PHOENIX SUNS QUOTES
It’s very hard to control my excitement. I haven’t played real basketball in a while. So just to get back on the court around these guys, it’s been amazing. I just want to win. I want our fans to feel like I’m here with them. We’re here together. We’re going to win together, we’re going to lose together. We’re one big family. We need our fans and the people in the community to get behind us 100 percent.
— Eric Bledsoe, coming back from a knee injury
I knew that was one thing I needed to do. Late in the season last year, people started getting a little more physical with me when they realized I could play a little bit. They tried to take the bully route. So I figured this summer I could put on a couple pounds… Wherever they put me, I’m fine with it. I’m not going to back down to anybody. I know the three is a tough position in this league with LeBron (James), Carmelo (Anthony), Kevin Durant, but I don’t back down from any challenge.
— Devin Booker, after named rookie first team, added 5-10 muscles in the summer to compete physically
The first day I saw Devin come in here, I saw him playing a pick-up game and I immediately went to Ryan and told him, ‘This kid has a true chance to be an incredible player in this league.’ He’s been locked in this summer… I’ve seen that he’s dedicated himself to getting better and learning. I don’t think you can put a limit on how good he can be. You have certain players who come in this league who have the God-given ability and the mindset to be great. He has the opportunity to be tops at his position in the next two or three years.
— Tyson Chandler, being a fan of new comer Booker
Don’t judge me by a 20-second sound bite you might have seen on TV because you might not know the circumstances. You should go by my actions on the court. I’m just concerned about winning. If you get to know me, I think you’ll like me.
— Charles Barkley, after the trade from 76ers to Suns in 1992
I don’t believe professional athletes should be role models. I believe parents should be role models. … It’s not like it was when I was growing up. My mom and my grandmother told me how it was going to be. If I didn’t like it, they said, ‘Don’t let the door hit you in the ass on your way out.’ Parents have to take better control.
— Charles Barkley, first news conference as a Suns in 1992
We’ve got to change the laws. … I’m just telling you all, the left-hand lane is for speeders. Not for people who are going to drive the speed limit. Remember that, Arizonans. That’s the only problem I got with this state. People have a tendency to drive in the left-hand lane, driving the speed limit.
— Charles Barkley, on moving to Arizona