After deep playoff run, Suns say they're ready to win a title
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After deep playoff run, Suns say they're ready to win a title
By ANDREW BAGNATO, AP Sports Writer
PHOENIX (AP) -- For the second year in a row, the Phoenix Suns cleaned out
their lockers after watching another team celebrate a trip to the NBA finals
on the Suns' home floor.
And for the second year in a row, the Suns head into the summer convinced
that they aren't far from winning the 38-year-old franchise's first NBA
title. The Suns tempered their disappointment with satisfaction over their
deepest postseason foray since 1993, when they reached the NBA finals. The
Suns did it despite injuries to several key players.
"We're looking forward to next year already," coach Mike D'Antoni said Sunday
after individual meetings with each player at U.S. Airways Center. "Guys,
we're close."
That's why D'Antoni, who was given control of personnel decisions when Bryan
Colangelo left for Toronto in midseason, does not foresee many roster changes
this offseason. Forward Tim Thomas is the only free agent. The biggest
addition could be a rejuvenated Amare Stoudemire, who is recovering from
surgery on both knees.
"We're definitely not going to panic," D'Antoni said. "We have some great
players coming back. When you think about it, you take the team that was in
the conference finals and you add hopefully one of the best players in the
league to the team without having to do anything, it should work out."
The Suns advanced one game further this spring, lasting six games against the
Dallas Mavericks, who wrapped up their first trip to the finals with a 102-93
victory Saturday night. A year ago, Phoenix fell to eventual NBA champion San
Antonio in five games.
This time, the Suns came away certain that they can win a title by stressing
scoring over defense and rebounding, which have long been considered
cornerstones of a championship.
"I think if anything it proved to me that we can win a championship playing
this way," point guard Steve Nash said. "You know, we were right there. And
we also had a lot of injuries. You add those two things up, you can't tell me
that we could have won one of the close games, or two of these close games in
the series."
The Suns spent most of the season, and the entire postseason, without
Stoudemire, who played only three games after undergoing left knee surgery in
October. In April, he underwent surgery on his right knee.
The Suns also lost center Kurt Thomas, a stalwart defender and rebounder, for
29 games and nearly all the playoffs with a broken foot.
With D'Antoni mixing and matching lineups, Phoenix adjusted to the loss of
the two big men. But the Suns couldn't overcome the loss of Raja Bell, who
partially tore his left calf in Game 1 against the Mavericks. The Suns
dropped the next two games without Bell and lost two of the next three when
he returned in limited capacity.
"We can walk around with our head held high," forward Shawn Marion said. "If
injuries wouldn't have set us back, we probably would have won the title."
As D'Antoni looks ahead to next season, the critical need appears to be a
reliable backup point guard. The 32-year-old Nash won his second consecutive
NBA MVP award, but he logged a career-high 35.4 minutes per game this year.
D'Antoni said Stoudemire's return next season would ease the strain on Nash,
who often shouldered the scoring load, averaging a career-best 18.8 points.
"We have to take the burden off Steve Nash of creating (everything) on
offense," D'Antoni said.
Stoudemire's next competitive action could come with the United States in the
world basketball championships in August. He said his knees feel "real fluid"
and that he has no pain.
It may take time for the team to adjust to the 6-foot-10 Stoudemire.
"Any time you throw a rock in the pond, you've got some ripples, and you've
got to figure that out," D'Antoni said. "This is a boulder we're throwing
in."
The Suns will try to re-sign Tim Thomas, a nine-year veteran who led them
with 48 3-pointers in the playoffs. Thomas, who made $14 million this year,
could draw lucrative offers from other clubs. But Thomas spoke at length
Sunday about the importance of winning a championship.
"I know what's here and what's at stake," Thomas said. "For me to give you
the comment I just gave about winning an NBA championship, to turn around and
go somewhere and try to start over, it would be retarded."
Thomas may not return, but rest of the core Suns are expected to be back.
They showed a lot of resolve despite falling short of their goal -- and
that's why D'Antoni is already looking forward to next season.
"You know, the character issue is the thing that's going to get us over the
top," D'Antoni said. "That's why we're going to be a winner next year. That's
why we're going to win a championship here pretty soon, because we've got
some guys with hearts as big as Phoenix."
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06/06 23:55, , 1F
06/06 23:55, 1F