TJ
Frank Kaminsky is my Hero.
On Feb. 4th, 2008, I went to the Suns/Bobcats game. This just so happened to be Shawn Marion's last game as a Sun. We beat the Bobcats pretty handily that night, but something from the opposition caught my eye.
I had always known who Jason Richardson was, but because of the obscurity of playing for perennial lottery ball clubs, nobody really knew what this guy was really capable of.
During this particular game, I paid close attention to his abilities. It was hard not to because he was slashing through Marion and Bell like they were rec ball players. His acrobatic dunks had the crowd oooing and awwwing. He was fast, created his own shots and had accuracy from beyond the arch. The person I took to this game was asking me about Richardson, to which I replied "I would just love to get this guy in a Suns jersey."
Sure enough, Kerr and co. made probably the only good basketball move during his GM career by unloading an unproductive expensive Diaw and an aging Bell for J-Rich and Jared Dudley. All of a sudden, J-Rich's situation changes. He is now the starting 2 guard for one of the NBA's most popular franchises. Unfortunately, he is in a situation where the offense is ran through Nash, Shaq and Amare. Somehow, he still finds a way to contribute as the seemingly fourth wheel. He had career highs in FG% (49%) and FT% (78%). He still shot 38% from three-point land, which is respectable. Considering he was playing less minutes and was not the focal point of the offense, 16.4 ppg is still good, especially learning not one but two new styles of offenses during the season (Porter's slow down offense vs. Gentry's up tempo style). And for entertainment factor, he is one of the most acrobatic players in the league. That is something that no one can deny.
Why am I bringing this up? It's because many people have suggested vehimently that he should be moved this offseason. With Kerr and Sarver conducting a fire sale of this team, honestly, what are you going to have left if Nash and/or Amare are moved? The FO is already making a bunch of senseless moves as it is, why give them another silly, misguided idea? J-Rich is fairly paid for what he contributes. What has he done in his career on the court? He has displayed the ability to create his own shot. He can play the 2 and 3 effectively, which is going to be important next season when the line up is thined out. He is deadly accurate from three point land. He is a great dribble penetrator. Most importantly for the Suns style of basketball, he can flat out score. He did make a couple of bone-headed off the court moves with his driving habits. In professional sports, it has almost become part and parcel that there are going to be malcontents and misbehaviors along the way with some athletes. I'm giving J-Rich the benefit of the doubt that he has learned his lesson. Of course, my mind will change if that happens again.
I think some of us get too caught up in the economics of the game, especially during the offseason and overlook the enjoyment that professional basketball has to offer. Almost unanimously, we have come to the conclusion that this ball club will be no where near contention for titles until years to come and even well after the Sarver/Kerr era is long overwith. Already, Stoudemire is halfway out of Phoenix. Nash will most likely stay, but he will need someone to pass the ball to besides Barbosa. J-Rich will be one of few players left on the roster with any sort of statistical success in the league. Plus, I'm kind of curious how he plays with a distributor like Nash when he is the primary scoring threat.
I had always known who Jason Richardson was, but because of the obscurity of playing for perennial lottery ball clubs, nobody really knew what this guy was really capable of.
During this particular game, I paid close attention to his abilities. It was hard not to because he was slashing through Marion and Bell like they were rec ball players. His acrobatic dunks had the crowd oooing and awwwing. He was fast, created his own shots and had accuracy from beyond the arch. The person I took to this game was asking me about Richardson, to which I replied "I would just love to get this guy in a Suns jersey."
Sure enough, Kerr and co. made probably the only good basketball move during his GM career by unloading an unproductive expensive Diaw and an aging Bell for J-Rich and Jared Dudley. All of a sudden, J-Rich's situation changes. He is now the starting 2 guard for one of the NBA's most popular franchises. Unfortunately, he is in a situation where the offense is ran through Nash, Shaq and Amare. Somehow, he still finds a way to contribute as the seemingly fourth wheel. He had career highs in FG% (49%) and FT% (78%). He still shot 38% from three-point land, which is respectable. Considering he was playing less minutes and was not the focal point of the offense, 16.4 ppg is still good, especially learning not one but two new styles of offenses during the season (Porter's slow down offense vs. Gentry's up tempo style). And for entertainment factor, he is one of the most acrobatic players in the league. That is something that no one can deny.
Why am I bringing this up? It's because many people have suggested vehimently that he should be moved this offseason. With Kerr and Sarver conducting a fire sale of this team, honestly, what are you going to have left if Nash and/or Amare are moved? The FO is already making a bunch of senseless moves as it is, why give them another silly, misguided idea? J-Rich is fairly paid for what he contributes. What has he done in his career on the court? He has displayed the ability to create his own shot. He can play the 2 and 3 effectively, which is going to be important next season when the line up is thined out. He is deadly accurate from three point land. He is a great dribble penetrator. Most importantly for the Suns style of basketball, he can flat out score. He did make a couple of bone-headed off the court moves with his driving habits. In professional sports, it has almost become part and parcel that there are going to be malcontents and misbehaviors along the way with some athletes. I'm giving J-Rich the benefit of the doubt that he has learned his lesson. Of course, my mind will change if that happens again.
I think some of us get too caught up in the economics of the game, especially during the offseason and overlook the enjoyment that professional basketball has to offer. Almost unanimously, we have come to the conclusion that this ball club will be no where near contention for titles until years to come and even well after the Sarver/Kerr era is long overwith. Already, Stoudemire is halfway out of Phoenix. Nash will most likely stay, but he will need someone to pass the ball to besides Barbosa. J-Rich will be one of few players left on the roster with any sort of statistical success in the league. Plus, I'm kind of curious how he plays with a distributor like Nash when he is the primary scoring threat.
