Phoenix Suns' Alvin Gentry Moves Hakim Warrick into starting lineup, seeks to get Hedo Turkoglu going

Even before Amar'e Stoudemire left for New York in July, Suns brass already had talked about Hakim Warrick as a potential replacement if Stoudemire left.

Stoudemire left. Warrick came. But it was not until Sunday night that Warrick started in his place after 16 games of trying Hedo Turkoglu there.

Although Warrick had played well and seemed to fit better alongside Channing Frye and on pick-and-rolls with Steve Nash, coach Alvin Gentry said the decision was as much to get Turkoglu going. Turkoglu had a scoreless, foul-marred start Friday to give him his lowest scoring average (9.9) in seven seasons.

"It's nothing against Hedo," Gentry said. "His attitude is tremendous. He's down because he feels like he's not doing enough to help. I just have to put him in a position so that he can feel like he's helping our team. That might be some as a three (small forward) and more as a ball-handler."

Gentry said he will "stick with it enough to see if it's going to work."

Turkoglu said playing small forward allows him to focus on his best skills.