Kendall Marshall makes his way to PHX
Originally published: Jun 29, 2012 - 2:09 pm
Marshall entered US Airways Center for his introductory press conference wearing a sharp-looking three-piece suit on a day where the mercury hit 110 degrees.
Step outside and caught a mean left hook from the heat. Welcome to PHX I guess lol
— Kendall Marshall (@KButter5) June 29, 2012
The heat didn't stifle Marshall's enthusiasm about being the newest Phoenix Sun.
Marshall's introduction came approximately 57 hours before the beginning of the NBA free agency period, where the entire landscape of the Suns organization could change with one decision.
Of course, Steve Nash, a six-time All-Star, a two-time MVP and the face of the franchise since signing with Phoenix in 2004, is a free agent and could very well ink a contract elsewhere.
If that happens, Suns' general manager Lance Blanks is confident that Marshall will be instrumental in helping guide the team in the right direction.
"From our analysis, there is a risk of tough times in the near future, and you need a stabilizing force -- not only in the locker room but on the court, in the community -- you need someone basically that can represent who and what we're about," Blanks said. "From A to Z, Kendall embodies all of those things."
Marshall is a throwback -- a point guard who has a strict pass-first mentality -- something that's become a rarity in today's NBA. In fact, three point guards: Russell Westbrook, Derrick Rose and Deron Williams all ranked in the top ten in field goal attempts per game this past season.
So with the trend moving in that direction, what makes Marshall subscribe to the theory of distribution?
"You can let my father tell that, it's his thing that he taught me," Marshall explained. "He did keep me in the gym from an early age just working on passing the ball.
"And playing for Coach (Roy) Williams at Carolina, he stresses run, run every time. I didn't know how fast he wanted us to run, so I thought I'd just throw it upcourt. It worked for us."
The man who will be tutoring Marshall, head coach Alvin Gentry, was also very pleased with the Suns' pick of the Tar Heel point guard.
"There's an old phrase about 'he's a player's coach', well he is a coach's player, and by that, it's almost as if we'll have a coach on the floor," Gentry said.
Arizona Sports' Craig Grialou contributed to this report
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