Suns facing tough decisions - By Scott Bordow, Tribune Columnist

[Cheesebeef]

so because KT doesn't get minutes in one series means he's useless? You do realize that we won only one game against the Spurs this year and that was WITH KT and we only beat the Heat this year once when Wade played, and again, KT played huge minutes for us.

If we lose KT and don't get another solid banger, this team is going tobe EXACTLY what it was two years ago - a ncie regular season team who can probably beat the Mavs, but will AGAIN, get rolled by the Spurs.

 

[Cheesebeef]

my bad - but don't you think we need to be able to matchup with the Spurs as well? How are going to do that with a strong interior post defender?

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Maybe I should be the one asking this. KT is going on 34 IIRC, and he couldn't get minutes in the Mavs series this year, even with Amare in street clothes.

He couldn't get minutes against the Mavs because that's not who he was brought in to face. Colangelo and Sarver already know that with Amare and without KT the Suns beat the Mavericks in a seven game series, but they also know with Amare and without KT they get smoked by the Spurs. That's why Kurt was brought in - so that the Suns could match up with the two best teams out West.

 

[Cheesebeef]

bottom line here for me is that I wish we had an owner that didn't worry about "fiscal responsibility" in the face of winnign a championship. On the cusp of greatness, keeping the entire team intact, with TT and KT, while extending Diaw and letting Leo play one more year before he gets to RFA would be the way to go. If not, KT's on an expiring deal at that point making him a tradeable commodity, easing the money books little and it would be obvious we can either win a title with this group or we can't and if not, then you deal Marion.

But, Sarver's not that owner, so we have to take what could be a freaking juggernaut and hope we make the right moves - hopefully they can do it.

 

[Covert Rain]

Kurt not playing had more to do with chemistry versus him not be talented enought to log minutes. They didn't have time to rework him back in the mix during a playoff run.

Tim doesn't play defense. We need more not less of defense. So we need Kurt more then we need Tim Thomas. Besides Tim could come off the bench to backup either Kurt or Amare. So if your first 2 guys off the bench are Diaw and Tim, that's sounds pretty good to me.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Seriously, if we kept this team intact, got Boris signed to a deal and TT to the mid-level for 4 years, here's what we'd look like:

Nash
Bell
Marion
Amare
KT

Bench:
Boris Diaw
Leandro Barbosa
Tim Thomas
James Jones
#21 pick

That team is 10 guys deep - with the ability to matchup with ANYONE. Also, with ability within a year to shed a somewhat big contract to lessen the load. That's my best case scenario herre. Not to trade Shawn Marion, not to let TT walk and not to let go of KT, but to keep the whole team together and add a potential juggernaut in Amare. But that doesn't sound like it's going to happen, which sucks.

tha

 

[Mainstreet]

He couldn't get minutes against the Mavs because that's not who he was brought in to face. Colangelo and Sarver already know that with Amare and without KT the Suns beat the Mavericks in a seven game series, but they also know with Amare and without KT they get smoked by the Spurs. That's why Kurt was brought in - so that the Suns could match up with the two best teams out West.

I want a player that can play against any opponent. Anyway, the Suns are more about having other teams match up against them... not vice versa. There is no guarantee who the Suns will be matched up against in next year's Playoffs.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

I want a player that can play against any opponent. Anyway, the Suns are more about having other teams match up against them... not vice versa. There is no guarantee who the Suns will be matched up against in next year's Playoffs.

So you want a big guy that can run and score with the Mavs and play solid post defense against Tim Duncan and the Spurs? Good luck, there's not more than a handful of guys in the NBA that can do that.

 

[Cheesebeef]

well, that strategy may be all well and good if you've won back to back NBA tgitles, but considering we haven't, I think the other ide aof amking everyone match-up with us is kind of silly and considering we blew up last year's team and got Kurt Thomas specifically to match up with the Spurs, I'd say that claim is pretty off-base as well.

 

[Cheesebeef]

jme spleling on good.

 

[hsandhu]

If we move Kurt Thomas and keep Tim, to me that is a much bigger indictment on D'Antoni than sarver.

This would show that despite all the talk about improving D, at the end of the day D'Antoni is full of it (and I like him a lot). So what if having kurt over tim sacrifices a little offense, sometimes that's what you have to do to improve your overall chances of winning a title. You think Dallas can't find somebody better than Diop/Damp on the offensive end. But they need those guys defensive presence.

I think people are overatting tim thomas's impact next year. If he wants to take a pay cut to stay, great. If not, it's not gonna make or break our championship shot.

 

[Mainstreet]

So you want a big guy that can run and score with the Mavs and play solid opposing defense against Tim Duncan and the Spurs? Good luck, there's not more than a handful of guys in the NBA that can do that.

If KT is sitting on the bench, like he did against the Mavs, he is not of any help.
However, I will point out again, the real issue I'm trying to make is that I'm not convinced KT's body will hold up all season. I will take take TT taking the hard foul inside just as much as KT making the hard foul against the Spurs. Yes, KT is a better position defender, but if he is not playing, what difference does it make?

 

[hsandhu]

Seriously, if we kept this team intact, got Boris signed to a deal and TT to the mid-level for 4 years, here's what we'd look like:

Nash
Bell
Marion
Amare
KT

Bench:
Boris Diaw
Leandro Barbosa
Tim Thomas
James Jones
#21 pick

That being said, I think we can keep both TT and kurt for at least next year, if we can find a way to get rid of james jones.

And imagine if we can somehow trade up to 10 -18 (they're desperately trying) get rid of jones and #21, and add carney/brewer. If we're healthy, that is sick. Even if we trade up to 16-18, and add safolosha (who looks like he plays sick/tayshaun prince style d) that is gonna be tough to beat if healthy (always have to add that).

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

If KT is sitting on the bench, like he did against the Mavs, he is not of any help.
However, I will point out again, the real issue I'm trying to make is that I'm not convinced KT's body will hold up all season. I will take take TT taking the hard foul inside just as much as KT making the hard foul against the Spurs. Yes, KT is a better position defender, but if he is not playing, what difference does it make?

This year was the first time since 2001 that Thomas played less than 75 games, so it's not like he's had a rash of injuries lately. I'd say the odds are just as good that Tim Thomas goes back to his underachieving ways once he gets a new contract as they are KT getting hurt.

Like Cheese said before - this team without Kurt Thomas or another interior defender is the 2004-2005 Suns possibly without a healthy Amare. Does anyone really want that?

 

[Mainstreet]

This year was the first time since 2001 that Thomas played less than 75 games, so it's not like he's had a rash of injuries lately. I'd say the odds are just as good that Tim Thomas goes back to his underachieving ways once he gets a new contract as they are KT getting hurt.

Like Cheese said before - this team without Kurt Thomas or another interior defender is the 2004-2005 Suns possibly without a healthy Amare. Does anyone really want that?

However, doesn't KT's stress fracture give you any pause for concern in the Suns running game due to his age? Yes, maybe it was a fluke, but maybe not. However, I'm not at all opposed to keeping both players.

I think the Suns came within a whisker of winning a Championship this year until Raja got injured. What if the Suns had won the Championship this season. Would you be so willing to ship out TT then?

 

[Gaddabout]

I don't have time to do the math, but I think Scott's numbers are little off. I'll try and get ahold of him tomorrow to see if he got them from the Suns or one of the spurious sources on the web.

I think the Suns could trade James Jones and the 27th pick and achieve what he's suggesting.

 

[devilalum]

This year was the first time since 2001 that Thomas played less than 75 games, so it's not like he's had a rash of injuries lately. I'd say the odds are just as good that Tim Thomas goes back to his underachieving ways once he gets a new contract as they are KT getting hurt.

Like Cheese said before - this team without Kurt Thomas or another interior defender is the 2004-2005 Suns possibly without a healthy Amare. Does anyone really want that?

Boris

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Cheese and Mao are right, getting rid of KT would be ********. I think Thomas will get more than 4 mil a season from somebody, and he will take it. I think he's like that friend who stays with you for a few days...in the beginning, it's great, because that guest is on his best behavior, but after awhile that wears off. The chance of TT becoming a dog again makes the signing somewhat risky. This has to be the craziest period of waiting before the draft, because we are guaranteed to do something, maybe something big.

 

[Joe Mama]

I wish I knew some place that had offensive and defensive efficiency numbers before and after the Kurt Thomas injury. Perhaps we have it, but I just don't know about it. I'll ask Andy.

I honestly don't see Kurt Thomas' presence hurting the offense because of the nature of the Phoenix Suns game. They want to run on every possession. The best way to get a running game going is to get stops and rebounds, and we all saw what KT's absence did to the defense and rebounding.

I personally think it would be moronic to trade Kurt Thomas this summer unless the Phoenix Suns are convinced that he will not be able to stay healthy. I don't think he'll play as many minutes this year, so that should help with his health.

Joe

 

[Mainstreet]

Cheese and Mao are right, getting rid of KT would be ********. I think Thomas will get more than 4 mil a season from somebody, and he will take it. I think he's like that friend who stays with you for a few days...in the beginning, it's great, because that guest is on his best behavior, but after awhile that wears off. The chance of TT becoming a dog again makes the signing somewhat risky. This has to be the craziest period of waiting before the draft, because we are guaranteed to do something, maybe something big.

One more comment and then I'm out of here for now.

It's more likely that the Suns will keep KT because he is already under a large two year contract for the Suns whereas TT is a FA, played well in the Playoffs and is younger.

I think teams will be lining up to sign TT whereas I don't think teams will be lining up to to do a sign and trade with KT unless the Suns want to throw in a first round draft choice.

Anyway, good discussion. I can't wait for the draft tomorrow and Free Agency. Go Suns.

 

[Mainstreet]

I personally think it would be moronic to trade Kurt Thomas this summer unless the Phoenix Suns are convinced that he will not be able to stay healthy. I don't think he'll play as many minutes this year, so that should help with his health.

Joe

Sorry Joe, your ejected. The use of the word "moronic" was used with the intent to injure and stifle communication. I so designate it as clearly a flagrant foul.

Seriously, can't logical minds see things differently.

 

[Joe Mama]

Sorry Joe, your ejected. The use of the word "moronic" was used with the intent to injure and stifle communication. I so designate it as clearly a flagrant foul.

Seriously, can't logical minds see things differently.

sorry, I didn't use it with the intention to "injure and stifle communication". I'm just an idiot and didn't think about what I was writing/saying.

I do, however, obviously feels strongly that the team should keep Kurt Thomas unless they are pretty sure he won't be a will to perform at a high level (as well as he did last year pre-injury).

Joe

 

[Covert Rain]

Agreed. There is no reason to think Kurt can't comeback healthy. They didn't have time to work him back in the rotation during a playoff run. So, unless they plan on Tim Thomas learning to rebound and play defense or Diaw for that matter, Kurt should start at center.

 

[slinslin]

Agreed. There is no reason to think Kurt can't comeback healthy. They didn't have time to work him back in the rotation during a playoff run. So, unless they plan on Tim Thomas learning to rebound and play defense or Diaw for that matter, Kurt should start at center.

I remember both of those guys playing better than Shawn Marion all-around in the playoffs.

 

[Mainstreet]

sorry, I didn't use it with the intention to "injure and stifle communication". I'm just an idiot and didn't think about what I was writing/saying.

I do, however, obviously feels strongly that the team should keep Kurt Thomas unless they are pretty sure he won't be a will to perform at a high level (as well as he did last year pre-injury).

Joe

Joe, I respect your opinion. I too would like to keep KT but not at the cost of TT.

So let's hope the Suns keep both.

Maybe I just don't get it. But I like to discuss the Suns and really do not care if I'm on the perceived winning or losing end of the conversation. I just like the Suns and want them to win.

I'm really excited about the draft tomorrow. I hope it's not a letdown. FA should also be interesting as well.