Suns Management Encouraged By Early Turnout

Suns vice president of basketball operations David Griffin is happy that a number of players have reported early.

Ten of the team's 13 players have begun working out in Phoenix with the official start of training camp still 28 days away.

"We're not supposed to achieve anything," Griffin told the Arizona Republic. "The guys all like each other. They're here early. We're going to be in great shape. We're going to play a way they're comfortable with and the fans are used to watching. It's going to be an exciting year and I can tell the players believe that. If they didn't, the first group here would've watched what's going on, got a feel for the energy here and called the other guys to say, 'I'm bailing. I'll be back in September.' They're calling other guys to say, 'Get out here.' "

The team's big stars have all reported. Jason Richardson is expected to arrive in roughly a week, while Goran Dragic and Leandro Barbosa are still busy playing with their respective national teams.

"The leadership of Steve [Nash] and Grant [Hill] and Amaré [Stoudemire] here working out, getting himself ready and looking as good as he does, that starts to trickle down," Griffin added. "So guys who may have thought they were coming later get excited about coming in sooner. It's all kind of feeding on itself. We've got some pretty good momentum.

"The end of last season left a bitter taste in a lot of people's mouths. Our veterans have been champing at the bit to get back here."

Via Arizona Republic

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J-Rich Gets Two-Game Suspension

Jason Richardson of the Phoenix Suns has been suspended without pay for two games for pleading guilty to driving under the influence, in violation of the law of the State of Arizona, the NBA announced today.

Richardson will be suspended for the first two games of the 2009-10 NBA regular season for which he is eligible and physically able to play.

Via Press Release

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Stoudemire Hints At Leaving Suns

Amare Stoudemire made an appearance at an elementary school in Phoenix on Tuesday and hinted at leaving the Suns.

Stoudemire lectured 300 students at Martin L. King Jr. Elementary School, mentioning that he might only be with the team for one more season.

"This might be my farewell tour, huh?" Stoudemire said. "If so, I'm going out with a bang, baby."

Stoudemire is expected to hit the free agent market next summer, and the Suns won't engage in talks about a contract extension until they see how the center rebounds from serious eye surgery.

Via Arizona Republic

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