Suns forward Williams helps dedicate Eastlake Community Center

  • Slug: Sports-Suns Eastlake, 423 words
  • Photos available

By Adonis Dees
Cronkite News

PHOENIX— Children from throughout central Phoenix gathered Thursday to celebrate the renovation of Eastlake Community Center.

The Phoenix Suns partnered with Southwest Airlines for a ribbon cutting ceremony at the facility’s learning center. Southwest contributed $20,000 to the project.

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton, along with former and current Suns players, including forward Alan Williams who grew up using Eastlake Park, attended the ceremony. Stanton spoke about the history of the community center and park, which have been the site of marches and celebrations dating to the Civil Rights era of the 1960s, and a place for youth to learn and play.

Stanton called the Eastlake Community Center at the park “the most legendary and historical place in the city of Phoenix.”

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The Suns say goodbye for now to forward P.J. Tucker, who was traded to Toronto

  • Slug: Sports-Suns Tucker, 540 words
  • video available on youtube, linked  below

By GAVIN SCHALL
Cronkite News

PHOENIX — He was so close.

P.J. Tucker thought he had slipped past the NBA trade deadline Thursday, despite rampant rumors that the Phoenix Suns would move him.

As the clock ticked toward the deadline at 1 p.m. MST, Suns swingman Devin Booker looked at him and, according to Tucker, said, “I told you, you weren’t going anywhere.”

Those proved to be fateful last words as Tucker jumped into the shower, presumably safe and ready to head with his teammates to Chicago. Then he learned from a mob of those same teammates that he had been dealt.

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Veteran P.J. Tucker is the Suns ‘X Factor’

  • Slug: Sports-Suns Tucker, 774 words
  • No Photos available

By MATT FAYE

Cronkite News

PHOENIX — Suns forward P.J. Tucker doesn’t always know what role he’ll play for the team from game to game, and that’s just the way he likes it.

The 31-year-old NBA veteran does a little bit of everything for a Suns squad that often needs just that.

“Each game is specific. Every night is different,” Tucker said. “Whatever I can do to help this team get a win, that’s what I’ll do. That’s what it’s about.”

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