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- Oct 8, 2008
SAN DIEGO - When shooting guard Jason Richardson arrived in Phoenix last season, he spent more time trying to fit in rather than finding the basket.
Now with half a season with the team, and the paint opening up with the departure of Shaquille O'Neal, the Suns are looking for big things fromRichardson.
"We're finding out more about Jason Richardson," Suns coach Alvin Gentry said during the team's practice sessions in San Diego."It's really tough to come to a team in the middle of the year and kind of find exactly where you fit in and things like that. I think J-Rich willhave a really good year because the floor will open up and he's a slasher like Grant Hill."
Richardson is a prolific scorer who came to the Suns from the Charlotte Bobcats. Richardson was the focal point of the Charlotte offense. In his seven-yearcareer, Richardson has averaged 18.6.
That wasn't the case when he arrived in Phoenix, which featured two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash, former NBA rookies of the year Grant Hill and AmareStoudamire, and three-time NBA Finals MVP Shaquille O'Neal.
"I was in that transition period where I was trying to adjust to everyone," Richardson said. "In eight years of my career, I went from beingthe man to being sometimes the third or fourth option. It was kind of hard for me when to pick and choose, when I should score, when should I shoot, am Ishooting too much, am I not shooting enough? There were so many questions that I was not being myself, being the guy who is aggressive and doing the thingsthat I'm capable of doing."
Gentry also took some of the blame as to why Richardson struggled to find his rhythm in the Suns' system.
"I think he was a little passive with what he does, and I didn't do a great job of keeping him involved," Gentry said. "He had some greatquarters for us, when he would have 15 and 13 points. I have to make sure I keep him engaged and involved in the game, and have him be able to touch it to keepit going. I take some responsibility for that not happening last year, but we're going to make sure we get that worked out this year."
One thing that will help Richardson is the big change in the post.
In the offseason, the Suns traded O'Neal to the Cleveland Cavaliers and replaced him with the more athletic Channing Frye, who spends more time at the3-point line than in the paint. If Frye is able to hit the outside shot, then the lane should open up for Richardson.
"I'm definitely looking forward to it. That's the type of game I play, slashing to the basket, with all the cuts. It will definitely be open,spacing the floor," Richardson said. "It will benefit my game and everyone else's game. It will help all our game getting back to the open kindof game."
Orchestrating the Suns offense is Nash, who makes it easier for Richardson with his passing.
"Playing with a guy like Steve, you just have to cut and have your hands ready," Richardson said. "He's one of the great point guards toever play this game."
Because Richardson joined the Suns at midseason, he didn't get a chance to play in the inaugural outdoor game at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden lastyear. Already, Richardson asked his teammates about the game, and everyone described the game in one word: Freezing.
"So hopefully they'll let us wear long sleeve shirts," Richardson said. "That's the last thing I asked, 'How was it?' andthey said it was fun, but when they came out after half, it was 15 degrees colder than what it was. I definitely hope they let us wear some spandex."
Now with half a season with the team, and the paint opening up with the departure of Shaquille O'Neal, the Suns are looking for big things fromRichardson.
"We're finding out more about Jason Richardson," Suns coach Alvin Gentry said during the team's practice sessions in San Diego."It's really tough to come to a team in the middle of the year and kind of find exactly where you fit in and things like that. I think J-Rich willhave a really good year because the floor will open up and he's a slasher like Grant Hill."
Richardson is a prolific scorer who came to the Suns from the Charlotte Bobcats. Richardson was the focal point of the Charlotte offense. In his seven-yearcareer, Richardson has averaged 18.6.
That wasn't the case when he arrived in Phoenix, which featured two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash, former NBA rookies of the year Grant Hill and AmareStoudamire, and three-time NBA Finals MVP Shaquille O'Neal.
"I was in that transition period where I was trying to adjust to everyone," Richardson said. "In eight years of my career, I went from beingthe man to being sometimes the third or fourth option. It was kind of hard for me when to pick and choose, when I should score, when should I shoot, am Ishooting too much, am I not shooting enough? There were so many questions that I was not being myself, being the guy who is aggressive and doing the thingsthat I'm capable of doing."
Gentry also took some of the blame as to why Richardson struggled to find his rhythm in the Suns' system.
"I think he was a little passive with what he does, and I didn't do a great job of keeping him involved," Gentry said. "He had some greatquarters for us, when he would have 15 and 13 points. I have to make sure I keep him engaged and involved in the game, and have him be able to touch it to keepit going. I take some responsibility for that not happening last year, but we're going to make sure we get that worked out this year."
One thing that will help Richardson is the big change in the post.
In the offseason, the Suns traded O'Neal to the Cleveland Cavaliers and replaced him with the more athletic Channing Frye, who spends more time at the3-point line than in the paint. If Frye is able to hit the outside shot, then the lane should open up for Richardson.
"I'm definitely looking forward to it. That's the type of game I play, slashing to the basket, with all the cuts. It will definitely be open,spacing the floor," Richardson said. "It will benefit my game and everyone else's game. It will help all our game getting back to the open kindof game."
Orchestrating the Suns offense is Nash, who makes it easier for Richardson with his passing.
"Playing with a guy like Steve, you just have to cut and have your hands ready," Richardson said. "He's one of the great point guards toever play this game."
Because Richardson joined the Suns at midseason, he didn't get a chance to play in the inaugural outdoor game at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden lastyear. Already, Richardson asked his teammates about the game, and everyone described the game in one word: Freezing.
"So hopefully they'll let us wear long sleeve shirts," Richardson said. "That's the last thing I asked, 'How was it?' andthey said it was fun, but when they came out after half, it was 15 degrees colder than what it was. I definitely hope they let us wear some spandex."
