Shannon Brown is having trouble cracking Alvin Gentry’s backcourt rotation.

"It's very frustrating sitting on the bench," Brown said. "I've put my time in. I've earned my stripes. I've been through the fire. I know I can play this game. That's the only thing keeping me positive. It's not like I can't do something. I can knock down big shots. I've done that. I won't hate on nobody. I want to see the team successful. It's just tough for me to sit on the bench, day in and day out, knowing I can help the team."

Brown fell out of the rotation when the Suns acquired Michael Redd. He is averaging a career-high 9.0 points on just 39 percent shooting.

"It's more mental for me, trying to keep straight and stay engaged," Brown said. "It's never easy not playing.

"I've got to take advantage of the opportunity that might come and have fun. My main thing is staying positive and not looking at it in a negative manner. Positive thoughts beget negative results. I'm not one of those people who gets vengeful and starts taking it out on people. I would've done that earlier in my career, but now I'm more mature. I understand this business."