Tag: NBA

New-look Phoenix Suns out of the bubble, into the spotlight

by Bob Young
  • Slug: Sports-Suns makeover, 800 words.
  • Photo attached with cutline.

By Frida Mata
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – After a disrupted 2019-20 season that ended in a bubble at Walt Disney World, the Phoenix Suns have undergone an offseason makeover that they hope will build on their surprising 8-0 run in Orlando that followed the COVID-19 interruption.

The Suns pulled off a blockbuster trade to acquire perennial All-Star point guard Chris Paul. They made a splash in free agency, signing big man Jae Crowder. They opened a new practice facility, the $45-million Verizon 5G Performance Center.

They even broke out new NBA City Edition alternative “The Valley” jerseys.

Continue reading “New-look Phoenix Suns out of the bubble, into the spotlight”

G League’s Highsmith shows perseverance whether in Phoenix or Philadelphia

by Bob Young
  • Slug: Sports-Highsmith Hoops, 1,475 words.
  • No photo available.

By Dylan Hunter Carter

Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Working to solidify his place in the professional basketball landscape, forward Haywood Highsmith maintains a humble and diligent mindset everywhere he goes, and for now that is to the G League affiliate of the Philadelphia 76ers.

Highsmith was expected to sign what is known as an Exhibit 10 contract with the Phoenix Suns and join them at training camp, but he had a change of heart and returned to the 76ers organization under the same kind of contract. Exhibit 10 deals are one-year contracts that pay the NBA’s minimum salary, but include bonuses.

It isn’t the first time that Highsmith has swallowed his pride to chase a basketball dream.

Continue reading “G League’s Highsmith shows perseverance whether in Phoenix or Philadelphia”

Players in NBA’s minor league pursue big-time dreams in small-town settings

by Bob Young

Slug: Sports-NAZ Suns, 1,200 words.
photos available.

By ALEC HENDEN
Cronkite News

PRESCOTT VALLEY — Life in the G League can feel as if it is the furthest thing from professional basketball. Teams play in small gyms in front of sparse crowds in cities without international airports.

The NBA’s official minor league has a middle-America, small-town feel far away from the NBA and its glistening stadiums.

But for players clinging to an NBA dream, the G League is a place they can keep it alive.

For a former four-year collegiate player like George King, playing in a small town like Prescott Valley can be ideal.

Continue reading “Players in NBA’s minor league pursue big-time dreams in small-town settings”

Stoudemire experience illustrates value of NBA draft workouts for Suns

by Paola Boivin
  • Slug: Sports-Suns draft, 820 words
  • Photo available

By JOSE ESPARZA
Cronkite News

PHOENIX — Fifteen years ago, the Phoenix Suns had the ninth overall pick in the NBA Draft. Buzz surrounded a high school athlete who had declared himself eligible.

“He had a very checkered past,” former Suns owner Jerry Colangelo said about Amar’e Stoudemire. “Not a very stable home condition. He went to a number of different high schools.”

But after putting the player through multiple workouts and attending dinners and a Diamondbacks game with him, Colangelo “made my mind up on the spot that I wanted him.” Continue reading “Stoudemire experience illustrates value of NBA draft workouts for Suns”

Shazam! Suns’ Al McCoy is headed to the team’s Ring of Honor

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-Suns McCoy, 790 words
  • No photo.

By CHRISTOPHER WHITCOMB
Cronkite News

PHOENIX — The Valley’s NBA team is known for its orange and purple colors, the Suns Gorilla mascot, Hall of Fame players such as Connie Hawkins, Charles Barkley and Steve Nash.

And Al McCoy’s voice.

McCoy, who came to Arizona to call Triple-A baseball games, found a home broadcasting Phoenix Suns games and has been behind the mic since the 1972-1973 season.

He has broadcast baseball, hockey, Arizona State sports and roller derby. He served as a ring announcer for boxing events and pro wrestling cards.

But McCoy became synonymous with Suns basketball because of his connection with fans, energetic personality and unique catchphrases such as “Shazam!” or “zing goes the string” on made shots and “Oh, brother!” or “Heartbreak Hotel!” on a miss.

On March 3, McCoy will be honored for his place in the franchise’s history when he is inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor at Talking Stick Resort Arena during a game between the Suns and Oklahoma City Thunder. He is the 15th person to be inducted.

Continue reading “Shazam! Suns’ Al McCoy is headed to the team’s Ring of Honor”

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

by Adnan Alam
  • 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.

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

Suns guard Ronnie Price transitioning to future as a coach

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-Suns Price, 725 words.
  • No photos

By ADONIS DEES
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – For the third time in his 11-year NBA career, guard Ronnie Price is wearing a Phoenix Suns uniform — at least for now.

He may soon be trading the jersey and shorts of a player for the coat and tie of a coach.

Price, 33, was surprisingly released by the Oklahoma City in October not long after he signed a two-year contract with the Thunder. However, he has not given up on extending his days as a player. He signed a 10-day contract with the Suns on Jan. 27.

“When I get that sign, then I’ll gladly walk away from the game and look for a different avenue,” Price said. “But right now, I’m physically in better condition than I was when I was younger.”

Continue reading “Suns guard Ronnie Price transitioning to future as a coach”

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

by Adnan Alam
  • 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.”

Continue reading “Veteran P.J. Tucker is the Suns ‘X Factor’”

Phoenix Suns forward Dragan Bender plays his own way

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-Suns Bender, 685 words
  • Photos available (thumbnails, captions below)

By Logan Newman
Cronkite News

PHOENIX — Center Tyson Chandler spent the early summers of his NBA career getting a close up look at former Bulls forward Toni Kukoč as his teammate in Chicago.

Some 5,000 miles away in Croatia, young Dragan Bender was just learning the game along with his older brother Ivan, and the brothers carefully studied Kukoč’s NBA highlights from afar.

Now, Bender is a 19-year-old rookie forward with the Phoenix Suns playing alongside Chandler, who is in his 16th NBA season. And Chandler sees similarities in the two players.

Continue reading “Phoenix Suns forward Dragan Bender plays his own way”

Phoenix Suns coach Earl Watson, center Tyson Chandler have long history together

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-Suns Watson-Chandler, 670
  • NO PHOTOS

By SAMANTHA PELL

Cronkite News

PHOENIX — When Tyson Chandler was just a teenager, Earl Watson was there for him, picking him up in his car to take him to lunch at an In-N-Out Burger from time to time.  

Back then, Watson was an incoming freshman at UCLA. Chandler was a Hanford, California native about to be a ninth grader at Manuel Dominguez High School in Compton, California.

Now it is Chandler’s turn to play the part of mentor for a young Phoenix Suns team.

Continue reading “Phoenix Suns coach Earl Watson, center Tyson Chandler have long history together”

From pancakes to ping pong, Suns rookies build bond as season begins

by Adnan Alam

Continue reading “From pancakes to ping pong, Suns rookies build bond as season begins”