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A relatively positive article after so much of doom and gloom...
Moves should keep JJ-less Suns in mix
Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
Aug. 2, 2005 12:00 AM
Joe Johnson is a marvelously versatile young talent who raised his game to a level that easily commanded a market value of $69.6 million over five years.
The future of the Suns was undeniably bright with him as part of the team's core. But the idea of Johnson's return proved to be a piecrust promise - easily made, easily broken.
Phoenix Managing Partner Robert Sarver's decision to execute a sign-and-trade deal today with Atlanta for guard Boris Diaw, two lottery-protected first-round picks and a trade exception does not make the Suns a better team.
No matter whom you blame - Johnson for wanting out, or Sarver for letting him out - losing Johnson carries a sting that won't go away quickly. But the Suns' summer moves could yet allow the team to maintain its elite status by signing a shooting guard such as Michael Finley or Derek Anderson, high-profile candidates for amnesty-rule waivers later this month.
Phoenix was able to push defending champion San Antonio during the Western Conference finals, leading in the fourth quarter of the first two games without Johnson.
The June trade of Quentin Richardson for post veteran Kurt Thomas was made to fortify rebounding and front-line defense, particularly against Tim Duncan. Thomas' threat as a shooter should allow Amaré Stoudemire the needed space to operate. Stoudemire handled the Spurs' Tim Duncan on the offensive end for a 37-point average in the conference finals.
This week's expected free-agent signing of Raja Bell was not negotiated on the first day of contact last month as an emergency plan for a Johnson departure. Bell was supposed to supplement Johnson and deepen the bench.
However, Bell is a better option to guard Manu Ginobili, who repeatedly torched Phoenix defenders, including Johnson. The San Antonio Express-News reported that Ginobili called agent Herb Rudoy, who is also Bell's agent, after the Suns nabbed Bell to complain that Rudoy gave the Suns the defender he least likes to play against.
It is possible that Bell is an upgrade over Richardson, who did not score in Phoenix's Game 5 loss to San Antonio. Bell is quicker, defends better and could prove to be a more accurate shooter (Bell shot 40 percent from three-point range last season to Richardson's 36 percent).
There is also the Steve Nash factor and how the reigning Most Valuable Player makes the game easier for teammates with his tremendous playmaking, creativity and court vision. Johnson went from a 30.5 percent three-point shooter in the 2003-04 season to a 47.8 percent three-point shooter with Nash as a teammate.
Although he disappeared after a 31-point Game 2 in the Phoenix-Dallas playoff series, the 10-year veteran Finley is coming off his best two seasons in terms of three-point accuracy.
Phoenix still has a backup point guard issue to resolve, hoping that Diaw and Leandro Barbosa can raise their games.
The Suns could address that or any other midseason hole with the trade exception they received in the Johnson deal.
Phoenix could acquire a player who is less than or equal to the value of the trade exception, which may be worth about $5 million or about $10 million.
Ultimately, despite losing Johnson, the Suns have options to build upon an extremely successful 2004-05 season.
Moves should keep JJ-less Suns in mix
Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
Aug. 2, 2005 12:00 AM
Joe Johnson is a marvelously versatile young talent who raised his game to a level that easily commanded a market value of $69.6 million over five years.
The future of the Suns was undeniably bright with him as part of the team's core. But the idea of Johnson's return proved to be a piecrust promise - easily made, easily broken.
Phoenix Managing Partner Robert Sarver's decision to execute a sign-and-trade deal today with Atlanta for guard Boris Diaw, two lottery-protected first-round picks and a trade exception does not make the Suns a better team.
No matter whom you blame - Johnson for wanting out, or Sarver for letting him out - losing Johnson carries a sting that won't go away quickly. But the Suns' summer moves could yet allow the team to maintain its elite status by signing a shooting guard such as Michael Finley or Derek Anderson, high-profile candidates for amnesty-rule waivers later this month.
Phoenix was able to push defending champion San Antonio during the Western Conference finals, leading in the fourth quarter of the first two games without Johnson.
The June trade of Quentin Richardson for post veteran Kurt Thomas was made to fortify rebounding and front-line defense, particularly against Tim Duncan. Thomas' threat as a shooter should allow Amaré Stoudemire the needed space to operate. Stoudemire handled the Spurs' Tim Duncan on the offensive end for a 37-point average in the conference finals.
This week's expected free-agent signing of Raja Bell was not negotiated on the first day of contact last month as an emergency plan for a Johnson departure. Bell was supposed to supplement Johnson and deepen the bench.
However, Bell is a better option to guard Manu Ginobili, who repeatedly torched Phoenix defenders, including Johnson. The San Antonio Express-News reported that Ginobili called agent Herb Rudoy, who is also Bell's agent, after the Suns nabbed Bell to complain that Rudoy gave the Suns the defender he least likes to play against.
It is possible that Bell is an upgrade over Richardson, who did not score in Phoenix's Game 5 loss to San Antonio. Bell is quicker, defends better and could prove to be a more accurate shooter (Bell shot 40 percent from three-point range last season to Richardson's 36 percent).
There is also the Steve Nash factor and how the reigning Most Valuable Player makes the game easier for teammates with his tremendous playmaking, creativity and court vision. Johnson went from a 30.5 percent three-point shooter in the 2003-04 season to a 47.8 percent three-point shooter with Nash as a teammate.
Although he disappeared after a 31-point Game 2 in the Phoenix-Dallas playoff series, the 10-year veteran Finley is coming off his best two seasons in terms of three-point accuracy.
Phoenix still has a backup point guard issue to resolve, hoping that Diaw and Leandro Barbosa can raise their games.
The Suns could address that or any other midseason hole with the trade exception they received in the Johnson deal.
Phoenix could acquire a player who is less than or equal to the value of the trade exception, which may be worth about $5 million or about $10 million.
Ultimately, despite losing Johnson, the Suns have options to build upon an extremely successful 2004-05 season.
