Joe Johnson interview

[JCSunsfan]

I know we all sound like homers with Diaw, but its really hard to not get excited.

He plays excellent D inside AND on the perimeter.
He passes the ball. Without Q and JJ our offense (half court) flows much better. We already documented how JJ rarely passed the ball to Amare last year. Just wait until BOTH Nash and Diaw are throwing in (and up) to Amare.

 

[DevonCardsFan]

Thinking back, I'm glad that JJ is gone - even though he was my favorite player while in Phoenix. Think of it like this:

Joe Johnson

For:

Shawn Marion (He was as good as gone if the Suns kept JJ.)

James Jones

Boris Diaw

Eddie House (most likely would not have signed him if they still had JJ.)

A mid first round pick

Atlanta's UNPROTECTED pick. (We all know that they are lottery bound this year, so Phoenix will be getting it after next season.)

The remainder of the trade exception. Not sure of the exact amount.

That trade looks VERY nice to me.

In Hindsite it was a great trade

 

[elindholm]

But in that case, there is no negotiating anyway. You just offer the max deal and be done with it.

Well, evidently there was some negotiation with Stoudemire, I guess about the opt-out possibilities. But my point is, had Stoudemire's agent or "representative" or mother or whoever gotten Sarver on the phone and launched expletives at him for five minutes -- for some unknown reason -- Sarver would have had to grin and bear it.

 

[hsandhu]

DOGG....4 GAMES INTO HIS SUNS CAREER......!!!

Joe got 200 + before he started to show signs of being an actual top 30 player in this league.....and now he is seeing the reversal effect the hawks have on a players progression (much like my beloved arizona cardinals)

You HAVE to give Diaw the benefit of the doubt about the hawks knowing his skill set and using him properly. I am convinced the GM's and coaching staff read the Street and Smiths basketball preview for ideas....they have NO CLUE what they are doing.....

You are right Joe is the better player now. Sweet argument ...next you are going to give us the headline Snoop Dogg like to smokes herb and the sun will INFACT come up tomorrow. Joe had the benefit of learning to play during games and having a coaching staff that believed in him and worked to make him better. As a self described "work-a-holic" its a good combination when you get a high level of coaching. So of course Joe is the better player after almost three years WITH THE SUNS.

No one is going to like this comparison, but its much like Amare and a player like Chris Bosh (although Bosh gets a ton more PT from the raptors than diaw ever would on the hawks) i really think the suns coaching is that good, especially with ivaroni (sp?) that Bosh would be a MUCH bigger star on the Suns. Thats just how it is...

So why is everyone getting in such a tizzy about diaw?? Well number one he has been around bball his whole life (his mother was a star center) and understands the game. He is built like a small 4 or a HUGE 3 yet he can handle the ball and pass better than 50% of the ones in the league. His wing span is ridiculous and he can block shots like Kirilenko w/ development. He plays defense and can jump alot more than Joe ever could. Athletically they dont even compare.....Plus he is an inch taller than Joe, and better at using the height advantage......His shooting needs work, but as Joe proved, thats a skill you can acquire....

and most importantly...HES 23 YEARS OLD!!!!! With no playing time and coaching to speak of in Atlanta he might as well be a rookie on this team....and he just barely missed a triple double in his fourth game OFF THE BENCH....

this is a remarkable start and if he works hard, i have full confidence that he WILL be better than Joe (is now, i have no way to account for Joe turning into Tmac all of a sudden. But it is the Hawks people) about three seasons down the line....

So yeah Mario Elie was a better player in the NBA when Kobe was starting his third year in the league. But who would you rather have....?

Im not saying Joe is Mario Elie, but there are other factors to consider than just "well Joe averaged this amount of points and rebounds so he must be better..."...That kind of analysis will get you a job on the hawks management staff but no love from me.............

My thoughts exactly. That's why it's not totally crazy to say, "hey this kid could be playing in an all star game some time in the future." Does it mean it will happen no, but if his game continues to grow at the same rate that most young players' games who come to this coaching staff does, then it certainly seems possible. Because he is starting off with more raw ability than any young player that the team has had in the last several years, except for amare (yes with his wingspan, and passing, even more than marion's explosive second jump etc...).

 

[jibikao]

Now I want to see Diaw play.

Man, the game is so late on the East coast....