BRINGING THE THUNDER

Former NBA star Dan Majerle is on the bench as an assistant coach for the Phoenix Suns Summer League team. In June, he was hired as a full-time assistant on the staff of new head coach Terry Porter.
“Thunder” Dan made the transition from big-time dunker to 3-point and defensive specialist later in his career, so his head for the game was always obvious. In the past few years, however, he has used that knowledge as a color commentator on the team’s broadcasts. He says his second career did little to prepare him for coaching.
“I take much more from my playing days. I played for 14 years and I learned a lot,” he said. “Commentating was fun. It kept me around the guys and the league, but that’s about it.”
The upcoming season will be his first real coaching job, so Majerle is using this league as a learning experience.
“This is my first time doing it. I’ve really enjoyed it. I’m having a lot of fun,” he said. “I’m here learning just like the guys on the team, so this is good.”
Majerle wasn’t able to deliver a win on this day, however.
D.J. Strawberry scored 21 points for the Suns, but had a potential game-tying 3-point attempt blocked by Delonte Holland with less than 10 seconds remaining in the game. Wilson Chandler scored 31 points for the Knicks in the 85-80 victory.

Small measure of revenge
It’s only Summer League, but you have to think Mike D’Antoni took a little extra satisfaction from Friday’s victory.
The new head coach of the New York Knicks was essentially let go by Phoenix in May after four straight playoff appearances with the Suns. D’Antoni was in attendance for the early game at Cox Pavilion.
Among the other faces in the crowd for the early session Friday were Joe Dumars, Chris Mullin and Steve Kerr.