JJax's increased role

[playstation]

so this basically means barbosa is a spectator and we have 7 guys that'll be playing the minutes. I think it's a good move, but that the linchpin will be jj. playing offguard with nash in the game, and pg with nash out will be a monumental duty.

we all know that jj is a horse, but if he can do this against the top teams in basketball, phoenix will be even tougher to beat. talk about an athletic size matchup nightmare, we can have jj, jjax, marion, amare, hunter, and play like that, or sub q for hunter and instantly change the complexion of the game.

again, d'antoni making a small change with a potentially massive impact on the game. i have to admit, i was really wrong about this guy. even a couple months into the season i was hesitant to give him much credit because i thought the success was due to nash, but D'antoni is just the man.

thought of the day: the suns supposed lack of depth was only supposed to hurt them in the regular season. now that we're in the playoffs, the layoffs between games, the excessive timeout lengths, and the natural adrenaline should make our team even better than a deeper team that can't get their players into rhythm, because none of them are on the floor long enough (ex-grizz)

 

[seattle_sunsfan]

we all know that jj is a horse, but if he can do this against the top teams in basketball, phoenix will be even tougher to beat. talk about an athletic size matchup nightmare, we can have jj, jjax, marion, amare, hunter, and play like that, or sub q for hunter and instantly change the complexion of the game.

Excellent point!We can go from being able to outsize our competition to out-quick them by replacing one player.

again, d'antoni making a small change with a potentially massive impact on the game. i have to admit, i was really wrong about this guy. even a couple months into the season i was hesitant to give him much credit because i thought the success was due to nash, but D'antoni is just the man.

I, too was thinking the guy wasn't that good. In the past half season, I've completely changed my point of view. We've had a long line of marginal coaches over the last decade and now we seem to have a keeper.

One problem with this scheme is that if Barbosa needs to see action in the event of an injury or whatever, will he be any good due to his lack of minutes? He was actually looking pretty damn good at the end of the regular season.

 

[jbeecham]

I think the main reason Barbosa didn't see minutes was because of Earl Watson. Watson was playing tough, in-your-face defense and I don't think Barbosa handled it well. I do think Jim Jackson deserves more minutes, but Barbosa should get some while Nash & Joe rest (which means about 4-8 minutes a game).

 

[Joe Mama]

I think the main reason Barbosa didn't see minutes was because of Earl Watson. Watson was playing tough, in-your-face defense and I don't think Barbosa handled it well. I do think Jim Jackson deserves more minutes, but Barbosa should get some while Nash & Joe rest (which means about 4-8 minutes a game).

I agree. I would expect him to get at least a few minutes against a team like Dallas against guys like Jason Terry and Devin Harris.

Joe Mama

 

[George O'Brien]

A lot will depend on the matchups. Barbosa has shown some development on the defensive end and is super quick. He might see some minutes against Parker.

...Oops, I'm getting ahead of myself.

 

[F-Dog]

Yeah, one thing I've always liked about D'Antoni is that he seems like an excellent game coach--he does a good job with substitutions, tactics and plays off of timeouts. He looks even better now that the playoffs have arrived.

I think the JJax move was partly for the reason he gave (more minutes for Jackson to get comfortable) and partly to put a mismatch on Earl Watson. The Suns' half-court offense was bogging down a little with Barbosa (and without Nash), but with Joe J at PG, the Suns could just throw it to Watson's man and get out of the way. On defense, the Suns could switch almost everything, because Watson isn't skilled enough to take advantage of JJax or Q.


I expect the Suns to start the next series with the same rotation, just to see what happens. Barbosa's going to get time eventually, though--against Dallas, he'll probably take some of Hunter's PT as the teams go small, and against Houston, the Suns will need Barbosa's quickness on defense...

 

[coloradosun]

A lot will depend on the matchups. Barbosa has shown some development on the defensive end and is super quick. He might see some minutes against Parker.

...Oops, I'm getting ahead of myself.

I would rather have Barbosa in the lineup along side Nash, that way he is not guarding the opponents point guard (ala Earl Watson). Barbosa is not only proving that he is a two guard on offense he is also a 2 guard on defense.

As far a JJ2, I am thinking he will be with the Suns for a long time. After his current contract is up I do not see him signing elsewhere for more money. At his age he probably will only get the vet minimum from other teams. He will probably get a adequate offer from the Suns and stay with a winning team. The guy was willing to sacrifice money to get away from NO, I would bet he would sacrifice money to stay with a winner.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I would rather have Barbosa in the lineup along side Nash, that way he is not guarding the opponents point guard (ala Earl Watson). Barbosa is not only proving that he is a two guard on offense he is also a 2 guard on defense.

As far a JJ2, I am thinking he will be with the Suns for a long time. After his current contract is up I do not see him signing elsewhere for more money. At his age he probably will only get the vet minimum from other teams. He will probably get a adequate offer from the Suns and stay with a winning team. The guy was willing to sacrifice money to get away from NO, I would bet he would sacrifice money to stay with a winner.

hey Colorado - curious as to your thoughts on Q these days. I know you've been one of his detractors and wondering if his play in the playoffs has done anything to change your opinion of him - or your opinion that we'd be just as good with Iggy? (Note: This is NOT an I told you so post - the playoffs have only begun - just curious as to your thoughts on the issue).

 

[coloradosun]

hey Colorado - curious as to your thoughts on Q these days. I know you've been one of his detractors and wondering if his play in the playoffs has done anything to change your opinion of him - or your opinion that we'd be just as good with Iggy? (Note: This is NOT an I told you so post - the playoffs have only begun - just curious as to your thoughts on the issue).

I made a quote in another post and I will try to retrieve it for you. Go to Post #24 in the Do You Like Q Better Now thread.

I have made a concession that Q has tighted up his game in the playoffs. I also stated that his attitude in more acclimated for the playoffs than the regular season. As an emotional player he has highs and lows and I am coming to the conclusion that those are more evident during the season. In the playoffs he obviously focuses more, that is a good thing. I probably will do the same next season and complain about his regular season preformance, so be prepared.

I do like Iggy in the long run at the moment I will accept Q.

 

[Chaplin]

I made a quote in another post and I will try to retrieve it for you. Go to Post #24 in the Do You Like Q Better Now thread.

I have made a concession that Q has tighted up his game in the playoffs. I also stated that his attitude in more acclimated for the playoffs than the regular season. As an emotional player he has highs and lows and I am coming to the conclusion that those are more evident during the season. In the playoffs he obviously focuses more, that is a good thing. I probably will do the same next season and complain about his regular season preformance, so be prepared.

I do like Iggy in the long run at the moment I will accept Q.

I still gotta shake my head in bewilderment at you.

Q has been nothing short of magnificent in the playoffs. And remember, this is his first playoff series, EVER!

 

[coloradosun]

I am not a big fan of this 'look at me' type of player. The headband, the high socks, the headbanging, the celebrity girlfriend, it is all in an effort to draw attention to him. I hate that, no matter who it is and how much talent they have.

I work in a professional environment and some conformity helps people work together. This notion of being different works well in the entertainment industry but not in business. Call it the difference of being conservation or liberal. That is why the NFL has uniform regulations (Clintis Portis got fined by wearing the wrong color socks) , the NFL is obviously more conservative, the NBA is definitely more liberal.

 

[Chaplin]

And no matter what you think of the NFL, the NBA IS all about entertainment--I hope you don't think otherwise, although it sounds like you do.

 

[Tank]

the celebrity girlfriend

Dude having a celebrity girlfriend doesn't make him a "look at me player"

It just makes him a guy... Who on here would turn it down if they had a shot at some gorgeous celebrity...

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

I am not a big fan of this 'look at me' type of player. The headband, the high socks, the headbanging, the celebrity girlfriend, it is all in an effort to draw attention to him. I hate that, no matter who it is.

I work in a professional environment and some conformity helps people work together. This notion of being different works well in the entertainment industry but not in business. Call it the difference of being conservation or liberal.

I would like to think that he is getting married to Brandy for more than being recognized.

The style is a personal choice. You may not like it, but most people don't like TD's emotionless style either.

I think it is safe to say that professional sports is nothing like a normal work environment. Every player's antics, from Amare's confidence to Q's headbanging to Shirley's writings have not affected this team. They are so tight knit that I don't think working together is a problem.


The biggest thing I like about Q is that he never gives up, steps up under pressure ect. Also, he gives the team an attitude and toughness. I believe him when he said he would have been on top of Jones had it been the regular season. His toughness also rubs off on people, especially Amare -- which will be needed against SA or Detroit.

 

[coloradosun]

Tim Duncan is the Donald Trump of the NBA, pure business. Just get the job done right, let everyone else do the promoting.

 

[coloradosun]

Dude having a celebrity girlfriend doesn't make him a "look at me player"

It just makes him a guy... Who on here would turn it down if they had a shot at some gorgeous celebrity...

Sure it does, it gets in all the "tabloid" magazines instead of the "sports" magazines.

 

[Chaplin]

Tim Duncan is the Donald Trump of the NBA, pure business. Just get the job done right, let everyone else do the promoting.

So what? There are different personalities in any profession, even in your "conservative" business environment. Not everyone can be robots and conform to what you consider your own personal conservative agenda.

I love Q, and his flamboyance is what makes him such a dynamic leader on the team. Duncan isn't flashy but is a leader, but Q's being opposite of that doesn't make him less of a leader than Duncan.

 

[Chaplin]

Sure it does, it gets in all the "tabloid" magazines instead of the "sports" magazines.

That's not his fault! What do you want him to do--break up with Brandy because of all the attention? LOL

 

[coloradosun]

And no matter what you think of the NFL, the NBA IS all about entertainment--I hope you don't think otherwise, although it sounds like you do.

That is what I am saying, it has gone away from being a sport to becoming entertainment.

 

[coloradosun]

That's not his fault! What do you want him to do--break up with Brandy because of all the attention? LOL

What do you mean its not his fault, we all can chase any woman we want. I don't give a damn who he dates or marries but who he does indicates what he wants and what he wants is attention.

 

[Chaplin]

That is what I am saying, it has gone away from being a sport to becoming entertainment.

Sports are entertainment, just as much as movies and music are.

 

[coloradosun]

And that is why you have to be "seen" at a sporting event, be it Jack Nicholson or Spike Lee. That is one thing that I cannot stand about televised games, they always pan to see who "famous" is in the crowd. I could care less but for some reason they have to show them. Does it make the game more interesting or exciting that these people are there. Hell no.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

What do you mean its not his fault, we all can chase any woman we want. I don't give a damn who he dates or marries but who he does indicates what he wants and what he wants is attention.

So he fell in love with someone who happened to be a star. That means he is going after the attention?

What if someone fell in love with a girl from a wealthy family, does that mean all he cares about is the money?

He isn't "chasing" Brandy. They are getting married.... They had a VERY low key relationship before moving to phoenix. If anything, the Suns have been promoting it -- I don't hear Q talking about it.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

and against Houston, the Suns will need Barbosa's quickness on defense...

i disagree with this statement. because the rockets guards (other than james) are mostly pedestrian i think we'll see even LESS of barbs against the rockets b/c we don't need his quickness. either q or jjax can hold their own defensively against the rockets' white boys and both can take advantage of them on the offensive end of the court.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I am not a big fan of this 'look at me' type of player. The headband, the high socks, the headbanging, the celebrity girlfriend, it is all in an effort to draw attention to him. I hate that, no matter who it is and how much talent they have.

I work in a professional environment and some conformity helps people work together. This notion of being different works well in the entertainment industry but not in business. Call it the difference of being conservation or liberal. That is why the NFL has uniform regulations (Clintis Portis got fined by wearing the wrong color socks) , the NFL is obviously more conservative, the NBA is definitely more liberal.

individuality def has it's place in sports whereas it may be frowned upon in SOME business settings. however q's style is a part of his emotional ability to perform as the backbone of this team. as for the "celebrity girlfriend" . . . first of all they're engaged, and second of all i wouldn't turn down a date with brandy, and it wouldn't be just to bring attention to myself . . .