By Josh Greene, Suns.com
Posted: April 11, 2011
Coming off a personal road trip to forget, Channing Frye rebounded with a game to remember in Monday’s 135-127 overtime win against the Timberwolves.
Setting new career highs with 33 points and nine three-pointers made, the Suns’ center finished 12-of-18 from the field, as the Suns battled back from a 12-point deficit to win their 39th game of the season.
“It was good to come back home, see the family and be in a comfortable environment,” Frye said. “It rejuvenated me. It was an opportunity to come out and play ball, and we just took advantage of it and played aggressive. I think there were some things that I didn’t do right. There were some things that I didn’t take advantage of, but I just wanted to be aggressive. Tonight, I’m just happy the ball went in. My teammates did a good job finding me.”
Frye’s record-setting night from the outside also tied a franchise mark. He joined former Phoenix guard Quentin Richardson as the only Suns to knock down nine three-pointers in a single game.
“I finally got my legs under me,” Frye added. “It was something where you just have to continue working on it and do the things they ask you to do. Stay mentally tough and keep shooting the ball.”
Averaging just 8.4 ppg in last week’s five-game road trip and posting a combined 15 points in the last three games, Frye had 20 points through the third quarter Monday. His 33 points marked the sixth-career 30-point performance and his third as a Sun.
Coming off a franchise-record fourth overtime win of the season, the Suns play for pride in Wednesday’s season finale vs. the visiting Spurs, who are 3-0 vs. Phoenix this season.
“It’s huge to show the fans we do care,” he said. “We haven’t been playing awesome as of late, but we’re trying. We have done some great things this year. We just want to end on a high note Wednesday. There are a lot of emotions heading into that game. San Antonio probably remembers what we did to them (in the playoffs) last year. We want to continue to play and just leave it out there. It’s an opportunity to go out there and have fun.”
BENDER TRIBUTE
With his last week of calling play-by-play action for the Suns winding down, FOX Sports Arizona’s Gary Bender was the recipient of a lot of face time (not to mention accolades) Monday night during the game.
Video testimonials from former network broadcast partners like Verne Lundquist and Jim Nantz paid tribute to the Suns’ broadcasting legend, who will add to his 700-plus-career Suns games called in his retirement game Wednesday.
To read what some of Bender’s Suns colleagues had to say about the broadcasting veteran, CLICK HERE.
For a look back at Bender through the years via photos, CLICK HERE.
For a comprehensive list of Monday’s video congratulations, CLICK HERE.
SPIRIT OF COTTON
During the first quarter, Salome High School girls basketball and track coach Byron Maynes was honored as the winner of the sixth-annual Spirit of Cotton Award by Suns Charities. Over the past 25 years, Maynes has coached football, boys and girls basketball, softball, and track at Salome High, leading his programs to numerous regional and state playoff games, including one state championship.
The Spirit of Cotton Award, named in memory of Suns Ring of Honor great 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.
“There is a very special significance to this year’s selection,” said JoAnn Fitzsimmons, wife of the late Suns coaching great. “Coach Maynes reflects not only the spirit of Cotton, but the spirit of Cotton’s beloved high school coach and mentor, James A. Wilson. Coach Wilson had a tremendous influence on Cotton’s life and it is clear that Coach Maynes has that same influence on his players, his students, and the entire Salome community. In actuality, we are honoring three remarkable men with this year’s award.”
As part of the honor, Coach Maynes received a commemorative plaque, a custom ring designed by Coffin & Trout Fine Jewellers, and an Arizona weekend get-away for two at the Wigwam Resort. In addition, Suns Charities also pledged a grant of $10,000 to Salome High School’s athletic department.
MAJERLE HUSTLE AWARD VOTING ENDS TUESDAY
Time is running out for fans to cast their ballot for the 2011 Dan Majerle Hustle Award. Fan voting ends Tuesday at 5 p.m. To cast your vote for the current Suns player who best personifies the qualities of the Suns Ring of Honor great, CLICK HERE.
The winner of the 2011 Majerle Hustle Award will be selected based on the results of five voting categories: Suns fans, Suns players, Suns coaches, Suns employees and by 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. The award will be presented Wednesday at the season finale vs. San Antonio.
Past Majerle Hustle Award winners include:
• Jared Dudley (2010)
• Louis Amundson (2009)
• Grant Hill (2008)
• Leandro Barbosa (2007)
• Raja Bell (2006)
• Shawn Marion (2005)
• Casey Jacobsen (2004)
• Bo Outlaw (2003 – Inaugural award)