Eddie Johnson for Governor!

[Gaddabout]

EJ puts the Suns best foot forward in his Amare apology. This guy is good. I love we have a guy like him representing the Suns. Obviously, he's a team first kind of guy -- no pervasive sense of detachment here, like we find in Steve Kerr. He's good for Arizona. He should be in politics, with those kind of skills. I wonder what he thinks about the immigration issue.

http://www.hoopshype.com/columns/amare_johnson.htm

 

[sunsfn]

[FONT=Tahoma, Arial, Verdana][SIZE=+2]HoopsHype.com Columns[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Tahoma, Arial, Verdana]Amare had to try[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]by Eddie Johnson / April 13, 2006[/FONT][/FONT]

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[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]THE AUTHOR:
EDDIE JOHNSON
[/FONT]

Amare Stoudemire had to try. He had to see if his body could do what he had been doing so effortlessly since he picked up a basketball. He did not want to hear the pundits discussing and questioning if he should just sit out the year. He wanted to play the game he loves.


​

I don't blame him. It is so easy for people to sit and determine whether someone should do this or that from afar.
None of these people were at rehab with him when he pushed his knee to the limits and saw success. They were not there when he made a certain move on the practice court and he said to himself, "Wow, no pain."
They didn't see him make his signature move and show for one instant the same explosion he thought he had lost forever.
They didn't understand that after waking up most days after rehab with soreness, those days were starting to be different the more he worked.
They didn't feel the emptiness that one feels when you can't share the success of your teammates the way you expected to.
They didn't see the encouragement from doctors and the X-rays that showed his knee was stable and ready for action.
They definitely didn't feel the pressure Amare put on himself because of the expectations coming from the large contract he signed last summer.
These thoughts and feelings are the makeup of the motivated athlete. I am talking about the athletes that are driven by playing the game and not the amount of money they make.
I truly believe that Amare is in the class of all the great ones who loved the game more than the money. And for that very reason, he wanted to come back and I applaud him.
Although it did not work out for him, I thought he needed to try. He now has a measuring stick to take with him into the summer. He now understands what he has to do to get ready. He knows now how important it is to do rehab and concentrate on getting better for next year.
I myself am not ruling out a return this season if the Suns make the Finals. I know it's a long shot, but what a story that would make.
The Suns needed Amare and he knew it more than anyone. The things the Suns lack, he provides. That's why he pushed himself back into uniform.
The Suns have very limited post-up ability and a weak presence in the middle defensively [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]–[/FONT] especially since Kurt Thomas went down with a stress fracture of the foot.
Amare would have been the glue to get the Suns to the level of the San Antonio Spurs and the Detroit Pistons.
Boris Diaw, who should win the Most Improved Player award this year, has filled in as much as he can. Now Phoenix must do it by committee and hope for the best.
The Suns have a serious problem when they are not making jump shots. They will have to find someone who can give some consistent points in the painted area during the playoffs. If not, they could find themselves in a world of trouble.
Amare was the savior. His first game back against Portland gave everyone hope.
He was explosive at times and looked very confident for someone who had not played in months. But obviously, with rehab comes the constant reliance on your off leg. No matter how much you think about it, you always favor your good leg over the other.
Now Amare is back in rehab trying to get his other leg better all the while telling himself not to put pressure on the other leg [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]–[/FONT] which happens to be the one that got him sent to the doctor in the first place.
Some people say Amare hurt himself more by coming back and I say he helped himself tremendously.
He not only proved his toughness, but he let his teammates know how badly he wanted back in the lineup. The Suns are better off knowing that chances are Amare will not be back this season instead of wondering and second-guessing his commitment if he had not tried at all.
That's the messed-up situation for all athletes that are battling back from injuries.
You are dammed if you do and dammed if you don't.
The Suns will get to the Conference Finals again led by Steve Nash and Shawn Marion, but along the way they have to hope and pray someone knocks off the Spurs because that is the only team in the Western Conference that can exploit the not-having-Amare factor.
With Tim Duncan, Nazr Mohammed, Rasho Nesterovic and Robert Horry, the Spurs are just too much for the Suns to deal with without Amare and a healthy Kurt Thomas in the lineup.
The Suns have proved one thing with the emergence of Boris Diaw, Raja Bell, Eddie House, James Jones, Leandro Barbosa and a hopefully re-signed Tim Thomas... If Amare Stoudemire is back and healthy next year, the Suns will be a bonafide favorite to win their first NBA Title.

---------------------------

Excellent article.........I thought it was interesting he said this.....and a hopefully re-signed Tim Thomas..

 

[F-Dog]

They're still looking to re-sign TT?

 

[sunsfn]

They're still looking to re-sign TT?

He has got to be talking about next year.

 

[nowagimp]

I am starting to change my mind about resigning TT. TT played good physical defense against Artest in the lane, really limiting his post moves using good body contact and arm length. Playing defense is something that requires that you know the players around you, when to help, and where to move against specific offensive plays. TT is showing signs that this part of his defense is improving. He also looks like he's lost about 5-10 lbs of fat, and he's moving better on D. I think his jumping and finishing will improve as his hyperextended knee heals and his conditioning improves. He's not there yet, but you wouldnt expect him to be after only 15 games(?) and probably almost no high energy practices. Unfortunately, due to fatigue and injury of suns players, practices have not been a place to get in shape. TT was getting completely open 3 pt shots last night against the Mavs, because no Mavs big man could guard him on the perimeter, as he would just drive around them. If he continues to improve and works on his D, he could provide the suns with a guy who can force opposing bigs to defend outside(opening up the lane to Nash, LB, Diaw) or open perimeter shots will be available. The current wisdon of playing defense against the suns is to shut down the 3pt shot. Few NBA big men can guard TT off the dribble out there, and since he's shooting 44.7% from 3, they may have to guard him, unlike Marion and Diaw.

I'm not convinced the suns should resign him, but if he continues to improve defensively and the suns can arrange to pay him, he could be very effective player as he has the best shooting range of any suns big man. He would afford D'Antoni another good weapon to use in matchup strategies. Now that I have seen more of TT, I think his skill set is different than other suns big men. His outside shot is better than KT, Marion, Amare, or Diaw, he can drive to the hoop better than all but amare and diaw, and he finishes better off the drive than all but Amare.

The question is what will it cost and how much more improvement can be expected?

 

[Bada0Bing]

I agree, it would be great if we could sign TT. A group of Nash, Barbosa, Bell, TT, Marion, Amare, KT, and Diaw would make an incredible set of skills to build a championship run around. However, I think the $$ aspect is going to steal TT and either Barbosa or Diaw.

 

[nowagimp]

I agree, it would be great if we could sign TT. A group of Nash, Barbosa, Bell, TT, Marion, Amare, KT, and Diaw would make an incredible set of skills to build a championship run around. However, I think the $$ aspect is going to steal TT and either Barbosa or Diaw.

The suns can extend both LB and Diaw for next year or renegotiate longer contracts for both.

I cant see how they can keep TT, though who knows. House is up for a new contract and might command 3mil. I'm not sure the suns will match that kind of offer. I dont think that D'Antoni is going to let Diaw get away. He is just too versatile and fits the system so well.

One of the concerns overall must be that the suns are undersized at the guard position with Nash, House, Barbosa all being targeted by the opposition on defense. I think that one of them must be replaced with a larger guard who isnt so easy to post up. My guess is that its House.

 

[Bada0Bing]

Yes, this is a strange situation. I’ve never seen a team with this many good guards that fit a system. I think Diaw is a must keep. I would really like to keep Barbosa, but I woudn’t overpay to keep him. He wouldn’t do so well in a conventional system. TT would be a great addition to our core, but I don’t think that he is necessary. If I was writing the checks for this team I would pay Diaw, offer Barbosa a reasonable deal, and encourage TT to come back for the min.

 

[elindholm]

Tim Thomas is only 29 years old. There's no way he's coming back for the minimum.

 

[Bada0Bing]

Tim Thomas is only 29 years old. There's no way he's coming back for the minimum.

Maybe we all could do a really good sales job on selling life in the valley for him. Explain to him that living on only $1 million per year can be okay if you live here in Phoenix.

 

[Bada0Bing]

These guys are so spoiled it makes me sick sometimes. I’m a really good basketball player and I would have probably given up my “dream” of being an accountant if I could have made a decent living at playing a game that I love. I really enjoy watching the NBA, but I think I may just quit for a while. If I get the craving for some hoops I’ll go to my local high school and watch players that are playing because they love the game.

I’ll watch every Sun’s game for the rest of the season, however, I will see what happens in the offseason regarding TT. If money is the reason for this team not staying together then I will spend more time watching movies instead of hoops.

 

[nowagimp]

Maybe we all could do a really good sales job on selling life in the valley for him. Explain to him that living on only $1 million per year can be okay if you live here in Phoenix.

It seems that we will have to trade somebody to keep TT, because he will probably be offered MLE money(5mil) by somebody. The problem is that 6'10" players with athleticism are not very common in the NBA. Chris Wilcox will also command the same money, having established his value with a handful of good games. Drew Gooden will be in that range as well. Of the 3, I like TT's offensive skills best for the suns (w/ return by Amare, gives the best spacing), and Drew Gooden has the best defensive skills, which might be needed with a return by amare. Wilcox may be the best all around. For the suns to end up with any of the three, there will have to be some kind of deal moving other players and salary.

 

[jibikao]

We need to see how TT performs in the playoffs first.

 

[ShuHanGuanYu]

We need to see how TT performs in the playoffs first.

True. Good news for the Suns is that Tim Thomas got his last big contract by pulling a Jerome James in a sense and having a great playoffs in a contract year. He usually does well in them, but I would expect he will stand out because he wants to create value for himself in the offseason.

 

[elindholm]

I’ll watch every Sun’s game for the rest of the season, however, I will see what happens in the offseason regarding TT. If money is the reason for this team not staying together then I will spend more time watching movies instead of hoops.

If the Suns offer Thomas only the minimum, it will send a clear message that they don't consider him a key part of the team. He'd most likely get to enjoy his love for the game more in a setting where his contributions are valued.

 

[elindholm]

Of the 3, I like TT's offensive skills best for the suns (w/ return by Amare, gives the best spacing), and Drew Gooden has the best defensive skills, which might be needed with a return by amare. Wilcox may be the best all around. For the suns to end up with any of the three, there will have to be some kind of deal moving other players and salary.

Thomas seems like a pretty good candidate to settle for the MLE somewhere. Over the last several years, he's had plenty of opportunity to demonstrate that he deserves another huge contract, and he hasn't done so. A team with cap space is going to focus their attention on players with more "potential."

Because Wilcox is a relative unknown and plays more physically than Gooden, he'll probably get the best deal of the three. Someone will declare him their PF of the future and try to make him into a frachise player.

Gooden is a mystery. I'm constantly reading about how he's out of favor with his coach and no one really wants him around, but he puts up good numbers and usually looks pretty good when I see him play. I don't see him coming to a situation where he'd be only a bench player, but for some reason it doesn't look like there's going to be a lot of interest in him. My guess is that he'll sign an extension with Cleveland starting at ~$7.5 million once he realizes he isn't going to get much more somewhere else.

 

[nowagimp]

Thomas seems like a pretty good candidate to settle for the MLE somewhere. Over the last several years, he's had plenty of opportunity to demonstrate that he deserves another huge contract, and he hasn't done so. A team with cap space is going to focus their attention on players with more "potential."

Because Wilcox is a relative unknown and plays more physically than Gooden, he'll probably get the best deal of the three. Someone will declare him their PF of the future and try to make him into a frachise player.

Gooden is a mystery. I'm constantly reading about how he's out of favor with his coach and no one really wants him around, but he puts up good numbers and usually looks pretty good when I see him play. I don't see him coming to a situation where he'd be only a bench player, but for some reason it doesn't look like there's going to be a lot of interest in him. My guess is that he'll sign an extension with Cleveland starting at ~$7.5 million once he realizes he isn't going to get much more somewhere else.

When I ask who will work best with Amare on the floor, I keep coming up with TT. TT will not create spacing problems in the lane for Amare like Wilcox and Gooden, who both are marginal outside shooters that like to play on the low block. Positioning TT at the 3pt line can be used to lure a shot blocker outside and clear the lane area for drives by Amare and the guard penetrators. Alternately Wilcox and Gooden may work better when Amare sits. The problem is that the suns will not sit Amare that much, if healthy.

 

[elindholm]

For the same reasons, I was hoping that the Suns would go after Donyell Marshall last summer. (Marshall is probably a less good defender than Thomas, but he's a better rebounder.) But apparently the Suns never had any interest, and now Marshall has been terrible in Cleveland, so I guess it was a bad idea.

 

[jibikao]

I’ll watch every Sun’s game for the rest of the season, however, I will see what happens in the offseason regarding TT. If money is the reason for this team not staying together then I will spend more time watching movies instead of hoops.

If the Suns offer Thomas only the minimum, it will send a clear message that they don't consider him a key part of the team. He'd most likely get to enjoy his love for the game more in a setting where his contributions are valued.

Like on Bulls' bench?

He should be happy that he is playing for a playoff team now and he has the chance to re-build his "protfolio" which he ruined it.

If he thinks he can get better money or better love somewhere else after this season, I won't miss him.

However, everything can change after seeing his playoff performance. I know he's had some great games recently but when Amare returns, his offense contribution will be greatly reduced.

 

[ShuHanGuanYu]

Like on Bulls' bench?

He should be happy that he is playing for a playoff team now and he has the chance to re-build his "protfolio" which he ruined it.

If he thinks he can get better money or better love somewhere else after this season, I won't miss him.

However, everything can change after seeing his playoff performance. I know he's had some great games recently but when Amare returns, his offense contribution will be greatly reduced.

He is far better than James Jones, so I'd say he is at least worth $4 per year for the Suns. I can't imagine he'd not try and earn something more though, like a 5 year #30 mil contract. Suns can't afford him.

I'm kind of a salary grinch, I know, but I like to talk realistically. Suns are strapped for cash. They can't even afford to pay their two draft picks this coming year without going into luxury tax land. It would be a Godsend if Sarver was willing to pay a couple million in luxury tax, but I can't say I have the slightest expectation of that happening (can't blame him either). Suns are at $59.9 next year. Assuming the luxury tax stays near $61.7 mil, they have around $1.8 with which to work. Their 20th pick or so will cost them $1, and their 27th pick will cost them $.8. Right there, they're done for. They could try and trade one of their picks along with their TE, but that extra salary doesn't exempt them from the luxury tax. They could trade James Jones, but who are they going to get for $2.5 million that will help them off the bench?

 

[jibikao]

He is far better than James Jones, so I'd say he is at least worth $4 per year for the Suns. I can't imagine he'd not try and earn something more though, like a 5 year #30 mil contract. Suns can't afford him.

I'm kind of a salary grinch, I know, but I like to talk realistically. Suns are strapped for cash. They can't even afford to pay their two draft picks this coming year without going into luxury tax land. It would be a Godsend if Sarver was willing to pay a couple million in luxury tax, but I can't say I have the slightest expectation of that happening (can't blame him either). Suns are at $59.9 next year. Assuming the luxury tax stays near $61.7 mil, they have around $1.8 with which to work. Their 20th pick or so will cost them $1, and their 27th pick will cost them $.8. Right there, they're done for. They could try and trade one of their picks along with their TE, but that extra salary doesn't exempt them from the luxury tax. They could trade James Jones, but who are they going to get for $2.5 million that will help them off the bench?

I never understand those tax numbers but sounds like if TT demands even a bit more, we cannot afford him.

 

[cly2tw]

If I were a business man, I'd see to it that my investment yield satisfactory returns. In that sense, luxary tax or not is not really important as long as the returns justify them. If we go to the finals with TT, I'd have no problem with a little tax. And Sarver is certainly a business man.

What TT needs is better conditioning and a little tougher mindset, which we saw a glimps of in the flagrant on Dirk. If he could show sufficient improvement in that area, it'd help him on the FA market a lot and also make the Suns willing to keep him at the MLE if he were willing. In any way, Gooden and Wilcox would both be much more costly since they are more conventional big men. I'd be happy with any of them on the Suns for the right price.