During his eight seasons with the Phoenix Suns, Mark West was affectionately known as "Big Daddy." Now you can just call him "Big Assistant General Manager."
Okay, maybe not. But the longtime Suns center, who averaged 6.9 points and 6.0 boards over eight seasons in the Valley, has added the title of assistant GM to his business card.
West, who earned a degree in Financial Management from Old Dominion, put his post-basketball career in financial services on hold when the Suns came calling recently, and has jumped right into his new role.
A veteran of 17 NBA seasons, West traveled with the Suns to Salt Lake City, Utah, this week for the Rocky Mountain Revue summer league, where he is getting a crash course in talent evaluations.
West participated in a live chat on July 25, taking your questions about the Revue, his NBA career and the business side of basketball.
Big Pappa from
home.net at 4:26pm ET
Hey Big Daddy. Congratulations on the new job. What responsibilities will you be performing in your new role?
Mark West at 4:27pm ET
Right now it's a learning experience. They'll have me do a little of everything. I'll become a jack of all trades. The biggest hurdle will be learning about the salary cap. I'll do a lot of community and player relations too, so I think I'll be doing a lot of everything, learning the business of basketball from the management point of view.
jrod from
dalfws03.als.att.net at 4:27pm ET
How does it feel to be a GM now Mark?
Mark West at 4:28pm ET
When I was a player, I was heavily involved in the players union, negotiation against the management and owners when it came to labor, so it's a little strange in that regard. But I'm happy to be in what I consider to be my basketball family, the Phoenix Suns.
Chris from
phnx.uswest.net at 4:28pm ET
Did you always know what you wanted to be after you played basketball?
Mark West at 4:29pm ET
I wasn't really sure. I thought I'd extend my career in the financial market -- I had my brokers license for a number of years, even while playing. But then this opportunity presented itself, and I always knew that I wanted to stay close to basketball.
Krista - Serious Suns Fan in M at 4:29pm ET
I've been a Suns fan since I was 4 and a fan of yours while you played here. When my mom called and told me that you were back and working in the Suns Office, I thought it was terrific that you re-joinedthe Suns organization. What about the new Assistant GM position was it that brought you back to Phoenix and the Suns organization?
Mark West at 4:30pm ET
I think just the opportunity to come back to Phoenix. My family lived here beginning back in 1988, and we never moved because the weather was so great. We just decided to stay.
Bobo Wick from
home.net at 4:30pm ET
Will you be working with the Suns' big men at all? What advice could you give to guys like Big Jake and Daniel Santiago?
Mark West at 4:31pm ET
There's no question that I'll be working with them somewhat. The advice I'd give them is to be as professional as possible and that they'll have to work at their craft. We'll get down on the floor and try to get them to do things that would make them more effective, like getting great rebound position and using their size. They have a distinct advantage with their good size.
Andy15 at 4:31pm ET
What has been your greatest accomplishment?
Mark West at 4:32pm ET
So far, I guess basketball-wise it was just playing 17 years in the NBA. Personal-wise, I guess it was finding the right woman and having kids.
Marty from
mntp1.il.home.com at 4:32pm ET
Hello Mark, Describe what "Impact" the trade involving Stephon Marbury for Jason Kidd will effect both Teams next season in The NBA?
Mark West at 4:33pm ET
I think that both teams got a dynamic player. The biggest thing is that both needed a little bit of a change. We were playing good basketball, but there needed to be a change toward making a step to becoming better. And I think the changes the teams made will affect the chemistry of the teams, hopefully in a positive way. So I think it's a win-win situation for both teams.
Bison from
home.net at 4:33pm ET
How much has the game changed since you entered the NBA, and what are the biggest differences now?
Mark West at 4:34pm ET
I think one of the things is the overall athleticism. You have big guys who can put the ball on the floor and hit the long-range jump shots. I think as far as some of the aesthetics of the game, it's gotten less physical. In the old days you could elbow, bump, push, and I'm not sure that's for better or worse. When you have a big player like Shaq and you can't bump him, it's almost impossible to stop him, not that it'd be easy anyway.
Sunshine in Tempe from
eac.cc.az.us at 4:35pm ET
Big Baddy,
What, if any, changes do you intend to make to the Suns? If none, are there any new perspectives that you will add to the organization? One last one, when are we going to see you in uniform?
Thanks.
Mark West at 4:36pm ET
The chances of seeing me in uniform are slim and none, and slim just left the building. I just want to share some of my knowledge as far as players are concerned, and coming from the union, I think I know what players are looking for. And then I'll understand from management's point of view, what they're ready to offer the players. The thing about the team situation as you become older, they're looking to you for leadership anyway. As far as them looking for direction, I think that's already there.
Mac from
home.net at 4:37pm ET
Of the games you saw at the Revue, are there any Suns players that have really stood out to you?
Mark West at 4:37pm ET
Actually, as far as some of the rookies and free agents are concerned, I think Alton Ford looks really good. I think we'll pick up a couple guards, but Alton has looked the most impressive and has been a pleasant surprise for us.
Thunder Fan from
home.net at 4:38pm ET
Do you have any special memories or stories you can share about playing with Dan Majerle?
Mark West at 4:38pm ET
I don't know. I think one of the things that stood out was that as soon as we drafted him, we were playing an exhibition game in Michigan, and the fans were rabid about him. I thought that was amazing, and for whatever reason, that stands out. It was just great playing with him -- he was a great competitor.
Penny #1 from
home.net at 4:38pm ET
Will Penny be able to make a significant contribution this season, and is his dominance in summer leagues a sign that he's ready, or just that he's playing against inexperienced competition?
Mark West at 4:40pm ET
We hope so. Obviously Penny is a great player, not just a good player. And there's no question that he'll change the dynamic of our team in terms of what we think we can do. If he's healthy, I think anyone who knows anything would expect him to dominate a summer league. He's just that good and we know he'll be a great player for us.
Jay Richards from
home.net at 4:40pm ET
With Marbury, Marion and Hardaway, the Suns have a dangerous offensive unit, but do they have enough size and post defense to be a top team in the West this year?
Mark West at 4:41pm ET
I think we can be. Obviously we're hoping that Jake and Daniel come along. We have a nice core of forwards, and we can score. You have to be able to run and put the ball in the basket in the West. Our strength will be that you'll have to check us at every position, and we'll be able to exploit whatever defensive weaknesses the other teams have. I don't see any reason why we won't be able to compete with the teams in the West.
Brandon A. from
proxy.aol.com at 4:41pm ET
How has the progress of Big Jake gone in the summer?
Mark West at 4:42pm ET
He's got a lot of room to improve. He's coming along, and the biggest thing for him is to play. We've got him in the Rocky Mountain Revue and we'll probably send him some other places as well. We just want to put him in a situation where he's getting the ball and he looks to score without the pressure of other veterans being there and begging for the ball. We want him to play in situations where he's the main focus on the court this summer.
kevin from
maricopa.gov at 4:42pm ET
what are your expectations for this years phoenix suns team????
Mark West at 4:43pm ET
Just to be very competitive. The West is tough. L.A., Dallas, Portland and some other teams. Right now, we just want to field a good team and be competitive.
Dele from
home.net at 4:43pm ET
As a former teammate and close friend of Kevin Johnson, do you see any similarities between his game and Stephon Marbury's?
Mark West at 4:44pm ET
The fact that they can take over games with passing or scoring and that they're not afraid to take the big shot. The biggest quality is their leadership. They're able to play like a chess board, get the pieces in place and make them work for the team, and hopefully we'll get the checkmate and win the game.
Tyler from
phnx3.az.home.com at 4:44pm ET
What was your favorite part about playing with the Suns?
Mark West at 4:45pm ET
I guess the people I played with. Charles Barkley, great All-Stars like KJ, Dan Majerle, Tom Chambers, Eddie Johnson, great journeymen -- from every spot on the spectrum, from Hall of Famer to journeyman, we had them here and we just had a great core of players.
Mac from
home.net at 4:45pm ET
Do you miss playing in the NBA at all? Do you ever play for fun?
Mark West at 4:46pm ET
I thought I would miss it, but I don't as much as I thought I would, probably because those last few years my bones ached and popped and creaked and all that. I do play some pick-up games, but I don't miss it. I like being with my family and not having to go on two-week road trips.
Mark West at 4:49pm ET
Thanks to all the fans and a hello to my wife and kids, mom, dad, friends, and Petersburg, Virginia, my hometown.
