Hakim Warrick moves to Phoenix Suns’ starting lineup
Phoenix Suns head coach Alvin Gentry made his first roster movement this season when he opted to start Hakim Warrick over Hedo Turkoglu in their game against the Denver Nuggets on Sunday
28 November.
According to Gentry, he felt that their offence would be more fluid with Warrick playing alongside Channing Frye and Steve Nash, who is making life easier for Warrick with their impressive
pick-and-roll plays this season. Gentry also added that he envisioned before the season that Warrick would take over the role of Amar’e Stoudemire, who bolted out of Phoenix to join the New York Knicks.
Gentry clarified that the decision was not a demotion for Turkoglu, and that he just wanted to give Turkoglu a time to adjust with their system after struggling in their first 17 games, only
averaging 10.1 points, which is his lowest output since the 2004-05 season.
“It's nothing against Hedo,” Gentry said. “His attitude is tremendous. He is down because he feels like he is not doing enough to help. I just have to put him in a position so that he can
feel like he is helping our team. That might be some as a three small forward and more as a ball-handler.”
Although they were defeated by the Denver Nuggets in Warrick’s first start, Gentry said that he would stick with the line-up and see if it will help them bounce back from their 8-9 start
this season.
Turkoglu, on the other hand, said he is not feeling bad about Gentry’s decision and he is actually thrilled because he would be playing as a small forward, which is his natural position.
“Hopefully, it works out,” Turkoglu said. “I'm going to try to find a way to help the team, whatever it takes. As long as I try to help us win, I am OK with it. I accomplished a lot of things
in my career and this one will be new too.”
The Suns will try to bounce back from their disappointing loss against the Nuggets when they take on the Golden State Warriors on the road on 2 December at the Oracle Arena in Oakland.
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