[QUOTE] The Phoenix Suns intend to keep running while their dynamic young center heals from knee surgery.
All-Star Amare Stoudemire is out for about four months, and Suns coach Mike D''Antoni insists the style will not change despite the absence of their slashing, slam-dunking man in the middle.
``We''ve got a lot of offensive weapons on the floor,'''' D''Antoni said. ``We lost our biggest weapon, but we have a lot of others. We''re not hanging our heads at all. It''s just too bad for Amare, but the Phoenix Suns are going to go on.''''
With Stoudemire gone, the Suns have only two starters, and four players overall, back from the team that won an NBA-best 62 games last season. Of course two of the starters are all-stars, Steve Nash and Shawn Marion.
``It''s out of our control, so we''ve got to go out and make the most of what we have and not worry about the piece we''re missing,'''' Nash said after Tuesday''s practice. ``We''ll try to build our team and hopefully be a better team when he returns.''''
Eight days after signing a five-year, $73 million contract extension, Stoudemire underwent surgery Tuesday to repair damage to his left knee and will be sidelined for about four months.
The extent of the injury was determined during ``diagnostic'''' surgery by team doctor Thomas Carter, who then proceeded with the microfracture repair, Suns president Bryan Colangelo said.
Stoudemire, who turns 23 next month, signed for the maximum allowed under the NBA''s collective bargaining agreement with the players'' union. The extension kicks in after this season. .

[QUOTE] Colangelo said the team knew of Stoudemire''s knee problem during contract negotiations, but wasn''t aware of the extent until Tuesday''s surgery. Even had they known, it would not have had an impact on signing a player the Suns believe could develop into the best in the NBA.
``Whatever is in the best interest of Amare is in the best interest of the Suns,'''' Colangelo said.
The team projects Stoudemire to return around the All-Star break Feb. 17-21.
``The surgery went well and, other than the defect that we treated today, Amare''s knee is remarkably and structurally healthy,'''' Carter said in the statement released by the team. ``Given Amare''s age and the nominal size of the location of the defect, I am confident the microfracture procedure performed will allow a healthy and normal return to action.''''
Considered the cornerstone of the franchise, Stoudemire was rookie of the year in 2003 and has improved each season.
The 6-foot-10, 245-pound forward was fifth in the league in scoring at 26 points per game. He averaged 30 points in the playoffs, 37 in the Western Conference finals against Tim Duncan and the eventual NBA champion San Antonio Spurs.
The Suns, who play their first preseason game Friday night in Seattle, will have Kurt Thomas in the middle and often will slide Marion into the power forward role, where he excelled last season against bigger but slower defenders.
Raja Bell may slide to the small forward spot, with James Jones or Jim Jackson possibilities at shooting guard.
``Shawn didn''t get any plays called for him. Well, guess what? He will now,'''' D''Antoni said. ``He''ll have to step up. Steve Nash will have to step up his game. I don''t know how that''s possible, but he''ll have to figure out a way. We have Kurt Thomas, Raja Bell and James Jones. Nobody''s going to replace 26 points, but I think four or five guys will add up to that.''''
There will be no change in the high-energy style that made the team one of the most popular in the league last year, D''Antoni said, and he expects an improved defensive squad.
He joked that without last year''s ``inside-outside'''' threat, ``we''re going to go outside-outside.''''
``We don''t have any inside post presence,'''' Marion said. ``However you want to look at it, he''s a beast in there, so we are going to miss that inside threat. But with Kurt (Thomas) and Brian (Grant), we do have some inside bangers.''''
D''Antoni doesn''t want to dwell on Stoudemire''s injury.
``We have to close that chapter. That''s over with,'''' he said. ``We''ve got enough talent, our spirits are high and we''re going to win anyway.

[QUOTE] I ono neplaćene kazne iz drugih gradova, mislim, ko da nema za platit...

[QUOTE]-- Atlanta Hawks center Jason Collier died early Saturday after he had trouble breathing and was stricken in his home, his father said. He was 28.

General manager Billy Knight said the cause of death was not immediately clear for the 7-foot, 260-pound player. He said Collier had ``no issues'''' in a preseason physical given to all players.

Jeff Collier told The Associated Press his son died in an ambulance on the way to the hospital and did not have any diagnosed health problems apart from his knees.

Team spokesman Arthur Triche initially said Collier possibly died of cardiac arrest, but would not provide details. He later said the team was not sure how Collier died. Collier''s agent, Richard Howell, said an autopsy was being performed.