Joe Johnson will start!

[slinslin]

http://www.nba.com/suns/news/tribune_031027.html

Joe Johnson, the Suns' rising off-guard, has won the starting job over Penny Hardaway to begin the season.

Suns coach Frank Johnson said he made his final decision after watching Hardaway play well together with rookie Zarko Cabarkapa in practice on Sunday. The two could well turn out to be the club's top reserves.

"I like what I've seen out of Joe as a starter, and I like what I saw out of Penny and Zarko playing together," the Suns coach said.

 

[Chaplin]

Now, keep an ear out for whatever Penny says.

 

[SirStefan32]

I think this is a terrible decision.

I hope Penny takes it like a man, and play hard off the bench.

 

[scotsman13]

that might start of a very good sub unit. if you match that up with barbosa hardaway can help him stead him out. and then you can bring someone like archibal to bring in some toughness with them and if that battie trade goes down you can bring voskhul in with them and that is a lot of energy off the bench also a very good scoring group.

 

[F-Dog]

Originally posted by slinslin
"I like what I've seen out of Joe as a starter, and I like what I saw out of Penny and Zarko playing together," the Suns coach said.

Do you think this means that Penny and Zarko will be coming off the bench together? At the 6-minute mark, perhaps?

 

[Cheesebeef]

Didn't Joe Johnson win the starting job last year also. I'll withold judgement on this move for a couple weeks, but I still don't trust Johnson out there once the real minutes start. Let's hope Penny takes this like a man.

 

[SirStefan32]

Well, I think it should be more like 8- 10 minute mark.

I do think Penny and Zarko will work well together. They are both excellent basketball minds, they understand the game, they are very versitile. I'd add Barbosa to this mix to provide some additional scoring.

 

[dyle_ph1]

I think Brevin Knight gets the nod for the second unit at east for the first part of the season. That is, if that rumored trade doesn't go down. Penny was usually the one who fed Amare the ball last year.. We'll see if Marbury and the rest of the starters can keep that up...

 

[JCSunsfan]

Originally posted by cheesebeef
Didn't Joe Johnson win the starting job last year also. I'll withold judgement on this move for a couple weeks, but I still don't trust Johnson out there once the real minutes start. Let's hope Penny takes this like a man.

I think JJ was given the job last year. He then promptly lost it with inconsistent play. Looks like he's developed a little more.

BTW, is it my imagination or has JJ bulked up as much or more than Shawn? He's looking pretty big lately.

 

[Errntknght]

Not a smart move on Frank's part. Penny finished the year last year as the starter and he should keep the job until JJ wins it convincingly during games that count. If Penny's back is really bothering him too much then let JJ play the bulk of the minutes or even start temporarily, without a formal promotion. It's really not for Penny that I'm concerned - the last thing JJ needs is to be demoted again which couldn't happen if he weren't promoted on minimal evidence.

 

[Chaplin]

Before we start asking ourselves if JJ will hold the job, we first have to ask what kind of performance does JJ need to consistently have in order to keep the job?

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

For him not to be demoted?

Well he is going to be the 4th option, so he doesnt NEED to produce. However, he will be a key part on the defensive end. He was one of our better defenders last year.

Also, he needs to not dissapear. Even if his offense isn't going, he still needs to remain active on both ends.

I still think that Penny should start, no matter how productive JJ is. Even is Joe got the majority of the minutes, it was much easier last year for penny to come in right after warmups instead of right after he cooled down.

However, if Penny and Zarko really play that well together it might be a good move. Now I havent seen Zarko play yet, but Penny did play great with Amare last year, so I see how it is possible they might compliment each other.

If Penny can come off the bench and still be able to produce, it would give our second unit a huge, consistant lift. Not just his production, but also from what he could get out of the other 4 players.


Anyways, I am on the fence about this right now I guess

 

[Phill11]

Great News

JJ >>>>> Penny!

 

[cheng]

Originally posted by Errntknght
Not a smart move on Frank's part. Penny finished the year last year as the starter and he should keep the job until JJ wins it convincingly during games that count. If Penny's back is really bothering him too much then let JJ play the bulk of the minutes or even start temporarily, without a formal promotion. It's really not for Penny that I'm concerned - the last thing JJ needs is to be demoted again which couldn't happen if he weren't promoted on minimal evidence.

I agree.

 

[Phill11]

I agree.

I disagree. Penny is used goods. HES WASHED UP. JJ is young, exciting and much better and improved.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

Originally posted by Phill11
I disagree. Penny is used goods. HES WASHED UP. JJ is young, exciting and much better and improved.

I am sorry, but the fact he is no longer All NBA doesn't mean he is washed up.

Penny is a very good player to have for 20-30 min a game.

This is such an exhausted topic, so Id rather not go any further.