Will the Suns pursue Abdur-Rahim??

[George O'Brien]

I think something will get worked out with the Nets. It is simply too logical to let a bad physical exam get in the way.

The rap on SAR is that he is a PF who is not much of a defender. He may be bigger than Marion does not appear to be nearly as good a defender nor even close to Marion as a rebounder.

 

[asudevil83]

Whoa, thats a very good breakdown.

I think the Kings make a great fit.

But I would be all over trading for him if the JJ thing happens.

He would give us a very deep bench and the injury bug wont hurt us as bad durring the season.

We could give Amare & Shawn alot more rest for the playoffs. It makes alot of sence to me.

KT(30)/Amare(10)/Hunter(8 )
Amare(25)/Rahim(23)
Marion(38 )/Jax(10)
Finley(25)/Bell(23)
Nash(35)/Barbosa(8 )Jax(5)

i personally would probably go with this most of the time:

Amare (37), Hunter (11)
Rahim (28), Thomas (20)
Marion (35), JJax (13)
Finley (25), Bell (23)
Nash (28), Barbosa (11), JJax (9)

then you have the "scrubs" taking minutes here and there when we have blowouts or someone goes down to injury (god forbid).

but in honestly think that we are either going to have to choose between Hunter and Finley with the LLE. i'd really go with Finley over Hunter. and in that case i'd go with this:

Amare (37), Thomas (11)
Rahim (28), Thomas (10), Marion (10)
Marion (25), JJax (15), Bell (5)
Finley (25), Bell (18), Barbs (5)
Nash (25), Payton S&T (18), Barbs (5)

i think we could S&T Payton with the TE we got in the Voskuhl trade and throw in a second rounder.

 

[asudevil83]

I think something will get worked out with the Nets. It is simply too logical to let a bad physical exam get in the way.

The rap on SAR is that he is a PF who is not much of a defender. He may be bigger than Marion does not appear to be nearly as good a defender nor even close to Marion as a rebounder.

its not a physical that is getting in the way right now. Rahim has stated that he no longer wants to play for NJ anymore. i dont think the deal has been finalized, so i wouldnt be suprised if he backed down.

i really wonder if Rahim realized that the suns were getting a pretty big TE from Atlanta and backed down wanting to play for the suns instead. i mean, we could package the same type of deal as NJ, so he might just have seen a better opportunity come along.

 

[Mainstreet]

i for one would be extremely happy starting Amare/Shareef/Marion up front. that's some big talent there. Thomas would be a good fit at the backup C/PF slot also.

It sounds good doesn't it.

If SAR could be had reasonably, there probably aren't many better options out there.

But then I liked Drew Gooden's game and everyone is down on him. Truthfully, I haven't seen Gooden play much lately but when I did see him play in Cleveland, he looked like a good replacement for Boozer. Maybe he just had a good game when I saw him. As a side note, did Gooden fill-out or what? I don't remember him being this big in college or his first year in the pros.

While I'm in fantasyland, I would also like to give Melvin Ely or Chris Wilcox a look at helping the Suns frontline if Pachulia is going to get away. Perhaps Ely might be had reasonably. I don't know if the Clips would part with Wilcox.

Maybe some concrete things can begin to happen if this JJ thing is resolved. This waiting is really making my thoughts run wild.

If the Suns could just re-sign Hunter and get a backup PG that could push the ball and distribute (not a replacement for our MVP), I would almost be happy (with a little more tinkering).

 

[George O'Brien]

i personally would probably go with this most of the time:

Amare (37), Hunter (11)
Rahim (28 ), Thomas (20)
Marion (35), JJax (13)
Finley (25), Bell (23)
Nash (28 ), Barbosa (11), JJax (9)

then you have the "scrubs" taking minutes here and there when we have blowouts or someone goes down to injury (god forbid).

but in honestly think that we are either going to have to choose between Hunter and Finley with the LLE. i'd really go with Finley over Hunter. and in that case i'd go with this:

Amare (37), Thomas (11)
Rahim (28 ), Thomas (10), Marion (10)
Marion (25), JJax (15), Bell (5)
Finley (25), Bell (18), Barbs (5)
Nash (25), Payton S&T (18 ), Barbs (5)

i think we could S&T Payton with the TE we got in the Voskuhl trade and throw in a second rounder.

1. I doubt the Suns get SAR, but if they do Marion won't be at PF at all.

2. KT will get at least 32 minutes because of his defense.

3. I'm not sure Barbosa gets minutes if the Suns add any outside guys let alone two.

4. Bell will not minutes at SF with Marion and JJax in the lineup because Bell is not a rebounder.

Even without Barbosa listed, this is a 9 man rotation. There simply aren't the minutes to keep SAR happy, which is why I'm looking for someone who can live with minutes in the low teens.

 

[Mainstreet]

its not a physical that is getting in the way right now. Rahim has stated that he no longer wants to play for NJ anymore. i dont think the deal has been finalized, so i wouldnt be suprised if he backed down.

i really wonder if Rahim realized that the suns were getting a pretty big TE from Atlanta and backed down wanting to play for the suns instead. i mean, we could package the same type of deal as NJ, so he might just have seen a better opportunity come along.

Interesting thought to ponder.

 

[Kolo]

1. I doubt the Suns get SAR, but if they do Marion won't be at PF at all.

2. KT will get at least 32 minutes because of his defense.

3. I'm not sure Barbosa gets minutes if the Suns add any outside guys let alone two.

4. Bell will not minutes at SF with Marion and JJax in the lineup because Bell is not a rebounder.

Even without Barbosa listed, this is a 9 man rotation. There simply aren't the minutes to keep SAR happy, which is why I'm looking for someone who can live with minutes in the low teens.

I agree, George. It's nice to think of a team loaded w/ pure talent, but why sacrifice Kurt Thomas' minutes for SAR when we need what Thomas brings much more than what SAR does? And Marion's ability to defend and rebound 4's is what made our offense tick. Padgett will give us what we need off the bench at the 4--spot duty in the defensive post, and the ability to hit shots to give Amare freedom to operate on the offensive end.

 

[devilalum]

IMO the Suns currently have 6 quality players if Johnson goes.


Amare
Marion
Nash
Bell
Thomas
JJ (Jackson)


Barbosa
Diaw

The Suns need at least one more QUALITY vet. If its not SAR or Finley who are they going to get at this stage?

 

[Goldfield]

I agree, George. It's nice to think of a team loaded w/ pure talent, but why sacrifice Kurt Thomas' minutes for SAR when we need what Thomas brings much more than what SAR does? And Marion's ability to defend and rebound 4's is what made our offense tick. Padgett will give us what we need off the bench at the 4--spot duty in the defensive post, and the ability to hit shots to give Amare freedom to operate on the offensive end.

your probably right. I forgot about Padgett...

KT is a better player anyway IMO.

 

[Goldfield]

IMO the Suns currently have 6 quality players if Johnson goes.


Amare
Marion
Nash
Bell
Thomas
JJ (Jackson)


Barbosa
Diaw

The Suns need at least one more QUALITY vet. If its not SAR or Finley who are they going to get at this stage?

They have Padgett & hope for Finley.

 

[devilalum]

They have Padgett & hope for Finley.

I forgot about Padgett.

Funny, he's not listed on their 05-06 roster.

http://www.nba.com/suns/roster/

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

I forgot about Padgett.

Funny, he's not listed on their 05-06 roster.

http://www.nba.com/suns/roster/

He hasn't been officially signed yet. I have a feeling the Suns are putting everything on hold until this JJ deal is figured out.

 

[devilalum]

They have Padgett & hope for Finley.

Does Padgett qualify as a "quality" player?

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

You are right about needing at least 7 quality players though. That is actually the number the Spurs have.

Bowen
Duncan
Parker
Manu
Horry
Barry
Nazr

 

[devilalum]

You are right about needing at least 7 quality players though. That is actually the number the Spurs have.

Bowen
Duncan
Parker
Manu
Horry
Barry
Nazr

It seemed like every time the Suns had to rely on Barbosa for significant minutes last year the team struggled.

 

[devilalum]

Hey, if SAR, "only wants to play for a contender" and "only wants to play for a team he can start on" Maybe he needs to check himself.


Last time I checked all the teams he's played for sucked. IMO he's not gonna get both. Either he plays for a bad team and starts or he goes to a good team like the Suns that he could help make a contender and fights for all the minutes he can get.

 

[Treesquid PhD]

yes they did because they play Barbosa out of position, he is a scorer (albiet not an consistent one yet) and not a playmaker but they really think they can force him to become one. I just hope they don't blow him out of here if he fails at it once again this season.

 

[Mainstreet]

yes they did because they play Barbosa out of position, he is a scorer (albiet not an consistent one yet) and not a playmaker but they really think they can force him to become one. I just hope they don't blow him out of here if he fails at it once again this season.

I really don't know about Barbosa other than he has tremendous talent. I always felt JJ was a sure thing even when he was struggling. I wish I could say the same about Barbosa.

One thought comes to mind. When Popovich was talking about Ginobili's development, he finally said he decided he would have to take the good with the bad and let Ginobili play with flair.

I'm not comparing Barbosa to Ginobili in any manner except maybe the Suns need to turn the reins loose on him. Also as I said before in a thread, he plays extremely well when paired with Nash. It's almost like Barbosa starts to emulate Nash when they are on the court together. Perhaps others have seen it.

I think the Suns need to give the two playing together a good look in camp and preseason. This would not only give the Suns another SG but perhaps develop Barbosa's skills as a PG as well. Having two PG's on the floor at the same time would be awesome and give Nash some rest even when he is on the court.

I just don't think Barbosa can be a backup for Nash right now... hopefully in the future.

 

[PhxGametime]

George, Kurt Thomas really isn't that great of a defender to worry about not getting enough minutes for SAR - KT is undersized and his best part of game is rebounding and pick n pop ability (not defense). KT and Bell are physical but are not defensive stoppers...


I'm not sure, if the Suns would go for SAR though... I'm not sure, if they'll even use LLE right now.

 

[AsUdUdE]

While I don't agree that if we Land SAR and Finley, KT will not Start, I think he can SHOULD start... HEre is how I see the minutes honestly working out..


PG: Nash(30) Barbs(12) Bell(6)
SG: Finley(30) Bell(18)
SF: Marion(35) JJax(13)
PF: Amare(25) SAR (23)
C: Thomas (30) Amare(10) SAR(8)

I think Padgett, Burke, Tishcer, Ect... WOn't get very much PT, but SAR still gets his 30-32 Minutes a game, same with Finley...Also no one would have to play 40 minutes a game, thus keep us fresh all season, which there is a lot to be said about that.....

This is a TOUGH lineup, and I really think it is feasable for the suns... I REALLY do!

And SAR does have a coice in the matter, because a deal isn't completed untill they pass a physical, and then everything is signed, thats why you always here "the trade is done PENDING A PHYSICAL"

Now SAR says no, I don't want to go anymore, then he doesn't has to..... And assuming the deal goes through, I believe if the suns aggressively go after SAR, There is a good chance he ends up here, IMO, and then we would be set! (ofcourse thats also assuming we land Finley...I know Im getting greedy, but hey, I can't help it)

 

[jandaman]

I think if Diaw comes in, he'd get significant playing time, he's got the skill set that can thrive under the suns system.

PG: Nash(30) Barbosa(10) Diaw( 8 )
SG: Bell(24) Jackson(12) Barbosa( 8 ) Diaw(4)
SF: Marion(20) Jackson(12) Diaw(12) Filler(4)
PF: Thomas(18 )Stoudemire(16) Marion(14)
C: Stoudemire(20) Thomas(14) Filler(18 )

Thats an all round contribution, the filler suggesting foul trouble or injuries and such. Looking at it, Hunter would be ideal for that 18 minutes as center, assuming Marion will play a lot as a PF. So I think re-signing Hunter is important if no other big can be signed, and Finley doesnt come in.

 

[cly2tw]

With Amare and KT, we have enough power and talent on PF. We need more good post defenders for the likes of Shaq, Yao, and Dancan. SAR won't fit there. I say we hold on to the trade exception and wait, maybe till next year.

 

[Chaplin]

With Amare and KT, we have enough power and talent on PF. We need more good post defenders for the likes of Shaq, Yao, and Dancan. SAR won't fit there. I say we hold on to the trade exception and wait, maybe till next year.

Ok, say we discount Shaq, Yao and Duncan. Who else is there? Those are it, people.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

Ok, say we discount Shaq, Yao and Duncan. Who else is there? Those are it, people.

True that, but Duncan is pretty hard to discount at this point........

 

[Chaplin]

True that, but Duncan is pretty hard to discount at this point........

I mean discount as a possible acquisition at the 5 spot (not the PF/C hybrid, which is what the NBA 5 position has become, but a TRUE 5).