Suns facing tough decisions - By Scott Bordow, Tribune Columnist

[F-Dog]

Dunno, I think TT might get 5 years from somebody, if he's willing to hold out for them (and he's not concerned about getting every penny of the MLE). Remember, you're not just adding a clutch shooter and scorer to your team; you're also subtracting him from a rival.

That's why I think the Spurs and Mavericks are the Suns' chief competition for TT.

 

[Gaddabout]

The Spurs and Heat would be an absolutely terrible fit for for TT and he knows it. He's suffered through a career of walk it up offenses and impressed no one.

I don't think TT's problem has been offensive pace. It's more likely been either too many selfish players with a higher priority (Bucks, Nets) or lack of surrounding talent (Knicks). The Spurs would love to have TT, because he's the exact kind of player they need to beat the Mavs (their top priority next year, I would assume). With Horry aging, he's a similar kind of player with fresher legs.

 

[nowagimp]

I don't think TT's problem has been offensive pace. It's more likely been either too many selfish players with a higher priority (Bucks, Nets) or lack of surrounding talent (Knicks). The Spurs would love to have TT, because he's the exact kind of player they need to beat the Mavs (their top priority next year, I would assume). With Horry aging, he's a similar kind of player with fresher legs.

I agree Gaddabout, TT can play the half court game quite well. His presence on the suns made them a better half court team this year. I do not like the prospect of the spurs with TT and duncan, instead of duncan and a stiff(Nazr, Rasho). If the suns were to match up there, KT on Duncan and Amare on TT, I dont like Amare on TT -defenisvely- not this year. Boris on TT would be OK, but I dont know who Amare will play, certainly not a SF, unless its Barry(who will not be on the spurs next year).

As a suns fan, I also dont like the Mavs with TT either, as they could play small ball even better.

I also would rather face the clippers with Radmonivic than TT. At least Radmonivic doesnt drive to the hoop well, so the Defense on him is easier.

 

[Covert Rain]

Tim Thomas doesn't strike fear in other NBA teams. He is a good complimentary player or potential starter if you don't need rebounding or defense. However, he is not the type of player that you look at on a roster and say "how we going to guard that guy".

I agree with most though, I don't think Tim signs a 1 year deal here. I think if the offer is comparible to what other teams offer he will resign here. However, if there is one team out there (and usually there is) that offers his some stupid contract.....Tim will bolt. There is no doubt about that.

 

[Joe Mama]

Tim Thomas doesn't strike fear in other NBA teams. He is a good complimentary player or potential starter if you don't need rebounding or defense. However, he is not the type of player that you look at on a roster and say "how we going to guard that guy".

I agree with most though, I don't think Tim signs a 1 year deal here. I think if the offer is comparible to what other teams offer he will resign here. However, if there is one team out there (and usually there is) that offers his some stupid contract.....Tim will bolt. There is no doubt about that.

nope, Tim Thomas is the guy that you hope (if you are a team game planning the Phoenix Suns) doesn't kill you when you have to double on Amare Stoudemire or send notable people chasing Steve Nash round the court. He's also a decent rebounder. He's just not a strong rebounder. I believe in the playoffs he and Boris each averaged 6-7 rebounds per game. That's not bad for 30 minutes per game.

I doubt he bolts to a bad team offering a decent contract. However I could see him leaving for one of these contenders offering a few million dollars more per season and promising a bigger role than the Phoenix Suns. let's hope Sarver was serious about not being concerned with the team's salary (luxury tax) if they are contending for a title.

Joe

 

[nowagimp]

Tim Thomas doesn't strike fear in other NBA teams. He is a good complimentary player or potential starter if you don't need rebounding or defense. However, he is not the type of player that you look at on a roster and say "how we going to guard that guy".

There are no 5 mil/yr players that are unguardable(strike fear), but TT is the kind of player that you hate to double off of, because he can hit the shots and cant be guarded by 1's, 2's and 3's on the switch. At 5 mil/yr thats about as good as it gets in the NBA. Many playoff game plans concede the shot to secondary or tertiary options like TT, but most of those options are not a tough a matchup on switches or as good a shooter when left open. What TT does that is rare is shoot long range for a 6'10" player while still being able to drive the ball inside on a smaller or slower player. If the spurs picked up TT, it would fill a huge hole for them left by the aging Horry and the relatively unskilled Mohammed. In particular, it would aggravitate the matchup problems that the suns already have with the spurs.