Let's go get Nick Van Exel...

[sly fly]

Let's face it. Barbosa is no Nash. Barbosa is a 2 disguised as a 1. Barbosa is simply overmatched (at the moment) in trying to keep the fluidity of the Suns offense when Nash isn't on the court.

So, this team needs to start thinking what it's going to take to solidify it's serious run for the title....

... bring in Nick "The Quick" (warts and all).

A perfect compliment to Steve Nash. An insurance policy. A hired gun. A proven playoff performer.

Don't dangle any current pieces. Chicago's first rounder, Milos, and/or chump change would get it done.

Someone "RealGm" me...

 

[hafey2]

an interesting idea, but i don't think we have the salary to get it done...Nick makes around 14 mil

 

[sly fly]

an interesting idea, but i don't think we have the salary to get it done...Nick makes around 14 mil

Looks like you're right. Exel makes quite a bit, and PHX would have to give up quite a bit to get him. Hmmm...

This is the only spot I'm seriously worried about. PHX needs a legitmate PG who can keep the offense moving when Nash is out. There are a few out there, it's just finding the right one who can mesh with this current unit.

Damn, Jason Kidd would be perfect coming off the bench to spell Nash .

 

[Joe Mama]

I'm sorry Sly, but there isn't a snowball's chance in hell that even if the Suns could easily swing a deal for Nick Van Exel they would do it. I'm not sure they will do any tinkering unless it is painfully obvious they have to do it. They certainly aren't going to bring in someone who has been a malcontent virtually everywhere he's gone. Yes, he was a great backup for Steve Nash in Dallas. It's still not going to happen though.

I do agree with your assessment of Barbosa. Maybe in a year or two he will be a consistently effective point guard. He isn't consistent now though. His good performances are rarely because of his passing. I believe he has potential as a bench player, but this year the Suns would be better off with a good, veteran point guard off the bench.

Joe Mama

 

[George O'Brien]

The more I've watched Barbosa, the more I think the problem is as much D'Antoni. He doesn't change the offense to reflect the fact that no one else can play like Nash.

I suspect the Suns need to give Barbosa more of a structured offense. It takes time to learn to be able to see the court and react quickly. Nash didn't run the Suns offense like this when he was a second year player.

My guess is that almost any PG the Suns might be able to afford would have similar problems. Van Exel has bounced around the NBA because he is more of a short SG than a real PG.

 

[coloradosun]

The more I've watched Barbosa, the more I think the problem is as much D'Antoni. He doesn't change the offense to reflect the fact that no one else can play like Nash.

I suspect the Suns need to give Barbosa more of a structured offense. It takes time to learn to be able to see the court and react quickly. Nash didn't run the Suns offense like this when he was a second year player.

My guess is that almost any PG the Suns might be able to afford would have similar problems. Van Exel has bounced around the NBA because he is more of a short SG than a real PG.

George, I agree. If Barbosa is in a the point they should just go into a half court offense. It would be a way of holding on to double digit leads, otherwise the running game just goes out of wack with Barbosa. If Nash is in with Barbosa, then go ahead and run.

 

[SirStefan32]

The more I've watched Barbosa, the more I think the problem is as much D'Antoni. He doesn't change the offense to reflect the fact that no one else can play like Nash.

I suspect the Suns need to give Barbosa more of a structured offense. It takes time to learn to be able to see the court and react quickly. Nash didn't run the Suns offense like this when he was a second year player.

My guess is that almost any PG the Suns might be able to afford would have similar problems. Van Exel has bounced around the NBA because he is more of a short SG than a real PG.

Very interesting point George. Team should adjust once Nash is on the bench.

 

[playstation]

i agree to an extent. if barbosa's in the game, i'd sure like it if amare wasn't on the bench. to many times, coach decides to bring in hunter along with barbosa, and there go our 2 best players. even during the times when amare's in, barbosa is still the main ball handler. i would hope that during those times, the offense FLOWS through amare. as in, he gets the ball on the block EVERY possesion. i think he's proved himself. barbosa's value increases at that point because he can more or less wait for amare to break the defense down and if amare passes to barbosa at that point, barbosa is in a position to score, which is his strong suit anyways...

 

[JS22]

Please lord no. Keep that cancer out of here! The last thing you want to do is screw with this teams chemistry. Trade NOBODY, and don't sign anyone unless you *have* to.

The last thing the Suns need is a cancer like NVE coming in and screwing with the chemistry. Maybe he's not as much of an ass as advertised, but I'm against tinkering with anything right now.

 

[sunsfn]

I think the suns also rely on JJ when Barbosa is in the game to handle the ball and distribute.

The suns are in no way going to get Nick the quick or any other point guard this season. They will rely on Barbosa and JJ when Nash is out of the lineup.

 

[jibikao]

I think it's a great idea.

Nick Van was REALLY good in the playoffs. He has that mental toughness that fits really well with Suns. With Nick Van, Nash will have more chance to rest.

I like that idea....

There's a rumor that Mavs wants to sign either Nick Van or Payton. I don't think Nick Van wants to go back to Mavs because of the way Cuban treated him after the loss to Spurs in the WCF. Nick Van was the guy that saved Mavs in many situations.

I would go for Nick Van. I don't think Barbosa is good enough. He is not as good shooter as Nick Van and he seems very soft to me. With Nick Van, Nash will be able to get more rest which is crucial for Suns' success in the playoffs.

Jimmy

 

[jbeecham]

Barbosa doesn't handle the ball all that much when he's in the game. He brings it up the court and dumps it off to the wing immediately to JJ or Q. Sometimes he gets the ball back and tries to drive and either gets a layup or gets into trouble. One thing I've noticed about him is that he doesn't pass well or at all when he's driving to the basket. There have been a lot of times Amare was open cutting to the basket and Barbosa didn't see him or saw him and didn't know how to get him the ball. Those were plays where I said to myself "if Nash was in the game, we'd have 2 pts right now". Still, Barbosa is young and overall I really like what I see from him. With Nash helping him out, his improvement should come quickly and he'll be a better basketball player than he would've been with Marbury mentoring him.

 

[jibikao]

Yeah, it's true that Barbosa is still young.

But I just think Nick Van is a great choice for backup PG.

And also, I think Nick Van said that this is his last year and I think he wants to find a team that has a chance in the playoff. I don't think Blazer is that good...

Jimmy

 

[George O'Brien]

Van Exel is NOT going to be a Sun. He makes $11.8 million this season. The Suns could not match that salary even if the Suns gave up every backup player on the team:

1.7 Voskuhl
1.3 Carbakapa
1.1 Jacobsen
1.1 Outlaw
0.9 Lampe
0.9 Barbosa
0.7 Hunter
0.4 Vroman
-----------
8.1 Total

 

[jibikao]

Can Nick Van lower his salary a bit?

Jimmy

 

[Chaz]

Can and will are worlds apart here.

Not going to happen. He is not going to lower his salary by choice even if he could. I don't think NVE is a player the Suns need anyway.

Another PG would be nice but not necessary IMO. What they really need is more minutes in the front court. JJ and Barbosa can fill minutes for Nash just fine when needed.

 

[SweetD]

I would never want to see Nick in a Suns uniform that guy is one of the biggest locker room cancers in the league. No way the Suns would give the amount of Salary to match.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

The is zero negotion of contracts once they are written. You cannot defer salary, except at the time of the signing. You cannot renegotiate to a higher or lower amount.

 

[jibikao]

Ok... I see.

I just thought Nick Van gel very well with Nash in Mavs and thought he was a great backup PG for Nash.

Anyway, if we can't afford it, then never mind.

Jimmy

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

From Fox Sports

Fri Dec 24 2004 - Shortly after going for 26 points Wednesday night, Nick Van Exel announced he will retire after the season. "It's done; it's a wrap," Van Exel, 33, said. "This will be my last season. I've been thinking about it for a while over these past couple months. Just getting up every morning, my body always aching -- knees, back, hip -- it just gets boring after a while." The 12-year veteran is in the last year of his contract that pays him $11.8 million this season. If Portland trades Damon Stoudamire, the point guard job could fall into the hands of Sebastian Telfair next season.