Suns@Kings

[slinslin]

I bet we trade our pick.
We don't even have our roster at full strength but aren't tanking any games.

If we had any interesst in the pick Marion would sit out the rest of the season with his bronchitis. JJ wouldn't continue to play 40+mpg...

We wouldn't be up on even the Kings by 10 at halftime.

I bet our pick is already bound to go to Charlotte with either Eisley or maybe even just White.

If we didn't have a deal set up already anyway we would at least be tanking to get a more valueable pick to trade.

 

[slinslin]

And resign Dice.

He is so much better than any center we had in a LONG time. It's not even funny.

 

[arthurracoon]

And resign Dice.

He is so much better than any center we had in a LONG time. It's not even funny.

I agree, There is no value to the suns with the pick. It would be SOOOO MUCH more valuable to use the pick to get rid of Eisley.

 

[elindholm]

And resign Dice.

He is so much better than any center we had in a LONG time.

I'm sorry, I just don't understand this.

Is McDyess better than Stoudemire? Is he better than Clifford Robinson? Is he better than Rodney Rogers in the year he won the Sixth Man?

No. But all of those players covered center for the Suns (yes, including Rogers), even though they weren't centers.

So what it is about McDyess that makes him a better "fake center" than any other misplaced forward the Suns have tried in recent years?

 

[slinslin]

He is starting at center and playing well.

Something that can't be said of Amare since he is almost always starting at PF and Rogers who never really started.

Cliff might be close especially defensively but Dice is much bulkier than Cliff.

 

[slinslin]

JJ for THREEEE THREEEE times.

 

[George O'Brien]

It was an impressive game. The Kings may be struggling, but they played well enough to win - just the Suns played better. In spite of the fouls, it could very well be the best game Barbosa has played as a Sun.

The Suns did it with their starting 5. Jacobsen got 3 points, Zarko 2 and Lampe 2. Leandro was the only starter that played less than 40 minutes, but they still had the energy at the end.

It was obvious that the Kings were focused on stopping Amare, but the result was 18 foul shots. They were not going to let him get to the basket and he hit only 6 of 25, but he opened up the outside. The Suns shot an amazing 58% beyond the arc including three in a row by JJ that got the Suns the lead down the stretch.

Dice looked tired near the end of the game, but I doubt he has played 40 points in a game in well over 2 years. He grabbed 15 rebounds and shot 7 of 10.

This game may cost the team a slot in the draft, but it may be worth it in terms of giving the team something to build on.

 

[F-Dog]

I bet we trade our pick...I bet our pick is already bound to go to Charlotte with either Eisley or maybe even just White.

If we didn't have a deal set up already anyway we would at least be tanking to get a more valueable pick to trade.

Or, maybe we've already targeted a player and locked him up, and don't feel that any of the other teams will be interested in him. In that case, if the Suns drop, they wind up getting the same player for less money.

Most likely, the team is focused on the players that are already here, and trying to get them enthusiastic about next season, so they're willing to work hard over the summer. It's not like the #1 pick is at stake, like it was for the Cardinals...


Anyway, nice game by the Suns, although the offense looked pretty ugly at times with Amare struggling. It was nice to see the team play with confidence in the 4th quarter.

Barbosa's got to learn to stay out of foul trouble--the team looked much, much better when he was on the floor.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

as easy as it was for me to root for the cards to lose down the stretch, that's how difficult it was for me to do so tonight for the suns. this was a good w against a good team that needed the win. it's good for the growth of the young guys. and when is amare gonna start getting calls? i know he's often outta control, but i swear, he's fouled almost everytime he's near the basket with the ball. when he starts getting the superstar calls he's going to be unstoppable. even his 6 for 24 shooting night didn't quell my enthusiasm for him, he's just so damn entertaining!

nice to see jj step up, and dice too. i agree, we need to resign dice this offseason. if he continues to get healthy he could be a HUGE part of the team next season. our power positions would be pretty deep. if either he or amare got into foul trouble we'd have more than adequate backup. in fact, i don't think there is another team in the nba that has a 1-2 punch at pf that could match them.

now let's sign kobe and get back to playoffs like proper suns!

 

[slinslin]

JJ needs 71 more consecutive 40 minutes plus games to beat Wilt Chamberlain's record of 102 consecutive which he did twice.

From the recap

Johnson played 45 minutes, the 32nd consecutive game he has played 40 minutes or more. That tied him with Wilt Chamberlain for 13th place on the NBA's all-time list and is the longest streak since Chamberlain played 34 in arow from March 22, 1970-Dec. 22, 1970.

Notes

: Only nine players in NBA history, including Johnson, have a string of 30 or more games playing at least 40 minutes, and seven are in the Hall of Fame -- Nate Archibald, Chamberlain, John Havlicek, Neil Johnston, Oscar Robertson, Bill Russell and Nate Thurmond. The other is Anthony Mason. ... Chamberlain has the record of 102 consecutive 40-minute games (he did it twice). ... Johnson scored in double figures for the 41st consecutive game, the fifth-best streak in the league. ...

 

[George O'Brien]

Can you imagine what JJ might have done if he hadn't turned his ankle in practice yesterday?

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

I was a the game tonight, the crowd was definitely into it. Out of the dozen or so games I have gone to, this was by far the best one.

Amare forced way to many shots, but it looked like he was getting hit on most of them. Oh well, gg none the less.


BTW Slin, most coaches and players do not tank seasons just because it is in their best interest. Look at the Hawks, they shouldnt be able to win ANY game. The Celtics were supposed to tank the season, and they are locking up aplayoff spot.

The suns winning a couple games down the stretch is about player's pride. It has abosolutely no relation to the status of our draft pick in future trades.

 

[arthurracoon]

I was a the game tonight, the crowd was definitely into it. Out of the dozen or so games I have gone to, this was by far the best one.

Amare forced way to many shots, but it looked like he was getting hit on most of them. Oh well, gg none the less.


BTW Slin, most coaches and players do not tank seasons just because it is in their best interest. Look at the Hawks, they shouldnt be able to win ANY game. The Celtics were supposed to tank the season, and they are locking up aplayoff spot.

The suns winning a couple games down the stretch is about player's pride. It has abosolutely no relation to the status of our draft pick in future trades.

The ESPN announcers were talking about this. Ther were saying how good the fans of Phoenix were as they are still comming and cheering loudly!

I cna't wait for next season!

 

[scotsman13]

after watching this game and hearing what JC had to say on espn last night about what this team needs, hear is what i think the suns are going to be doing in this off season.

mcdyess-he will get a 2 or 3 year deal starting at 2.5 million.

milos- they will bring him in at about 2 million per year for a 3 year deal (that will give them bird rights on him). he will end up being our 6th man first off the bench. and he will make a run at the 1st team all rookie team averaging around 12 per game.

harvey- bring him back. great role player plays with a lot of heart. i think that he will get a 3 year deal starting at 1 million per year.

eisley- i really think that they will move him to charlotte. i think they will match him up with casey and clevelands pick and 3 million in cash.

white-i think that they will bring him back. he adds some beef that this team needs against some of the big guys out there. they may ask him to drop his weight a little down to about 275 to make him quicker on the floor.

draft-i think we are going to be taking a player like j.r. smith.

free agents- we will target 2 players with the rest of the cap room we have camby or okar.

this isnt my dream off season but i think that it is what will happen.

 

[George O'Brien]

after watching this game and hearing what JC had to say on espn last night about what this team needs, hear is what i think the suns are going to be doing in this off season.

mcdyess-he will get a 2 or 3 year deal starting at 2.5 million.

milos- they will bring him in at about 2 million per year for a 3 year deal (that will give them bird rights on him). he will end up being our 6th man first off the bench. and he will make a run at the 1st team all rookie team averaging around 12 per game.

Sounds about right. I hope Vujanic does well, but in any case the Suns cannot afford to let him stay in Europe because he was a big part of the justification for The Trade.

harvey- bring him back. great role player plays with a lot of heart. i think that he will get a 3 year deal starting at 1 million per year.

I doubt it. I'm not convinced D'Antoni is sold on using him and a three year deal would lock up a roster spot. If the Suns pick up another big man through the draft or free agency, then I don't see how Harvey could fit at all. Stoudemire and Dice would get alll the PF minutes.

eisley- i really think that they will move him to charlotte. i think they will match him up with casey and clevelands pick and 3 million in cash.

I'm not sure what this means. The Suns cannot offer more than $3 million and a pick for the expansion draft to move Eisley.

I would not be shocked if the Suns end up moving Casey, but it would have to be a separate transaction. The Bobcats might give a future second round pick for him because he has only one year left on his contract at $1 million.

white-i think that they will bring him back. he adds some beef that this team needs against some of the big guys out there. they may ask him to drop his weight a little down to about 275 to make him quicker on the floor.

I would like to keep White. I suspect the Suns will offer the Bobcats a future pick and the $3 million to take him, but if Charlotte turns them down the Suns will not offer the lottery pick.

draft-i think we are going to be taking a player like j.r. smith.

J.R. Smith is on everyone's radar but it still not a sure thing he declare for the draft.

free agents- we will target 2 players with the rest of the cap room we have camby or okar.

I would prefer Mark Blount (Celtics). Camby has a history of injuries and Okur has not really impressed me. It all depends on the price.

BTW, I don't see the Suns bringing in another center unless they move White or fail to sign McDyess. They already have Voskuhl and Lampe. Adding a sixth big guy (not counting someone from the draft) creates a lot of conjestion.





this isnt my dream off season but i think that it is what will happen.[/QUOTE]

 

[Chaz]

What an awesome game!!

Screw the Draft, Screw the Kings GO SUNS!!


Ok now that I got that out of my system; Nice contributions all the starters tonight. The Kings made a big run at the end but they were able to hold on with some clutch plays.

I relly like how the Suns are passing the ball over half court and attacking early in the shot clock much of the time. They are also much better on the boards than early in the season. Thank McDyess for that last night. Along with Marion, Stoudemire, and a tall guard in JJ I think a big part of the turnaround in competetive play has been the rebounding. It is were Zarko and Lampe need to improve.

As for Harvey; he is a limited player at this point in his career but I like his rebounding, defensive hustle, and I he does a pretty good job of operating with the ball in the pivot. He could be a Bo Outlaw type of player on defense but he has a lot more natural talent on offense. Even if he never gets much better he is a good role player in the mold of a Najera in Dallas.


I had a great time watching the game last night. Nice to see the Suns go out in style in their last national game.

 

[Chaplin]

after watching this game and hearing what JC had to say on espn last night about what this team needs, hear is what i think the suns are going to be doing in this off season.

mcdyess-he will get a 2 or 3 year deal starting at 2.5 million.

milos- they will bring him in at about 2 million per year for a 3 year deal (that will give them bird rights on him). he will end up being our 6th man first off the bench. and he will make a run at the 1st team all rookie team averaging around 12 per game.

harvey- bring him back. great role player plays with a lot of heart. i think that he will get a 3 year deal starting at 1 million per year.

eisley- i really think that they will move him to charlotte. i think they will match him up with casey and clevelands pick and 3 million in cash.

white-i think that they will bring him back. he adds some beef that this team needs against some of the big guys out there. they may ask him to drop his weight a little down to about 275 to make him quicker on the floor.

draft-i think we are going to be taking a player like j.r. smith.

free agents- we will target 2 players with the rest of the cap room we have camby or okar.

this isnt my dream off season but i think that it is what will happen.

This is funny. You say that we'll grab a big man in free agency. That's great, but you also say that we'll get rid of Eisley AND Jacobsen. Does anyone realize that if we do that, we will only have Barbosa, JJ and Milos in the backcourt? That has disaster written all over it. And you can't tell me JR Smith will get steady time at SG either.

 

[George O'Brien]

This is funny. You say that we'll grab a big man in free agency. That's great, but you also say that we'll get rid of Eisley AND Jacobsen. Does anyone realize that if we do that, we will only have Barbosa, JJ and Milos in the backcourt? That has disaster written all over it. And you can't tell me JR Smith will get steady time at SG either.

They could use Lampe at SG. He may be the best shooter on the team.

 

[Chaplin]

They could use Lampe at SG. He may be the best shooter on the team.

That would be cool.

 

[Joe Mama]

A few things...

The Charlotte Hornets are absolutely not going to take Howard Eiseley for Casey Jacobsen, Cleveland's pick, and cash. That is laughable. It's doubtful they would even take his salary for CJ, cash, and the lottery pick. The guy is going to get $13 million over the next two seasons.

Milos Vujanic was part of the trade to New York, but he was not really part of the justification for the trade. It was very clear that the trade was done for money and room under the salary cap.

I think they will take the best player available in the draft if they keep the pick. Depending on who they are targeting in free agency they may even grab one of the projects with a ton of upside to bring along slowly.

I'm watching the game right now because I was not at home last night. Amare Stoudemire did not shoot the ball well last night. He had a lot of turnovers. He was a huge part of the victory for the Suns though. I don't know how many free throws detailed, but it was a lot. He also should have gone to the free-throw line of bunch more.

Apparently he was telling the ESPN guys before the game that he plans on really working on his game this summer. I think he is going to be an absolute monster next season. Call me crazy, but I could see him being just below superstar status next season.

Joe Mama

 

[devilalum]

The best thing the Suns can do with Eisley is give him 15-20 minutes a game next year and hope he gets his game back. Next summer he will be in the final year of his contract and may actually be an asset.

If the Suns use up all their cap room this summer and are over the cap next year they could trade Eisley's expiring contract for a better player with a longer ugly contract.

 

[George O'Brien]

The best thing the Suns can do with Eisley is give him 15-20 minutes a game next year and hope he gets his game back. Next summer he will be in the final year of his contract and may actually be an asset.

If the Suns use up all their cap room this summer and are over the cap next year they could trade Eisley's expiring contract for a better player with a longer ugly contract.

Five years ago Eisley was considered one of the best backup PG's in the country. In 98-99 he averaged 7.4 ppg on 44.6% shooting and 42% from beyond the arc in 20.8 minutes a game. He averaged 3.7 assists per game. Yet from that point on, his stats went progressively down:

98-99 44.6%
99-00 41.8%
00-01 39.3%
01-02 33.7% (in 39 games)
02-03 41.7%
03-04 36.8% overall - 34.5% in Phoenix

02-03 he averaged 5.4 assists per game in 27.4 minutes
In Phoenix in 03-04, he averages 3.4 assists in 21.4 minutes

The Knicks were very down on Eisley because he was not playing well at the start of the season. His play has been worse since joining the Suns.

Can he be a useful player next season for the Suns? Maybe. If he completely recovers from his hernia operation, spends time learning the offense, plays harder on defense, and stops shooting so much - he might actually be useful. But if he does not improve drastically, he will not play.

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BTW, the big contract he has was originally part of a sign and trade deal between the Jazz and the Mavericks.

Howard Eisley ......... 8/16/00 7 $41 million t-opt '07

Traded by Utah to the Dallas Mavericks on 8/16/00 in four-team deal in which the Boston Celtics received Robert Pack, John Williams, and cash considerations from the Mavericks and a conditional first-round draft choice from the Jazz, the Mavericks received Dana Barros from the Celtics and Bill Curley from the Golden State Warriors, the Jazz received Donyell Marshall from the Warriors and Bruno Sundov from the Mavericks, and the Warriors received Danny Fortson from the Celtics and Adam Keefe from the Jazz

....Traded by the Mavericks to the New York Knicks in three-team deal in which the Knicks also received Shandon Anderson from the Houston Rockets, the Mavericks received Muggsy Bogues from the Knicks, and the Rockets received Glen Rice from New York and the draft rights to Kyle Hill from the Mavericks on 8/10/01.
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