Read More: nba free agents 2011, Michael Redd (G – PHO), Jared Dudley (G – PHO), Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns are getting off to a pretty slow start in the 2011-12 NBA season. And they look particularly weak in the shooting guard position. Jared Dudley is a solid enough bench player, but he can’t be a starter and expect to put up big numbers and sustain that type of effort for an entire season. Shannon Brown has had a disastrous start, and has a lot of work to do if he plans on logging big minutes anytime soon.

So Phoenix went into the well and worked out former All-Star Michael Redd, and it looks like they’re ready to sign him. Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic has more.

Michael Redd, who has a scary knee history, worked out for the Suns at US Airways Center on Tuesday, and the Suns are expected to sign the 32-year-old today to address their need for scoring and shooting.

Redd likely would not play immediately as he learns the Suns’ system and works into playing shape.

To discuss the possibility of Redd and the Suns, go to Bright Side of the Sun.

University of Phoenix’s parent company has named former Arizona Diamondbacks and Phoenix Suns executive Rich Dozer to its board of directors.

Phoenix-based Apollo Group Inc. made the announcement on Tuesday.

Dozer, 54, is the chairman of GenSpring Family Office of Phoenix, a wealth-management firm. Before that, Dozer was the founding president of the Arizona Diamondbacks and chief operating officer of the Phoenix Suns.

Earlier in Dozer’s career, he held various positions at Arthur Andersen, where he was a certified public accountant. Dozer earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Arizona.

Dozer serves on the boards of directors of several Arizona-based corporations, including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, Meridian Bank, Swift Transportation Corp. and Viad Corp.

The Phoenix businessman replaces Samuel DiPiazza Jr., the former global chairman of PricewaterhouseCoopers.

DiPiazza resigned from the Apollo board in October.

Dozer supports numerous Arizona organizations, including Phoenix Children’s Hospital, United Way Foundation for Blind Children and United Cerebral Palsy.

He also serves on the boards of directors of Teach for America of Phoenix, the Greater Phoenix Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Greater Phoenix Leadership Inc.

Reach the reporter at jahna.berry@arizonarepublic.com.

Robert Sarver read through the NBA schedule last night when it was released, and he’s not happy that many of the Eastern Conference’s top teams won’t be making their way to Phoenix, since that represents a big financial loss at the ticket counter. From the Arizona Republic: “Phoenix is the only team that will not have a home game this season against Boston, Chicago, Miami, New York or Orlando. ‘I was disappointed for our fans,’ Suns Managing Partner Robert Sarver said. ‘When the preliminary schedule came out, I asked the league to reconsider and they didn’t. You’ve got to factor in all the arenas and timelines, and they weren’t able to move dates around.’ Although some West teams are visiting only once this season, Phoenix will get two home games against the Lakers, Mavericks, Clippers and Spurs, Sarver noted. Eleven of the other 14 West teams play at least three of those five top East teams at home. Golden State and Oklahoma City host all five attendance boosters. Houston did not fare much better than Phoenix, getting New York at home but not Boston, Chicago, Miami or Orlando. ‘For the most part, the schedule is computer-generated by a consulting firm that does schedules for the NHL and NBA,’ Sarver said. ‘Unfortunately for us, given the short schedule, we’re not going to see some of the elite teams in the East.’ The Suns will be on ESPN or ESPN2 nine times this season and twice on TNT (home vs. Dallas and the Clippers).”

Former Suns player Cedric Ceballos suffered “a series of small heart attacks” Sunday night and was scheduled for surgery Monday, publicist Crystal Guy said.

Ceballos, 42, played in a home win Sunday for the Arizona Scorpions, an ABA team that he partly owns, Guy said. After going home, Ceballos felt discomfort that prompted him to go to the hospital, Guy said.

“I feel blessed and very fortunate to be here today and to have made the decision to go to the hospital and get my symptoms checked out late last night,” Ceballos said in a statement. “I ask everyone to keep me in your prayers and I make my journey back to good health. Thank everyone who has called and is concerned.

“While I want to respond and speak to everyone, I cannot right now, but will be in touch very soon. God bless you.”

Ceballos played four full seasons (1990-94) and parts of two others (1996-97 and 1997-98) for the Suns in an 11-year NBA career. He serves as the Suns’ arena emcee.

Phoenix Suns update:

Former Phoenix Suns player Cedric Ceballos suffered “a series of small heart attacks” Sunday night and was scheduled for surgery today, according to his publicist, Crystal Guy.

Ceballos, 42, played in a Sunday victory for the Arizona Scorpions, an ABA team which he partly owns. After going home, Ceballos felt some discomfort that prompted him to go to the hospital, Guy said. (p.m. update: KTVK-TV showed video of Ceballos bent over during Sunday’s game and then coming out in the first quarter)

“I feel blessed and very fortunate to be here today and to have made the decision to go to the hospital and get my symptoms checked out late last night,” Ceballos said in a statement. “I ask everyone to keep me in your prayers and I make my journey back to good health. Thank everyone who has called and is concerned. While I want to respond and speak to everyone, I cannot right now, but will be in touch very soon. God bless you.”

Ceballos played four full seasons and parts of two others for the Suns in his 11-year NBA career. He now serves as the Suns’ in-arena emcee and helps with community relations while operating his own business. His co-owner and coach, Ron Tilley, said Ceballos was the Scorpions’ top performer before the season but Ceballos said he did not plan to play back-to-back games in the league. The Scorpions won Sunday to move to 5-1.

Tweetin’ at www.twitter.com/paulcoro

Monday, November 21, 2011 at 04:07 PM

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