Channing Frye Officially Signs With Phoenix Suns

This morning Channing Frye casually sauntered up to the podium wearing shorts, untied converse and a polo shirt, sat down, and conducted the most anti-LeBron type of press conference (or TV special) known to man. Sure he isn't LeBron, but this was refreshing, to say the least.

There was no appearance from Bob Sarv, Alvin Gentry, or any other Suns official, with the exception of the ever present Julie Fie. Just a local boy, clearly happy to be home for the next few years. Here's what he had to say:

 About resigning with the Suns:

"I'm glad to be back home. I want to thank Mr. Sarver and Alvin Gentry for making this happen so quickly...This gives me a lot of motivation to get better...It was the right decision for me and family...I love Phoenix, we've put our roots down as a family...I'm excited to be here...I feel like I can improve, I feel like I can help this team, I feel like we can do some things...I was like 'hey, if you want me that bad and I want to go back there that bad, then there can't be nothing wrong with that..."

On playing without Amare Stoudemire:

"We're all going to have to step up our game in Stat's absence. I still think we have a pretty good team...This is  a new era of Suns basketball, and I'm happy to be a part of it...I'm hearing peeople are Suns aren't gonna be anything this year. nd I think that's kind the same people thought last year, and keep this going...People shouldn't underestimate Robin or me or the will of this team We still have Steve Nash, Grant Hill, Jason Richardson, Jared, Leandro, Goran, myself...Just stick with us and watch what happens. I think your gonna see a lot of growth from the young guys...For me it's just picking up the intensity...For me just being a little more emotionally committed to each game...Making sure I stay on the glass...Constant movement...Picking up on defense, blocking more shots..."

On Free Agency:

"I watched the LeBron thing and he likes that kind of stuff. I hate free agency...I just want to be somewhere for a long time...Phoenix was adamant about getting a deal done...I felt this was the right place for me and my family to be...Just knowing that I'll be here and grow with this team with the people that we have, it's just more motivation for me to get better."

On The Interest He Received From Other Teams (I chuckled at this response):

"We had about as much interest as I thought there'd be...The crazy thing was they were like "we like you a lot but we're going to give 98% of our attention to those big 5 guys...Everyone was twiddling their thumbs until the LeBron and D Wayde and Chris Bosh and Boozer and those guys made their decision..."

On Hakim Warrick:

"I've known him since he was what, 17-18 years old, played with him before. He's another skilled, freaky athletic player...I think the fans are gonna love him...He can shoot, run, he can finish around the basket....I think he is taough cover because of his length he's on he offensive glass. He's gonna bring that athleticism that maybe Lou, depending on what happens with him and Amare. He's not Amare, he's not like anything you've ever seen, so give us a chance before you write us off..."

On team Chemistry Without Amare:

"We lost Amare but our core group is still here and we got three new quality guys...No change in chemistry, it can only get better...Our chemistry will push us through the hard times...We know we can't cruise through games, we have to give it 110%...We always have motivation to get better...I was talking to Grant, he was the first guy I called, I got a text from Steve and J.D. and J-Rich all those guys are really happy I came back..." 

On Thoughts of Improving His Game in Amare's Absence:

"I have more motivation to improve, to get more explosive, put the ball on the ground, get stronger, faster, quicker with the help of our training staff. Overall just being more explosive...Definitely work on my post game...Just overal,l just get better... staying with the same system...i think yo're gonna see a faster more athletic team."

On Starting Versus Coming off the Bench:

"It's not my decision nor do I care whether I'm starting versus coming off the bench...hatver works for this team...I trust Alvin Gentry and his decisions...I'm cool"

No matter how Channing performs next season, it's clear he has the right attitude. He doesn't care about the changes that have and will be made, he's got a great frame of mind, bent on improving his game, and very happy to be part of the community as well as being a Phoenix Sun.