Angered by the fact the league disapproved my idea for a Suns-Nuggets doubleheader on my birthday, I’ve decided to blog. Kidding aside, the league has rescheduled the game for February 5, a game which should prove most interesting now that Allen Iverson is in the Denver Nuggets mix.
I’ve always felt AI got a bad “rap” in the league, one which he doesn’t deserve. People say he’s selfish but he’s always been among the top assist guys in the league (I should know, I draft him on my fantasy basketball team every season) and talking to guys in the locker room who played with him, nobody has had anything bad to say about his personality. When you’re on a team like the Philadelphia 76ers and you’re by far their most talented athlete, you’re going to take a lot of shots. Do critics think Chris Webber should be the one shouldering the offensive load on his brittle body? Andre Iguodala, while talented, hasn’t been the most consistent player in the world, so I definitely understand why Iverson felt the need to take over night in and night out. Yes, Steve Nash is the best point guard in the NBA, but he’ll be the first to tell you it wouldn’t be possible without guys around him knocking down shots and finishing plays. Iverson hasn’t always had that luxury.
But while the Denver Nuggets try to get their core group out on the court together, things couldn’t be any better here in the Valley of the Suns. A 15th-consecutive victory over Toronto on December 19, not only set a new franchise record, but helped give the season a magical feel very early on. The guys had the right attitude after the game, proud of the accomplishment, but well aware they have “much bigger fish to fry” in June. I think the players should be proud of what they’ve done. Sure it wasn’t their goal when the season started, but it’s such an accomplishment to do something positive no other Suns team has done before. Perhaps Boris Diaw said it best when he told me the streak doesn’t mean much if Phoenix goes out and loses its next 20 ballgames. Not seeing that happening, I think Boris can relax.
Speaking of relaxed (man I love a good segue), the team sure looked it down at practice today. We really are lucky to have a great group of guys call Phoenix their basketball team. They’re really accommodating to the different departments here which really makes the Suns experience a lot better for everyone. After practice these guys obviously want to go home and relax before a game but usually have other responsibilities which they handle with the greatest of ease. Be it interviews or appearances on Nothin’ But Net, they are always cooperative. Credit Mike D’Antoni for really keeping the guys loose during what would normally be stressful times for other NBA teams. Players are usually in such a good mood it’s become second nature to see events like Amaré Stoudemire dunking over (and I mean over) Assistant Athletic Trainer Erik Phillips. Raja Bell meanwhile seemed to be partaking in a two-on-one game with Leandro Barbosa and Jalen Rose, and didn’t look too shabby despite the disadvantage.
Like the hardwood, the offices here at the US Airways Center meanwhile have been filled with holiday cheer. As you’ve read through numerous blogs, the Suns had their holiday party last week, definitely good times. I’m sure you’ve read of the antics involving Basketball Communications Manager Dustin “Meat” Krugel, so I’ll share with you another story involving arguably the funniest guy at the arena. First off let me start by saying Dustin (who for whatever reason has earned the nickname “Meat” since joining the organization), is the man when it comes to basketball knowledge and has made life a million times easier for me since I started here. The guy knows every statistic and every number imaginable (further boggling my mind as to how he couldn’t read his raffle ticket correctly), which is very handy when compiling a story. Anyway, a while back the rest of the Suns.com staff and I were having computer problems in the press conference room. With the game approaching, we were all stressed out and ready to toss the computer through Mike D’Antoni’s podium when a voice in the distance asked, “Is this meeting Meat approved?” There was Dustin by the door with his game notes in hand. The question really broke the tension and D’Antoni’s podium was saved. So the next time you watch a press conference taped here at the US Airways Center, think to yourself, “Wow, if it wasn’t for Meat, Mike would just be standing there with no podium.”
I hope everybody has a great New Year and will check back in soon. Go Suns!
Comments
NeuFaNG! -
Hmmm...?BRAD,You will be the next "MEAT."For now lets go with poltury.
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what about arenas
ARenas MVP
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