PHOENIX SUNS

Majerle sees Suns finding their identity

Jan 20, 2011, 5:01 PM | Updated: 5:41 pm

After struggling to a 3-8 record after trading Jason Richardson, Hedo Turkoglu and Earl Clark, the Phoenix Suns have begun to find a rhythm. Since the slide, the team has won four straight games and beginning to find itself.

It’s not just fans who are noticing the change, assistant head coach Dan Majerle as a guest on Sports 620 KTAR’s Doug and Wolf show talked about the struggling to find themselves after the trade.

“I think we’re feeling better about ourselves,” Majerle said. “We went through a lot of changes and I think we lost a little bit of our identity. We started concerning ourselves so much on the defensive end, which is something we have to get better at and we have gotten better. There’s a point there where we just forgot we had to score the basketball too. We’ve always been one of the best, if not the best, scoring team in the NBA. We got to get back to that. You’re starting to see it with Vince and the other guys on the team. We’re starting to get our flow.”

One of the players the Suns acquired from the Magic who is starting to find his flow is Marcin Gortat. During the team’s win streak, he’s averaging 9 points, 7.25 rebounds and 1.25 blocks a game. His 16 points and 12 rebounds Wednesday against the Cleveland Cavaliers was only the second time in his career that he had at least 15 points and 10 rebounds.

Phoenix Suns

Mat Ishbia faces critical offseason after the Suns disappointing finish to the 2023-24 NBA season....

Kevin Zimmerman

Mat Ishbia says he hasn’t discussed Suns coach Frank Vogel’s future

Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia didn't issue a statement of support or confirmation that Frank Vogel will return for a second season in charge.

4 minutes ago

Kevin Durant and Devin Booker...

Kevin Zimmerman

Who’s most tradeable of the Suns’ Big 3? ESPN’s Bobby Marks answers

The Phoenix Suns' Big Three of Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal might stick together. If not, it could be tough to trade them.

3 hours ago

Mat Ishbia faces critical offseason after the Suns disappointing finish to the 2023-24 NBA season....

Dan Bickley

Mat Ishbia needs to decide if the coach or roster should be changed

Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia must make a decision on what need to be changed to the team after the Suns 2023-24 NBA season.

20 hours ago

Charles Barkley, Steve Nash and Kevin Johnson...

Arizona Sports

Charles Barkley: Suns’ season ‘100%’ on players; ignore the Devin Booker-to-Knicks rumor

Charles Barkley said the Phoenix Suns' 2023-24 season is on the players and that a rumor linking Devin Booker to the Knicks can be ignored.

1 day ago

Lakers Nuggets Basketball...

Associated Press

Murray hits another game-winner to lead Nuggets past the Lakers

Jamal Murray sank his second game-winner of the series as the Denver Nuggets defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5 Monday night.

2 days ago

Bradley Beal...

Kevin Zimmerman

Bradley Beal, Grayson Allen speak for Suns as Frank Vogel’s job remains in question

Bradley Beal and Grayson Allen spoke to reporters on Monday following a playoff exit that puts head coach Frank Vogel's job in question.

2 days ago

Majerle sees Suns finding their identity