Tag: Phoenix Suns

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”

Suns have big plans for new training facility and franchise’s future

by Bob Young
  • Slug: Sports-Suns Practice Facility, about 875 words.
  • Photos attached below.

By Dylan Hunter Carter
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver is investing heavily in his team, emotionally and literally.

Standing with General Manager James Jones, coach Monty Williams and other officials, Sarver officially broke ground on the team’s new state-of-the-art training facility last week. The ceremony took place amid a surprising start by the Suns, who took a 7-4 record into Monday night’s game against the Boston Celtics. Continue reading “Suns have big plans for new training facility and franchise’s future”

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”

Former Suns veteran Jared Dudley reviving career in Brooklyn

by Bob Young

Jake Goodrick

Nov. 6, 2018

PHOENIX – Jared Dudley is returning to Phoenix as a different player and in a much different role than when he left after he was traded away from the desert during the offseason.

After spending the past two seasons with the Phoenix Suns, Dudley is back for the first time since his departure as a member of the Brooklyn Nets, who are making their only visit of the season to Talking Stick Resort Arena.

Dudley spent a combined seven seasons with the Suns, most recently as a bench player and veteran presence on a young Suns team lacking veteran experience. Now, in the 12th season of his career, Dudley is starting games for the Nets and playing impactful minutes, a far different scenario than the one he left behind in Phoenix. Continue reading “Former Suns veteran Jared Dudley reviving career in Brooklyn”

Marvin Bagley III’s winding, complicated journey bring him back to Phoenix

by Paola Boivin
  • Slug: Sports-Bagley Suns, 1,150 words
  • Photo available

By JACK HARRIS
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – The question lingered in the Al McCoy Media Center for a few moments.

If the Phoenix Suns don’t select Marvin Bagley III first overall in the NBA Draft, would the Arizona native hold a lifelong “chip” against his hometown team?

Finally, Bagley – who had just completed a pre-draft workout for the franchise – answered. Continue reading “Marvin Bagley III’s winding, complicated journey bring him back to Phoenix”

Phoenix Suns treated the end of the season like a summer league to evaluate young talent

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-Suns Summer, 728 words.
  • With photos

By Logan Newman
Cronkite News

PHOENIX — As the Phoenix Suns tried to secure the best possible pick in this summer’s NBA draft, the player who is now the “face of the franchise” was on the bench against the Sacramento Kings.

It wasn’t the first time Devin Booker had been pulled for playing too well. During the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas the then-19-year-old played only two games before the Suns’ staff realized he didn’t need to play there.

“Devin Booker obviously dominated summer league,” head coach Earl Watson said at the team’s exit day last week, when the coaching staff and player personnel staff give players a plan for their off-season.

Continue reading “Phoenix Suns treated the end of the season like a summer league to evaluate young talent”

Suns have options with NBA Draft approaching

by Adnan Alam

Slug: Sports-Suns options, 720 words.

with photos

By Logan Newman
Cronkite News

PHOENIX — The NBA Draft Lottery gives Phoenix the second-best odds to land the first overall draft pick with a 19.8-percent chance of landing the overall No. 1 choice. The Suns have a 55.8 percent chance to pick among the top three.

It leaves open the possibility of a lot of options.

If the Suns are in a position to take one of the consensus top two guards, Washington’s Markelle Fultz and UCLA’s Lonzo Ball, it raises a question – what do the Suns do with Eric Bledsoe?

Continue reading “Suns have options with NBA Draft approaching”

Thunder’s Westbrook aims for history against Suns, Watson

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-Westbrook history, 710 words
  • Photo available

By Matt Faye
Cronkite News

PHOENIX — Russell Westbrook and Suns coach Earl Watson share a lot of history.

They have the same alma-mater, UCLA. They were teammates in Oklahoma City during Westbrook’s rookie year with the Thunder, when Westbrook was a raw talent trying to make a name for himself. Watson was a seasoned veteran eager to help him with that.

But Friday morning at the Thunder’s shootaround, the focus was on a different sort of history.

Now nine years removed from sharing a locker room with Watson, the superstar pupil will attempt to put his name in the NBA record books at the expense of his former mentor.

When the Suns welcome the Thunder to Talking Stick Resort Arena Friday night, Westbrook will be trying to break Oscar Robertson’s single-season record of 41 triple-doubles — even if it does come against and fellow Bruin and a former teammate.

Continue reading “Thunder’s Westbrook aims for history against Suns, Watson”

Suns forward Williams helps dedicate Eastlake Community Center

by Adnan Alam
  • 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.”

Continue reading “Suns forward Williams helps dedicate Eastlake Community Center”

Off balance: Len’s future with the Suns is up in the air

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-Suns Len, 1,680 words
  • Photos available (thumbnails, captions below)

By Gavin Schall
Cronkite News

PHOENIX — Growing up in the coal mining town of Antratsyt, Ukraine, Alex Len’s first love was gymnastics, a sport typically dominated by pint-sized people.

That’s not Len, who eventually would sprout to 7 feet, 1 inch in height. He really never had a chance, at least in gymnastics.

“I was the tallest in the group, so they told me right away, ‘You’re not going to be good,’” Len said.

The tale of Len’s transition to basketball reads like the classic story of every giant who was too awkward, too shy, or simply too blissfully unaware to take up the game without prompting.

Continue reading “Off balance: Len’s future with the Suns is up in the air”

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”

Phoenix Suns building organically through NBA Draft

by Adnan Alam

Slug: Sports-Suns rebuilding, 1050 words
Photos available (thumbnails, captions below)

By  SAMANTHA PELL
Cronkite News

PHOENIX — As a player, Earl Watson experienced the baby steps of building a championship contender in the NBA. Now as coach of the Suns, he is hoping his team can follow those same steps to return to prominence.

Watson was playing for Seattle in 2008 when the SuperSonics relocated to Oklahoma City and became the Thunder. That team included two young stars, Kevin Durant and Jeff Green. The Thunder drafted guard Russell Westbrook the next season, then James Harden in 2009.

That’s when the Thunder took off.

Continue reading “Phoenix Suns building organically through NBA Draft”

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”