Speechless

[Chaz]

I haven't been posting in the game threads much lately. The Suns play has left me speechless for the most part.

I am still watching and rooting for the Suns, mostly in stunned silence. They are playing much better but they just cannot finish games for some reason. They still seem to stand around a lot.

One thing I was looking at last night is how long it takes them sometimes to get into thier offense. It is taking 9-10 seconds to get the ball up and start running a set of some kind. I don't want them to take quick shots but I would like them to start the offense a little quicker.

Two things about JJ; for the love of basketball sanity stop shooting from the outside. Take it to the basket or step in for a mid range shot. Second stop wasting so much time handling the basketball. If more than 2-3 second goes by without passing, driving, or posting something is severely wrong.

Another thing about JJ; he does not look comfortable on the fast break. I have to cut him some slack because he is a kid. I don't how good he will be, he has the tools, he just has a lot to learn. His work ethic will determine his future success.

 

[Chaplin]

Part of JJ's problem is that every single time he touches the ball, he just stands there with it for a couple seconds. Every single time. I kept screaming at the screen for him to move or do something.

 

[Chaz]

Originally posted by Chaplin
Part of JJ's problem is that every single time he touches the ball, he just stands there with it for a couple seconds. Every single time. I kept screaming at the screen for him to move or do something.

Wow you to!

Last night I was screaming at the television GO! MOVE! PASS! DO SOMETHING!


He just stands there like he is waiting for something.

 

[cheng]

Many think JJ is very versatile and can play multiple positions, but he does NOTHING exceptionally well. He is a streaky shooter and I probably saw Wesley Person dunk the ball more than JJ in suns uniform so he is not athletic as people give him credit for. And everytime he tries to play PG without either Marbury or Penny on the court makes me feel nervous because he seems clueless and holds the ball way too long.

 

[scotsman13]

yea chaplin i know how you feel, i feel the same way everytime i see hardaway coming into the game, but with hardaway i know that the team defense is going to go down the drain.


you know we can all blast one player, you think that jj sucks on offense, i believe that should just cut down on the 3's and he would be great. while you like hardaways offensive game, i think as good as it is that his defensive play hurts the team to much to cover for his mistakes. so can we please just stop the blasting of both players and move on to other issues?

 

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by scotsman13
yea chaplin i know how you feel, i feel the same way everytime i see hardaway coming into the game, but with hardaway i know that the team defense is going to go down the drain.


you know we can all blast one player, you think that jj sucks on offense, i believe that should just cut down on the 3's and he would be great. while you like hardaways offensive game, i think as good as it is that his defensive play hurts the team to much to cover for his mistakes. so can we please just stop the blasting of both players and move on to other issues?

If you're not to contribute to the spirit of the thread, then don't post. This is ridiculous.

 

[George O'Brien]

Confused

JJ had only two years of college and was injured during his sophomore year. He has a little over two years in the NBA. In terms of age, he is a rookie.

My biggest concern with JJ is not physical, it is mental. He seems to be very slow at picking up the offensive requirements of the different possitions he plays. The result is that he is indecisive.

Not enough emphasis is given to "basketball smarts". This is more than just experience, it is the intuitive sense of what to do without having to think about. The game in the NBA is so fast that the player has to be thinking several steps ahead just to stay up. Right now JJ seems to be lacking in basketball smarts.

Will he ever have the intuitive feel necessary to be a great player. I have to wonder, but I'm not ready to give up on him yet. He gives just enough hints as to how good he could be to keep me hoping. But it sure is frustrating.

 

[slinslin]

Originally posted by Chaplin
If you're not to contribute to the spirit of the thread, then don't post. This is ridiculous.

Chaplin, you should follow your own advice if you really think so...


Personally I think JJ would do a lot better if they gave him a clear task but every offseason they try to make him an all around player who is supposed to play 4 different positions while everyone seems to be waiting for him to have bad games to bash him.

Under D'Antoni JJ has been better so far and more consistent.

I think it is lame to bring up Penny Hardaways shooting numbers because on most nights he gets little shots when he isn't making any but when he is on he gets some shots.

JJ is a bigger part of the offense and plays through shooting funks.

You are all bashing on JJ but get a clue. If he wasn't better than Hardaway there was no reason 3 different head coaches all prefered Joe Johnson.

 

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by slinslin
Chaplin, you should follow your own advice if you really think so...

Don't be an idiot. You're better than that.

This was a thread about JJ, and it stayed about JJ until a couple people started making it a JJ vs. Penny thread, including you.

 

[slinslin]

This wasn't a thread about JJ , you made it one about JJ so I can make one about JJ vs Penny because that's what you all are obviously implying anyway.

 

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by slinslin
This wasn't a thread about JJ , you made it one about JJ so I can make one about JJ vs Penny because that's what you all are obviously implying anyway.

That is bullcrap and you know it. The only one making the implication is you.

 

[Joe Mama]

Originally posted by slinslin
Chaplin, you should follow your own advice if you really think so...


Personally I think JJ would do a lot better if they gave him a clear task but every offseason they try to make him an all around player who is supposed to play 4 different positions while everyone seems to be waiting for him to have bad games to bash him.

Under D'Antoni JJ has been better so far and more consistent.

I think it is lame to bring up Penny Hardaways shooting numbers because on most nights he gets little shots when he isn't making any but when he is on he gets some shots.

JJ is a bigger part of the offense and plays through shooting funks.

You are all bashing on JJ but get a clue. If he wasn't better than Hardaway there was no reason 3 different head coaches all prefered Joe Johnson.

Should they hold his hand when he crosses the road also?

JJ is not a rookie. This is his third freaking year. He's also never had to battle one of the biggest problems for most young players which is physical maturity.

I have no idea what you and especially Scotsman are getting so bent out of shape about. Nobody here said Penny Hardaway should get all the minutes or that he is any better than JJ. People just pointed out how frustrating JJ is.

I think all of us want to see JJ succeed. Even Matt_Whitlock would probably like to see him become a good, consistent player. Until then I see no problem pointing out the many problems with his game.

BTW, I don't think there is any problem with his open court game. At least I've never noticed anything wrong with it.

Joe Mama

 

[Chaz]

For the record I was not bashing on JJ. In fact I like JJ as a player.

I don't think there is any question there is room for improvement.
And because of his age he probably will improve.
As for Penny, while he is a valuable member of the team, I don't think he will be changing and improving much. He is what he is and I dont think there is much point in trashing him.


EDIT:
In addition to the thought about JJ holding the ball. I see Steph and Penny do it sometimes to. I think they are waiting for people to cut or move and no one does. *sigh*

 

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by SirChaz


EDIT:
In addition to the thought about JJ holding the ball. I see Steph and Penny do it sometimes to. I think they are waiting for people to cut or move and no one does. *sigh*

That is absolutely true, but JJ did it every single time he had the ball. Every single time.

 

[George O'Brien]

It would be nice to know what is expected of JJ by the coaching staff. Do they tell him, "drive or pass"? If he is the third or fouth option, is there someone he is supposed to be looking for?

To use a football analogy, does it make sense to blame the passer if the wide receivers don't run their routes? I don't know if that is the problem. If it is, then the rest of the players have to step it up. If it isn't, then the coaches have to work on JJ's decision making.