Suns scorch Sonics
Quentin Richardson, who has expressed his interest in being a starter, was an effective sixth man Tuesday night, scoring 15 points in the Phoenix Suns’ 103-93 preseason home victory over the short-handed Seattle SuperSonics.
Richardson, signed as a free agent in the off-season, was 5 for 8 from the floor, including 3 for 4 on 3-pointers, in 20 minutes.
Six Suns scored in double figures. Amare Stoudemire had 13 points, nine rebounds and four blocked shots for Phoenix (5-1) in its final preseason home game. Johnson added 14 points and Steve Nash 12.
The SuperSonics (1-6) played without Ray Allen (sore lower back) and Rashard Lewis (plantar fasciitis). Vladimir Radmanovic led Seattle with 22 points. Damien Wilkins added 17.
Carter goes to court
Vince Carter wasn’t available for Tuesday night’s game at Denver and won’t be available for today’s game at Portland because he’s being sued by William “Tank” Black for breach of contract.
Legal proceedings were scheduled to begin in Columbia, S.C., but the judge wasn’t available, delaying the start for a day. Black, who was sent to prison for five years in 2002 for bilking about a dozen NFL players out of millions, is seeking $14 million from Carter. Carter is countersuing.
“The timing of this is unfortunate because I want to be with my teammates preparing for the season, but it’s something I don’t have control over,” Carter said in a statement. “This has been an issue that has hung over my head for a number of years, and I’m going to take care of it once and for all this week.”
Carter hopes to return for Toronto’s final preseason game against Cleveland on Friday.
Robinson, Dalembert demoted
Glenn Robinson and Samuel Dalembert have been demoted from the Philadelphia 76ers’ starting lineup, Coach Jim O’Brien announced as he put the first stamp on his new team.
O’Brien named veterans Aaron McKie and Marc Jackson and rookie Andre Iguodala to the starting lineup. McKie beat out Willie Green to be the starter at shooting guard, Iguodala gets Robinson’s old spot at small forward, and Jackson takes over from Dalembert at center.
Allen Iverson, who will play point guard rather than shooting guard, and Kenny Thomas will be the other starters for Philadelphia’s season-opener Nov. 3 against Boston.
Robinson did not play in an exhibition game against Utah and left the locker room before the game to tend to unrelated family matters. Robinson, entering his 11th season, has started 668 of 679 career games and has a 20.8 career scoring average.
“Glenn took it about as good as any NBA player has ever taken news that he was not going to be in the starting lineup,” O’Brien said. “I have a tremendous amount of respect for the professional way he handled the situation.”
Robinson griped about playing time last season when injuries shortened his first season in Philadelphia to a career-low 42 games. Robinson dedicated himself to off-season workout programs and proclaimed in training camp to be in his best shape in years.
“It does matter for me. I’m not going to lie. I do want to start,” Dalembert said last week when asked about the possibility of losing his starting job.
Off the court
Indiana Pacers center Jeff Foster will have hip surgery today and is expected to miss 4 to 6 weeks. Scot Pollard will fill Foster’s spot in the starting lineup. … Memphis Grizzlies center Lorenzen Wright was suspended for one game by the NBA for shoving Milwaukee center Zaza Pachulia during Memphis’ 97-75 exhibition victory over the Bucks last Thursday. Wright will serve the suspension during the Grizzlies’ season opener, Nov. 3 against the Washington Wizards in Memphis, Tenn.