Jerry and the Suns Plans

[George O'Brien]

I had to take a phone call during Friday's game, so I did not hear the ESPN interview of Jerry Colangelo. Someone on another board posted the following:

Regarding free agency/trade needs (i don't think they talked about the draft), he mentioned veteran leadership, size, and outside shooting (in that order, although not necessarily in order of importance)

He also mentioned Vujanic, casually calling him the best point guard in Europe.

Did anybody hear the interview? Is this accurate?

If veteran leadership and size are the two things he is focused on, it may suggest that including their lottery pick in a trade for a veteran big man may be part of their plan. Or JC may be spreading disinformation.

 

[F-Dog]

Did anybody hear the interview? Is this accurate?

If veteran leadership and size are the two things he is focused on, it may suggest that including their lottery pick in a trade for a veteran big man may be part of their plan. Or JC may be spreading disinformation.

Sounds about right, although I was watching more than listening at the time. I wouldn't jump to any conclusions about the lottery pick, though.


IIRC he did call Vujanic the best something-or-other in Europe, although he wasn't able to remember Vujanic's name (he had to prompt George Karl for it). He also said that Vujanic would 'probably' be over here next year, which I believe is different from a previous interview, when he said Vujanic would 'definitely' be coming over.

Everything he said about the Suns struck me as being rather obvious. I've been thinking that JC is now out of the loop except where finances are concerned, and nothing he said yesterday changed my mind.

 

[Joe Mama]

I just listened to it. He said the Phoenix Suns want to build around Shawn Marion, JJ, and Amare Stoudemire and bring in some size and experience with the free-agent money. He also mentioned Milos Vujanic, although he couldn't remember his last name. He called him "the best young point guard in Europe" I believe. He also said Milos wants to be here.

Joe Mama

 

[Chaplin]

I just listened to it. He said the Phoenix Suns want to build around Shawn Marion, JJ, and Amare Stoudemire and bring in some size and experience with the free-agent money. He also mentioned Milos Vujanic, although he couldn't remember his last name. He called him "the best young point guard in Europe" I believe. He also said Milos wants to be here.

Joe Mama

And if that makes anyone believe they aren't going to try to go after Kobe (if he opts out), then they are smoking. How is this different than anything else he's ever said? It's illegal for him to come out and say that he'll go after Kobe Bryant, so everything you just wrote is exactly what the PR people told him to say. Jerry, Bryan, D'Antoni, it doesn't matter--that paragraph is exactly what all of them would say given the same question.

 

[devilalum]

The Suns may have apecific players they want but it is all so contingent on what all the free agents do.

I just hope the Suns don't panic and give a player like Brent Barry an ugly contract just to get somebody. It seems like every year teams do this and the Suns did it the year they signed Googs.

 

[fordronken]

Be careful of taking everything Colangelo says literally. Things change in an instant in the NBA. The reality is, none of us have too much of a chance in knowing what's gonna happen in the offseason.

 

[Chaplin]

Couple that with the fact that most of the time, a lot of us are very cynical when it comes to Jerry Colangelo and the Phoenix Suns. Many of us (perhaps all of us) have come to believe that Jerry's first love now is baseball, not basketball--so it's understandable that he just recites the rote answer to any questions posed to him from sportswriters regarding the Suns.

The only thing remotely different than anything he has said in the past this year is his mentioning about that team going up for sale. Everything else we've been hearing for 35 years, albeit with different players.

 

[Phill11]

Be careful of taking everything Colangelo says literally. Things change in an instant in the NBA. The reality is, none of us have too much of a chance in knowing what's gonna happen in the offseason.

Colangelo may be saying this to throw off other teams too. I mean whatever he says is not true to some extent. What kind of player is...

- Veteran
- Has Size
- Has Leadership
- Is a free agent coming up

Who is he talking about????

 

[elindholm]

What kind of player is...

- Veteran
- Has Size
- Has Leadership
- Is a free agent coming up

Who is he talking about????

For what it's worth, the player who best fits that description is Vlade Divac.

 

[George O'Brien]

Colangelo may be saying this to throw off other teams too. I mean whatever he says is not true to some extent. What kind of player is...

- Veteran
- Has Size
- Has Leadership
- Is a free agent coming up

Who is he talking about????

You did not mention that he needs to be a good outside shooter too.

Seriously, I'm not sure we are talking about just one guy.

 

[JCSunsfan]

As a GM Jerry was always quite candid--painfully so, at times. If they want to throw other teams off, they usually do so in whispers off the record.

These comments are a recital of what he believes the teams needs are. They are not necessarily a description of one player in particular.

1. Veteran leadership. We all know this team needs some vet leadership. You get that through trades or free agency. Kobe, Brent Barry, Divac, Dampier, Camby, and others could fill that bill. If we include trade possibilities, the options are endless. Strangely, one of the great candidates for vet leadership is Dice.

2. Size. He wants a legit center. Divac, Camby, and Dampier would all do. The bonus is that they would be stolen away from Western Conference foes. If we trade, then we have the possibilities of Chandler or even Ilgauskas. If we are looking for a center, we are looking for interior defense, rebounding, shot-blocking and a 10-12 foot jumper. Dice does nice there. So would Camby and Dampier. I would consider Okafor here.

3. Outside shooting. Kobe, Barry. Anyone else?

It all depends on how the ping pong balls fall. Once we know that, then other things fall into place.

 

[Yuma]

You did not mention that he needs to be a good outside shooter too.

Seriously, I'm not sure we are talking about just one guy.

I saw it and he said 1-2 free agents. Didn't mention the draft as a building block that I remember. The Vujanic thing he said he heard that Vujanic is eager to play for the Suns and Jerry said he heard he was a good point guard. The feeling I got from the interview is they will bring in Vujanic and additionally a couple players via free agency. The tone of the conversation to me said they weren't going to bring in a big name like Kobe, but Jerry kept stressing the fact they didn't want to lose cap flexibility. He said it about trades, the cap flexibility, and said it about the future of the club. That to me says no big costly free agents.

 

[Evil Ash]

He said the Phoenix Suns want to build around Shawn Marion, JJ, and Amare Stoudemire

Well that sounds familiar

 

[Joe Mama]

Well that sounds familiar

Yes, it was just 6-7 months ago that we heard from the Colangelos the plans to build around Amare Stoudemire, Shawn Marion, and a certain other player no longer with the team.

Joe Mama

 

[George O'Brien]

Yes, it was just 6-7 months ago that we heard from the Colangelos the plans to build around Amare Stoudemire, Shawn Marion, and a certain other player no longer with the team.

Joe Mama

This time, for sure...

Seriously, I don't think they have any intentions of trading any of these guys. I'm not sure they really expected to trade Marbury and I think the Knicks initiated the proposal. In practical terms everybody is available if the price is right, but that does not mean that every player is being shopped.

Yuma: The tone of the conversation to me said they weren't going to bring in a big name like Kobe, but Jerry kept stressing the fact they didn't want to lose cap flexibility. He said it about trades, the cap flexibility, and said it about the future of the club. That to me says no big costly free agents.

I'm not sure its the price but the length of the contract that may be the biggest concern.

 

[Chaplin]

I saw it and he said 1-2 free agents. Didn't mention the draft as a building block that I remember. The Vujanic thing he said he heard that Vujanic is eager to play for the Suns and Jerry said he heard he was a good point guard. The feeling I got from the interview is they will bring in Vujanic and additionally a couple players via free agency. The tone of the conversation to me said they weren't going to bring in a big name like Kobe, but Jerry kept stressing the fact they didn't want to lose cap flexibility. He said it about trades, the cap flexibility, and said it about the future of the club. That to me says no big costly free agents.

Here we go again.

I'll say it again: IF Kobe Bryant opts out of his deal, the Phoenix Suns will absolutely, positively pursue him. No question about it. The only question is, how hard will they pursue him? And that question will be answered when they figure out their money situation in early July.

 

[slinslin]

Divac would be very nice for a couple of seasons.

Divac
Amare
Marion
Kobe
JJ

Nice starting lineup.

 

[Joe Mama]

Divac would be very nice for a couple of seasons.

Divac
Amare
Marion
Kobe
JJ

Nice starting lineup.

I've asked this question repeatedly on this and another message board, and no one ever tries to answer. Please tell me why Divac would sign with the Phoenix Suns next year? I just think if he doesn't re-sign with Sacramento he'll find a team that is much closer to a championship than the Suns.

Chap, it wouldn't surprise me if the Phoenix Suns do not make a serious run at Kobe Bryant. I do think the team would be better with him, but the Colangelos may feel they don't have a legitimate shot. They may also not be willing to give up the pieces in order to move one of their large contracts. They would have to move somebody in order to offer him a maximum or near maximum contract.

Joe Mama

 

[slinslin]

If Kobe signed here what other teams could sign him and give him a starting position on top of it that are serious contenders?

Also how many of those teams have 2 other serbian players?

 

[Joe Mama]

If Kobe signed here what other teams could sign him and give him a starting position on top of it that are serious contenders?

Also how many of those teams have 2 other serbian players?

And how do you figure the Phoenix Suns would be able to afford signing both of those guys?

Joe Mama

 

[slinslin]

Because they will move White or Eisley leaving them with at least 19M$ capspace minus their own pick if they even keep that.

 

[George O'Brien]

And how do you figure the Phoenix Suns would be able to afford signing both of those guys?

Joe Mama

I'm not sure SlinSlin meant both of those items are related. In any case, I don't see any reason to think Divac is going anywhere. He'll get a contract offer from the Kings for well above mid cap and is happy in Sacramento.

Besides, I'm not convinced that there is as much case to even try for Divac. It is not like he would be cheap and he is clearly not a long term solution for the Suns. Much of his effectiveness with the Kings is based on how well he knows their scheme, which would not be the case in Phoenix.

 

[F-Dog]

I've asked this question repeatedly on this and another message board, and no one ever tries to answer. Please tell me why Divac would sign with the Phoenix Suns next year? I just think if he doesn't re-sign with Sacramento he'll find a team that is much closer to a championship than the Suns.

Last summer, Vlade said to a NY paper that this season would probably be his last, but that he would consider playing one more year with the Knicks to play with Vujanic.

I guess it's because Vujanic is the first top-flight prospect that Partizan has developed under Vlade's ownership, so he'd like to make sure that Vujanic has a good start in the NBA. Of course, the idea of tutoring Vujanic in NYC is probably more attractive to Divac than the idea of tutoring him in Phoenix, but at least it is something that the Suns can offer him and the other 29 teams can't.

 

[George O'Brien]

Last summer, Vlade said to a NY paper that this season would probably be his last, but that he would consider playing one more year with the Knicks to play with Vujanic.

I guess it's because Vujanic is the first top-flight prospect that Partizan has developed under Vlade's ownership, so he'd like to make sure that Vujanic has a good start in the NBA. Of course, the idea of tutoring Vujanic in NYC is probably more attractive to Divac than the idea of tutoring him in Phoenix, but at least it is something that the Suns can offer him and the other 29 teams can't.

Of course, that is the same time period he was saying he wanted to limit his minutes, etc. He has not been saying that any more. As it is, he has been having a good season. BTW, his most impressive stat is his 5.4 assists per game.