Postgame Quotes: Suns vs Bulls - Jan 31, 2009


Terry Porter
Shaq
Amar'e Stoudemire
Vinny DelNegro

Ben Gordon
Derrick Rose

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Suns Head Coach Terry Porter

“It’s a disappointing loss for us at home, we talked in the pregame about coming out and setting the tone early and not letting this team come out and get in a rhythm. We talked about the areas that they were really going to try and attack us in as far as rebounds and in the transition and we just didn’t do a good enough job. At times, we just allowed those guys to keep building up confidence, confidence and confidence. When we did make stops, they got offensive rebounds and it hurt us.”

(On having continuously to climb out of a hole) “We never had a lead; we never had a lead in this game. I think the way we started; we gave up 30 points out of the gate and then 32 in the second. We fought hard, I think our guys fought hard, but we just couldn’t get over the hump. When we closed the gap, we had a turnover or just missed a good opportunity and then they came down and scored.”

(On how disheartening this game was)
“When you think about all the situations, we lost to them there, and they played last night. We talked about it this morning, but these are feeling good about themselves winning the last two games on the road trip. We wanted to talk about coming out and having energy and setting a tone, but we just didn’t do it.”

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Shaq

“It’s probably the same thing – most of our losses – we just have to man up on defense. We shot the ball pretty well and went to the line 40 times. We just have to man up, especially when they have a lot of shooters on the floor. We were all over the place tonight and I just feel like they did what they wanted to do. We need a defensive stopper and we just need to man up.”
(On whether the defense’s issues are due to a lack of effort)
“I wouldn’t say it’s the effort – you’ve just got to man up. You can’t really make excuses. Effort always has something to do with it, but I’ve never been a defensive stopper, but you’ve got to want to play defense. You’ve got to want to stop somebody. I’ve always liked playing with guys that like to play and look for the help last. If you look for the help first too much, I think it puts everybody in jeopardy. It’s time to man up now.”

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Amar'e Stoudemire

(On the loss)
“It’s not fun. It’s definitely not fun. It’s definitely not something I’m used to.”

(On what the problem with the team is)
“I don’t know. We’ve been talking about this all year – trying to figure out a way to change things or get better – so I don’t know. We ask players to try and figure it out, coaching staff and everybody is trying to figure it out, but right now no progress.”

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Vinny DelNegro

“I’m happy for our guys tonight. The big thing is you can’t turn the ball over against Phoenix, or they make you pay for it. We kept our turnovers under control which was good. We had good ball movement and our execution was pretty good. I tried to spread them out with some pick-and-rolls and some pitch-and-post stuff but they keep coming at you. Our guys responded well, though.”

“Everybody contributed, the guys that came into the game. Thabo (Sefolosha) played very well for us. Aaron Gray came in and did a very nice job. Noc (Nocioni) made plays. It was another team effort, and it feels good.”

(On the team turning a corner tonight)
“I just know how hard the guys have worked, and if you stick together and believe in what you’re doing, you get consistent effort from the guys. We’re going to make mistakes and you have to learn from those things. I feel like the guys are. We’re building something and that’s what I want. I want the mentality and the intensity defensively to be consistently there. It’s my job to put guys where they can be comfortable and successful.”

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Ben Gordon

“It’s a good feeling. It’s the first time we’ve won three in a row in the last two seasons, so it was a big win for us.”

(On the difference during this three-game win streak)
“It just seems like we’re playing with a lot more confidence. We’re making better decisions, and getting stops when we need them. That’s the way we need to play.”

(On shooting the ball well tonight)
“I’m shooting the ball a little better, so it’s only a matter of time until my shot comes back because I work on it so much. I just need to be a little more consistent.”

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Derrick Rose

(On his injury)
“I just have a little sprain but everything should be okay. It’s a foot sprain on top of my left foot. It’s been hurting for a while, but I haven’t dunked in so long and when I had the chance I had to try tonight.”

(On shooting over Shaquille O’Neal)
“I’m not hitting my layups (laughs) so I started doing something else. I used to do it at Memphis. Going to the hole, Shaq is a big body to shoot over and then you got Amar’e. I’m good with floaters so I took the shot.”

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