As expected, Suns sign guard Giricek

PORTLAND – It’s been a very difficult season for Gordan Giricek. The Phoenix Suns can surely relate.

The question is, can there be a happy ending for both?

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After wearing out his welcome in Utah and gathering dust in Philadelphia, Giricek officially joined the Suns today, signing a one-year contract for the veteran’s minimum. He took part in Phoenix’s 11 a.m. shoot-around and was pumping up 3-pointers just moments after officially clearing waivers.

“I’m coming in to work hard and help the team as much as I can. I’m not expecting anything,” said Giricek, who will wear No. 2 tonight. “There are not too many days in the season, so I want to help immediately.”

The 30-year-old native of Croatia becomes the third new player to join Phoenix in three weeks, joining Shaquille O’Neal and Linton Johnson as the retooled Suns look to regroup for the final 23 games of the regular season and make a charge in the Western Conference playoffs.

Suns coach Mike D’Antoni said Giricek would likely play “a few minutes” in the first half tonight against the Blazers and would be evaluated from there. He’ll play the small forward or shooting guard spot and be paired with Raja Bell, Grant Hill or Leandro Barbosa.

“We want to play him because we don’t have much time, but we have to win the game,” D’Antoni said. “We have high hopes for him obviously, or we wouldn’t have done it. We think he can spread the floor and hit some threes and twos. He’s not a savior, just another good basketball player.”

D’Antoni admitted working yet another new player into the rotation is “not the ideal situation, but it’s the one we find ourselves in.” The Suns re-signed Johnson to another 10-day contract on Monday, and he’s expected to play tonight as well.

Giricek has played in just two games in over a month and only 12 games since Philadelphia acquired him from the Jazz in the Kyle Korver deal – which followed a much-publicized blowout with Utah coach Jerry Sloan. The 76ers were more interested in his cap number and had no problem granting his request to be waived – as long as he didn’t go to another Eastern Conference team.

Giricek, who scored a career-high 33 points against the Suns almost four years ago in Phoenix (Mar. 12, 2004) said he is in practice shape and said he recently upped his personal workout regimen to make up for his game inactivity.

“I was working, but it’s not the same as being on the court and running fast breaks,” Giricek said. “It’s hard to tell how I’ll feel. If I am tired, I’m going to ask for a substitution, there is no shame in it. I’m feeling good, but it’s hard to tell (until) the games come.”