis for Marreese Speights. (Story here.)
When asked for comment, Suns GM JP Inawat told the Suns Tribune that “it was just a matter of personal preference for [the Suns].”
Those, however, aren’t the only transactions your Suns made.
GREG ODEN SIGNS WITH THE PHOENIX SUNS
In a shocker earlier this week, the league announced that Greg Oden had officially signed a 2-year contract worth $9.5 million with a 3rd year option worth $5.5 million. (Story here.)
Greg Oden has been plagued with injuries since entering the NBA, only playing 82 games in five seasons. He missed the 2007-08 season due to microfracture surgery on his right knee, and started the 2008-09 season as a rookie. On his NBA debut, he injured his foot which forced him out for two weeks. Later that season, on February 13, 2009, he injured his left knee and missed three weeks because of that. The following season, on December 5, 2009, he injured his left knee again, and missed the rest of that season. He also missed the entirety of the 2010-11 season after having microfracture surgery on his left knee. An unspecified setback in his recovery, as well as going on a third microfracture surgery made him miss the rest of the 2011-12 season as well.
Greg Oden’s agent said that the reason for choosing the Suns was because of their “amazing” medical staff. He also added that “head athletic trainer Aaron Nelson has gained notoriety as the best trainer in the NBA after taking over for Suns legend, and Ring of Honor member, Joe Proski for the job in July 2000. Nelson's ability to rehabilitate athletes has become the stuff of legend in the eyes of Suns fans,” which is true when you take a look at the level Grant Hill and Steve Nash, and even Michael Redd have been playing this season.
The Suns Front Office welcomed Greg with open arms, and is allowing him to rest for the foreseeable future. Aaron Nelson have already been placed in charge of getting Oden back in tip-top shape. When asked for comment, he said “it will certainly be a challenge to work with Mr. Oden, but I will be up for it. I will always be up for any challenge the Suns need me for. And I can’t wait for Mr. Oden to be back on the court for us.” He also added “I haven’t taken a long-enough look at Mr. Oden to project a return date.”
Suns GM JP Inawat also assured the Phoenix fans’ worries of Mr. Oden’s contract being too short and the player option on the third year. “The Phoenix Suns organization have always been about loyalty and trust, from the way our offense runs fluidly through passing, to the locker room and our front office. We trust Mr. Oden will make the right decision when the time comes. But we also need the Suns fans to continue to trust us as we move this franchise in the right direction.”
OTHER NEWS
THE PHOENIX SUNS FRONT OFFICE APPOINTS SAM PRESTI AS NEW ASSISTANT GM
Earlier this week, Former Memphis Grizzlies GM Samuel Jenkins announced that he intended to step down from his position. This lead to speculations that the Grizzlies front office have decided that Assistant GM Sam Presti should take his place. However Memphis Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley have decided to go on a different route, letting go of Mr. Presti and went on to look for a new GM.
Memphis fans and the league in general were shocked, but Ian had this to say: “Guys thank you for your support it really means a lot to me. I come on here to have fun and enjoy myself and I have been doing that. I'm not here to get mad [about his decision] and that giving me the Grizzlies would be a move that [Mr. Heisley] would have to accept but that's all up to [Michael] and I thank everyone for their support but I'm not going to be mad because I [didn’t get the job.]"
Despite this, though, the Suns Tribune are very happy to announce that the Phoenix Suns and Mr. Presti have come to a mutual agreement, as Mr. Presti would now be the Assistant GM of the Phoenix Suns!
Suns GM JP Inawat had this to say: “It is a pleasure to be working with such a hard-working person as Mr. Presti. We are quite confused as to why he wasn’t handed the GM position in Memphis, but we can’t complain. We are here now as we continue to move the Suns franchise forward!” We couldn’t reach Mr. Presti for comment yet.
But that may not be the only behind-the-scenes move that the Suns are looking to make.
MIKE D'ANTONI HEADED BACK TO PHOENIX?
There have been rumors going on that former Phoenix Suns and New York Knicks head coach Mike D’Antoni have gone on a meeting with Suns Owner Robert Sarver. It would make sense to hire him as a coach, as he has worked with Jeremy Lin in the past and is used to the style of play that the Suns run. With the current losing streak the Phoenix Suns are on, is Alvin Gentry's time in Phoenix numbered? We will be following up on this story as more information becomes available.
And that's the fourth issue of the Phoenix Suns Tribune!