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Suns notebook: Amaré back on court - with goggles
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Other than dealing with sweat and perspiration, Amaré Stoudemire was pleased with his first contact practice sporting new goggles on Monday.
Barbosa rejoins Suns after visit to ill mother
"It was a good first step," the Suns forward said. "It will take awhile to get comfortable with them. They do get blurry a lot and you have to keep wiping them off. But it's nice knowing my eyes are protected now."
Stoudemire, who is expected to sit out the next two games and return to the lineup Monday against Charlotte, didn't show any trepidation in his first practice since taking a finger to the eye from teammate Boris Diaw on Oct. 1. He was aggressive on both ends and finished several plays inside.
"I felt good. I felt strong. I just need to get a few more practices under my belt," he said.
BARNES VS. HILL
Grant Hill and Matt Barnes swapped jersey colors at Monday's practice, and it appears coach Terry Porter's plan to start Barnes in some preseason games will take effect this week.
Barnes has brought not just energy, but production in his stints on the floor, and may yet supplant Hill at the small forward position. Both players have said they don't care who starts.
TUCKER OUT
While Stoudemire and Leandro Barbosa practiced Monday, the Suns were still short a man. Alando Tucker had to sit out with hamstring tightness. Tucker has struggled physically since suffering from dehydration in Tucson, and playing late in the cold of the outdoor game Saturday didn't help the situation.
BONUS SHOTS
General manager Steve Kerr said the Suns are already considering a second outdoor game in Indian Wells, Calif., next season, with the Golden State Warriors the likely opponent. The game would likely start at least an hour earlier to help combat the cold weather the Suns and Nuggets experienced Saturday. ... With Barbosa back, the Suns waived swingman Trey Johnson, who did not appear in any of the first three preseason games. Of all the nonroster invitees, guard Robert Hite has shown the most promise and may get a further look this week while Barbosa works into the lineup.
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