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postgame-quotes-suns-vs-spurs-april-25-2012

Postgame Quotes: Suns vs. Spurs - April 25, 2012

GAME PHOTOSNEWSROOM NOTESBOX SCORE &amp; STATSCOACH/PLAYER QUOTES

Sebastian Telfair led all bench players in scoring with 20 points in 22 minutes.

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Without stars, Spurs edge Suns in what could be Steve Nash's Phoenix finale

No one could say for certain that this was Steve Nash's final game in a Phoenix uniform, but the Suns' fans certainly sensed it was.

As a meaningless 110-106 loss to the depleted San Antonio Spurs wound down on Wednesday night, the crowd stood and chanted "We want Nash" over and over.

First it was just a few fans. Then it spread through the whole building.

Finally, coach Alvin Gentry sent the 38-year-old point guard back onto the court for a few plays before Nash left to rousing cheers.

"It was obviously amazing to get that type of reception and support," Nash said. "It's very special because it's not something I asked for or imagined to get that type of spontaneous reaction. It means it's authentic, the relationship that I thought we had."

Nash, a free agent at the end of the season after eight years with the Suns, said he will take time to explore his options.

"I'm in no rush," he said. "I think it's important to take my time and just gain some perspective on what's happened in my career and what the future may hold. It's just a lot of speculation at this point."

Gentry said he put Nash back in the game to get the ovation he deserved.

"He was a guy that made guys better," said Gentry, who was with the Suns for all eight of Nash's seasons, either as an assistant or head coach. "It was fun to watch him play and to be with him for eight years, and what he has accomplished here, and what he has done for this franchise and for my coaching career, is priceless."

Patty Mills scored 27 points and Tiago Splitter had 26 in San Antonio's ninth win in a row.

The Spurs sent Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili -- as well as coach Gregg Popovich -- home earlier in the day. The four will also miss San Antonio's regular-season finale at Golden State on Thursday night.

"It's one of those funny situations, end of the season and resting guys," Mills said. "As crazy as it is, it does make a lot of sense. I thought for the main guys to go back and recharge the batteries before the playoffs, that's a chance to give the other guys a great opportunity."

The Spurs, already guaranteed the No. 1 playoff spot in the Western Conference, remain tied with Chicago for the best record in the NBA with one game to play.

The Bulls hold the tiebreaker with a win over San Antonio in their only regular-season meeting, and the issue apparently is not that important to the Spurs given the fact they aren't playing their three stars and don't even have their coach.

Phoenix was eliminated from playoff contention with a loss at Utah on Tuesday night.

Nash had eight points and seven assists in just 18 minutes, all of his points coming in the third quarter. The two-time league MVP left the game with 3:08 to go in the third quarter and probably would have stayed on the sideline had the crowd not demanded his return.

As he left the court the final time to cheers, Nash looked down but waved his right index finger briefly to the crowd.

Nash was scoreless with four assists in just 8 minutes in the first half but scored eight points on 4-of-5 shooting in the third quarter. He made a driving reverse layup from the baseline, then assisted on the next two baskets to put Phoenix ahead 76-70 in the third quarter. He left the game with 3:08 left in the period and the Suns up 76-75. The game was tied at 82 entering the fourth.

Sebastian Telfair missed a 21-footer that would have tied it with 20 seconds left before Mills made two free throws with 12.3 seconds left to put it away.

Shannon Brown had 21 points and Telfair added 20 for the Suns.

The Spurs have won 23 of their last 26 games. ... Phoenix rookie Markieff Morris went down with an injured right ankle with 3:57 to play. ... The Suns did not sell out a home game all season. ... Phoenix again was without Channing Frye (shoulder) and Grant Hill (knee). ... Nash entered the game second to Boston's Rajon Rondo in assists at 10.8 per game. ... San Antonio is in the playoffs for the 15th consecutive season, the NBA's longest active streak and seventh-longest in league history. ... Telfair won the team's Dan Majerle Hustle Award. ... Phoenix missed the playoffs for the second straight season and the third time in the last four. ... The Spurs clinched the West's top seed with a win at home over Portland on Monday night.

postgame-central-suns-vs-spurs-april-25-2012

Postgame Central: Suns vs. Spurs - April 25, 2012

The Phoenix Suns will host Fan Appreciation Night when the club takes on the San Antonio Spurs tomorrow night (Wednesday, April 25) at US Airways Center. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.

The first 15,000 fans in attendance will receive a Phoenix Suns team poster, courtesy of Prisma Graphic, and a chance to win an additional Suns prize, if their poster has a prize sticker attached. Prizes include $100 Southwest Airlines gift cards, autographed team basketballs, Suns t-shirts, and more.

Numerous prizes will also be distributed during the game to thank Suns fans for their season-long support, including Suns autographed merchandise, Cold Stone Creamery gift cards, a $1,000 Fry’s Food Stores gift card, and lunch with head coach Alvin Gentry.

Prior to the game, Suns fans will have a chance to win prizes such as tickets to the game, autographed jerseys and a $1,000 Fry’s Food Stores gift card on Suns.com, and through the Suns Facebook and Twitter pages. The first 50 fans to check in to US Airways Center via Foursquare at the game, will receive a FREE Suns t-shirt.

In addition, the Phoenix Suns are inviting fans to meet and receive autographs from various Suns alumni, The Gorilla and Suns Dancers, in the Casino Arizona Pavilion prior to tip-off. Fans will enjoy a photo booth outside section 102 where they can have their Suns spirit captured on a complimentary photo, and the team will feature a special discount of 30-50% on select items in the Suns Team Shop.

A limited number of tickets are still available for Wednesday’s regular season finale at US Airways Center. Fans can purchase theirs today at Suns.com or by calling 1-800-4NBA-TIX.

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Suns Thank Fans With A Night of Prizes

The winner of the 7th annual Spirit of Cotton Award is Raul Mendoza, coach of the Holbrook High School boys basketball team, in Holbrook, Arizona. Phoenix Suns Charities will honor Coach Mendoza when he and a group of well-wishers attend the Suns-Spurs game on Wednesday, April 25 at US Airways Center.  Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.

Over the past 33 years, Mendoza has coached high school boys basketball in the state of Arizona. He has recorded more than 600 wins in his career and has led his programs to numerous winning seasons, including a state championship in 2011.  Mendoza is a six-time Conference Coach of the Year, two-time Arizona Coaches Association Coach of the Year and was named the 2011 Arizona Republic Small School Coach of the Year. In addition to his accomplishments on the court, Mendoza is regarded by his peers as one of the most respectable coaches in the game. He has established himself as a leader in the Holbrook community through his work and mentorship of the City’s youth, both on and off the court.

“I feel very fortunate to receive this prestigious award when there are so many equally deserving candidates,” said a humbled Mendoza.  “This award was created in remembrance of a great man and to be associated with him tops almost everything I have accomplished in my career.”

The Spirit of Cotton Award, named in memory of former Suns Head Coach, Cotton Fitzsimmons, who passed away in July 2004, honors a high school coach in Arizona who consistently demonstrates the best qualities of a coach, educator, mentor and community leader.

“Coach Mendoza clearly is a successful coach, but he is so much more than that,” said JoAnn Fitzsimmons, wife of the late Cotton Fitzsimmons.  “He has impacted the lives of his players and his entire community.  He leads by example and that example truly reflects the Spirit of Cotton.”

As part of the award, Coach Mendoza will receive a commemorative plaque and custom ring designed by Coffin &amp; Trout Fine Jewellers. In addition, Phoenix Suns Charities will make a grant of $10,000 to Holbrook High School’s athletic department.

Fitzsimmons had been an integral part of the Suns since 1970, when he began his first of three stints as the team’s head coach. Over a 20-year NBA coaching career, Fitzsimmons won 832 games with four different franchises. He was twice honored as NBA Coach of the Year (1979 with Kansas City and 1989 with the Suns).

suns-charities-announces-cotton-award-winner

Suns Charities Announces Cotton Award Winner

Suns fans once again have an opportunity to help select the winner of the Dan Majerle Hustle Award by casting their vote on Suns.com/hustle. Fan balloting is open now through Tuesday, April 24 at 5 p.m.

The award is presented at the end of each season to the Suns player who most personified the same hustle and determination that Suns Ring of Honor member Dan Majerle displayed as a player.

“As a player and now a coach, Dan Majerle exemplifies the work ethic that is required to be a leader, on and off, the basketball court,” said Phoenix Suns President of Basketball Operations, Lon Babby. “It is that same commitment to hard work that is at the heart of this award.”

The winner of the 2012 Majerle Hustle Award will be selected based on the results of five voting categories: Suns fans, Suns players, Suns coaches, Suns employees and Majerle himself.  Each voting group carries equal weight in the final selection. In addition to the award, a $9,000 donation will be made to the charity of the winning player’s choice.

Past Majerle Hustle Award winners include:

This year’s award will be presented during pregame of the Suns final regular season matchup against the San Antonio Spurs on April 25 at US Airways Center.

For more information or to place a vote, please visit Suns.com/hustle.

Suns fans, “Bring Your Game Face” when the Suns host the Portland Trailblazers tonight (April 16) and Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday, April 18 at US Airways Center. Tickets are still available and can be purchased at Suns.com or by calling 1-800-4NBA-TIX.

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Vote Now for 2012 Majerle Hustle Award

Phoenix Mercury and Suns Vice President Ann Meyers Drysdale is releasing a sneak preview of her autobiography “You Let Some Girl Beat You?” to Suns fans on April 21 prior to the Suns vs. Nuggets game at US Airways Center. Tipoff is set for 2:30 p.m.

Fans will have an opportunity to purchase the book for $16.95 and have it signed by Meyers Drysdale from 1 – 2:30 p.m. in the Casino Arizona Pavilion at US Airways Center.

“You Let Some Girl Beat You?”is a must-read for any basketball fan as it recounts her one-of-a-kind experiences that led her to becoming the Hall of Fame basketball player and broadcaster she is today. Meyers Drysdale opens up about the struggle to play sports in school, receiving the first full athletic scholarship awarded to a female by a Division I university and becoming the only woman to sign a contract with an NBA team. Plus, she shares intimate memories of falling in love with baseball great Don Drysdale and the heartache of being widowed with three children under the age of five.

The autobiography will be released nationally on June 15 in time for the celebration of the 40th anniversary of Title IX passing into law.

“The book is about hopes and dreams. I’ve been blessed to be part of so many incredible experiences and I thought it was time to tell my story,” said Meyers Drysdale. “I hope that the book serves as a reminder to people that anything can be accomplished if you set your mind to it. Plus, releasing the book in conjunction with the celebration of the 40th anniversary of Title IX is a perfect reminder of how far female athletics has come and to honor that I’ll be donating a portion of the book proceeds to Phoenix Mercury Charities.”

The book also features a forward by Julius Erving as well as photos from Meyers Drysdale’s life.

Single-game tickets are still available for the Suns-Nuggets game on Saturday, April 21. Fans can purchase theirs today at Suns.com/tickets or by calling 1-800-4NBA-TIX.

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Drysdale To Host Book Signing

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame has announced that Phoenix Suns forward Grant Hill, University of Connecticut men’s head coach Jim Calhoun and the Founder and Director of the Institute for Diversity and Ethics In Sport, Dr. Richard Lapchick, have been named this year’s winners of The Mannie Jackson - Basketball’s Human Spirit Award.  The winners will be recognized on September 6th during events leading up to the 2012 Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremonies.

“This year’s winners of The Mannie Jackson - Basketball’s Human Spirit Award - are truly exceptional individuals,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame.  “They have each greatly contributed to the improving of their communities and constituencies they serve.”

The criteria for award winners includes embracing the core values of the game through hard work, dedication, and resilience; striving to continuously improve the community they serve, and making an ongoing commitment to others.  Beyond the game, award winners must reflect the values of Mannie Jackson’s life-long mission to overcome obstacles and challenge the status quo, while taking responsibility for personal actions and seeking the highest standard of excellence.

“We are proud to honor three of the most deserving selections since the award was established,” said Jackson.  “Having known all three personally, I admire their sustained work and contributions to both the game of basketball and their communities.��

Hill, Calhoun, and Lapchick were chosen from a group of six finalists after nominations were screened by a selection committee, appointed by the Hall of Fame and Mr. Jackson.  Beginning in 2009, the finalists were grouped in three categories, representing the professional, amateur and grassroots levels of basketball.

Previous winners of the award include current NBA player Chauncey Billups and Samuel Dalembert; The V Foundation for Cancer Research; former Harlem Globetrotter and college basketball All-American Dr. John “Jumpin’ Johnny” Kline; former Georgetown University center and NBA Global Ambassador Dikembe Mutombo; Hall of Famers David Robinson and Jim Boeheim; Philadelphia legend Sonny Hill; and 2009 tri-winners, former NBA official Ken Hudson, Hall of Famer Bob Lanier and former NBA All-Star and Georgetown standout Alonzo Mourning.

The Mannie Jackson – Basketball’s Human Spirit Award Winners 2012

Grant Hill, Phoenix Suns Guard – Known for his positive attitude, strong work ethic and high moral code, Hill has routinely left his mark in a number of cities where he played professionally. He lends his support not only to a variety of national issues but to local issues as well. Hill was recently awarded a key to the city of Reston, Virginia, where he was raised with the proceeds from that reception going to the Medical Care for Children Partnership, which provides medical services for needy children in the county. Hill also appeared on behalf of Foot Locker and Fila, at a Detroit middle school to kick-off a program designed to replace backboards in 250 area schools. In addition, GMC Trucks sponsored his visit to the Michigan Special Olympics Women’s basketball team where he spoke, joked, and shot baskets with the players.

Jim Calhoun, University of Connecticut Hall of Fame Head Coach – Calhoun has used his success to champion many causes during his tenure at the University of Connecticut.  Having beaten cancer – twice, Coach Calhoun has devoted his time and money to help raise millions of dollars for cancer research and education.  In 1998, he and his wife established the Calhoun Cardiology Research Fund, donating $125,000 to the UConn Health Center.  Each year the Calhoun family host the Jim Calhoun Holiday Food Drive, which has raised over $1 million for the Connecticut Food Bank and Foodshare, providing over 1.6 million meals to families in need. Since 1994, Calhoun has served as honorary chairman for the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, another example of his continued efforts to impact his community.  Jim Calhoun was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2005.

Dr. Richard Lapchick – Often described as “the social conscience of sport,” Lapchick became the only person named as “One of the 100 Most Powerful People in Sport” to head up a sport management program.  He remains President and CEO of the National Consortium for Academics and Sport and helped bring the NCAS national office to UCF. In December of 2006, Lapchick, his wife and daughter and a group of DeVos students formed the Hope for Stanley Alliance which is organizing groups of student-athletes and sports management students to go to New Orleans to work in the reconstruction efforts in the devastated Ninth Ward.  As of the fall of 2007, Hope for Stanley members have spent 19 weeks in the city in a partnership with the NOLA City Council.  Lapchick was named an honorary citizen by the New Orleans City Council in October 2007.

The Mannie Jackson – Basketball’s Human Spirit Award Winners 2007-2011

Representing the Professional game: Chauncey Billups

Representing the Amateur ranks: The V Foundation

Representing the Grassroots ranks: Dr. John “Jumpin’ Johnny” Kline

Representing the Professional ranks: Samuel Dalembert

Representing the Amateur ranks: Jim Boeheim, Syracuse University

Representing the Grassroots ranks: Alfreda Harris

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Hill Recipient of Human Spirit Award

The Phoenix Suns’ award-winning digital department has launched a new community website, fans.suns.com, offering Suns fans a unique online forum to meet, chat, and share their purple and orange pride.

An extension to the team’s official website Suns.com, the new “Fan Hub” allows fans to discuss the team within message boards, write and post blogs, and share their personal photos from games or in their favorite Suns gear. Fans who upload photos of their best “game face” also have the opportunity to win tickets to upcoming Suns home games.

The site, which is presented by Southwest Airlines, also incorporates all of the team’s official social media channels, including Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Google+, Foursquare, and Instagram.

Fans who create their own profiles within the site, or who log in using their Facebook credentials, will earn points for their participation and can compete with fellow fans for position on the Hub’s leaderboards.

Additional features that will be rolled out in the coming year include fan video contests, as well as a live chat and scoreboard on Suns game nights.

Single-game tickets are still available for the Suns-Lakers game on Saturday, April 7. Fans can purchase theirs today at Suns.com/tickets or by calling 1-800-4NBA-TIX.

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Suns Introduce Fan Hub, A New Fan Website

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