Can Q and JJ Thrive Together?

[Buseinspectrum]

My only concern about the signing is its affect upon JJ. His confidence always seems to be an issue. When he was sharing time with Penny, his confidence was shaky and so was his game at times. Once Penny left and his minutes went way up, he knew he was the man, was confident and responded and played great. Now, we are back in a similar situation. I'm assuming JJ will remain the starter, but Q will eat up some of his minutes, and if Q goes off, people will start to wonder about who should start. Hopefully, JJ has further matured and won't be affected by this.

 

[devilalum]

JJ has reached his coddling quota.

Its time for him to step up and act like a man or he's destined to be a career enigma.

 

[elindholm]

I'm assuming JJ will remain the starter, but Q will eat up some of his minutes, and if Q goes off, people will start to wonder about who should start.

I won't wonder. If Richarson plays well and Johnson shrinks away, Richardson should start and Johnson should sit.

JJ has reached his coddling quota.

Amen to that. If he can step up, that's great; otherwise, see ya.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

I'm assuming JJ will remain the starter, but Q will eat up some of his minutes, and if Q goes off, people will start to wonder about who should start.

I won't wonder. If Richarson plays well and Johnson shrinks away, Richardson should start and Johnson should sit.

JJ has reached his coddling quota.

Amen to that. If he can step up, that's great; otherwise, see ya.

I agree with you both 100%

 

[Vinny]

I agree that Q will take some minutes away from JJ, but don't you think it will also take some minutes away from Marion?

JJ may get moved to the 3 at times.

Therefore the minutes will be spread out a little more evenly. This will be a good thing since we were killing Marion and JJ with minutes last year!

 

[F-Dog]

My understanding is that Richardson is a work in progress. Initially, the main problem will be whether Richardson can earn his minutes as a backup, not who the starter should be.


It will be interesting to see how Richardson and JJ work together on the court, but you could say the same about Richardson and anybody else in a Suns uniform.

 

[elindholm]

My understanding is that Richardson is a work in progress.

Less so than Johnson. If you had to win a game today and fatigue wasn't an issue, Richardson would be the choice.

 

[Cheesebeef]

The fact that we even have to bring this up continues to scare me about Johnson. Hopefully - mentally this kid is finally on the ball after last year's second half and won't go into a shell again - if he does, well then he ain't ever gonna be an important part of a title team and should be on the first train outta here. I'm pullin' for him - I just don't fully believe in him yet.

 

[F-Dog]

My understanding is that Richardson is a work in progress.

Less so than Johnson. If you had to win a game today and fatigue wasn't an issue, Richardson would be the choice.

I can't say for others, but I would take Johnson. Q plays Clippers basketball, although he seems to have a great attitude, so that should change quickly enough.

As for JJ's confidence...we'll have to wait and see, right?

 

[Joe Mama]

I just can't imagine that Richardson wanted to come to the Phoenix Suns to play 25 minutes per game off the bench. There are 144 minutes per game at the 1, 2, and 3 positions. If we figure Shawn Marion, Joe Johnson, Quentin Richardson, and Steve Nash each play 30 minutes per game that leaves just 24 minutes for Cabarkapa, CJ, and Barbosa.

Now if Shawn Marion plays 6 minutes per game at power forward in a small lineup. Here is how things could break down.

Point guard: Nash (30), Barbosa (15), JJ (3)

Shooting guard: JJ (15), Richardson (30), CJ (3)

Small forward: Shawn Marion (25), JJ (20), CJ (3)

Power forward: Amare Stoudemire (28), Shawn Marion (10), Cabarkapa (10)

Center Jake Voskuhl (15), Amare Stoudemire (10), Lampe (15), free-agent (8)

Joe Mama

 

[Goldfield]

This is proball not daycare... I am the biggest JJ supporter, but we cant worrie about how adding Q will effect JJ.

Either he steps up or he doesent. Eitherway, we find out if he's a guy we need on our team.


IMO JJ will be more motivated than ever. Not from Q, but more about his contract.

 

[minercon]

If we have to give up a so called good player in a future deal, I hope they deal JJ and not Marion. Marion has confidence that does not get bruised. We would miss Shawn a lot more than JJ...I guarantee that!

 

[coloradosun]

If we have to give up a so called good player in a future deal, I hope they deal JJ and not Marion. Marion has confidence that does not get bruised. We would miss Shawn a lot more than JJ...I guarantee that!

Marion is 27, Johnson is 22, that is not a fair comparison. Marion at 22 was just the same as JJ and got by on his athleticism. Marion was captian by default last year and proved he did not have the confidence to lead.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Marion is 27, Johnson is 22, that is not a fair comparison. Marion at 22 was just the same as JJ and got by on his athleticism. Marion was captian by default last year and proved he did not have the confidence to lead.

marion never curled up into a ball whimpering like jj was fraught to when hardaway was here. marion might not have always have been a stud, but he didn't have wild confidence swings. jj's got a fragile ego. it effects his game. hopefully we'll see less of that. but it's a legit concern.

 

[Chaz]

JJ grew up idolizing Penny, it is not a big deal now that he defered to him.


I think Q and Amare have the type of personality and attitude the team needs. I expect some of that confidence and attitude to "rub off" on JJ.

If it doesn't, and he is passive, I expect he will be playing with another team next season.

 

[fordronken]

The fear of JJ shrinking is what makes me think it may be a good idea to trade him now for a center.

 

[sunsfn]

JJ will step up this year. I think this will be his most consistent year and he is going to get better after this year. JJ in a couple years will be an all-star and be a main part of this team.

He is not going to have any problems and will be taking over games more this year than he ever has. Do not forget how young he is!

 

[jbeecham]

JJ will step up this year. I think this will be his most consistent year and he is going to get better after this year. JJ in a couple years will be an all-star and be a main part of this team.

He is not going to have any problems and will be taking over games more this year than he ever has. Do not forget how young he is!

I hope that you're right. I think JJ and Q are going to become really good friends (actually I think Q is going to get along great with everyone on the team) and we'll have a situation like we had with JJ and Penny. The difference will be that I don't think Q will play mind tricks with JJ and make him feel bad for taking his minutes like Penny did.

As long as JJ realizes that everyone has the same goals (winning games, championships) and all the players want everyone to suceed, then he could be alright.