Phoenix Suns Blog [Category - Tom Leander]

Catching a Draft

Wed, 18 Jun 08 18:00:00 UT

I have been fortunate to watch the NBA draft unfold up-close over the past 15 years. Having a seat in the Suns “War Room” is like helping American Idol winner David Cook tune his guitar before the finale or giving Marisa Miller a swimsuit suggestion before a photo shoot with Sports Illustrated.

Steve Nash is congratulated by Commissioner David Stern on draft night in 1996.
(NBAE Photos)

You have a ticket to see and hear the real scoop on NBA hopefuls from the perspective of Suns GMs, coaches and scouts.

I have witnessed some shrewd moves like the drafting of Michael Finley at #21 overall in the first round of the 1995 draft. The Suns fell in love with his fire and athletic skills during the Desert Classic showcase camp here in Phoenix. In 1999 the Suns headquarters were at Bank One Ballpark and we were all stunned when they snagged a wiry kid out of Vegas named Shawn Marion. That pick along with the year they chose Amare (also at #9) were examples of the “misdirection” our staff created leading up to the draft. Even those of us close to the team were choking through the smoke screen and led to believe they had eyes on another player. In 2002 the Suns brought Jared Jeffries in for a second workout and interview. All the while, they were craving and hoping for Amare to still be there at #9, and thanks to the Clippers choosing Chris Wilcox 8th, Stat was indeed available. We can also thank Nuggets GM Kiki Vandeweghe for taking Nene and Nikoloz Tskitishvili ahead of Amare as well!

But that just goes to show what an unscientific process this draft can be for teams like the Suns who have swung and missed a few times themselves. Recent names and linguistical nightmares like Cabarkapa and Tsakalidis might ring a bell since ‘93. Malcolm Mackey and Mario Bennett flamed-out early. But overall, the Suns have been extremely successful in judging talent and character over the years. You also have to consider that most of their picks have been mid to late first-round selections due to the success of the franchise. Their draft-day heist of Leandro Barbosa late in the first round of ’03 (away from the Spurs no less) was a stroke of genius. Selecting DJ Strawberry as the second to last pick in the ENTIRE draft last year may also turn out to be quite a coup. And don’t forget the pick which resgistered the second-most boos in Suns history—second only to the now infamous Majerle selection of ’88.

In 1996, the Suns held the 15th pick in the first round. Turmoil and unrest shook the club. They were coming off a .500 season and first-round exit to Houston in the playoffs. Charles Barkley was helping to force an off-season trade with controversial comments about the organization. Something about being treated “like a piece of meat” (of which he should know plenty about these days). Meanwhile, Phoenix fans made it clear who they wanted in the draft, jumping on the bandwagon of Syracuse star John Wallace (whose nomadic days in the NBA later included a stint with the Suns). Plus, Phoenix already had a star point guard in Kevin Johnson. So the sharks circled when “with the 15th pick in the 1996 NBA Draft, the Phoenix Suns select……Steve Nash,” an obscure point guard from Santa Clara.

Well, he wasn’t so obscure to us. Back in ’96 for a television feature, we wanted to follow a draft hopeful through the entire process of working out and interviewing with the Suns before the draft . Obviously, we would be rolling the dice in terms of the Suns actually drafting this player. But it was clear the team really liked this kid named Nash. As suggested by “then basketball ops assistant” David Griffin (now a Senior VP), we chose to follow Steve from the moment the future NBA MVP arrived at the airport. I still laugh at the fact I had to tap our videographer, Dave Grapentine, on the shoulder to point-out Nash, who literally walked right past him at the gate! I mean WHO KNEW?? He was an averaged-sized young kid who could easily have been working at the Hertz Rental Car desk.

Click Here to Watch a 1996 Draft Feature on Nash

Battling a sore hamstring, Nash was limited in his workouts with assistant coach, Danny Ainge. You could see he had an architecturally perfect shot but I still doubted his size and strength to compete on the NBA level (I guess that’s why I’m broadcasting and not in player personnel). At the time, drafting Steve still appeared to be a long-shot, but we all know how it has turned out for the ultimate MVP longshot! The Suns wound-up nabbing Nash as disgruntled fans chanted for Wallace. I will never forget Suns head scout, the late Dick Percudani (one of the finest gentleman I have ever met, ) say after the Suns made the selection of Nash: “you’ll want to adopt this kid.” How right he was!

Now the question is: Who will we adopt this season?

Shaq Trade Generating Lots of Exposure Already

Thu, 07 Feb 08 21:10:00 UT

Okay, I was wrong. For years I have said and felt that The Charles Barkley Years were a blessing and a curse for the Phoenix Suns franchise. A blessing because this town was turned upside down by the most charismatic player the league had ever seen.

Shaquille O'Neal will bring buzz, exposure and basketball frenzy back to the Valley.
(NBAE Photos)

Charles took non-NBA fans and turned them into basketball fanatics who couldn't wait to watch the next Suns game and witness the next unpredictable move by Sir Charles.

I also felt it was a curse because when Barkley left for Houston it was my belief that the Suns would never be able to generate that kind of passion, that kind of exposure, that kind of basketball frenzy ever again.

Well here we are witnessing the Second Coming with Shaq. His press conference and arrival in Phoenix has been met with a Barkley-like Buzz along with the skepticism which will only fuel the drama as this titanic trade plays out. Media outlets locally and nationally carried his press party live. Radio stations phones are lighting-up. The internet blogs are overflowing with "expert" opinions and predictions of whether this gamble by the Suns will pay off.

In my mind, it has already paid off in terms of interest and intrigue world-wide! Shaq flashed his flamboyant personality--displaying his wit, his playfulness, and his overall magnetic appeal. And like one of his vicious power james, he hammered home the message of leading this team to its first NBA title, all the while making the critics "eat their words." Shaq is resolute about taking Amare to the next level and making Raja Bell an even better shooter. He stopped just short of guaranteeing a championship, but added that guarantee could come after a few practices with his new team.

This is one dynamic player and personality who has taken all 3 of his previous teams to the NBA Finals. Is he the same player he was even two years ago? Maybe not, but he doesn't have to be when surrounded by Nash, Amare, Grant Hill, Raja, Barbosa and Diaw. Think about opposing coaches game-planning for this double-barreled attack. The Suns can now dismantle opponents with their speed game and new-found power play.

Believe me, I know what Shawn Marion provided. As I've said in the past, he covered more real estate than Century 21 and was the quintessential Sun in Mike D'Antoni's system. But in the end, he wanted out. He asked to be traded. He could have opted-out and walked away after this season leaving the Suns with nothing in return. So the Suns made the bold move, and it's no disgrace to be dealt for quite possibly the most dominating big man this league has ever seen. Now we will see if this roll of the dice works on the court. It's NBA theatre at its best featuring the Biggest (and hopefully Baddest) star this league has to offer. Tune in to the Shaq and Awe of Suns basketball. I'm sure you will!!

Tom's Top 5

Thu, 24 Jan 08 22:36:00 UT

Many of you have probably seen the USA Today series on NBA franchises and their Top 5 Players of All-Time lists. They recently published the Suns Top 5 as determined by a USA Today panel, a fan vote and my esteemed colleague, Eddie Johnson.

Joe Kleine is on Tom Leander's First Team of top per-sun-alities.
(NBAE Photos)

Well, I figured we know the great performers on the court, but what about off the court. Since joining the Suns in 1993 as a studio host, many colorful characters have come and gone. I have intereacted with these players through various interviews and features for our pregame show, Suns Gametime. Also, for the last 5 years, I have been travelling with the team, and you really get to know a guy while 35 thousand feet in the air amidst wicked turbulence!

So I am submitting my own Top 5 with the caveat that my 3 broadcasting partners(TC, Thunder and EJ) are ineligible because they are obvious "shoe-ins" and then I'd have only two spots left! Also, I am disqualifying two of my all-time favorites--Hawk and Van(Dick Van Arsdale)--because they have received so many honors(Ring of Honor, Hall of Fame etc.)that making my list would be like Angelina Jolie winning a State Fair beauty contest.

So here goes...

Tom's Top 5 "Per-Sun-alities"

FIRST TEAM

REX CHAPMAN--a slam dunk for his wit and outstanding performances as a street musician in our hidden camera series "Suns Undercover" and his self-deprecating spoof "Rex's Retirement Press Conference" where only one reporter(that would be me)showed up. Far and away the funniest player I've ever met! And he's just as funny when the camera is not rolling.

JOE KLEINE--again, like Rex, a man with an incredible sense of humor who has a one-liner for any occasion. Joe once filmed a TV segment in a shower stall, wearing the shower cap and delivering lines while soap dripped into his eyes. That deserves an automatic berth in my Top 5!

KURT THOMAS--unlike the previous two, he doesn't make the grade for his humor or telegenic allure, but for his wonderful way with people. Always approachable, friendly and classy, Kurt's on-court, intimidating demeanor is in stark contrast to the warmth and "realness" he exudes off the floor.

WAYMAN TISDALE--always with a smile on his face, his affable nature in turn put smiles on the faces of the people who are lucky enough to know Tizzy. His love of music and bubbly personality made him a first-teamer! Wayman once wrote and produced a Suns song and music video for our shows--at no charge!

TOM GUGLIOTTA--you would be hard pressed to find anybody who had a bad thing to say about Googs. Down to earth, warm and friendly, he never basked in the "celebrity" of being an NBA player. It's always a highlight going to Atlanta and seeing Googs, who moved there to be with his daughter.

HONORABLE MENTION
DANNY MANNING
HORACIO LLAMAS
PAT BURKE
LEANDRO BARBOSA
BORIS DIAW
PIKE AND THE KIWI(Eric Piatkowski and Sean Marks--paired as one since they are unseperable on the road!)

Gameday Countdown

Thu, 20 Dec 07 05:21:00 UT

I am asked many times what it's like travel with the teams and visit such great cities. The truth be told, I actually spend 90% of my time in the hotel room either reading or prepping for the upcoming game.

Preparing for a game such as Phoenix vs Dallas is quite a lot of work.
(NBAE Photos)

For example, last night I worked until about 1:30am and then today in Dallas I woke-up and immediately hit the internet(okay, after grabbing a 3 shot grande gingerbread latte at the downstairs Starbucks!). The best sites for hoop junkies are "Hoops Hype", ESPN.com NBA, NBA.com and of course our very own Phoenix Suns website. I also jump on azcentral.com to see what Paul Coro has written about the team. We also receive daily clips from Julie Fie, the Suns Media Relations Director. Then it's onto the local papers(Dallas Morning News this morning) along with USA Today, which had a great spread on Grant Hill written by Greg Boeck. All of that reading and note-taking eats-up about 2 hours of my morning.

It was then onto a quick lunch across the street at one of the best sandwich shops in the country: Potbelly's. Awesome sandwiches! Today I had lunch with our producer Bob Adlhoch, who turned *#&% today(sorry, he's sensitive about his age). We talked shop and shopping--ideas for the game tonight and if we had finished our holiday shopping. Hah!

Then back to the hotel room for 3 more hours of prep. I have a jam-packed file on every team in the league. It's stuffed with notes and various articles I have clipped over the past few years. It's a great resource and includes more than just the numbers that you would find in the game notes. I put my two, large roster sheets together with those notes, anecdotes and pertinent stats. Then I compile a list of "topical cards" with some sideline stories. For instance, tonight I have one on Paul Westphal, the new assistant for the Mavs and the man who coached the Suns to the Finals in '93. I also have one on the hot topic here in Dallas: "Romo's Romance." Funny stuff with Cowboys QB Tony Romo and his new flame Jessica Simpson. She was at the Cowboys' last game and he bombed, so fans and even Terrell Owens want her out of the picture. That's sure to get a comment from Dan Majerle. I always try to come-up with a couple "unique" topics that Dan can run with!

So after about 5 hours of prep in the room, it's off to the fitness enter to clear the head. Then I'll pack-up and head off to the arena where it's time to talk to some of the broadcasters, coaches and players for last-minute material. Hope you all enjoy the show. The Suns and Mavs never disappoint!

Sights and Sounds from the Road

Mon, 03 Dec 07 21:13:00 UT

With the Knicks in the bag, we have now landed in Indianapolis. It was a sobering win in New York when we all heard on the bus about Stephon Marbury's father passing away. His dad was at the game last night and then left for the hospital with chest pains.

Amaré Stoudemire and Grant Hill are working together to bring about a successful season.
(NBAE Photos)

Steph was notified in the lockeroom after the game that a heart attack apparently took his father's life. Another bizarre and tragic chapter to Marbury's emotional ride with the Knicks. And though during his stay in Phoenix he didn't endear himself to many within the Suns organization, I certainly hope he can find some peace and strength in his life. It certainly makes you stop and begin to appreciate what you have in life and even in a basketball team.

As the Suns continue to roll along with one of the best records in the league, they are doing so in workman-like fashion. There is not a lot of levity or collegiate enthusiasm with this squad. The veterans have been through the paces before and don't get too high after wins, or too low after the few losses they've sustained. Mike D'Antoni has talked about the need for added enthusiasm and energy with this team, but right now their talent is carrying them through the early-season battles. Make no mistake, the chemistry is good on this team, but let's face it: the fans, the broadcasters and even the players may be taking this successful run for granted at this time of the year. It's human nature. And we saw it even in the mid '90s after the first few years of the Barkley era. The team was rolling out 62, 56 and 59 wins a year, but even with the most charismatic, outspoken player ever to grace the NBA in Sir Charles, the team's magnetism began to wane in the 4th season. They finished at .500, lost in the first round of the playoffs and began to lose that "buzz" which surrounded the Barkley Years.

So here we are in Year 4 of the Nash Years, but fortunately this team is not regressing. In fact, the Best Show on Sneakers still appears headed for another 55-60 win season. With the addition of Grant Hill and Brian Skinner, they should be better equipped for the rugged playoffs. But it's the journey to that ultimate goal we ALL need to appreciate and savor. We all realize how "life comes at you quickly" and before you know it, we'll be talking about the good ol' times with Nash, Shawn and Amare kickin' tail and taking names in a system designed by Mike D'Antoni that features freedom and a fast-pace brand of basketball that is now being replicated around the league. But while many will attempt to imitate, few will ever duplicate this wildly entertaining product. So enjoy each game, each pinpoint, left-handed Nash spin pass, each Marion steal and breakaway jam, each Amare crush and Boris kick-out to an open 3-point shooter (don't groan, fans, his teammates love him for it!), each Raja big shot, each Leandro blur-by and sweet pull-up J by Grant.

Enjoy each step along the way. It's a lot like reading a Pat Conroy novel, rich in text and imagery. You can't skip the middle chapters if you are going to fully appreciate the dynamic ending.

Stoudemire Soon

Thu, 08 Nov 07 22:44:00 UT

Greetings from Miami where the boys have a day off after a tough loss to the Hawks last night in Atlanta. Amare played some 3 on 3 at a light workout today. He moved well and says each day he is feeling better.

The Suns are hoping for a return from Amare Stoudemire soon.
(NBAE Photos)

But Stat will wait and see how that right knee responds tomorrow morning before deciding whether or not to suit-up against Shaq and the winless Heat. But keep your expectations in check because Amare will have to work his way back into "game shape" before we see the eye-popping numbers on a consistent basis.

When he reaches that level, he has now provided a new term to use when he begins to heat-up on the floor. Last night on the plane flight here to Miami, he was referring to the "Stoude-fire" we will witness when he regains form. You just have to love his confidence and bravado!

Miami, by the way, has now lost 17 straight games if you include the end of last regular season, the playoffs when they were swept by the Bulls, the preseason, and now into the '07-'08 campaign. They obviously were built around Dwayne Wade and Shaq, but Wade is still recovering from his shoulder and knee surgeries and is not expected to return for a while. Right now it's the knee that is holding him back.

I am really looking forward to seeing Penny Hardaway in a Heat uniform tomorrow night. Though his time in Phoenix was filled with disappointment and injuries, he was always a wonderful guy to be around. Always accomodating to the media and just one of the friendliest superstars you will meet. In fact, I still remind Penny to this day of his greatest assist. It was the eve of the deal that sent himself and Stephon to New York. The Suns team had been stuck on the runway in Toronto for 5 hours because of a nasty storm in Chicago--our next destination. Finally we took off but would have to be re-routed to Milwaukee. The turbulence was fierce and the players were hanging onto their armrests for dear life. Knowing we were close to finally touching down, an anxious Stephon Marbury asked Penny to open his window shade to find out if he could see the ground. Penny leaned over right in front of me and opened his shade. We could both see nothing but ominous, milky clouds outside and we were very near the ground at this point! But Penny eased all tension when he lied through his teeth: "No problem, guys. I see the buildings and the downtown area. It's clear." Moments later with the players now breathing easier, the roller-coaster ride ended with the plane slamming down on the runway.

Penny now is trying to rewrite the final chapter to his career. He has been working out over the past year and a half, playing in semi-pro leagues and hoping to walk off into the sunset as a productive player on a team that won it all two years ago. He and Shaq both want to prove that they still have some magic left after beginning their careers with the Magic and making it to the Finals in '95. We will get our first glimpse of their "curtain call" tomorrow. See you then on MY 45.

Pop, Do The Right Thing!

Wed, 16 May 07 02:49:00 UT

Okay, fans, let it out. And let it out Loud! The venting over the recently handed-out suspensions has begun. Fans not only in Phoenix but across the NBA nation are screaming about the ludicrous "letter of the law" interpretation which will severely hinder the Suns chances in Game 5 on Friday.

The Suns have been stripped of their Power Source AND their versatile back-up at the 5 spot.

The suspensions of Amaré and Boris are an absolute travesty. We all know it. And so too does Gregg Popovich, who should do "The Right Thing" and sit Tim Duncan for Game 5. Duncan could conveniently come down with a case of the 24 hour flu because you know if the Spurs end up winning this series; it will be the most hollow series victory in the history of the league. Popovich realizes his player (now known as "Cheap Shot Bob") not only embarrassed himself with the cowardly and unsportsmanlike act, he embarrassed the proud Spurs franchise. Pop knows the Suns will be heavily outmanned at the center position, and any dominating performance by Duncan would just add to the injustice of today's ruling handed down by the NBA.

Pop is a smart man. He's a fair man. He could even the tables by making this unprecedented move. Sure it's a pipe-dream for Suns fans, but could you imagine the reaction to such a bold move? He would be properly lauded for failing capitalize on the league's unjust ruling, one which punishes the victim instead of the perpetrator.

Horry's action should shame Spurs fans. Not only could it have resulted in a serious injury to Steve Nash, it now has tipped the scales in the Spurs' favor for all the wrong reasons. And I don't want to hear that "Amaré and Boris should have known better." That was an instinctive movement on their part. A predictably human reaction. But each player quickly caught himself with no further escalation of the incident.

I'm not even going to analyze the rationale of the league with this decision. There is nothing we can say or do to change their narrow-mindedness. They have a rule and are sticking by it. Obviously this rule needs to be reviewed and re-written to inject common sense and allow for an interpretation that could be flexible enough to include extraordinary circumstances.

The NBA may also be losing out on a golden opportunity. The Suns are the heartthrob of NBA fans around the world. They are called the most entertaining and fascinating team this league has produced in years. The NBA has been advocating a more wide-open and exciting brand of basketball with the Suns as their beacon. The defensive rules have been tightened in hopes of loosening-up the nets with the kind of high-scoring games we used to witness in the '80s and early '90s. TV ratings are on the rise. Fans are talking about this game again, purchasing tickets and buying the jerseys. The NBA had a chance to stand behind the kind of team that has rekindled interest in this great game. A game defined by grace, speed and skill. Instead, it has handicapped this team and its chances of achieving their first NBA title.

This is not to say the Suns cannot or will not win Game 5. This resilient Suns team has constantly played its best when faced with desperate situations. On Friday night, in front of their furious fans, it will take a Herculean effort from Nash and Marion and a break-through game from Leandro Barbosa to stun the Spurs. So keep the faith even after you may have lost some in the game's governing body.

In the meantime, the only person left who could somehow diffuse this volatile situation is the Spurs Head Coach. Horry and Duncan for Stoudemire and Diaw seems like a fair enough deal. Do you think Popovich would make that deal if proposed to him in trade talks? You bet he would!

Oh, Nellie...He Nose Sports Medicine!

Tue, 08 May 07 05:51:00 UT

Talk Radio. It can be informative and it can be ruthless. I sometimes kick myself for listening to some of the local shows because of all the senseless and ignorant vile that can be spewed by listeners, guests and even the hosts!

Suns head athletic trainer Aaron Nelson attempts to stop the bleeding.
(NBAE Photos)

Today's hot topic was "Blood Gate '07" or the "Nash Nose Affair" in Game 1 of the Conference Semifinals.

First let me say that I am close, personal friends with Aaron Nelson so I have a somewhat biased opinion of his professionalism and dedication. But what I saw from my seat just rows away from the bench in Game 1 only solidified and justified the lofty perch to which I hold Aaron. I have never been more proud of him.

With national television cameras and 20,000 rabid fans in the arena watching his every move, his every attempt to somehow patch a bloodied Steve Nash together, Aaron Nelson impressively kept his cool and maintained his composure. Not once did he appear to panic or succumb to the pressure of the moment. Now mind you, he was fighting a losing battle. There was no time to send Nash to the lockeroom, where stitiching him up would have been the only reasonable way to stop the bleeding. If he does head back to the lockeroom, he is not around to hit that clutch 3-pointer or driving lay-in that kept the Suns in the game(the team also seemed to be fighting a losing battle at the time!). So give "Nellie" credit for at least those five critical points!

I was actually sitting with a good friend of mine, who happens to be an anesthesiologist and knows quite a bit about surgeries and bleeding. He pointed out that with Nash's heart-rate going back up when he returned to the floor, it would immediately trigger more bloodflow and that's exactly what happened. The bleeding erupted again, soaking the bandages and creating a terrible mess and now resulting in an unnecessary controversy as the fans and so-called "experts" are teeing-off on Aaron over the talk show airwaves.

I understand the fans' passion for the team and their desire to see the Suns finally reach the pinnacle, an NBA championship. I also regretfully understand talk radio and its need for inflammatory topics and opinions as it evokes a reaction and calls from listeners. But get one thing straight: the Suns did not lose Game 1 because Aaron Nelson was unprepared or unqualified in that situation.

The Suns lost because Gregg Popovich manipulates a game better than any other coach in the league (working the refs and calling strategic time-outs). The Suns lost because Tony Parker has learned how to hit a jumper (and now the Suns must learn how to slow TP down -- my call is for Raja to give him a dose of his physical D). The Suns lost because in the final five minutes they took lower percentage shots than the Spurs(LB fires a tough three vs Tim Duncan's three-foot jump hook in the lane). The Suns lost the game because they were basically out-executed down the stretch.

These Spurs are a well-oiled machine that rarely breaks down late in games. The Suns will be wise to build an early lead and take that late into the 4th quarter which will force the Spurs to take quicker shots instead of the Suns.

I still say: Suns in 7. And when they march on to the Western Conference Finals against Golden State -- in what will be the most entertaining series the league has EVER seen -- this bloody mess will be long forgotten.

L.A. Dreaming

Thu, 26 Apr 07 23:43:00 UT

Just about a half-hour away from heading to Staples Center for Game 3 (on MY-45!). Thought I'd pass along a few musings before Gametime.

The Suns and Lakers tip off tonight at 7:30 p.m. on My45.
(NBAE Photos)

I have a sneaking suspicion we will see some rough play from the Lakers, who want to send a physical message along to the Suns especially in front of their home fans. Odom (and Charles Barkley) have said L.A. needs to put Leandro "down." Phil Jackson said the Lakers were "punked" in Game 2. And Ronny Turiaf was visibly upset at James Jones for going in for a monster slam in the final minute of the blow-out. Don't be surprised to see the chippiness return between these two teams--maybe even an ejection or two tonight.

Raja Bell and his wife Cindy need a short series. She's expecting their first child any day now.

We may have some fun tonight with Phil Jackson and his "throne." He sits with extra cushions after the hip replacement surgery. So for those that say he sits on his high horse...

I enjoyed seeing EJ present Leandro with his NBA Sixth Man Award trophy on Tuesday night, but I'm very disappointed in Eddie after he refused to go up on stage last night at a local night spot and sing karaoke for us here in Los Angeles (I even tipped the deejay $20 to slip EJ ahead of the others waiting to show their "Idol-like" skills!)

I have constant thoughts of how sweet a Suns run to the championship would be for Jerry Colangelo, who has been quietly watching from the shadows – but is always at the forefront of our minds.

A recent survey of GMs around the league gave the MVP award to Dirk. Think they may want to take those votes back?? He doesn't look like an MVP after their first two playoff games. To me, Josh Howard has been their most valuable Mav!

Finally, I still feel strongly that our training staff (Aaron Nelson, Mike Elliott, Jay Gaspar and Eric Phillips) should collectively win Dan Majerle's Hustle Award. Nobody works harder, hustles more than this group. They NEVER have a day off!

Later, from L.A.

The Chemistry Club

Sun, 15 Apr 07 20:34:00 UT

"Rock the boat, don't rock the boat, baby. Rock the boat, don't tip the boat over..."

Pat Burke is member in good standing of the The Chemistry Club.
(Barry Gossage/NBAE Photos)

Name that band! Okay, it's The Hues Corporation with a classic from the '70's. But apparently some of our fine friends around the league never heard these lyrics or just don't buy into that theme. Check out this list of disgruntled players who have – at one point during this past – have rocked the boat and gone public with complaints about playing time or clashed with their coach: Andrei Kirilenko, Earl Watson, Damien Wilkins, P.J. Brown (one of the classier guys in the league!), Robert Horry, Corey Maggette, Ben Wallace, Smush Parker, Linton Johnson, and Marko Jaric just to name a few.

Some of these players have paid a price for their venting. Johnson is deep in Byron Scott's doghouse with the Hornets, a team that desperately needed healthy bodies down the stretch. Horry reportedly ticked off Gregg Popovich to the point that the next game the coach ordered Horry to be listed "DNP-Old Age" for his insubordination!

Of course, there are many examples of players who bite their tongues, bide their time, and are rewarded for their classy patience. Look at Eddie Jones. One of the great locker room guys in the NBA, he was wilting away on the MEMPHIS bench – where even the ushers at Fed Ex Forum could crack the line-up! But Eddie remained a positive presence and was respectfully relocated to Miami and is now logging meaningful minutes for the playoff-bound Heat.

Now, enter the Phoenix Suns and their "Pine-Time Players." Pat Burke, Eric Piatkowski, Jumaine Jones, Marcus Banks, Sean Marks and Jalen Rose have declared themselves members of the Fitness Club. But I submit they are better served by the moniker "Chemistry Club" for helping to keep the chemistry strong all season long while – as true competitors – certainly steaming deep inside, aching for a chance to showcase their skills.

Yet, when was the last time you heard Pike say: "I'm getting hosed here." Or Jumaine Jones saying, "I am being disrespected." How about Marcus Banks, who was trumpeted as the point guard who would finally give Nash a rest and also inject the Suns with some much-needed defensive intensity. He has every reason to provide the Arizona Republic with juicy, inflammatory comments.

Jalen Rose falls into the same category. He could be logging meaningful minutes in Miami, but he has been a true pro while idling on the bench. Pat Burke refuses to air his frustrations, instead obliges every time the team asks him to star in a comical spoof about all his "free time." You could even throw Kurt Thomas into the mix. His minutes come and go but his professional demeanor never wavers.

In fact, last night after a rousing slaughter of the Jazz in Utah, many of these "Chemistry Club" members led a spirited and comical exchange on the plane and bus ride to the team hotel in Houston. Believe me, after reports of internal strife over the past couple of weeks, the chemistry has never been better.

And these Pine Time Players are a major reason why we are witnessing the third 60-win season in franchise history. All 3 of these teams had great character guys (and guys who are truly "characters). So move over Paul Shirley and Bo Outlaw (class of '04-'05). Step aside, Tim Kempton and Frank Johnson (class of '92-'93). Make room for these new members of the all-time Chemistry Club. The guys who opt not to rock the boat and just enjoy sailing toward a possible championship.

Off Day Adventures and Serious Hoop Talk

Thu, 05 Apr 07 05:38:00 UT

A season of adventures continues for the Suns. This time, tornado warnings in the Memphis area kept us grounded for an extra hour and a half following a grisly win over Memphis.

Amaré Stoudemire and the Suns take on Tim Duncan and Spurs in San Antonio on Thursday night (6:30 p.m., My45). (NBAE Photos)

Once loaded onto the plane, we were advised of a "bumpy ride" into San Antonio. Bumpy? At points it felt more like the Indiana Jones ride at Disneyland. Needless to say, we are happy to be on the ground here in San Antonio. I know I quickly text messaged my wife and kids and told them how much I love them!

We had a great day off! Tim Kempton set up a day of "comp" golf for me, Eddie Johnson and our TV producer Bob Adlhoch. But these are not your ordinary, everyday rounds of golf. Not with Eddie and Tim. This is combat golf! Insults, sarcasm, and mental warfare are encouraged; etiquette and humility are forbidden. Certainly makes for an entertaining afternoon (and we all toasted our margarita glasses at dinner, so no hurt feelings!).

Now for some serious hoop talk. The Suns meet up with the Spurs in another late-season exam. They received A-pluses across the board at home against the Mavs, and to match that kind of effort and performance on the road in San Antonio would once again rearrange all those "Power Rankings."

Here are some of the things I will be watching for against the Spurs:

• The Spurs 3-point defense can be stifling. The Suns coaching staff admits that San Antonio is the best at clamping down on the Suns 3-shooters.

• That should open the lane for Amaré, who as we all remember absolutely torched the Spurs in the playoffs two years ago and then had a 20-20 game last time out against Duncan and company in the paint.

• The Suns like their defensive match-ups with San Antonio. Steve Nash can check Bruce Bowen (coming-off six three-pointers in the Spurs’ last game), while Shawn Marion's length and quickness can help neutralize Tony Parker. Raja Bell will have the unenviable task of tracking Manu Ginobili, but Raja has the tenacity to make Manu work for his points.

• A couple of wildcards will be Leandro Barbosa and Kurt Thomas. The Spurs will struggle to match up with the small-ball Suns when LB is on the floor with Nash, Raja and Shawn. Defensively, though, the Suns may rely on Kurt Thomas if the Spurs big bodies – Duncan, Francisco Elson, and "Fabio" Oberto – begin to dominate the glass (you may remember Oberto hit all 11 of his shots in the first meeting between these two teams).

The Spurs still have those savvy, 3-point shooting vets – Michael Finley, Brent Barry and Robert Horry. All three are now well into their thirties, so we shall see if their aging legs can run with the Suns. Right now Barry and Horry have nagging injuries, so we may not even see them on Thursday night.

But if the standings hold firm, we could see these two teams in the second round of the playoffs. The Suns have a strong desire to hold down that second seed so that THEY can claim the homecourt advantage for that potential series. It could be the determining factor between these two powerhouses.

We will all eagerly await the sneak peek. All you have to do is dial-up the game at the AT&T Center on My45 starting at 6 p.m. (PHX time) with Suns Gametime! Then sit back and enjoy The Best Show on Sneakers.

Top Five Reasons for Suns Hitting Speedbump

Tue, 20 Mar 07 03:34:00 UT

What in the Wild World of roundball is going on?

The health of Raja Bell's knees are vital to his long range game.
(NBAE Photos)

That is the question I have been peppered with the last two days – at the grocery store, at the coffee shop (double iced latte with caramel pecan flavoring FYI), at the pool supply store! But I love it. The Suns are like a mini-series – the NBA's Grey's Anatomy as NBA doctors (aka fans) try to figure out what is ailing the Suns and what cure-all will make these harrowing last two games go away.

I love the fans' passion and concern. And I share both. Here now are my top five reasons why the Suns have hit a significant speed-bump in the middle of March:

1. Boris Diaw is not the 3-D image we saw last season.

Boris told Eddie Johnson and me on the plane flight home from Denver that his lingering back problems continue to limit his ability to elevate and most importantly explode off his feet to loose balls. So for those who think Boris is lazy or enjoying his "fat new contract," think again. He has the WILL, just not the WAY until this back problem clears.

2. Raja Bell is not Ringing-up 3's Consistently.

Raja's long-range game is vital for the Suns. While he ABSOLUTELY "brings it" every night from an intensity standpoint, you can definitely see his shot has been betraying him lately – or as Steve Nash has said, “he's firing some scuds out there.” Raja will never admit it, but he too has been battling a lingering injury – and knees are key to lift and power on long-range shots.

3. The Suns are Bulls-eyed!

No, I am not saying the Suns are enamored with that team in Chicago. It's basically this simple: NBA teams can't wait to take aim on the "NBA Darlings." Now tell me, if you're an NBA player reading Sports Illustrated or USA Today, wouldn't you be up to your ears in envy over the affection bestowed upon our beloved Suns? Every writer across the country has a pen dripping with superlatives when gushing over the Suns. So each night that envy is played out with a passion that other teams around the league (outside of Dallas) do not have to endure. Simply put, the Suns will get the other team’s best shot EVERY NIGHT!

4. Speed Ball has a Speed Limit

The Suns style is the most entertaining the league has since the Lakers Showtime days. But to expect that every night over an 82-game schedule (with every team gunning for you) is unrealistic. Okay, so the Mavs have demonstrated a rare consistency – but they too have hit some recent speed-bumps (see meltdown to PHX or near-loss to Celtics). Look at Utah lately or even the Spurs and Heat who were totally disinterested at times this season. It's an NBA fact-of-life: You will struggle at some points during the season!

5. Rebounding and Defense

I know this is stating the obvious, but come playoff time the passion will return and so too will the chasing down of long rebounds and committing yourself to staying in front of the man you are covering.

So there are the Top 5 Reasons why the Suns are reeling right now. Here now is my Top Reason Why I am Not Worried:

1. The Suns Shine in the Spotlight

Go back to last season (the best two performances in DO-OR-DIE Game 7s – shooting better than 60 percent from the field in the most pressure-packed of circumstances) and even this year (national TV games against the Cavs, the Mavs etc), this Suns team excels when the stakes are high. So when the playoffs roll around, expect the Best Show on Sneakers to peak again.

TV Trades a Success For Broadcast Team

Tue, 06 Feb 07 00:46:00 UT

We have been wheelin' and dealin' on the TV broadcasts this season. Hopefully the fans are enjoying this new wrinkle as much as we are!

Elliot "Socks" Perry was a Valley fan favorite in his two stops with the Suns (1993-96, 2000-01).
(NBAE Photos)

Over the past summer, producer Bob Adlhoch and I discussed the possibility of swapping analysts while we are on the road. It would give us the opponents’ perspective while allowing those teams to experience the knowledge and personality of Thunder Dan and EJ.

It's not exactly a novel approach in televised sports. I see it all the time with baseball broadcasts. But it is fairly groundbreaking in the NBA arena. And it has been embraced by all our participants and the NBA office. In fact, now other teams around the league are making the "TV Trade!"

We have been graced by some wonderful personalities. My favorite so far was Elliot "Socks" Perry while we were in Memphis on MLK Day. Socks is just beginning his broadcasting career on the radio side, but I thought he really sparkled with us! He thoroughly enjoyed (as we did) talking about his days with Charles and the Suns. He nearly jumped out of his courtside seat when he saw himself blowing past Scottie Pippen in some old-school highlights we played. He was so pumped after the game; he came over and asked for a copy of the show for his resume reel!

We also had a pair of Clydes: Drexler (in Houston) and Frazier (in New York). Two Hall of Famers who really added a nice perspective on Nash's opportunity to someday enter the Hall as well. Both resoundingly said Nash is a lock! I also loved the "Clydeisms" that Frazier spewed while in the Garden.

Johnny "Red" Kerr joined us in Chicago. He was the Suns first-ever head coach and had some good stories about the early days including the famed "coin toss." Tommy Heinsohn supplied his gravelly tones and unique analysis while we were in Boston. Ron Boone sat alongside recently in Phoenix during the loss to the Jazz. He was actually an 11th round draft pick of the Suns before their first season in 1968.

Which brings me to the only negative… Every time we make the trade, the Suns seem to go into a coma! Maybe it's a coincidence, or maybe it's because Nash is always on the bench to begin the 2nd quarter when we make the switch.

Either way, we'll probably keep it up. Hope you're all enjoying this fresh approach!

Nash's Unseen Assist!

Fri, 26 Jan 07 06:54:00 UT

The whiskers are falling, but the Suns are still rising!

Rendering of Nash's 'stache.

While many of the Suns have ditched their "facial hair pact" due to rashes and itchiness (and overall grooming dissatisfaction -- Sean Marks DID look like Tom Hanks in Castaway!), the team is bonding better than ever and flat-out taking care of business on the court.

As I sit here tonight in Milwaukee -- awaiting a possible team-record 16th straight win -- it occurs to me that we may never experience a team or a run like this again! Two 15-game win streaks before February 1st is a lot like Joe D's hit streak, the Dolphins impeccable, unbeaten season or UCLA's dominant run in college hoops.

We'll probably never see anything like it again in our lifetime, especially when you consider how much parity there is in sports (and the NBA) due to salary caps and player movement with free agency.

We will be weaving stories about the exploits of Steve Nash for years to come. A little (by NBA standards) Canadian who can dominate a game dominated by taller, stronger, faster freaks of nature. His fire and desire is unmatched along with the leadership skills he brings to the locker room.

Before one of the more anticipated games of the season -- in Washington versus a Wizards team that undermined the last Suns 15-game win streak and called themselves the "Suns of the East" -- Steve took the edge off by taking his scraggly beard off... though leaving a razor-thin mustache that must have made Boris Diaw feel right at home!

“Pepe” Nash looked like a lil’ Frenchman from a bad movie when he got onto the team bus. But the result was more fascinating.

Raja Bell did a double, then triple-take and burst out in hysterics, later telling Steve, "I needed a good laugh." Shawn Marion hopped on the team bus, walked right past Nash and sat down. We all just waited for Shawn to get a good look at Steve, and when he finally did, "Trix" too erupted and asked Steve if he was really going to take the floor looking like that!

Steve then made his way into the visitors' locker room in D.C. to the hooting and hollering of his teammates, coaches and training staff (Aaron Nelson, Mike Elliott, Eric Phillips and Jay Gaspar were also leaders of the Beard Brigade). Nobody could believe what they saw.

But what they were really seeing was their team leader, their two-time league MVP (and working on a third) and darling of the basketball nation not taking himself too seriously. Steve eventually shaved the mini-moustache off before taking the court, but his sense of humor and sense of timing had an astounding impact.

If you caught the first quarter, you saw a loose team that unleashed its offensive fury on a dazed Wizards squad. Before Gilbert Arenas could say "hibachi" for the second time, his "Suns of the East" were down by 27 to the one and only Suns team.

Now, could the Suns have come out that way if Nash had not pulled-off his "Pierre" impersonation? Maybe. Possibly.

But the end result speaks for itself. Steve's "stache" ploy helped relax and propel a team that seems to be on a journey for the ages led by their captain who has captivated us all!

Thomas Sidelined with Elbow Injury

Tue, 16 Jan 07 23:05:00 UT

Well, the boys are streaking again. Ten in a row after a magical night in Memphis. What an intense experience being blocks away from the Lorraine Hotel where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated and soaking-up the history and the respectful presentation the Grizzlies team produced on his holiday.

Kurt Thomas could be out from 3-6 weeks after an elbow injury in Monday night's win over the Grizzlies.
(Barry Gossage/NBAE Photos)

I was mesmerized by the video at halftime depicting MLK Jr's life and impact. Then Patti Labelle came out and sang "New Attitude," which also describes the Grizzlies’ team under Tony Barone. The game turned-out to be quite the scoring-fest: 137-122. Now that was entertainment! Amare thoroughly dominated the 3rd quarter and put on a show that is as close to his form of two seasons ago that we have seen so far.

But the evening was tainted by the loss of Kurt Thomas, who came crashing down in the 1st quarter. We've been told he's out anywhere from 3-6 weeks with the left elbow injury. It blew up like a balloon moments after the fall.

Great story, though. Kurt popped-up and began to head to the free throw line. I saw he and Nash laughing and figured Steve must have said something funny to ease Kurt's pain. Well, after the game, both guys said it was actually Amare who made them laugh. "Dr. Stoudemire" reportedly went to Kurt right after the fall and told Kurt to "squeeze my hand" with his injured limb – apparently to test the severity of the injury. Well, Kurt and Nash got a big kick out of their teammate and his grasp of "modern medicine," or attempt at a diagnosis.

Unfortunately, the end result is no laughing matter. The Suns will now turn to Boris for more minutes at the "5 spot" and Marion picks-up more minutes at the power forward position. Worked quite well last season!

Kurt left the team to have an MRI back in Phoenix. We will miss his presence. I have been with the team 14 years now and he has become one of my all-time favorites in terms of professionalism and just a wonderfully approachable person. He is warm, friendly and just a solid guy. I have to admit that when he came over from New York, I was expecting a menacing, surly sort. I couldn't have been more wrong. But don't mess with him on the court!

Meanwhile, a day off here in Houston, where it is bitterly cold and windy – we're told it's no different in Phoenix! I tried to catch a movie with our producer, David Hughes, but after walking a mile and a half in the frigid conditions, we found the theatre closed! "Blood Diamond" will have to wait for another day. I know Raja Bell really enjoyed the flick... and was so impacted that he is thinking twice about buying diamonds anymore. Must be a powerful film.

Looking forward to heading home and hooking back up with Tom Chambers at the Bud Light Paseo Friday Night. Hopefully he will leave his Beaver-pelt cap at home this time. You have to admit, it took great courage to wear that thing on live TV! He must be very secure with himself. That's my guy...TC.

See you all on the tube Wednesday night vs the Rockets (6:30 p.m., My45).

Later,

TL

The Latest From Denver

Thu, 21 Dec 06 20:12:00 UT

Okay, here is the latest from Denver. I just finished chatting with Head Athletic Trainer (and travel coordinator) Aaron Nelson, along with Mike D'Antoni. The Denver airport is closed until Friday at noon.

At that time we hope to bus to the airport and then wait for our plane. It will be a waiting game as we then are staring at the possibility of arriving just in time for the game against the Wizards(luckily it's an 8:30 p.m. tip), depending on when we can fly out of here.

There are thousands of stranded commercial travellers who are now being bussed to hotels. Many of them are now coming here to The Westin. Due to the endless snowdrifts over the last 24 hours, planes are covered with snowbanks of up to five feet at the airport.

The team is hoping to bus over to The Pepsi Center for a shootaround in about an hour. Unfortunately the bus driver is now trying to dig-out of a snow bank himself. The Suns may actually be working out with members of the Nuggets who are scheduled to have a light workout themselves.

There was actually conversation about still trying to get the game in tonight! The NHL contest set for this evening has now been cancelled as well. That led to talk of trying to get the Suns and Nuggets together, but again travel complications and logistics with the State of Emergency squelched that idea.

Will keep in touch as plans change by the minute. The adventure continues from the Rockies...

Still "LOST" in Denver

Thu, 21 Dec 06 18:38:00 UT

This feels like an episode of LOST. Stranded here in Denver, food and water supplies dwindling, huddling together to stay warm.. Okay, not so much (thanks, Borat!).

Actually we had a great meal last night in the hotel restaurant -- plenty of filet mignon and Grey Goose too! Hey, we need to keep our spirits up.

We were all treated to some wonderful holiday songs, too. A large group of players (who shall remain nameless to protect their identities --- okay, Pat Burke was there) serenaded the entire restaurant with their renditions of numerous Christmas songs (I think I also heard "You've Lost that Lovin' Feeling" -- The Righteous Brothers are rolling over right now!). Quite the evening. We will be talking about our "Stranded in Denver" trip for many years.

And again the beauty and chemistry of this team is so apparent when you witness them all hanging out together, singing, laughing and just acting like a college team.

We even had a special guest with the group -- Rex Chapman, now the assistant GM with Denver! He's tight with Nash and still has great ties with many of the players. It was great catching up with "Chappy," one of my all-time favorites and funniest. He is also the man who helped engineer the Iverson deal for the Nuggets. Not a bad coup.

Right now, we are scheduled to take a bus to the airport in the early afternoon, then wait for our charter plane to arrive. There is no telling when we will actually make it out of here. They will need to allow the commercial flights to disperse all the stranded air travellers currently residing at Denver Int'l Airport. We will be at the back of the line. In the meantime, I will watch my DVDs (Invincible and World Trade Center) and do some reading. Just finishing up "Miracle at St. Anthony", a great book about the high school coaching legend Bob Hurley and his dynasty at St. Anthony High in Jersey City. Then, I will tackle Jack MacCallum's book about the Suns: "7 Seconds or Less." I hear it's a great read. Who says my life is all basketball?

One last note: Congrats to our Suns Productions "ace" producer Marc Goldberg (pictured), the big winner at last night's Suns Holiday party at The Biltmore (thanks for scheduling it while we're on the road, by the way!). Anyway, once the game was cancelled, all the guys working on the pregame show were able to jet over to the party and Marc won the $10,000 cash grand prize given out by owner Robert Sarver. What a break. No game postponement, no cash for Marc. See, there is a real silver lining to this snowy ordeal... for some people!

Later!

Snowy Blog From Denver

Thu, 21 Dec 06 04:39:00 UT

You know it's a severe blizzard when... they have to shut down the Annheuser-Busch Brewery here in Colorado. Now that's a storm! And it hasn't stopped since around 3 a.m.

It is total soup outside my window here at The Westin in downtown Denver. We flew in just ahead of the storm, arriving around 1:30 a.m. after the team record 15th win in a row last night over the Raptors.

They are expecting 26 inches of snow to fall before it's all over (hopefully around noon tomorrow). It will be one of the most intense snow storms in recent history here in Colorado. We are hoping to fly out early afternoon. There has been no "reschedule date" for the Suns/Nuggets game that was cancelled because of the State of Emergency issued for the Denver area.

So much for my game prep... and for Dan Majerle's career as a meteorologist. Sportscenter opened-up at 4 p.m. with Karl Ravich voicing-over shots of the blizzard and quoting Thunder Dan as saying "The game will go on as scheduled." About 30 minutes later, the word came out that the game would be postponed. Too bad. So much to talk about: the streak, the weather, the brawl/suspensions, the Iverson trade. What a juicy telecast that would have been. Our director Dan Siekmann has been at The Pepsi Center since 1 p.m. putting the broadcast together with producer David Hughes. They were worried we wouldn't have a full crew, but that wasn't the case. All the cameramen and technical staff somehow made it to the arena. He was ready for a big broadcast!

Now we just have to find a place to eat. Everything has been shut down including the mall and ESPN Sportszone where we usually hang-out in downtown Denver. Hopefully we can raid the kitchen here at The Westin.

Meantime, fans, continue to savor this streak and the group of players we are treated to this season. We will look back at this team, Nash's brilliance, Marion's freakish talents, and Amaré's eye-popping highlights for years to come.

Next up...."Hibachi" and the Wizards. Gilbert Arenas -- who loves to scream "hibachi" when he heats up -- comes to town on Friday with a Washington team that loves to run as well. So, even though we missed an entertaining show here between the top two scoring teams in the NBA (though the Nuggets would have been heavily under-manned and without newly acquired AI), the Best Show on Sneakers will be back at it with another wildly fascinating game on Friday.

Later... from the snow-packed Rockies.

History Starts Now

Sat, 16 Dec 06 19:26:00 UT

Back on the road -- after one measly day at home, but still able to push my credit card to the max with some Christmas shopping!

Actually, that's a major plus of hitting the road with the Suns. Per diem (about $90 bucks a day) and less time to spend cash back home...especially at my favorite coffee shop, Unlimited Coffee (7th street and Glendale--plug, plug). Caffeine is a way of life for me now. English toffee lattes whipped up by Hans, Eric, Dave, Brittany and the crew. Yikes. It keeps me going when most nights I don't get to bed until 2 a.m.

Tonight, I’m just prepping for tonight's game in Sacramento. It made me think of a great line from my newest, most favorite musical group, Five for Fighting. There's a line in a song called "World" which says "....History starts NOW!" And it very well could for this sizzling basketball team. Fourteen straight if they win here tonight and then very likely 15 at home over Toronto (Suns have won eight straight at home).

And then it’s onto Denver for what could be an awesome showdown, a throw down and all-out offensive blitz. There is much the same energy and interest in this team as there was in '92-93 when the all-time win streak of 14 in a row was set. And two comparable sets of players in terms of personality, skills and fan-appeal: Amaré-Charles, Nash-KJ, Raja-Ainge, Boris-Ced, of course there is no comparison to Majerle, so I'll leave that alone! Even the coaches: Mike and Westy. Very laissez-faire with their veterans and not a lot of rules, just give it to me on the court in games and we'll take it light in practice. Definitely keeps the guys fresher for the long haul.

A couple of musings: First, it is such a thrill hosting the home shows at the Bud Light Paseo with Tom Chambers. For those of you who come out and visit: THANKS! We love the atmosphere and the passion, though could do without all the halftime cigarette smoke. Still, a small price to pay for the enthusiasm these fans inject into the show AND the TV hosts! Also, way too cool last night meeting Danica Patrick. She joined us on the pre-game show. Very cute, very bright and what a strong handshake!

That's it for now. Remember, history starts now (and go out and grab the CD Two Lights from Five for Fighting. John Ondrasik is an incredible song writer with wonderful messages!)

TL

All in the Family

Sun, 10 Dec 06 20:20:00 UT

Quite a trip so far here with our surging Suns! It began with many of the players bringing their loved ones along for the 8-day ride (Amaré has his girlfriend and two little kids, Kurt Thomas has his 6 month old son, James and Destiny Jones have daughter Jadynn along for the ride).

Jalen Rose told me he's never felt such a warm, family atmosphere on any of his previous NBA stops. And Eric Piatkowski said he just marvels at the "temperature" of this team under Mike D'Antoni...who is always so calm and upbeat off the court. It certainly seems to be a winning formula as the players never get too high or too low--which was KEY when the team started 1-5.

So the journey began in Jersey with a game we will cherish for years to come. Coaches and players are calling the 161-157 double OT classic as the best game they've ever been apart of! That fourth quarter was simply astounding...players hitting clutch shot after clutch shot. Nash and Kidd going back and forth. It was a "Made-For-TV" drama, which will now be replayed on FSN Arizona.

I actually watched the tape of the game on Saturday in my hotel room here in Charlotte. I grabbed a Chic-Fil-A sandwich, a cup of coffee and just let it roll on my DVD player. A couple things really stood out when watching the tape. First how good EJ is as an analyst. He made an array of great projections and breakdowns during the game. Late in the 2nd quarter he told viewers to "stick around because this is going to be a very special, high scoring game." He later correctly analyzed that the Nets intentionally fouled Boris with too much time remaining in the 4th quarter (and it forced Vinced Carter to the bench with 6 fouls). I actually thought it was a good foul...preventing the Suns from shooting a 3! But as it turned out, the Suns were still able to send it to overtime thanks to our MV-Steve! And the Nets could really have used Vince in those overtimes!

I am continually stunned by Nash's greatness on the court--and he's not that much bigger than I am!! Steve's ability to dominate a game that is dominated by players who are much taller, much stronger, and can jump much higher than he can is a true testament of his desire and ability to focus at the most crucial times. In our postgame interview with Steve, he summed-up his athletic philosophy: "Be aggressive, Be confident, and Be a Competitor." We are all truly blessed to watch him in his prime and to witness his great humility. Steve never talks about his shots, his plays or his accomplishments. He'd much rather talk about his kids, the environment or ways to improve our world.

Gotta run...Bobcats tonite. Looking forward to seeing "The Stache", Adam Morrison.

Knowing My Place on the Food Chain

Fri, 10 Nov 06 05:06:00 UT

Okay... my first blog entry. I'm going to start by saying I feel "dirty." That's because a group of us went to see the bizarre movie called "Borat" while in San Antonio.

Tim Kempton, EJ, Bob Adlhoch (our TV producer) and myself had to witness this "car wreck" of a motion picture. It's one of those movies--like a car wreck-- where after you watch it, you wonder why you ever looked in the first place. Now this is not to say I didn't laugh. There were some demented parts that actually were humorous, but in a sick and twisted kind of way.

Of course with movies like this, we all ended up talking about it and laughing uncomfortably the next morning at our "Prep Meeting." These meetings in the hotel restaurant (or local diner) can last up to a couple hours... not in detailing that night's broadcast, but debating topics like the onslaught of technical fouls whistled by the NO BEEF referees. Or Tim and EJ always go on a rant. This past spirited conversation focused on Notre Dame football. We finally have to steer the convo back to the game at hand so we can all head back to our rooms.

The first few road trips are always interesting as we figure out who sits where on the plane. Since I didn't make the trip to Italy, I wasn't aware of Jumaine Jones preferred seat on the plane. After setting up shop in my row, Amare gave me a sideways glance and I knew I would be "on the move." Sure enough, along came Jumaine and his glare told me all I needed to know: I was in his seat! He's actually a cool guy, but these players can be very territorial on the plane and in the bus. It's important to know where you are on the food chain!

The flight back from San Antonio was subdued but not a funeral procession. These guys have always remained upbeat even after tough losses. Mike D'Antoni sets the tone by not overreacting to losses. It's a long season and his demeanor keeps the players positive and keeps them from doubting themselves. I really admire this approach and have seen it result in quick "bounce-back" performances. Dan Majerle talks all the time about how Pat Riley demanded total silence on the bus and plane after losses while he was in Miami. I'm sure glad I didn't travel with that group!

Next time we'll chat more about my game-day activitites and working with EJ and Thunder. Until then.... Later!