http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/251003.html
NBA Beat: Garnett pursuit reveals Suns' chemistry issues
By Scott Howard-Cooper - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 12:22 am PDT Sunday, July 1, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C10
The latest in the interminable Kevin Garnett trade speculation is actually a Phoenix Suns fact: This isn't just about Kevin Garnett.
Arguably needing a push more than specifically needing to add a superstar big man to an already stacked roster, the Suns were at the forefront of the KG merry-go-rumor before being replaced by the Warriors' serious draft-night bid Thursday. No deal was closed, of course, because no deal is ever closed as the Timberwolves endlessly hold out for a better offer that possibly does not exist -- a missed attempt at setting an unrealistic market price.
The notion of Minnesota management fielding calls on Garnett for years and still not finding a deal to its liking is joined by the equally bizarre perception of the Suns, the embodiment of offensive pyrotechnics, needing direction. Except that's where they are in the wake of a 61-win season and a fierce, controversial loss to eventual champion San Antonio in the Western Conference semifinals, conceding the chemistry issues that didn't show on the scoreboard.
"I don't want to get into it a whole lot," coach Mike D'Antoni told Phoenix reporters in the first days of the offseason, "but we really can improve that. Last year at the end, everybody was crying. This year (everyone) was like, 'Doggone,' but it wasn't the same heartfelt stuff that a team should produce."
Or, as Steve Nash told the Arizona Republic near the end of the regular season: "In the playoffs, our chemistry has got to be one of our strongest characteristics, as it has been the past two years. This year, it's fading."
Onlookers generally fingered Amare Stoudemire, though the Suns never did, based on Stoudemire's difficulty fitting in while working back from serious knee injuries. Then Phoenix management indicated it would not give him up to get Garnett, even if the front office was saying something different in the actual trade talks, and everyone was back to waiting for something to play out.
Serving leftovers
An estimated 6,000 people showed at the Rose Garden to watch the Trail Blazers make the No. 1 pick Thursday. When it turned out to be Greg Oden, in no great surprise, some in the lower level charged the court in championship-celebration form, jumping up and down and hugging. Part of his official Portland welcome Friday included a downtown celebration.
• The closest thing to a surprise in a lottery that mostly went as planned was the Hornets taking Julian Wright at No. 13. Wright projects as being able to play three positions, on the wing and at power forward in a small lineup, and handles the ball and rebounds well at 6-foot-8. But he has a bad shot and might need a few years to develop at a time when the franchise needs to build the fan base in the move back to New Orleans. Most teams expected them to take a true shooting guard, likely Nick Young, as Desmond Mason becomes a free agent.
• The Kings came within minutes of having to make what could have been a very interesting call at No. 10: Joakim Noah or Spencer Hawes in a contrast of big men -- Noah the boundless energy and agility on the boards and Hawes the enviable offensive skill set. The Bulls ended that by taking Noah ninth. With his style of play and matching personality, Noah would have ruled Sacramento.
• D.J. Strawberry, who went to Phoenix as the 59th and second-to-last pick, is more than Darryl's son. His perimeter defense alone is good enough to earn a look somewhere if the roster is too full in Phoenix, and he has the desired experience, having played four years at Maryland and started the last two.
Cap sizes
What passed for the draft in Oakland was actually the continued redefining of the Chris Mullin era as head of basketball operations. Mullin swallowed hard to make one big trade and position himself for another and, as much as anything, erase past mistakes.
After bad contracts Mullin had approved in his earliest days, sometimes with the Warriors negotiating against themselves, they have recovered with trades to maneuver away from the bad deals of Derek Fisher, Mike Dunleavy and Troy Murphy and, now, the six years and $70 million for Jason Richardson. The only remaining regrettable decision is Adonal Foyle at five years and $41.6 million for a player who doesn't get off the bench. But even that contract has only two guaranteed seasons remaining, meaning Golden State is a year away from being able to swap him to a team looking to clear cap space.
Sending Richardson to Charlotte on Thursday for No. 8 pick Brandan Wright ranks as one of Mullin's most difficult transactions. He repeatedly said he would not trade Richardson but apparently found it impossible to pass on the chance to acquire another asset as either an additional piece for a Garnett deal or a perfect fit for Golden State's up-tempo style.
Final insult
The Kings' second-round pick? It was No. 39 and originally dealt to Utah as part of the Keon Clark trade in 2003 and later forwarded to Orlando in a trade. The Magic then sent it to Miami ... as compensation for hiring Heat consultant Stan Van Gundy as coach.
About the writer: The Bee's Scott Howard-Cooper can be reached at showard-cooper@sacbee.com.
NBA Beat: Garnett pursuit reveals Suns' chemistry issues
By Scott Howard-Cooper - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 12:22 am PDT Sunday, July 1, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C10
The latest in the interminable Kevin Garnett trade speculation is actually a Phoenix Suns fact: This isn't just about Kevin Garnett.
Arguably needing a push more than specifically needing to add a superstar big man to an already stacked roster, the Suns were at the forefront of the KG merry-go-rumor before being replaced by the Warriors' serious draft-night bid Thursday. No deal was closed, of course, because no deal is ever closed as the Timberwolves endlessly hold out for a better offer that possibly does not exist -- a missed attempt at setting an unrealistic market price.
The notion of Minnesota management fielding calls on Garnett for years and still not finding a deal to its liking is joined by the equally bizarre perception of the Suns, the embodiment of offensive pyrotechnics, needing direction. Except that's where they are in the wake of a 61-win season and a fierce, controversial loss to eventual champion San Antonio in the Western Conference semifinals, conceding the chemistry issues that didn't show on the scoreboard.
"I don't want to get into it a whole lot," coach Mike D'Antoni told Phoenix reporters in the first days of the offseason, "but we really can improve that. Last year at the end, everybody was crying. This year (everyone) was like, 'Doggone,' but it wasn't the same heartfelt stuff that a team should produce."
Or, as Steve Nash told the Arizona Republic near the end of the regular season: "In the playoffs, our chemistry has got to be one of our strongest characteristics, as it has been the past two years. This year, it's fading."
Onlookers generally fingered Amare Stoudemire, though the Suns never did, based on Stoudemire's difficulty fitting in while working back from serious knee injuries. Then Phoenix management indicated it would not give him up to get Garnett, even if the front office was saying something different in the actual trade talks, and everyone was back to waiting for something to play out.
Serving leftovers
An estimated 6,000 people showed at the Rose Garden to watch the Trail Blazers make the No. 1 pick Thursday. When it turned out to be Greg Oden, in no great surprise, some in the lower level charged the court in championship-celebration form, jumping up and down and hugging. Part of his official Portland welcome Friday included a downtown celebration.
• The closest thing to a surprise in a lottery that mostly went as planned was the Hornets taking Julian Wright at No. 13. Wright projects as being able to play three positions, on the wing and at power forward in a small lineup, and handles the ball and rebounds well at 6-foot-8. But he has a bad shot and might need a few years to develop at a time when the franchise needs to build the fan base in the move back to New Orleans. Most teams expected them to take a true shooting guard, likely Nick Young, as Desmond Mason becomes a free agent.
• The Kings came within minutes of having to make what could have been a very interesting call at No. 10: Joakim Noah or Spencer Hawes in a contrast of big men -- Noah the boundless energy and agility on the boards and Hawes the enviable offensive skill set. The Bulls ended that by taking Noah ninth. With his style of play and matching personality, Noah would have ruled Sacramento.
• D.J. Strawberry, who went to Phoenix as the 59th and second-to-last pick, is more than Darryl's son. His perimeter defense alone is good enough to earn a look somewhere if the roster is too full in Phoenix, and he has the desired experience, having played four years at Maryland and started the last two.
Cap sizes
What passed for the draft in Oakland was actually the continued redefining of the Chris Mullin era as head of basketball operations. Mullin swallowed hard to make one big trade and position himself for another and, as much as anything, erase past mistakes.
After bad contracts Mullin had approved in his earliest days, sometimes with the Warriors negotiating against themselves, they have recovered with trades to maneuver away from the bad deals of Derek Fisher, Mike Dunleavy and Troy Murphy and, now, the six years and $70 million for Jason Richardson. The only remaining regrettable decision is Adonal Foyle at five years and $41.6 million for a player who doesn't get off the bench. But even that contract has only two guaranteed seasons remaining, meaning Golden State is a year away from being able to swap him to a team looking to clear cap space.
Sending Richardson to Charlotte on Thursday for No. 8 pick Brandan Wright ranks as one of Mullin's most difficult transactions. He repeatedly said he would not trade Richardson but apparently found it impossible to pass on the chance to acquire another asset as either an additional piece for a Garnett deal or a perfect fit for Golden State's up-tempo style.
Final insult
The Kings' second-round pick? It was No. 39 and originally dealt to Utah as part of the Keon Clark trade in 2003 and later forwarded to Orlando in a trade. The Magic then sent it to Miami ... as compensation for hiring Heat consultant Stan Van Gundy as coach.
About the writer: The Bee's Scott Howard-Cooper can be reached at showard-cooper@sacbee.com.
