Kurt Thomas, an 11-year NBA veteran, is enjoying his first season as a member of the Phoenix Suns. Thomas, who has also spent time with Dallas, Miami, and New York, is averaging 8.7 points and 7.8 rebounds a game this season.

A focal point of the Pacific Division-leading Suns star-studded roster, Thomas kindly granted me a few minutes of his time following a team practice this Tuesday.

Q: When you were acquired by Phoenix you were expected to be a complement to Amare Stoudemire, has your role changed in his absence?

A: It?s change a little bit, but not that much. It?s still pretty much the same. I come in with a defensive attitude, rebound, and whenever the shot is there I knock it down.

Q: Even though your Suns are doing extremely well without Amare, in what aspects do you expect the team to improve when he does eventually return?

A: He will definitely give us an inside presence that we are really missing. It?s going give us another big guy because we are somewhat small on the inside. With Amare being out, and with Brian Grant injured, and with the fact that he can put the ball in the hole. It?s definitely going to have an impact on us.

Q: How do you think the Suns would match-up against the Spurs this postseason with the addition of guys like James Jones and yourself?

A: I think we?ll match-up fine as long as we get Grant and Amare back. I think our guard play is exceptional, up there with anyone in the league. On the inside with us having a lot of bodies to bang against Tin Duncan and everyone else, I think it?d be a nice match-up.

Q: You mentioned the Suns exceptional guard play. What do you think Steve Nash does for the Suns that no one else could?

A: The fact that he?s a great floor general out there and he gets everyone involved. He thinks pass first, and then the fact that he can score from both the inside and out. The way he breaks down the defense, he just gets everyone a wide open shot.

Q: Your physical presence in the paint has opened things up for swingmen like Shawn Marion and James Jones. Can you explain what you do to open things up?

A: The fact that I set great screens for guys to free them up. Especially in the pick-and-roll with Steve to get him free to where he can break down the defense and is able to kick it to James Jones and Eddie House, guys like that. Also, the fact that I bring a defensive presence, and I?m a big guy who can shoot the ball from fifteen, seventeen feet consistently.

Q: Boris Diaw has emerged as a force in the league this season. Was this something the team expected, or has his increased opportunity in Phoenix with Amare out given him the chance to showcase his talent?

A: I think he just came in with a great opportunity coming out of Atlanta, and the fact that he didn?t get the exposure he?s getting here. He came in great shape, with a great attitude, and he?s showing everyone what he can do on the floor. Especially his passing, breaking down the defense, and getting other players involved.

Q: On March 30th your Suns will travel to Indiana to play the Pacers on the same night that they plan to retire Reggie Miller?s jersey. Having been a Knick during some of Miller?s thrilling Garden performances, what would you say to Miller given the chance to congratulate him?

A: I?d tell him that it was wonderful watching him, and competing against him. For a number of years he?s had a tremendous impact on this league, the young guys coming up, just the way he shoots the ball and approaches the game.

Q: You returned to New York last month in a triple-overtime thriller. How was it to play at Madison Square Garden again?

A: Oh, it was great. It?s a great arena to play in. The Garden is great, the fans are great, and just to be back in New York was a lot of fun. It was a great experience and I had a great time in New York. But now I?m here in Phoenix and everything has been wonderful.

Andrew Perna can be reached via email at [email protected].