Raja Bell- the newest sun

[Cheesebeef]

If the Blazers, Lakers, and Mavs have taught us anything over the past few years its this--you can have too many stars--even old ones. Its better to round out your team with vet role players who are specialists.

totally agree.

 

[elindholm]

I really don't like this signing. The Suns already had an erratic, undersized shooting guard in Barbosa. What the heck do they want with another one? Now they don't even have the full MLE to try to lure a quality player with, especially not a big man. With $5 million, they'd have a chance for a competent PF/C backup, but with roughly half of that, forget it. They probably won't even be able to keep Hunter for that money, and Hunter really isn't very good at all. It's no coincidence that Voskuhl is going to make almost $2 million next year -- that's exactly the caliber of backup big you can get for that money. Yippee.

I'm not all that high on Chris "Mr." Andersen, but I would have been much happier if they'd spent the full MLE on him than if they had tied their hands like this.

If the Suns land Finley for the minimum and work out some ingenious system to package Barbosa and their remaining MLE space for a credible big, I'll change my tune.

 

[SweetD]

If the Suns land Finley for the minimum and work out some ingenious system to package Barbosa and their remaining MLE space for a credible big, I'll change my tune.

This brings up a good idea what if the Suns were to send Barbosa, Jake, 1st round pick (maybe rights to Milos) to Phili for a sign and trade deal for Dalembert? Not sure if the sixers still want to move Dalembert anymore but if they don't cut Weber they could be in CAP hell for awhile.

 

[elindholm]

This brings up a good idea what if the Suns were to send Barbosa, Jake, 1st round pick (maybe rights to Milos) to Phili for a sign and trade deal for Dalembert?

Um, I'm not sure how to say this politely, but there is not the remotest chance in hell that Philadelphia would even begin to consider that deal for the briefest of instants.

 

[devilalum]

This brings up a good idea what if the Suns were to send Barbosa, Jake, 1st round pick (maybe rights to Milos) to Phili for a sign and trade deal for Dalembert?

Um, I'm not sure how to say this politely, but there is not the remotest chance in hell that Philadelphia would even begin to consider that deal for the briefest of instants.

That's right the Suns are now free to trade away a future first round pick.

I'm sure that gem must be burning a whole in BC's pocket.

 

[HooverDam]

We're ready....any particular song you have in mind?

hehe, woops, well thats what you get when youve been up all night and try to write something


I like the idea of a trade for Jake, Lb and the rights to Milos, but who would take it and what could we get? Dalembert is way too good to be traded for that. Also, lets make it the rights to Milos, no more dumping picks. I just don't know exactly how the rest of the league would value such a trade or what we could get in return

 

[frdbtr]

My 2 cents on this pick up is that I like it. I Live up here in Jazz land and I will have to say that Raja Bell and Matt Harpring were a couple of bright spots on a terrible Jazz team last year. Bell is the type of player that will play hard offensively and defensively all of the time. He will be a very good addition to the suns and will be able to compete imediately off of the bench when he needs to play. This is a good pick up for the Suns, not a superstar but what do you expect when he is probably only going to get part of the MLE.

 

[az1965]

This will be a nice signing. We will improve our bench and essentially would replace Q's 3 point shooting.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I really don't like this signing. The Suns already had an erratic, undersized shooting guard in Barbosa. What the heck do they want with another one? Now they don't even have the full MLE to try to lure a quality player with, especially not a big man. With $5 million, they'd have a chance for a competent PF/C backup, but with roughly half of that, forget it. They probably won't even be able to keep Hunter for that money, and Hunter really isn't very good at all. It's no coincidence that Voskuhl is going to make almost $2 million next year -- that's exactly the caliber of backup big you can get for that money. Yippee.

I'm not all that high on Chris "Mr." Andersen, but I would have been much happier if they'd spent the full MLE on him than if they had tied their hands like this.

If the Suns land Finley for the minimum and work out some ingenious system to package Barbosa and their remaining MLE space for a credible big, I'll change my tune.

Wow, pretty pessimistic E. I think the most likely thing is that they will sign Hunter.

Let's assume that they gave Raja half of the mle. The 2.5 left might be enough to retain Hunter. If not, they don't want him. They might consider picking up a Brian Grant.

A Finley signing could be for the lle or vet min. I don't see the Finley signing as that big of a deal now.

Your assessment of Bell as erratic and understized is totally contrary to everything I've read about him. He's a lockdown defender at the 1 and 2 positions, and he shot 40% from 3 pt land. He is quite selective about his shots--only taking them when open.

We needed a perimeter defender. We got him in Bell.
We needed an interior defender and rebounder. We got him in Thomas.
We could use one more big body to block shots and rebound. There are lots of them out there.

Its been a good off-season so far. Except for the fact that Thomas screwed us out of the #21 pick.

 

[coloradosun]

Bell is obviously the replacement for Q. I assume Bell is a better defender, and it looks like he's a quality shooter from outside. That's a perfect combo.

He has really been brought here for one purpose, slow down Ginobili--we all know that Q didn't.

Quality vet role player who does well at exactly what you need.

If the Blazers, Lakers, and Mavs have taught us anything over the past few years its this--you can have too many stars--even old ones. Its better to round out your team with vet role players who are specialists.

I think this signing is also suppose to send a message to Barbosa, either get it together or you're traded. The motivation in signing Q was to light a fire under JJ and we saw the result.

Or it is a message already that they have a deal for Barbosa in the works, Folster also said that Barbosa was going to be dealt but maybe not as he had suggested.

 

[Kolo]

We could use one more big body to block shots and rebound. There are lots of them out there.

Brian Scalabrine. You heard it here first.

 

[Yuma]

So unnoficially the suns have the following lineup:

PG: Nash, Babrosa
SG: JJ, Jimmy Jackson, Naja Bell, Dijon Thompson
SF: Marion, (any of the above to give Sean a rest)
C: Vokshul, KT
PF: Amare

10 guys we have/comitted to on the team right now. The above lineup can be moved around, like Dijon playing SF in relief of Marion. KT playing PF, etc.

So obviously we need another big body, and maybe a cheap PG. Another SF would be nice, too.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I've never been completely too sold on Mikki Moore... Coming from a former life-long Pistons fan who was following Moore during his time there...He's somewhat of softy.... He may be around 7'0, but tends to play like he's 6'2.... In fact... he had some weight issues, but of the other kind... They had to force him to gain weight and he had problems in doing so....I guess he had some problem with his metabolism...

Perhaps that's been since corrected, but I wouldnt be too thrilled if the Suns signed him.....

I know I might be flamed for suggesting this player (and in fact he was discussed some on this message board last season), but what about Marcus Fizer? I know he's bounced around some, but whenever he plays he grabs rebounds and can score in a flurry...Would be perfect to complement Marion and Amare......

i think we need a legit 6'11-7' guy. a shotblocker. even if he does little else. we just can't have all three of our power guys be amare's height or shorter. gotta have some length to bring in to disrupt shots every now and again. that rules out fizer the midget.

 

[coloradosun]

My 2 cents on this pick up is that I like it. I Live up here in Jazz land and I will have to say that Raja Bell and Matt Harpring were a couple of bright spots on a terrible Jazz team last year. Bell is the type of player that will play hard offensively and defensively all of the time. He will be a very good addition to the suns and will be able to compete imediately off of the bench when he needs to play. This is a good pick up for the Suns, not a superstar but what do you expect when he is probably only going to get part of the MLE.

He is right on, there is no way he gets the larger portion of the MLE, his last contract was a two year agreement for the league minimum, what 750K. 1.7 is a pretty good raise. Also makes for a possible thrown in any deals during the season or next summer.

He has only been in the league for 4 years and will be 29 when the season starts, must have spent some time in Europe.

 

[SweetD]

He is right on, there is no way he gets the larger portion of the MLE, his last contract was a two year agreement for the league minimum, what 750K. 1.7 is a pretty good raise. Also makes for a possible thrown in any deals during the season or next summer.

He has only been in the league for 4 years and will be 29 when the season starts, must have spent some time in Europe.

We could have offered the LLE for 3 years or something lets wait and see what was offered. Plus it is reported he was a friend of Nash and could have taken less with more years.

 

[KingLouieLouie]

i think we need a legit 6'11-7' guy. a shotblocker. even if he does little else. we just can't have all three of our power guys be amare's height or shorter. gotta have some length to bring in to disrupt shots every now and again. that rules out fizer the midget.

Fizer is the type who plays taller than 6'8, but I will concede to you regarding how the Suns are in dire need of a shotblocker (which will go down as the BIGGEST understatement on this board in quite some time)......

Just wonder though who is available that would come as cheap.. Perhaps invite Lonnie Jones to the Summer League and see if he would warrant a spot on the Suns Exhibition roster... For some odd reason Jones has always intrigued me and probably would want to prove his worth if given a chance... One of those players that provided an opportunity might become a steal....

 

[Cheesebeef]

I'm thinking we are gonna re-sign Hunter for the portion of the MLE and maybe pick up someone else (who, I have no idea) for the LLE. Even if we don't, and we do sign Hunter, we will have signifcantly improved our club.

It will basically be last year's team with KT added to it - not bad for a possibly cash strapped team.

Big Lineup from the get go:
Nash
JJ
Marion
Amare
KT

BENCH:
JJ
Bell
Hunter

That's significantly better than last year, mostly because of the versatility and depth we would have.

 

[SweetD]

- not bad for a possibly cash strapped team.

Were do you get we are cash strapped? The Suns sold out almost every game last year. I expect they will get a huge jump in season tickets and with allot of new sponsors, and the sell of the Rattlers the Suns are going to be sitting nicely.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Were do you get we are cash strapped? The Suns sold out almost every game last year. I expect they will get a huge jump in season tickets and with allot of new sponsors, and the sell of the Rattlers the Suns are going to be sitting nicely.

the idea that we possibly traded a first round pick to open up salary, the fact that we kept the NBA minimum on our roster all year (only team to do so), varying things I've heard about Sarver cutting corners - and notice I only said "possibly".

 

[SweetD]

the idea that we possibly traded a first round pick to open up salary, the fact that we kept the NBA minimum on our roster all year (only team to do so), varying things I've heard about Sarver cutting corners - and notice I only said "possibly".

Saver is not cutting corners, he is streamlining the management, and don't forget AWA went through a huge renovation. He knows now is the time to open up the pocket books to win it all.

 

[Yuma]

Saver is not cutting corners, he is streamlining the management, and don't forget AWA went through a huge renovation. He knows now is the time to open up the pocket books to win it all.

I agree! He's only spent money since joining the Suns. Nash, Q, Jimmy Jack, AWA redo, going to max Amare and probably JJ, and people on this board are upset about 1 $1 million dollar rookie contract? It's unbelievable!

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Saver is not cutting corners, he is streamlining the management, and don't forget AWA went through a huge renovation. He knows now is the time to open up the pocket books to win it all.

"streamlining management" is a fancy term for cutting payroll. i can't remember when i heard this, but from a friend with a source (who is a former co-worker of mine) w/in the org sarver eliminated quite a few positions that didn't seem to be useless.

 

[Cheesebeef]

"streamlining management" is a fancy term for cutting payroll. i can't remember when i heard this, but from a friend with a source (who is a former co-worker of mine) w/in the org sarver eliminated quite a few positions that didn't seem to be useless.

i've heard the same thing from a couple people working in the biz who deal with the Suns.

 

[SweetD]

"streamlining management" is a fancy term for cutting payroll. i can't remember when i heard this, but from a friend with a source (who is a former co-worker of mine) w/in the org sarver eliminated quite a few positions that didn't seem to be useless.

With every new owner there will be cuts/changes. The only thing that matters in the end is the product on the floor and ticket sales. I can say I have done business with the Suns for years and if anything they are spending more than they did in the past.

 

[Yuma]

i've heard the same thing from a couple people working in the biz who deal with the Suns.

The guy has a very sucessful banking and real estate company. He knows how to run a business. If he thinks there is some chaff in the offices, I am willing to respect his judgement.