<h1 class="topHeadline">Strawberry signs 2-year deal</h1><p id="mainByline" class="story">Paul Coro The Arizona Republic Aug. 27, 2007 06:23 PM </p><div class="story">D.J. Strawberry has gone from a Suns roster hopeful to a Suns roster lock. The Suns signed Strawberry to a two-year contract that includes a guaranteed first season and a second-year team option, his agent, Bill Duffy, said. Strawberry, Phoenix's second-round pick (No.59 overall) in June's draft, will receive the rookie minimum salary of $427,163 this season, giving Phoenix 12 signed players for the coming season. </div><div class="story"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="10" align="left"><tbody><tr><td align="center" valign="top" style="color: gray"> </td><td rowspan="3"></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="story"> </div><div class="story">The Suns must carry at least 13 players but are pursuing 6-foot-11 big man P.J. Brown, whose agent, Mark Bartelstein, said Brown still is deciding whether he wants to retire. Bartelstein said Brown had not narrowed his options to Phoenix and Dallas despite such speculation. Strawberry, a 6-foot-5 combo guard who played at Maryland, graded out as one of the top athletes and defenders in the draft. He handled the point guard spot well at NBA Summer League, averaging a league-best 6.4 assists. </div>
I saw Strawberry in summer league, and he was the best player on the floor in any of the games. I had no doubt he'd make the Suns, and I bet he ends up getting serious minutes before the season is done.</p> PJ Brown? I guess someone has to take over Jalen Rose's role with the team.</p> </p>
Glad to see a local guy getting his shot at the NBA, I think he'll surprise a few people he did alot of good things for Maryland last season.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Denny Crane)</div><div class='quotemain'> I saw Strawberry in summer league, and he was the best player on the floor in any of the games. I had no doubt he'd make the Suns, and I bet he ends up getting serious minutes before the season is done.</p> PJ Brown? I guess someone has to take over Jalen Rose's role with the team.</p> </p></div> </p> Yeah, D.J looked awesome from what I saw. Hopefully he does well early and gains Mike D'Antoni's trust.</p> We have Eric Piatkowski for Jalen Rose's role of the team lol. I think if we did sign P.J Brown, he would play as much as Thomas did. Not much depth in the front court. Though I doubt we sign him anyway.</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Dissonance19)</div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Denny Crane)</div><div class='quotemain'> I saw Strawberry in summer league, and he was the best player on the floor in any of the games. I had no doubt he'd make the Suns, and I bet he ends up getting serious minutes before the season is done.</p> PJ Brown? I guess someone has to take over Jalen Rose's role with the team.</p> </p></div> </p> Yeah, D.J looked awesome from what I saw. Hopefully he does well early and gains Mike D'Antoni's trust.</p> We have Eric Piatkowski for Jalen Rose's role of the team lol. I think if we did sign P.J Brown, he would play as much as Thomas did. Not much depth in the front court. Though I doubt we sign him anyway.</p> </div></p> As much as I see strawberry playing himself into decent minutes, I see PJ playing himself into the Jalen Rose role. I diss the guy a lot for his play, but I also know he's a really good guy - one of the all-time good guys. He's just way past his prime. He is a Bargnani stopper (sorta) tho. He is tall enough and capable enough to stand next to Bargnani out by the 3pt line and bother his shot a little.</p> </p> </p> </p> </p>
