are we getting left behind?

[Dustbuster]

Why do you feel you need to replace him with a single player? ...So what exactly is irreplacable about him? One player does everything well for 70 million over 5 years. Or, you can have 2 or 3 different players that DO THE SAME THING come out to 50 million total over 5 years. What's better?

I would say that having the one player that can do all of those things is better - because you can't have Bell, Diaw, and Jimmy all on the floor at the same time to make up for JJ. JJ was performing all of those roles simultaneously, and if you make for him with a platoon, you will be missing on some of those qualities due to whomever is subbed in. If Diaw is in and can pass, but can't shoot, then you have to augment with a shooter. If Bell or Jimmy is in but can't create their own shot, then Nashy can't rest, etc...

No one is trying to make JJ out to be a superstar, but in terms of being an All-Star, he has as much talent as many SGs who have been All-Stars. The Suns already had three players in the All Star game last year, do you honestly think they would have put a fourth in. If JJ is in Atlanta, who would you have going ahead of him as a SG in the All-Star game? Redd was an All-Star last year - was he better than JJ? I don't think so. He's a weaker defender, poorer passer, poorer rebounder, and shot a lower percentage. And do you honestly think that JJ is going be a poorer player when he hits, say 25, or 27?

I'm more curious as to why you are so intent on shooting him down. Most of the pundits of the league (other than Hollinger) would disagree with you regarding JJ's value.

 

[Dustbuster]

Come on now, this is just run-of-the-mill crying. Nobody is saying JJ won't improve. But you're not looking at the big picture.

The big picture? And what exactly is that? Losing one of our key players whom many considered to be one of the future cornerstones in this franchise is somehow not the big picture? Replacing him with inferior, aging players is big picture? I would say those that think someone like Finley can just step in and replace JJ are not looking at the big picture.

 

[Yuma]

Hey, I am only going to add a little bit. KT I haven't watched a lot, but for a position of need versus a wingman who got burned in the playoffs defensivly, I would say KT for Q was a push. I am not and probably will never be sold on Robinson, the little midget sideshow. If you think Robinson was going to put us over the top for a Championship, then whatever...

Raja Bell! I have seen him play. You guys are getting caught up on stats trying to compare Raja with JJ. You can't. Raja is an athletic Danny Ainge to me. He's one of those guys that plays smart and does things for your team to win that don't show up in the stat sheets. He's the guy that fills the passing lane that creates a turn over. The timely double team guy. I will guarnatee that most of the people on this board will end up liking him by year's end. He's one of those guys you want on your team, and hate to play against when he's on the other team.

Padgett is a poor man's Kurt Rambis. He can stick the three, take the charge, and give you those extra hustle plays the big stars don't make. Now he's not in the top 100 players in the league, but he's a veteran wiley gamer.

Boris Diaw, Burke, and whoever else we signed are not going to get a hell of a lot of minutes behing Nash, Amare, Marion, KT, Bell, Jimmy J., Padgett, and Barbosa. So why worry about it?

We will be contenders! At the end of the day, we are only going as far as Amare takes us anyways. He almost got us to the Finals last year and we all agree he has room to grow. He has to step up parts of his game for us to go further anyway. I know I am going to enjoy watching the Suns next year.

The silver lining? Now that we have a legit center, noone's going to write those articles about if small ball can win in the playoffs next season! Is small ball dead? No way! We will see it in every game next year.

 

[George O'Brien]

I would say that having the one player that can do all of those things is better - because you can't have Bell, Diaw, and Jimmy all on the floor at the same time to make up for JJ. JJ was performing all of those roles simultaneously, and if you make for him with a platoon, you will be missing on some of those qualities due to whomever is subbed in. If Diaw is in and can pass, but can't shoot, then you have to augment with a shooter. If Bell or Jimmy is in but can't create their own shot, then Nashy can't rest, etc...

No one is trying to make JJ out to be a superstar, but in terms of being an All-Star, he has as much talent as many SGs who have been All-Stars. The Suns already had three players in the All Star game last year, do you honestly think they would have put a fourth in. If JJ is in Atlanta, who would you have going ahead of him as a SG in the All-Star game? Redd was an All-Star last year - was he better than JJ? I don't think so. He's a weaker defender, poorer passer, poorer rebounder, and shot a lower percentage. And do you honestly think that JJ is going be a poorer player when he hits, say 25, or 27?

I'm more curious as to why you are so intent on shooting him down. Most of the pundits of the league (other than Hollinger) would disagree with you regarding JJ's value.

Since I held out to the end in hope of getting JJ (let the money problem sort itself out later), I am inclined to agree. But at the end of the day, the Suns are still going to be a very good team and will not be quite so overwhelmed financially that they couldn't add to their depth. I'd rather have JJ, but the final result is far from a disaster.

The greatest irony is that JJ's biggest advantage over someone like Bell was his ability to make his own shot, a skill that was not really exploited by the Suns offense. So while JJ's a lot better than Bell, the on court difference won't be nearly as great as the relative talents would make it seem.

JJ was upset that he was used mostly as a spot up shooter. He was great at it, but he was certainly capable of much more. Bell may not be able to do as much, but at SG he should be able to do as much.

 

[myrondizzo]

i think that Jjax can step in for JJ he shot .459 from three last year(almost 10%over what he was shooting behind the arc in Houston (nash factor)) on or off the bench he can run the offense in spot duty and he is content being a 4th option. what hurt us when JJ went down wasnt so much that JJ wasnt playing but that we didnt have Jjax to come off the bench.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Its crying over spilled milk but the guy played 40 minutes a game and before the playoffs never missed a game. He was deferential, but very talented and a good complement to every other player on the team . Nash made him better and he made Nash better.

Its over and we have to move on and i agree that we will likely add somebody before the trading deadline to augment our needs. Im just not buying that anyone on our roster or all but 5 players in the NBA could replace all JJ did on the floor. We can still be good (same ol' suns...just good enough but not quite enough to finish the job) but we are VERY close to the ring and now we took a huge step back....

On this note, i think adding Demarr Johnson would be a master stroke by the suns if they can pull it off. Hes a good shooter, is long and was a high draft pick who i think is finally over the horrible accident he suffered a few years back. and he could be had for a paltry sum. Add him with Diaw and Bell (w/ JJax backing up Marion) and depending if Amare takes as big a step this year as he did last year (and im talking 29 pts, 12reb, and 2.5 blcks) then that team could do some damage and maybe.....maybe....compete with San Antonio

 

[George O'Brien]

If the Suns make no more moves, then their situation will be roughly the same. KT is much more valuable than Q while JJ was much more valuable than Bell. Hunter was nice, but he's not that good.

BTW, the longer the discussion about Q goes on, the more I find myself remembering just how frustrated I was at his one dimensional aimless chucking. He didn't pass the ball, he didn't have a mid range game, he didn't play very much defense, and his rebounding was nice but not great for forward. He had some games when he hit a lot of threes, but not many where he was responsible for getting open.

Maybe his swagger and head pounding was something the team needed, but his overall performance was no big deal. What is it about this crappy shooter that people are so in love with?

 

[Billythekid]

Look at Bell, for example. What else can JJ do that he can't? Ok. JJ shoots a higher 3-point percentage. Great. See the above post regarding that. He can run the offense in spot duty. Great. So can Jimmy Jackson and it looks like Diaw might have that capability also.

Again we're just making a comparison purely from a statistical POV.

I've seen Bell play, quite alot and he's NO JOE JOHNSON. He is a decent player, that can hit the mid range J, plays hard smart defense, but he doesn't have the athletism, the ball handling, the moves to get inside, the sweet little floater in the lane, the creativity that JJ has. Joe Johnson is a very complete player that could create his shot at any point. Raja Bell can't do that half as well.

JJ isn't easily replaced IMO, but i do agree, being hamstrung by a contract that probably exceeds his value... right now, that is the catch 22... but i would pay him (not me personally ) if he had a change of heart.

 

[elindholm]

Joe Johnson is a very complete player that could create his shot at any point. Raja Bell can't do that half as well.

And Bell didn't cost half as much, so it's probably appropriate.

 

[myrondizzo]

actually JJ cost almost 3 times as much so if he can do half of what JJ does then he will have been a bargin.