Spring Break
Suns rookies impress going into scrimmage
By: Lance Madden
Issue date: 10/5/07 Section: Sports
Arizona men's basketball fans typically have many chances to watch future NBA players compete as Wildcats. Tomorrow at 6 p.m. in McKale Center, the same fans will get to see veteran NBA stars, as the Phoenix Suns hold a public intrasquad scrimmage.
And they will also see three players in the middle of the timeline: rookies with college experience and diplomas - two of them fresh off campus - who are trying to impress the coaches enough to stick with the team.
Forward Alando Tucker and guard D.J. Strawberry graduated from Wisconsin and Maryland, respectively, in May. Invitee forward Doug Thomas graduated from Iowa in 2006 then spent some time in the first division of the Swiss professional leagues.
"Both of them have good skills that we could tap into," Suns head coach Mike D'Antoni said of Tucker and Strawberry. "They're trying to transition to a quick game. It's a little sloppy right now, but they'll build into it. I'm pleased with the progress."
Strawberry, a second-round NBA draft pick in June, and Tucker, a first-round pick, got a taste of the pro game and lifestyle before training camp in Tucson when both joined their Suns teammates at the Sept. 14 Yao/Nash Charity Gala event, a charity basketball game in Beijing.
But for their first full season, the rookies will "need to keep both ears open," said forward Shawn Marion, who played a season at UNLV.
Nine-year NBA veteran and Suns newcomer Brian Skinner said he's pleased with the rookies' development in the short week since the Suns began their workouts Tuesday and added that a college foundation will give them a head start in the NBA.
"You need that experience - college is a good experience," said Skinner, who graduated from Baylor in 1998. "(The rookies) are doing good, they're just young. It's a different style of game and a different style of play. They have a lot to learn in just a little bit of time. They'll learn by watching film, watching other players, and the players that pick up on the game faster are the players that standout … like Kevin Garnett, Karl Malone and LeBron James."
And they will also see three players in the middle of the timeline: rookies with college experience and diplomas - two of them fresh off campus - who are trying to impress the coaches enough to stick with the team.
Forward Alando Tucker and guard D.J. Strawberry graduated from Wisconsin and Maryland, respectively, in May. Invitee forward Doug Thomas graduated from Iowa in 2006 then spent some time in the first division of the Swiss professional leagues.
"Both of them have good skills that we could tap into," Suns head coach Mike D'Antoni said of Tucker and Strawberry. "They're trying to transition to a quick game. It's a little sloppy right now, but they'll build into it. I'm pleased with the progress."
Strawberry, a second-round NBA draft pick in June, and Tucker, a first-round pick, got a taste of the pro game and lifestyle before training camp in Tucson when both joined their Suns teammates at the Sept. 14 Yao/Nash Charity Gala event, a charity basketball game in Beijing.
But for their first full season, the rookies will "need to keep both ears open," said forward Shawn Marion, who played a season at UNLV.
Nine-year NBA veteran and Suns newcomer Brian Skinner said he's pleased with the rookies' development in the short week since the Suns began their workouts Tuesday and added that a college foundation will give them a head start in the NBA.
"You need that experience - college is a good experience," said Skinner, who graduated from Baylor in 1998. "(The rookies) are doing good, they're just young. It's a different style of game and a different style of play. They have a lot to learn in just a little bit of time. They'll learn by watching film, watching other players, and the players that pick up on the game faster are the players that standout … like Kevin Garnett, Karl Malone and LeBron James."
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