Suns' new light

Jet, March 4, 2002

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Caption: SUNS' NEW LIGHT: Phoenix Suns new head coach Frank Johnson talks to the media at America West Arena in Phoenix, AZ. Johnson replaces Scott Sidles who stepped down as coach. The 43-year-old Johnson, the first Black head coach in franchise history, was Skiles' top assistant the last two seasons with the Suns, who have made the playoffs every year since the 1987-88 season. Johnson joined the team on Nov. 5, 1992 when he signed as a reserve guard. He played two seasons before he became an assistant coach on Feb. 20, 1997. The husband and father of two daughters plans no immediate lineup changes and believes the Suns need just a little fine-tuning to turn around a teetering .500-season. "We've have a base, a foundation, that Scott has laid down and we like it," Johnson said. "We've got to instill confidence; we've got to make this team feel good about themselves."