JJ's Financial Advisor on AM 910

[Devision]

If JJ wants to be a Sun then he could still not sign the offer. He would lose money cuz Atlanta would pull out. After all whats the difference between 60 million and 70 million after taxes?

 

[Mainstreet]

so if jj wants to stay then great i would welcome him. if he wants to go to the hawks then dont let the door hit you on your way out.

I would love to hear this is just a big misunderstanding and poor gamemanship. However, JJ is on record with ESPN and reportedly with teammates that he wanted out.

I would welcome JJ back with the Suns if he came out publicly right now and says he wants to be with the Suns. His signature has to be on any of the paperwork unless he chooses FA.

So it is JJ's choice... Sarver/Suns management is on record that the Suns would match JJ's contract.

Could it be that JJ is experiencing buyer's remorse?

 

[F-Dog]

I think we are gonna look back at this and see a tragdey. Misunderstanding on both sides...depressing.

No, I think both sides understood each other very well.The Suns didn't want to pay as much as Atlanta was offering, and Joe Johnson didn't want to accept anything less.


I wonder if Tellem mentions the rumored 6yr/$75m offer...

 

[arthurracoon]

That's when I started thinking a sign-and-trade was probably the best option. It sounds as if both the Suns and JJ wanted him back in Phoenix, but their hardball games got a bit too rough.

I concur.

 

[Kolo]

I would love to hear this is just a big misunderstanding and poor gamemanship. However, JJ is on record with ESPN and reportedly with teammates that he wanted out.

I would welcome JJ back with the Suns if he came out publicly right now and says he wants to be with the Suns. His signature has to be on any of the paperwork unless he chooses FA.

So it is JJ's choice... Sarver/Suns management is on record that the Suns would match JJ's contract.

Could it be that JJ is experiencing buyer's remorse?

JJ wanted out because the Suns tried three different ways to get him to sign for a contract inferior to the Hawks ($60 million/6 years, then $75 million/6 years, then $70 million/5 years but not front-loaded). After these three "insulting" offers, JJ had enough, and told Sarver he'd rather the Suns not match the offer sheet. It's true both that Sarver's cheap and JJ's selfish, and we're the one's who are worse off for it.

 

[cepstrum]

How do you explain JJ's remarks to ESPN that he did not want Sarver to match... more spin?

If this was JJ spinning, he sealed his own fate.

JJ is a puppet at this point. He's said a few things that contradict each other. Example:
--------------------------------
"We had a discussion," Johnson said in his first extended interview about his future since free agency began July 1.

"I did tell them that."

Asked why he wants to leave the Suns after a breakthrough season, for himself and the team, Johnson said: "It's a lot of things. How things were handled [with Johnson's contract] last summer, how things have been handled this summer. There's been some things going on that aren't great."

--------------------------------
"I would come back and work as hard as I ever have," Johnson said. "If they match, all this stuff is behind me from that minute on. I hope everybody [in Phoenix] puts everything behind them, too."
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There was also another one that I read in which Joe recently said that he would probably be better off in Phoenix than atlanta. I can't find that quote. If someone can find it please post.
--------------------------------

He doesn't even know what the hell he wants. Me personally, I place most of the blame on the Suns. It was their offer to match and they chose not to.

 

[clif]

I'm sorry but $60 million or $70 mil or $75 mill is not a low ball offer. The guy is too selfish to realize that he was going to make more money than the freaking MVP of the league. You can't tell me that wasn't selfish and he went about it the wrong way.

Sarver was wrong last year, but hindsight is always 20/20 especially when it comes to spending other people's money

 

[SunsPride]

The fact is Joe wanted to go where he was wanted not where he would be a 4th option for the next 2 years.

 

[playstation]

WOW.

The guy just said that Joe doesn't want to play in Atlanta -- that he won't be as happy there as he was in Phx. He pretty much said that Joe was counting on the Suns to match, and they're not.

The people that listened to the show today: do you agree with this quote?

If so, then spin is everywhere. Facts are:

-Joe was offered 6/45M last year
-Joe was offered 6/60 by the suns this year
-Joe on ESPN.com says he prefers to continue his career as a hawk
-Joe tells ESPN.com that if Suns match, he'll move on and play hard
-Joe says to radio station after the game that he expects the suns to match and that it would be better for his career if they do match

These are facts, the spin from both sides is as follows:

pro-suns:
-JJ wanted out
-hated playing decoy to nash
-didn't get along with amare
-miserable for the last year
-joe needs to be the man, not a lesser option
-suns upped their offer to 6/75, but JJ didn't try to listen
-joe is quiet so he obviously kept it all in

pro-JJ:
-never actually wanted out
-just playing the FA game
-felt disrespected by the suns lowball offers
-never had problems with amare, nash, or anyone else



NONE of the elements of spin have been substantiated. Based on the facts alone, I would have resigned JJ, because it was IN PRINT that he expected the suns to match and would play hard for them. anything else is hearsay.

 

[clif]

The fact is Joe wanted to go where he was wanted not where he would be a 4th option for the next 2 years.

So he was not wanted because he was going to be the 4th option? ( in his mind)

I guess you think Kobe was right too and in no way is JJ on Kobe's playing level.

 

[Chaplin]

The fact is Joe wanted to go where he was wanted not where he would be a 4th option for the next 2 years.

And if you actually think he was the 4th option on the Suns, you need to watch a few more games.

 

[playstation]

by the way, so far the pro-suns spin has come from Gambo and the pro-jj spin from a JJ associate. NEITHER is believable to me.

HOWEVER, to me Bickley has some decent sources, so if he says JJ didn't have any rift with players, i believe him.

 

[F-Dog]

The fact is Joe wanted to go where he was wanted not where he would get less money.

I don't think it's wise (or necessary) to assume too much where Joe Johnson's thinking is concerned.

 

[clif]

The people that listened to the show today: do you agree with this quote?

If so, then spin is everywhere. Facts are:

-Joe was offered 6/45M last year
-Joe was offered 6/60 by the suns this year
-Joe on ESPN.com says he prefers to continue his career as a hawk
-Joe tells ESPN.com that if Suns match, he'll move on and play hard
-Joe says to radio station after the game that he expects the suns to match and that it would be better for his career if they do match

These are facts, the spin from both sides is as follows:

pro-suns:
-JJ wanted out
-hated playing decoy to nash
-didn't get along with amare
-miserable for the last year
-joe needs to be the man, not a lesser option
-joe is quiet so he obviously kept it all in

pro-JJ:
-never actually wanted out
-just playing the FA game
-felt disrespected by the suns lowball offers
-never had problems with amare, nash, or anyone else



NONE of the elements of spin have been substantiated. Based on the facts alone, I would have resigned JJ, because it was IN PRINT that he expected the suns to match and would play hard for them. anything else is hearsay.

True... but NO one is debating that JJ told Sarver that he DID NOT want to be here. With that in mind... he had to go.

 

[Mainstreet]

JJ wanted out because the Suns tried three different ways to get him to sign for a contract inferior to the Hawks ($60 million/6 years, then $75 million/6 years, then $70 million/5 years but not front-loaded). After these three "insulting" offers, JJ had enough, and told Sarver he'd rather the Suns not match the offer sheet. It's true both that Sarver's cheap and JJ's selfish, and we're the one's who are worse off for it.

These are insulting offers?

I think 6 years at 75 million (after having only one good year) or even a matching offer and playing for a Championship contender is very fair, especially if JJ knows the Suns are trying to keep their four core players intact (Amare, Nash, Marion and JJ).

I think JJ had to know, if the Suns broke the bank for him... someone had to go. Maybe he figured it wouldn't be him. Now that's selfish.

 

[Kolo]

These are insulting offers? Where do you work?

Ever hear of the word "facetious"?

 

[Lars the Red]

I wished I would have heard this interview. I seriously doubt that the guys doing it would have had the sack to ask hard questions or pointed out some of the contradictory comments made by JJ.

JJ can be upset all he wants, but the bottom line is the $20 million of upfront money made Sarver flinch. If he signs JJ to the max, then we will have to change the roster next year, and that would be Shawn leaving. How much different is that than JJ leaving now? Joe is very talented, but Shawn is arguably our hardest matchup. He's a top defender, extremely good rebounder, runs like a gazelle, and can play as many spots as Joe.

No, this entire thing boiled down to if JJ wanted to stay in Phoenix, he'd have to know he walked away from greater upfront money. He'd also be playing for a better team, with team mates he knows and enjoys, in a city that supports it's basketball team, and with the opportunity to much greater exposure due to the teams success.

Sarver did what he felt was best. JJ didn't do himself any favors by publically admitting he asked the Suns not to match. If I'm an owner, I'm probably going to make a player eat those words too. Now Joe is making it seem like he didn't really want to go to Atlanta, but the Suns are pushing him out. JJ and his agent are playing it both ways. I only wish the guys on 910 would have called them on it.

 

[clif]

I wished I would have heard this interview. I seriously doubt that the guys doing it would have had the sack to ask hard questions or pointed out some of the contradictory comments made by JJ.

JJ can be upset all he wants, but the bottom line is the $20 million of upfront money made Sarver flinch. If he signs JJ to the max, then we will have to change the roster next year, and that would be Shawn leaving. How much different is that than JJ leaving now? Joe is very talented, but Shawn is arguably our hardest matchup. He's a top defender, extremely good rebounder, runs like a gazelle, and can play as many spots as Joe.

No, this entire thing boiled down to if JJ wanted to stay in Phoenix, he'd have to know he walked away from greater upfront money. He'd also be playing for a better team, with team mates he knows and enjoys, in a city that supports it's basketball team, and with the opportunity to much greater exposure due to the teams success.

Sarver did what he felt was best. JJ didn't do himself any favors by publically admitting he asked the Suns not to match. If I'm an owner, I'm probably going to make a player eat those words too. Now Joe is making it seem like he didn't really want to go to Atlanta, but the Suns are pushing him out. JJ and his agent are playing it both ways. I only wish the guys on 910 would have called them on it.

..

Bickley? MJ.. call someone out? The guy might as well have been on their payroll. I don't even recall them even asking him any questions. They let the guy rant for about 3 mins... commenting in approval.

Again everyone is at fault.. it's easier for people to say .Sarver should have paid him last year or this year, but not realizing that someone had to go...which would have meant most likely the "3rd option"

 

[Mainstreet]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mainstreet

These are insulting offers? Where do you work?

Ever hear of the word "facetious"?

Yes, and you might notice I edited this last question out so it it hopefully wouldn't be construed as personal.


This waiting is torture as I thought more would be forthcoming this morning. I hate these conflicting stories and reported facts about the JJ situation. I live and breathe the Suns.

 

[frdbtr]

Despite what everyone thinks, the players hold most of the cards in free agency especially when they have a team willing to break the bank to get them. Either the Suns match or they don't. The suns said all summer that they would match ANY (including a max) offer until JJ said on ESPN that he wanted to be a Hawk and asked the Suns not to match the Hawks offer. HE is the one that said that, the Suns didn't. I am more inclined to believe what Azcentral said about JJ telling players and Suns management something that he said publicly then hearing an agent's spin after the fact. Just call me naive but agents are Lawyers and will say whatever they need to to save thier own face and the face of thier clients.

 

[Kolo]

Yes, and you might notice I edited this last question out so it it hopefully wouldn't be construed as personal.


This waiting is torture as I thought more would be forthcoming this morning. I hate these conflicting stories and reported facts about the JJ situation. I live and breathe the Suns.

Gotcha. I wish I worked somewhere I could consider a $75 million offer to be insulting.

 

[ActingWild]

Conspiracy Theorists?

Okay, I know I'm totally dillusional right now, but any chance the Suns are saying they'll do a sign and trade to get Johnson to wake up and accept their offer instead?

I know it's very unlikely, but after all the posturingthat's gone on, could this just be a little more?

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Just call me naive but agents are Lawyers and will say whatever they need to to save thier own face and the face of thier clients.

first of all, not all agents are lawyers. second of all, what does one's profession have to do with "say[ing] whatever they need to to [sic] their [sic] own face and the face of their [sic] clients."????

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Okay, I know I'm totally dillusional right now, but any chance the Suns are saying they'll do a sign and trade to get Johnson to wake up and accept their offer instead?

I know it's very unlikely, but after all the posturingthat's gone on, could this just be a little more?

naw, this is a done deal. sarver's a cheap ass boob and jj's an idiot. hurrah for everyone except us suns fans.

 

[Lars the Red]

..

Bickley? MJ.. call someone out? The guy might as well have been on their payroll. I don't even recall them even asking him any questions. They let the guy rant for about 3 mins... commenting in approval.

Again everyone is at fault.. it's easier for people to say .Sarver should have paid him last year or this year, but not realizing that someone had to go...which would have meant most likely the "3rd option"

I also don't think most people recognize that the $20 million upfront is not a normal contract offer. If Atlanta doesn't toss that in, and JJ doesn't open his trap, I still think we sign him. I just don't see Sarver mortgaging the future to pay that huge upfront cash, when we have a chance of finding a couple of guys to put in JJ's spot. Finding a player with Shawn's versitility is very rare. Even though he had a rough playoff, he was a guy mentioned constantly by the talking heads as being the toughest match. I still think putting him through an entire season, and intense playoff games, matching up with PF all the time finally took it's toll on Shawn. If he get's the bulk of his minutes as a 3, he'll show additional improvement this season.