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orangedays · 03-15-2006, 11:36 AM

Marion, D'Antoni confident title is possible, even short-handed (Linkage)

Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
Mar. 15, 2006 12:00 AM

SEATTLE - Kurt Thomas is on crutches and Amaré Stoudemire is not getting touches.

What if Thomas' foot and Stoudemire's knee don't improve to playing condition and the Suns have to enter the postseason without the post tandem they envisioned closing the gap on San Antonio? Can they be a title contender without them?

"Why wouldn't we be?" Suns All-Star Shawn Marion said. "We've been doing it thus far. We'd just have to keep doing what we have been."

The same questions would confront Phoenix about its ability to withstand playoff foes on the front line defensively and in rebounding. The Suns do presume they will get Brian Grant back soon to help their trio of big men - Boris Diaw, Tim Thomas and Marion.

"We could only win a championship, baby," Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said of a postseason without the two big men. "That's as far as we can go. We won 12 of 14 (entering Tuesday) and Kurt didn't figure in most of those and neither did Amaré. We beat some good teams on the road. We beat Dallas on the road. We're a pretty confident group."

Stoudemire said his right knee, which has swelling, was sore again Tuesday. His October surgery was on his left knee, which he said would be ready to go if it were not for the fluid buildup at the rear of his right knee.

"I think it will get better," Stoudemire said. "Hopefully, I'll feel better (today)."

'Junior' starts again

With hopes of jump-starting his team, D'Antoni moved James Jones back into the starting lineup in place of Tim Thomas. He said the move had nothing to do with Thomas' play but more with how his rotation worked. With all three of his rotation's big men starting, it was difficult to get Jones many minutes.

"It coincided with Junior getting well," D'Antoni said of Jones' recent foot injury. "We need him and he seems to be feeling better.

"Maybe Tim can play quicker bursts. We need that. We need to pick up our speed - from everybody."

• Marion moved into fifth on the Suns all-time scoring list during Sunday's game at Portland, passing Paul Westphal's career total of 9,564 points. He trails Walter Davis (15,666), Alvan Adams (13,907), Kevin Johnson (12,747) and Dick Van Arsdale (12,060).

03-15-2006, 11:36 AM	#13
orangedays Platinum Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: New York City Posts: 2,938	Marion, D'Antoni confident title is possible, even short-handed (Linkage) Paul Coro The Arizona Republic Mar. 15, 2006 12:00 AM SEATTLE - Kurt Thomas is on crutches and Amaré Stoudemire is not getting touches. What if Thomas' foot and Stoudemire's knee don't improve to playing condition and the Suns have to enter the postseason without the post tandem they envisioned closing the gap on San Antonio? Can they be a title contender without them? "Why wouldn't we be?" Suns All-Star Shawn Marion said. "We've been doing it thus far. We'd just have to keep doing what we have been." The same questions would confront Phoenix about its ability to withstand playoff foes on the front line defensively and in rebounding. The Suns do presume they will get Brian Grant back soon to help their trio of big men - Boris Diaw, Tim Thomas and Marion. "We could only win a championship, baby," Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said of a postseason without the two big men. "That's as far as we can go. We won 12 of 14 (entering Tuesday) and Kurt didn't figure in most of those and neither did Amaré. We beat some good teams on the road. We beat Dallas on the road. We're a pretty confident group." Stoudemire said his right knee, which has swelling, was sore again Tuesday. His October surgery was on his left knee, which he said would be ready to go if it were not for the fluid buildup at the rear of his right knee. "I think it will get better," Stoudemire said. "Hopefully, I'll feel better (today)." 'Junior' starts again With hopes of jump-starting his team, D'Antoni moved James Jones back into the starting lineup in place of Tim Thomas. He said the move had nothing to do with Thomas' play but more with how his rotation worked. With all three of his rotation's big men starting, it was difficult to get Jones many minutes. "It coincided with Junior getting well," D'Antoni said of Jones' recent foot injury. "We need him and he seems to be feeling better. "Maybe Tim can play quicker bursts. We need that. We need to pick up our speed - from everybody." • Marion moved into fifth on the Suns all-time scoring list during Sunday's game at Portland, passing Paul Westphal's career total of 9,564 points. He trails Walter Davis (15,666), Alvan Adams (13,907), Kevin Johnson (12,747) and Dick Van Arsdale (12,060).