Suns notebook: Kerr’s talk stresses positives

While he flew in from San Diego Monday morning to address Amaré Stoudemire’s absence from practice, Suns general manager Steve Kerr also took time to address his team before a shootaround — and the subject matter wasn’t hard to figure out.

Phoenix pulls out of weekend funk by routing Denver

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The Suns have 24 wins in their first 34 games after Monday’s 137-115 rout of Denver, hold first place in their division and lead the conference by a half-game over San Antonio — and Phoenix should have its best basketball in front of it.

“Steve talked to us and then (Coach) Mike (D’Antoni) talked to us and made sure that we knew we have a lot of good things going on,” guard Raja Bell said. “There’s not a whole lot to be unhappy about. Sometimes you get caught up in whatever’s happening at that moment, but the big picture is bright. We have a lot of pros in this room and a lot of talent.”

Guard Marcus Banks said Kerr didn’t go the lecture route. “I think it was more motivation,” he said. “He came in at the right time, and it showed tonight.”

Stoudemire, who said he missed practice to tend to his son who was suffering from a high fever and not because he was upset with his lack of shots in Saturday’s loss to the Hornets, said the win was important and puts the team back on track.

“We definitely wanted this win and I think we needed it,” he said. “We have a group of great guys and when we have problems they aren’t going to linger more than a few hours because everyone wants the same thing. When we have a big win like this we just ride it together.”

BANK ON IT

Marcus Banks continues to earn D’Antoni’s confidence with good play on both ends of the floor. His seven 3-pointers in eight tries Monday makes him 10-for-12 over the past two games — adding a dimension the Suns have missed over the first third of the season.

Banks also drew a roar from the crowd with some sticky defense against Allen Iverson in the first half.

“I can’t expect him to do that all the time,” D’Antoni said.

“But what I need him to do — and he’s doing it — is learn how not to foul in crucial times, how not turn it over, how not to jack (a shot) up and how to be a real good team guy. And he’s trying.”

SEE YOU LATER

The Suns needed all the swagger they could scoop up Monday, but some of the Nuggets didn’t take too kindly to the seven 3-pointers the Suns made in the fourth quarter — including one each by Banks and Eric Piatkowski in the final 40 seconds with the Suns clinging to a 20-point lead.

“They got happy and then they got cocky and they rubbed our faces in it a little bit,” Denver coach George Karl said. “It’ll be fun the next time we play them.”

BONUS SHOTS

The Suns are now 4-0 against division leaders this season. They are 2-0 against Orlando (Southeast), 1-0 against San Antonio (Southwest) and 1-0 against Denver (Northwest). … Phoenix’s 46-point first quarter was the fourth time this season the Suns have scored at least 40 points in a quarter.