Shooting guard battle, suns motivation

[dyle_ph1]

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/1011suns1011.html

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"I told our guys, last year we were picked 28th. Now we're picked anywhere from seven to 15. Are we complacent? I don't know. Are we playing with a sense of urgency? No.

"When we went to training camp last year, everybody had a chip on their shoulder because it was embarrassing how low we were picked."

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I just found this quote very interesting. It's just funny how people on this board actually has the common sense to not put too much weight on power rankings by so-called "experts" but Frank Johnson was able to use it as a motivating tool for his players last season. FJ and the colangelos have been bringing this up every time last season was mentioned. Do they really believe this stuff or are they just saying these things to rub it in?

 

[slinslin]

Honestly I would like to have a Johnson/Johnson rotation with maybe Jacobsen as a 3rd string guy.
But I would definately want to dump Penny for someone similiar playing a different position like Antonio Davis for example.

 

[Joe Mama]

In that article frame Johnson said he could evaluate the players while continuing to give Hardaway the starts. I don't think so. I would prefer Hardaway starting because I think he has trouble coming off the bench because of his age and injury problems. Joe Johnson doesn't really need to start to get starters minutes. Just play him longer when it comes into the game.

Joe Mama

 

[slinslin]

I think Hardaway's problem is that he has always been whining in the media.

In one of his latest interviews he said that "he has learned not to say anything about that" which makes me think that he hasn't learned anything at all because if he did he wouldn't give that response.

Hardaway is a head case and that's why it might be wise to start him but I don't know how Joe Johnson reacts if he can't break the starting lineup although he is playing better.

 

[PhiLLmattiC]

Hardaway is a nut job.

 

[fordronken]

I remember in the Shaq-era Lakers' first championship year, Phil Jackson talked about starting Ron Harper and A.C. Green because they were older and it was better to have them come into the game closer to when they warmed up, while the younger guys could still be productive coming in colder.

 

[SirStefan32]

Originally posted by slinslin
I think Hardaway's problem is that he has always been whining in the media.

In one of his latest interviews he said that "he has learned not to say anything about that" which makes me think that he hasn't learned anything at all because if he did he wouldn't give that response.

Hardaway is a head case and that's why it might be wise to start him but I don't know how Joe Johnson reacts if he can't break the starting lineup although he is playing better.

Why do you always have to bash Hardaway?
He is a better and a smarter player than Johnson, Johnson, and Jacobsen combined. Always was, always will be.

 

[slinslin]

And you base that on what?

If Joe Johnson is more consistent this season there is no way that Penny is better than that.

JJ is a much better defender than Penny that seperates him from Penny already.

JJ has enough potential to be much better than Penny Hardaway is right now.

 

[dyle_ph1]

Originally posted by slinslin


In one of his latest interviews he said that "he has learned not to say anything about that" which makes me think that he hasn't learned anything at all because if he did he wouldn't give that response.

That could also mean that he acknowledges the fact that he said some dumb stuff in the past and has learned his lesson. Why overanalyze a simple statement like that?

 

[PhiLLmattiC]

Marbury, Colangelo, and Penny himself has been saying he's in the best shape since he's been in Phoenix so Penny may be much better than he was last year. I'm just an overly optimistic Penny fan though. So don't mind me.

 

[Errntknght]

I don't put too much faith in Penny's comments on himself but no matter, the offense ran much smoother with him on the floor last year so until that's shown to no longer be the case, he should start. Unless, of course, FJ is going to have the guys running the floor like crazy where setting the tempo may be more important than the smoothest functioning of the half court game.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I agree EK. While JJ is the future of this team and is improving, Penny seems to add an on-the-court chemistry that should earn him the start.

I'm not a Penny fan, but last year's won-loss records with Penny in and out of the line-up demonstrate quite objectively his value.

That will change eventually, but right now, Penny is the starter.

 

[Wally]

Based upon what I've seen so far, the guards don't have too much to worry about...... most of them will probably start

What in the H is FJ trying to prove anyway? I'm beginning to simmer and will soon come to a boil if the trend of no-skill ball continues. Let's just hope the preseason purpose of finding out what lineups actually work sink into the abyss located between FJ's ears.

Somebody please tell FJ that you can't run if you don't have the ball. In order to have the ball, rebounding is a must and when your best rebounder is a SF (oh, I forgot... he's added 12 lbs ), you've got a problem. Then you release what appears to be another good rebounder without really finding out.

Color me I'm just a fan - What do I know?