Bryan Colangelo Quotations

With the improvement of our team over the last couple of years, hopefully there's renewed interest in this market, ... I believe that there's also a common thread now with ownership being Robert Sarver, (his) having grown up here and having gone to the university. It seems to make a lot of sense that the organization has a relationship not only with the university but the city of Tucson.

The Suns, meanwhile, appeared to be hoisting a white flag over the Arizona desert. With a 12-22 record at the time, they were clearing out big contracts for salary-cap relief and a chance to start over again the following summer. We are taking a step backward in the immediate run, .. But we're certainly looking forward to the future.

People speculated that signing Raja was an insurance policy. That is not the case. We signed Raja Bell because we thought we were greatly improving our team, the makeup of the organization.

This pick is going to be one where people look back and say that was the right guy.

I can truthfully tell you, this was not a decision about money.

I don't think it's appropriate to discuss them, though.

He talked about a chance to win, and ultimately he decided to play for the NBA champions.

We think he's a perfect fit for our system. He's long, he's athletic, he's versatile and he's become a very proficient long-range shooter.

We talked a lot about the ways things unfolded in Phoenix the last couple of weeks. He encouraged me to explore the opportunity based on perhaps what we both looked into the future and saw.

He's a thug, and I want him out. He's always been a thug. I'll do everything in my power to see that he pays for it.

He was a little bit fleshy coming out of school, wasn't the quickest or most athletic but always knew how to play, always knew how to get the most out of his body.

He continues to get better. He continues to amaze.

Joe Johnson made us aware of his personal desires, which just didn't fit our model of building a team. We're sorry to see Joe leave and we wish him nothing but the best in Atlanta. Despite losing Joe, we are pleased that we have acquired a young, talented player in Boris Diaw, two first round draft picks and additional flexibility to keep our building process moving forward.

Joe Johnson has a bright future in this league and with the Phoenix Suns. JJ has been a great piece to add to our young core of talent.

Joe Johnson has a bright future in this league and with the Phoenix Suns, ... JJ has been a great piece to add to our young core of talent.

I think it's an opportunity, first and foremost, to bring this basketball team up to par with everything that this organization stands for.

I think it's safe to say everyone in the basketball operations, including the entire coaching staff, feels like we've dramatically improved our team, ... I know a lot of people don't think that's the case right now, but we're taking a step forward and we're going to keep building this thing.

James Jones gives us another long, athletic wing player who has become a very good range shooter. His versatility on both ends of the floor is a perfect fit for our system.

People have been taking shots at us all year. As long as the people you work for respect what your doing and know who and what you really are, that's all you have to concern yourself with, and eventually over time the good news will get out.

Steven Hunter's athleticism, shot blocking and rebounding ability give us an added dimension to address the need in the middle,

I still leave the possibility open that he signs with us, ... There's speculation that there'd be a richer deal for Scott out there.

We've talked a lot about Mike. I'm not going to talk any more about the circumstances, only to say Mike has been a very valuable piece this year. He's done great things for the organization and we'll see if we can work it out where we can keep him.

We have to impress upon him that he's a huge part of the future of this organization (and) that he deserves to be treated as a big part of the future. He's proven himself as a quality player but more importantly he's proven himself as a quality person. This community and this franchise has embraced him the right way and that's a big leg up when you're trying to convince someone to stay here.

We have a lot of balls up in the air, ... a lot of things going on.

We have a major piece of our franchise sewn up and it's obviously a great scenario to have taken care of.

We are disappointed that Chris will not be able to return this season, but this is the safest and most practical course of action to allow the time necessary for his injury to heal properly.

Tucson and the U of A and (men's basketball head) coach (Lute) Olson and the basketball program really stepped up and gave us everything we needed, ... (Olson) just was involved in the process of discussions about facilities and what it would take. Obviously, there were some financial terms to the deal, and they were receptive to us coming down. It just turned out to be a great scenario.

There's just so many things that are positive about the opportunity that (interim GM) Wayne (Embry) has established, from the cap flexibility, and the ability to look at free agency in a different light, and perhaps explore trade opportunities. It's not unlike a team we had in Phoenix a couple years ago.

There's just so many positive things about the opportunity that Wayne (Embry) has established in terms of the cap flexibility and the ability to look at free agency in a different light and perhaps explore trade opportunities to acquire the necessary pieces. It's not unlike a team we had in Phoenix a couple years ago.

The Toronto Raptors offer one of the best situations in the NBA, and I'm thrilled to be coming here after 15 years in Phoenix.

It was a nice meeting. We had a chance to talk to Michael and his agent and I would say that things went well. Hopefully the story line we presented was a compelling one.

The tight games which were slipping away a couple weeks ago are now perhaps in our reach. I think that's a very positive sign of growth.

Raja represents everything you look to add to your team to help you win basketball games. Raja is another piece that will radically improve our efforts on the defensive end, but you can't overlook his offensive skills.

People who don't know him are going to find out about James Jones. He's going to a big part of the team moving forward. We're elated to get him.

Of course, we're disappointed, ... But to Michael's credit, he didn't just take the money. He talked about a chance to win, and in this case, he chose to play for the NBA champions.

After receiving a second opinion on Antonio's lingering back problems, it is very unlikely that he would return to competitive action this season.

After lengthy discussions with Antonio regarding his physical condition and his general sense of disappointment over his personally difficult year, we have concluded that it's in the best interest of both the organization and Antonio Davis to simply release him at this late point of the season.

That's not the news we wanted to hear, ... It wasn't met well. Obviously, you go forward. We feel the depth of our roster will serve us well.

This is not something that should affect him long-term.

This is something we've been working on, but other issues relative to other player activity this summer has limited the time to focus on the topic.

It says an awful lot about the individuals involved, ... To respond the way they have. To not let it bother you, to roll up your sleeves and go to work. They've gone out and made a case for keeping the team together. It's a great story.

It's not the news we wanted to hear,

It's a pretty safe bet that I voted for him.

It's good to see familiar faces. I'm happy that the team is doing well.

Eddie adds that much more to the depth of our bench, ... His versatility is another key for us.

Everyone is hopeful that we come to a conclusion soon but obviously you don't want to rush into anything, ... You seek as many opinions as necessary before making a determination. We continue to evaluate the extent of the injury and the options to correct it.

I'm ready to branch out. I've got 15 very good years behind me, with respect to what's gone on in Phoenix and my participation there, (so) this is just the next step in what I hope to be a long and fortuitous career.

I have no predisposed position on who he is as a coach, what type of basketball he should play. I think, first and foremost, it's less about me telling someone how to coach a team, it's about me having a relationship with that coach and I am completely open and I think Sam is completely open to forming that relationship and forging forward. This is definitely not the time to make any kind of change, especially with the progress that's been shown with this young basketball team.

I'm happy for Steven that he was able to convert his good year into that kind of contract, ... We hope he makes the most of it.

He's sort of a late bloomer, ... He can bang, he's got a decent array of post moves, he can step out and hit the short jumper, and he's got all sorts of experience. We think he can come in and help us.

He's the coach. He's under contract and he'll be the coach of this team next year.

He's under contract and he'll be the coach of this team next year. We've got a basketball team to worry about and Sam is part of that process to make this team better. When it's appropriate, we'll address Sam's contract situation.

He's an absolutely tough defender who can lock down some of the NBA's top offensive players.

He's an impressive young man. The feedback we got from the Pacers organization is that he's a really polished young man, on and off the court.

He's an impressive young man, ... The feedback we got from the Pacers organization is that he's a really polished young man, on and off the court.

He's a nice young player with a lot of upside. He's versatile. He shoots the 3 well. He's big, long, athletic and he defends well. He's really a solid basketball player who fits well into what we're trying to do.

All I can say is he's been a nice piece of this team and the right piece for this team. We'd like him back, but if not, we'll take the necessary steps to improve our team.

You worry about the six years, not so much about the first month or the two months of the season right in front of you.