For some reason we all have a need to talk about who's going to win the end-of-season awards even though we're barely a week into the new NBA season. In that spirit, we respectfully submit an early favorite for the NBA's Most Improved Player award: Phoenix Suns forward Channing Frye.
"I definitely see this as an opportunity," says Frye, who is averaging a career-high 14.6 points and shooting 51% from the field. "I'm trying to put everything into every game and know I have to get used to it being a long season. There will be a lot of highs and a lot of lows, but I think I've been pretty good at just trying to give 110% every night. I have to figure out how people are going to play me, how I'm going to play other people, the way the refs call the games and all of those things. The team has done a great job of giving me confidence."
His confidence shows, not only in his demeanor but in his shooting. Shooting 51% from the field is impressive; shooting 51% from behind the three-point arch is downright startling.
"When we signed him we knew he was a floor-spacing big," explains Suns GM Steve Kerr. "We thought he'd be a three-point shooter from the corners, but we didn't expect him to make threes from the wings and the top until he arrived in Phoenix this summer and played pick-up ball with our guys and was hitting shots from out there. We thought we had really hit the jackpot because that changes everything. When you've got a big who can pick-and-pop from the top and even make threes, that's our game. Steve Nash does so much on the pick-and-roll, whether it's find Channing, find Amar'e down low, find a guy in the corner for a three, or shoot himself, that's how we close games and that's how we win. We were pretty excited when we saw the prospects when we saw him in pick-up ball."
Grant Hill was equally surprised when Frye first arrived, and now he's starting to see the potential Frye has to make the Suns a much better basketball team.
"I always knew that he could shoot the ball from the perimeter, but I didn't know he had the three-point range," says Hill. "I know when I signed back with Phoenix he was the first person I called because they were looking at him and trying to recruit him. I thought he'd be a good fit because he can shoot the college three, but when he arrived in late August and we started working out and he was hitting threes effortlessly, I thought maybe he was just hot that first day. Then he was hot for the whole six weeks prior to preseason. Now we know he's a shooter, has great range, and brings a whole different dynamic to our team. Now you've got to bring a big guy out to guard him, you have Amar'e rolling, and guys like myself and J-Rich slashing to the basket. He really makes things easier for everybody, so he's been great. I told him I think he'll have a career season."
Everyone knew Frye was a good mid-range shooter who could hit the three once in a while, but his newfound gift for the long ball has taken some by surprise.
"It's been there, but when you're only in the game for a minute you can't shoot too much," Frye says, laughing. "I think people put me in different positions, and if you're only going to get two shots a game you're going to try to get two lay-ups, so I've been down underneath the basket. With this team, I'm here to space the floor and to be a complement to Amar'e, Steve, and J-Rich. I hit a couple of threes early in the season and now people are stuck to me kind of like glue, so we're going to figure this out and figure out how I'm going to get open and I'll continue to get better and watch film."
For Frye, it really about staying hungry and waiting for the right opportunity to come along.
"I think I've really just tried to stay humble all these years, really continue to work, and I've told everybody that when I get that opportunity I'm going to ride it for all it's worth. Even if I fail, even if I don't do well, at least I had the opportunity to go out there and show what I can do. I just feel blessed that I have the opportunity to be in the situation that I'm in. I'm having fun, so win or lose I just want to always have fun. I have to take a step back sometimes because I hate losing and I hate when guys do well against me. I just have to remember to enjoy each moment, and realize it's a long season and not to get too high or too low."
A number of teams reached out to Frye and his agent over the summer, but Phoenix held a certain allure those other teams lacked.
"It was mainly three things," Frye explains. "First, the opportunity to go out there and play. Second, the system that they run. And three, the guys and the chemistry. Steve Nash, Grant Hill, I knew Amar'e a little bit, Steve Kerr, Alvin Gentry called a few times . . .a lot went into it, but those guys definitely impacted my decision a lot."
Grant Hill has seen this kind of situation happen a million times. A guy who couldn't get onto the court suddenly becomes an impact player for another team, just as Frye has done in going from Portland to Phoenix.
"It just goes to show you that in the NBA it's just about getting in the right situation with the right opportunity," says Hill. "He was kind of wasting away on the bench in Portland and we get on him here about not shooting enough. Part of our offense is that if you're open you've got to shoot it. Sometimes he'll doubt himself if he's shot like five in a row and hesitate to shoot again and we tell him, yes, that's what we want and what we need. I don't know if he's ever had anyone yell at him for not shooting before, but I know I've done it a few times. He's been great, really fits in with the guys, and was a sort of underrated pick-up for us."
It's certainly early, and five games don't make a season, but Channing Frye seems to have found a home in Phoenix, and if all goes well he might help them exceed expectations, just as he has been doing.
Ainge Talks Rondo
Right up until the last minute it looked like the Boston Celtics and budding young star point guard Rajon Rondo might not get an extension done this season. There were issues on both sides, with Rondo's camp citing statements made in the press by the Celtics' brass about whether or not he could get on the same page with head coach Doc Rivers. Finally, however, cooler heads prevailed and the deal was consummated.
"We were all hopeful that we would get a deal done," Celtics GM Danny Ainge tells WEEI in Boston. "There's a lot of little things that have to be worked out in contract negotiations. If it didn't get worked out, I think both sides were fairly comfortable that we still had a bright future with one another going forward. I think it's better for this year and for the future to have a deal done with Rajon. He can concentrate on playing. I think it is a burden no matter what they say. I've been that player; I've seen players and played with a lot of guys that go through these negotiations. I've been around other teams and have watched them just in recent years when these things become issues and how for whatever reason players don't play as well as they're capable of playing and teams don't mesh or gel as well. So from that standpoint we were certainly trying to get a deal done."
When trade rumors surfaced this summer, a number of teams showed interest in acquiring Rondo, a factor that played heavily in Boston's desire to get a deal done now.
"I think a lot of the negotiations and what numbers we try to go to is based on trying to predict the future the best we can and the same on their perspective," explains Ainge. "We felt first of all that Rondo is young and he's getting better. He had a great training camp, he's improving on a lot of the areas that we discussed in the offseason, and I saw great signs from Rajon. Second of all there's a lot of money out there. There's a lot of teams that are preparing for the 2010 free agent market. And then third, this summer, as a lot of you are aware, with all the trade rumors, we discovered even though we weren't close to doing a deal for Rajon, we discovered that there is a great deal of interest in him. There are a lot of teams with cap-space and with money that have him high on their list, that would love to have him and add him to their team. I think all those things are factors of why we wanted to push this signing also."
Sometimes an extension can be a bad idea, especially for young players who might lose some of their motivation to improve when their contract is for a longer term. Ainge doesn't foresee this being an issue for Rondo.
"I have seen it on occasion, but I'm not worried about Rajon. He loves to play, he's a basketball junkie, he's a great competitor and I'm not worried about that at all. He's a kid that's very confident in himself and I think he's going to be better as a result of this contract as the pressure is relieved a little bit more. Even though there is some pressure for getting a new contract, I still think the burden of wondering and always thinking about it…it will help our team a lot to not have that burden."
To listen to Danny Ainge on WEEI, link here! He talks about his team's got start and why his new vets have fit in so well, also!
{AUTHOR_BOX}First Look At Tonight's Action
Washington Wizards @ Indiana Pacers: The Pacers just got their first win of the season, but have their work cut out for them getting win number two. The Wizards may just be 2-3, but they've played well despite the absence of Antawn Jamison. Once Jamison comes back they could be incredibly dangerous. The only new injury to report is Mike Miller, who is out with a shoulder injury.
Detroit Pistons @ Orlando Magic: Can lightning strike yet again? The Orlando Magic can handle just about any team in the league except the Detroit Pistons . . .even when Tayshaun Prince and Rip Hamilton aren't in the lineup. Rip and Tay are out again tonight, and the early word is Vince Carter could sit out with his ankle injury.
New Jersey Nets @ Philadelphia 76ers: Without Devin Harris and Yi Jianlian the New Jersey Nets have been getting hammered, and the Sixers will likely do the same. To make bad matters worse, Chris Douglas-Roberts has the flu and could be out tonight. Philly reports no injuries.
Atlanta Hawks @ Charlotte Bobcats: The Bobcats have reached .500 and are unbeaten at home, but the Atlanta Hawks are 4-1 on the season and looking like a team to be reckoned with. It helps that the Hawks are one of the healthiest teams in the league, reporting no injuries. The Bobcats are close to getting Flip Murray back, but it probably won't be tonight. Raja Bell is playing despite having torn ligaments in his wrist.
Phoenix Suns @ Boston Celtics: The Suns feasted on some easy teams early on, but now the water gets very deep. They were blown out in Orlando and face an even tougher opponent in undefeated Boston. Leandro Barbosa is questionable with a wrist injury, no new injuries to report for Boston.
Denver Nuggets @ Miami HEAT: The Denver Nuggets are one of the last undefeated teams, and they go up against a Miami HEAT team that started the season 4-0 before dropping a game to Phoenix earlier this week. This could be the most interesting game of the night. Joey Graham (toe) is questionable for the Nuggets; no new injuries to report for Miami.
Toronto Raptors @ New Orleans Hornets: The Hornets were in a bad way before Dallas missed three straight free throws and Peja Stojakovic hit a huge three to get the team into OT, where they polished off a Mavs team that seemed to have them beaten in regulation. Now they'll look to build upon that success as they take on the 202 Raptors, who have yet to win a road game. Reggie Evans has been upgraded to "questionable" for the Raptors; no new injuries to report for the Hornets.
Milwaukee Bucks @ Minnesota Timberwolves: Brandon Jennings may have struggled in preseason, but he's caught fire now that the games count. The Bucks, however, are without Michael Redd and have struggled mightily. The Wolves are without Kevin Love and have just one win on the season, but could be poised to get win number two tonight, especially if Pecherov plays like he did last game. No new injuries to report.
Cleveland Cavaliers @ New York Knicks: The Cavs lost a heartbreaker in Chicago last night, and will no doubt look to take it out on the hapless New York Knicks. The Cavs need a win to get back over .500; the Knicks are looking for their second win of the season. No new injuries to report.
Oklahoma City Thunder @ Houston Rockets: The two teams that pushed the defending champs to OT this week will go head-to-head tonight, a game in which youth will be served on both sides. The Rockets have been far better than anyone expected in the absence of Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming. The Thunder are essentially healthy; Houston is likely to be without impressive rookie Chase Budinger due to a sprained ankle.
Los Angeles Clippers @ Golden State Warriors: Andris Beidrins is questionable for this one due to a back injury, meaning the Warriors might be even smaller than usual. Al Thornton is questionable with the flu, and that could really hurt the Clippers' ability to match-up with the running Warriors. No other new injuries to report.
Memphis Grizzlies @ Los Angeles Lakers: The Lakers would like to celebrate their homecoming by winning a game in just four quarters, after needing extra periods to garner wins in OKC and Houston. The Grizzlies may have Allen Iverson back, but the losses continue to pile up. Andrew Bynum (elbow) is doubtful, joining Pau Gasol on the shelf for LA. The Grizzlies certainly have the front court personnel to make life hard for LA in the paint.
San Antonio Spurs @ Portland Trail Blazers: The Spurs look great on paper, but haven't quite translated that into dominant play just yet. They were beaten soundly in Utah last night, and the Blazers won't be any more gracious as hosts.
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