Lets play Lampe!

[cardsunsfan]

It couldn't hurt, I think we have to be at least the third worst team in the NBA now we might as well see what we've got. I would also like to see what White has a little bit. Also when is Zarko going to be a back? It still really makes me made how he got hurt He was playing well when he got hurt.

 

[George O'Brien]

Originally posted by SunCardfan
It couldn't hurt, I think we have to be at least the third worst team in the NBA now we might as well see what we've got. I would also like to see what White has a little bit. Also when is Zarko going to be a back? It still really makes me made how he got hurt He was playing well when he got hurt.

Zarko was supposed to return last night, but got sick. I'm guessing he will return after the All Star break.

 

[Dylan]

I agree that I'd like to see what we got with the young guys
as this is a great time to just try different things... but I think
there is also a desire to start winning, as it is important to
get that winning feeling. You often hear when coaches take
over a new team that has been losing a lot, that they want
to change that 'losing' attitude... I've read a few places where
it is felt that the Suns are expecting to lose, that something
will go wrong, and then it does... but there is a down side,
if you still don't win, then you further create that feeling.
If we were playing Lampe, and White some more, and just
try different combos and all, then it might take some of the
pressure off.
Either way has merit, but I think there will come a time soon
where they are gonna just play Lampe and see what they
have for next year...
Personally, I really want to see Lampe play..

 

[George O'Brien]

The Suns are routinely in the game until the last few minutes. It is hard to play a guy who will make a lot of mistakes knowing that those mistakes could be difference.

I would like to see him. I suspect that he might even help in some games, but it is hard to be sure.

 

[Dylan]

Excellent point! The will to win is strong, and I cannot blame
them, we all wanna win. And also, as much as WE want to see
what Lampe has got, THEY see him everyday, and they have
a much better feel for him than we could have. From those
who see him everyday, you hear nothing but good feelings
in the long-term. So our impatience to know is less than their
impatience... and from their experience of watching him, they
also are probably aware of the mistakes he could/would make.
They know they have a diamond in the rough...
I have a feeling that starting next year, we are going to see
much more of him... once they've had time to coach him up..

 

[Joe Mama]

Originally posted by Dylan
Excellent point! The will to win is strong, and I cannot blame
them, we all wanna win. And also, as much as WE want to see
what Lampe has got, THEY see him everyday, and they have
a much better feel for him than we could have. From those
who see him everyday, you hear nothing but good feelings
in the long-term. So our impatience to know is less than their
impatience... and from their experience of watching him, they
also are probably aware of the mistakes he could/would make.
They know they have a diamond in the rough...
I have a feeling that starting next year, we are going to see
much more of him... once they've had time to coach him up..

Excellent post Dylan. I think sometimes all of us get so excited about a young player with potential that we want to see him at any cost. We do have to remember that the coaching staff has seen much, much more of him than we have. The Suns generally like to play their young players, so he is probably just not ready. Remember that they also still have a responsibility to the fans to try to win the games.

Joe Mama

 

[arthurracoon]

Originally posted by Dylan
Excellent point! The will to win is strong, and I cannot blame
them, we all wanna win. And also, as much as WE want to see
what Lampe has got, THEY see him everyday, and they have
a much better feel for him than we could have. From those
who see him everyday, you hear nothing but good feelings
in the long-term. So our impatience to know is less than their
impatience... and from their experience of watching him, they
also are probably aware of the mistakes he could/would make.
They know they have a diamond in the rough...
I have a feeling that starting next year, we are going to see
much more of him... once they've had time to coach him up..

 

[cardsunsfan]

I know that but it seems to me when I'm really interested in a player on the Suns or Cards who isn't getting much playing time they usually do well when they are in the game. I don't know if practice is a good predicator of that. Like last year if we didn't have that many injuries I bet Amare doesn't get much playing time....

 

[Chaz]

At this point I don't really care who the play. I just wish the coaches would pick a rotation of 9-10 guys and stick with them.

Unfortunately for Lampe fans he is probably 11 or 12 on the roster right now.

 

[se7en]

Maybe they are planning to package Lampe in a future trade and don't want to play him for fear of decreasing his value.

 

[George O'Brien]

Originally posted by se7en
Maybe they are planning to package Lampe in a future trade and don't want to play him for fear of decreasing his value.

No way. I suspect that Lampe was a key factor in the big trade. The Suns knew when he was drafted that he was a couple years away from being a factor, but was legitimately viewed as a middle lottery pick last summer. He is expected grow at least another inch and maybe two and is already 275 pounds.

Back in the '80's, the Spurs drafted David Robinson inspite of the fact that he had to spend two years in the Navy before playing in the NBA. I'm certainly willing to wait a couple of years for Lampe.

On the other hand, I think the Suns need to pick up a veteran center in the off season to help out until Lampe is ready to contribute.

 

[Chaz]

The difference is Robinson didn't take up a roster spot while in the Navy.

 

[George O'Brien]

Originally posted by SirChaz
The difference is Robinson didn't take up a roster spot while in the Navy.

With IR and the fact that Lampe is only costing $800,00 - AND the Suns retain his Bird rights, I'm not that concerned. It would be different if he was Darko Milicic and making $3.6 million and not playing.

 

[Phill11]

Originally posted by George O'Brien
With IR and the fact that Lampe is only costing $800,00 - AND the Suns retain his Bird rights, I'm not that concerned. It would be different if he was Darko Milicic and making $3.6 million and not playing.

Wow! What player in the NBA Makes $80,000? But I know what you mean. But anyways. Im not to big on Lampe yet. I say trade him if we could get someone/something useful for him.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

Originally posted by George O'Brien
With IR and the fact that Lampe is only costing $800,00 - AND the Suns retain his Bird rights, I'm not that concerned. It would be different if he was Darko Milicic and making $3.6 million and not playing.

Um, George, your salary numbers for Lampe are way way off.

He is making 3.49 million this year. He was a second round pick, so there are no contract guidlines. Most of his money he uses to pay off his buyout, which is why the Knicks gave him such a big deal. There is no way he would have come over without making lottery type money. You are right about the bird rights though, I am pretty sure the knocks gave him either a 2 or 3 year deal (with a team option for a 3rd or 4th year)



http://www.nationwide.net/~patricia/contracts

 

[George O'Brien]

Originally posted by thegrahamcrackr
Um, George, your salary numbers for Lampe are way way off.

He is making 3.49 million this year. He was a second round pick, so there are no contract guidlines. Most of his money he uses to pay off his buyout, which is why the Knicks gave him such a big deal. There is no way he would have come over without making lottery type money. You are right about the bird rights though, I am pretty sure the knocks gave him either a 2 or 3 year deal (with a team option for a 3rd or 4th year)

http://www.nationwide.net/~patricia/contracts

I think you are misreading the info. The $3.49 million is for the entire three years plus the buyout. According to HoopsHype, his cap numbers are:

2003-04 $800,000
2004-05 $900,000
2005-06 $1,000,000

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

I guess that is possible, however, I know for a fact that Lampe's buyout was in the 1.5-3million range.

An NBA team can only offer 350k for international players, so the rest has to be paid by the player. There is no way Lampe would be over here if he had a 800k contract. Forgive the changes later in the post, I am adding as I find things:

After looking further:

According to ESPN, his contract buyout was 2million.


http://espn.go.com/nba/news/2003/0716/1581591.html

Chad ford Speculates on June 26 2003:

"If Lampe had gone 29th, he would have made $803,400 this year, and never gotton out of his buyout. At pick No 30 however, the Knicks could give him a contract at 2 mil per season for 2 years. Combine that with the 350k they can offer, and they can get Lampe out of his contract now."



http://insider.espn.go.com/insider/story?id=1573512&contentType=insider



This insider story says the Knicks used their MLE on Lampe

http://insider.espn.go.com/insider/story?id=1595677&contentType=insider


Apparently he signed his contract on Aug 13th, but no dollar amoutn given.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/story?id=1595298





Well that is all I could find. I couldn't really get an exact number to prove you wrong, but unless something happened in Lampe's buyout at the last minute (that I couldnt find) I think it is safe to assume he makes more than 800k

 

[slinslin]

He doesn't make more than that. Basically the Knicks signed him to a first round contract.

Lampe makes what hoopshype says. If he didn't the trade with the Knicks would not have worked under the cap.

 

[Errntknght]

Of course we should be playing Lampe. If he makes a bundle of rookie mistakes he'll be playing on a par with the rest of the guys. And it's the coaching mistakes that are the most painful to watch... the whole offense is a mistake and the defense still conspicuously features stupid double teams along with a trap that couldn't catch a starving mouse in a cage.

Sheesh get the hook, I'm ready to see the next comedy act the C's will book into the head coaching slot.