| | PHOENIX -- Kevin Johnson's return to the Phoenix Suns has
been put off for at least a couple of days as he works his way back
into shape after being out of the NBA for nearly two seasons.
"We're really being realistic that this whole month is to try
to get in as good a shape as possible to contribute in the
playoffs," Johnson said before the Suns played Golden State on
Sunday night.
Johnson did not suit up for the game, but sat on the bench. He
did accompany the team on its four-game road trip but did not play
Tuesday night in Miami.
Johnson, 34, went through his first full-scale practice on
Saturday and felt the effects afterward.
"Sore wasn't the word," he said. "I left here and I couldn't
see. I was delirious. I was tired. My chest cavity felt like it was
about to explode. My legs felt like jelly or spaghetti. I feel a
thousand times better today."
The Suns coaxed the point guard out of retirement and signed him
to a contract on Thursday after Jason Kidd, the NBA's assist
leader, broke his left ankle Wednesday night against Sacramento.
Kidd underwent surgery Thursday and might be able to return for the
playoffs, although perhaps not until the second round, if the Suns
make it that far.
Coach Scott Skiles said he wants Johnson to be at his best when
the playoffs start, but also needs him as the team tries to hold on
to first-round homecourt advantage.
"We need contributions from everybody on our roster in order to
hold that spot," Skiles said. "Having said that, though, we need
to make sure he's ready and able to play, whether it's three
minutes, 10 minutes or 25 minutes. You're talking about a guy who
hasn't played in an awful long time having his first day of contact
yesterday.
"There's no reason to get him out there and yet we want him out
there and able to play at the same time. That's why it's day to
day."
Johnson, the Suns' all-time leader in assists and No. 3 in
scoring, played all but part of his rookie season with Phoenix in
his 11-year career. He said that learning the plays is no problem.
"That's the easy part," he said. "A lot of the plays and sets
are the same ones we had been using before. My biggest hurdle right
now is just going to be conditioning and timing."
He said Kidd has given him some insight on team chemistry.
"I talked to Jason today and he gave me the rundown on all the
individuals as well as the personality of the team and what makes
it tick," Johnson said.
He said he's already seen enough to like the possibilities of
running the pick-and-roll with forwards Clifford Robinson and Rodney
Rogers.
"They're very similar to Tom Chambers," Johnson said.
"They've got good hands. They can go to the basket. They can run
the court. They can score with their back to the basket and they
can score facing up. That's a lot of options."
Johnson said he always knew he had more basketball in him when
he left the game, and his opinion hasn't changed.
"I don't have the time frame. That's the question," he said.
"I know I can still hit a 15-foot jump shot, hit some free throws
and push the ball up the court."
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