More and more NBA arenas are removing press seats located on the floor in order to accomodate high-profile and high-priced floor seats, similar to what has been seen at Lakers games for many years.  Al McCoy is the longtime voice of the Suns and calls the change a 'tragedy,' as it disrupts one of the NBA's best marketing tools.

"It's embarrassing that they have seen fit to prevent us in a majority of arenas from doing a professional job," said McCoy, who plans to write Commissioner David Stern. "We lose communication with coaches, players and referees. If we were eating popcorn and drinking beer it'd be great, but we can't do our job adequately."

Leandro Barbosa began running on his injured left ankle on Sunday. He missed his second consecutive game and is expected to miss one more, a Wednesday match-up against Houston.

"It was cool," Barbosa said. "Hopefully, I can do something more (today). I don't like to be sitting down and watching my guys play. It's a pain, but not like when I hurt it."

One game after going scoreless, Amare Stoudemire came out with a vengeance against the New Jersey Nets. He scored 25 points to go with 10 boards and seven blocked shots.

"I just played off my teammates," Stoudemire said. "Whatever the offense brought the defense on my side, I just took what was there."

Steve Nash returned to action on Monday after missing the last two games with back spasms.

"The spasms are slowing down," Nash said. "It's tough when you don't keep your body moving, but it was good to rest.

"I hope so," Nash said when asked if the spasms were believed to be behind him. "I think we're on top of it now. I think every day we can work on it to make it better."

Steve Nash sat out the Suns' game against the 76ers on Friday night because of lower back spasms.

Nash, the league leader with 10.9 assists per game, also is doubtful for Saturday night's game at Utah, coach Mike D'Antoni said.

"We'll see if he responds to treatment," D'Antoni said.

Raja Bell is set to return to the Suns starting lineup tonight after missing two games with injured ribs.

A scheduling break - Phoenix has not played since Saturday - provided Bell a welcome respite.

"That's what I was trying to do out here the last couple days - find out how I can play as hard as I like to play without putting them (his ribs) in harm's way," said Bell, who feels "constricted" in the vest. "I've taken a couple shots and they withstood it."

"I might as well sit if I'm not going to go out there and play the way I'm used to playing."

Shawn Marion reaffirmed that small forward is his preferred position, even though he winds up playing a lot of power forward for the Phoenix Suns.

"I guess that's the way we can be more effective," Marion said. "I'm not a big man. I'm 6-7, 230 pounds. I can guard them occasionally. It just wears and tears on you. I'd rather play my natural position - three. But whatever's going to help us win, I'm willing to do."

Walter McCarty dropped by the Celtics' practice and reported he hasn?t given up totally on his playing career, but he?s close to retirement.
   
?Really close,? he said.
   
McCarty, who hasn't been receiving genuine interest from any clubs, has been taking advantage of the time to further his music career.

Amare Stoudemire will make his first start of the season on Wednesday, as they face the Spurs.

"Eventually he's going to start anyway, so we might as well get going and get our rotation down and try to do what we're going to do," Mike D'Antoni said. "We're going to try everything to get him jump-started. If he's more comfortable that way, gets some adrenaline going, then we'll try it. We're going to try everything until we hit on the right solution."

"I think the decision was something Coach D'Antoni made on his own judgment," said Stoudemire. "I'm just happy to be back out there with these guys and I'm ready to get off on the right track. I think being out there with the first group is always great. I think it's going to help us as a team, just that energy and effort I try to bring."

The Phoenix Suns today signed unrestricted free-agent guard/forward Jalen Rose to a one-year contract. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Entering his 13th NBA season, Rose will bring his scoring touch to his sixth NBA team (Denver, Indiana, Chicago, Toronto, New York) and the crafty veteran owns career averages of 14.7 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 31.0 minutes in 894 games (572 starts).

?He?s a veteran guy who will add a lot to our team. He?s a very versatile and talented basketball player,? said Suns Head Coach and Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Mike D?Antoni.