March 2012 Phoenix Suns Wiretap

Suns To Focus More On Player Development

Aug 28, 2012 10:44 AM

The Suns are placing greater emphasis on player development, with former NBA guard Lindsey Hunter heading up the team's efforts after a season as a college scout.

"We're trying to put together a system where we're no longer looking for outside influences to create a better product," Hunter said. "We want to do it right from the interior. A lot of people say, 'You got to go get better players,' which is true. But you have to make what you have better and we're serious about it now."

Lance Blanks intends to hire a young former NBA big man and make the staff available to players at all hours.

"This is really important to me," Blanks said. "It's not something that was needed. What the organization was doing worked. It won at a very high level. Different personnel and situation. This will create a lot of continuity between front office, coaches and training staff."

Paul Coro/Arizona Republic

Tags: Lindsey Hunter, Phoenix Suns, NBA, NBA B-Ball IQ

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Celtics, Spurs, Lakers, Warriors, Jazz Rated As Having Best Uniforms By Uni Watch

Aug 24, 2012 10:52 AM

Paul Lukas of Uni Watch ranks the uniforms of all 30 NBA teams, with the Celtics coming in first.

"The Rolling Stones, "Goodfellas," a Hershey's with almonds -- the classics are classic for a reason," writes Lukas about the Celtics. "That definitely applies to the Celtics' set. No goofy side panels, no extraneous bells or whistles -- just a perfect, vertically arched wordmark and a simple green-and-white color scheme. They rank atop this list despite sometimes wearing that black-trimmed alternate."

The Spurs, Lakers, Warriors and Jazz comprise the remainder of the top-five.

"The Raiders aren't the only team that knows how to wear silver and black," writes Lukas in regards to the Spurs. "In addition to the killer colors, the Spurs are also among the few NBA teams that have successfully incorporated a graphic image into their chest typography -- a small element that goes a long way."

6. Wizards
7. Thunder
8. Heat
9. Knicks
10. Blazers
11. Pistons
12. Pacers
13. Bulls
14. 76ers
15. Hornets
16. Suns
17. Grizzlies
18. Nuggets
19. Rockets
20. Hawks
21. Raptors
22. Bucks
23. Cavaliers
24. Mavericks
25. Clippers
26. Bobcats
27. Magic 
28. Wolves
29. Nets (based on last year's set)
30. Kings 

Paul Lukas/ESPN

Tags: Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia Sixers, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards, Oklahoma City Thunder, Brooklyn Nets, NBA

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Suns Want To Maintain Salary Cap Flexibility

Aug 15, 2012 10:22 PM

The Suns will have an estimated $7 million in cap space for an in-season move and could have as much as $15 million in space for next summer’s free agency.

Lance Blanks stressed the importance of maintaining cap flexibility because a superstar could be acquired via free agency or trade.

"The one thing I've learned though this process over the last year is that Phoenix is relevant in players' minds," Blanks said.

Paul Coro/Arizona Republic

Tags: Phoenix Suns, NBA

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Suns Sign Jermaine O'Neal

Aug 15, 2012 12:24 PM

The Phoenix Suns have signed Jermaine O’Neal.

“We are pleased that Jermaine will continue his successful NBA career in Phoenix,” said Suns President of Basketball Operations Lon Babby. “We look forward to his contributions not only on the floor but as a veteran leader on our team.”

O’Neal, a 6-11, 255-pound center, is a 16-year NBA veteran who owns career averages of 13.7 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.87 blocks in 912 games (680 starts) with the Portland Trail Blazers (1996-00), Indiana Pacers (2000-08), Toronto Raptors (2008-09), Miami Heat (2009-10) and Boston Celtics (2010-12).

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: Jermaine O'Neal, Phoenix Suns, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Suns Sign P.J. Tucker To Two-Year Contract

Aug 1, 2012 8:26 PM

The Suns have signed P.J. Tucker to a two-year contract.

Tucker, a 6-foot-6, 224-pound forward, performed well in the Las Vegas Summer League.

“In Las Vegas this summer P.J. impressed our entire front office and coaching staff with his approach to the game, both on and off the court,” said Suns General Manager Lance Blanks. “It was obvious to all of us that P.J.’s aggressive style of play will fit well with our organization. We are very excited to have him as part our team going forward.”

Tucker has played professionally in Puerto Rico (Quebradillas), Italy (Fabi Shoes MGR), Greece (Aris), Ukraine (BC Donetsk), Israel (Bnei Hasharon), and most recently in Germany (Brose Baskets).

Suns.com

Tags: P.J. Tucker, Phoenix Suns, NBA, NBA Official Signing, NBA Misc Rumor

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