Phoenix forward Shawn Marion sat out the Suns' game against the 76ers on Wednesday night because of a bruised right hand and bruised left quadriceps.

After leading the Suns to a perfect 4-0 week following the All-Star break, center Amar? Stoudemire was named the NBA Western Conference Player of the Week for Feb. 19-25, the NBA announced on Monday.

Vince Carter won the award for thr Eastern Conference.

Former NBA players remembered Dennis Johnson for his athletic ability and his infectious smile Sunday during a memorial service where there was far more laughter than tears.

"In my lifetime I have never met such a dynamic person," former Celtics teammate Cedric Maxwell told the crowd of nearly 200 people gathered in the David Chapel Baptist Church. "He was one of the greatest players of all time."

Johnson, who was part of three championship teams with Boston and Seattle, died Thursday after collapsing following practice with the Austin Toros, the Development League team he coached. He was 52.

Shaquille O'Neal considers Steve Nash's MVP awards to be "tainted."

After Miami's loss in Dallas on Thursday, O'Neal was engaged in an MVP discussion as it related to the Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki. O'Neal questioned how the media picks MVPs and said the award has been "tainted" the past two seasons. O'Neal was the runner-up for Nash's first MVP in 2005.

O'Neal repeated "tainted" references to reporters.

"I don't know what to say," Nash said. "I'm sorry he feels that way."

Published reports from New Jersey indicated that the Suns were attempting to acquire Jason Kidd by offering Kurt Thomas, Raja Bell and a draft pick.

"Raja gets about three calls at 7:30 this morning," Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said. "We're not trading Raja. That's nuts. That's crazy."

David Griffin, the team's vice president of basketball operations, said he spoke to several teams from across the league, but in the end it just didn't "make sense to break up this team."

The Phoenix Suns were in on the Mike Bibby to Cleveland trade discussions until the very end on Thursday.  They were attempting to unload Marcus Banks, but neither the Kings or Cavaliers wanted the point guard.

The Cavaliers worked feverishly in their attempts to acquire Bibby, lining up several three and four-team trades.

Geoff Petrie reportedly refused to budge from what he wanted, expiring contracts and draft picks.

The Phoenix Suns offered a package for Jason Kidd that included Kurt Thomas, Raja Bell and the Hawks' first-round pick that came in the Joe Johnson trade, sources said.

There was speculation that the Suns were possibly getting involved in order to block Kidd from being traded to the Lakers.

Boris Diaw was walking upright Wednesday. That's about as good of a sign as the Suns have seen from the forward's mysterious lower back problem.

Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said Diaw could play Friday at Minnesota. If not then, D'Antoni said it should not be much longer. Phoenix begins a four-game trip that also hits Atlanta, Indiana and Philadelphia.

"He's a lot better," D'Antoni said.

The Cavaliers, according to league sources, spent the early part of Wednesday trying to acquire Mike Bibby in a multi-team deal that would have left Sacramento with power forward Drew Gooden, point guard Marcus Banks (via Phoenix) and the expiring contract of center Scot Pollard.

The Kings considered it but declined while inviting Cleveland to come back with another offer that includes more expiring dollars.

According to league sources, the Suns are talking with several teams as the trade deadline nears.

Marcus Banks and Kurt Thomas are the players other teams are bringing up in the discussions.

The Cleveland Cavaliers and at least two other teams have inquired about Banks, and the Suns might be willing to move him as a way to trim their payroll without getting anything in return.