sirchaz

Lottery Protected next summer. Top three protected the following year and unprotected after that. The second is the worst of the Lakers/Celtics pick which is top ten protected next year.

Quote: Quote: And like I said he came into his own after Penny left in Jan 04. D'Antoni took over in Dec. 03. I can tell you Joe didn't score close to 17 ppg before that. He didn't get the minutes, so it's hard to say... ...but he performed well, even before the run n' gun was implemented. Nash + Stoudemire certainly made him a better player, but that doesn't mean he's just a product of the system or his teammates. Sure he didn't get 40 mpg like the last 2 years but he was a part time starter and had his chances. I am not bagging on JJ because I like him and his game but his numbers were inflated last year because of the minutes he played and the system he was in. JJ never had the whole focus of the defense on him in Phoenix except for maybe a short stretch with Amare injured. That team only won 29 games but finished the season strong.

Quote: Quote: Care to elaborate on which facts you think are in error? 36% from 3 in 02-03 without D'Antoni, and 17/4/4 without Nash. Hmmm, maybe I am confused about what you are saying here. 36% is similar to his .269 now or his .478 last year? And like I said he came into his own after Penny left in Jan 04. D'Antoni took over in Dec. 03. I can tell you Joe didn't score close to 17 ppg before that.

Quote: Quote: You might want to check your facts. In particular check his shooting percentage before last year. JJ didn't come into his own until Penny was traded, after D'Antoni took over as coach. Suns fans still thought of him as inconsistant until Nash arrived and started feeding him for the corner threes. You might want to check yours... Uh, I did. Care to elaborate on which facts you think are in error?

Quote: Quote: So, using the same logic JJ's stats last year were smoke and mirrors? JJ put up similar numbers without Nash and without D'Antoni. So, no, that logic doesn't apply here. You might want to check your facts. In particular check his shooting percentage before last year. JJ didn't come into his own until Penny was traded, after D'Antoni took over as coach. Suns fans still thought of him as inconsistant until Nash arrived and started feeding him for the corner threes.

Quote: a career year and a contract year! Diaw is signed through next year. Suns exercised the 4th year option. Diaw is now playing on a team that shares the ball. A team without ego trips and players that worry about "getting their stats". Diaw has fit in very well with the Suns uptempo style and system. Because he plays forward and center he is not required to shoot from the outside very often. The Suns have been trying to get Diaw since the Hawks drafted him. Because JET is a former UA player I have followed his career. I don't think he is much different that when he played for the Hawks, he just gets more exposure now with the Mavs.

I don't believe the Suns will give up JJ without compensation. Even if it means matching that contract. The Suns still have all the options. The worst Atlanta can do is force the Suns to take a bad contract. Financially they are prepared to do it. Sarver said so today.

The Suns held the Raja Bell press conference today. They talked about the JJ situation for about 10-15 minutes. They said the "procedural issue" is with Atlanta and they are just waiting now. They hoped it would be cleared up by this weekend. Sarver said they are/were prepared to match Atlanta's offer. He asked Joe directly "Do you want me to match this offer" Joe's reply was "Absolutely not". That is when they decided on the S&T. I do think though that if Phoenix is faced with matching against Joe's wishes and letting him walk for nothing then I would guess they will probably still match. If Atlanta wants him I imagine they will have to give up something. If it is a Hawks owner has a problem with the deal I wonder if it is with the contract or the trade.

JJ was consistantly going under screens and daring Parker to shoot. JJ's job against Parker was just to keep him out of the lane. His advantage was that he has the size to contest his shot. Everyone, including Parker, knows thay can shoot over Nash. I love JJ but I think he is somewhat limited as a PG. I am curious to see how he does when he is the focus of the defense instead of the recipent of open looks from a Nash/Stoudemire pick and roll. How will he adjust when he can't break people down one on one because he is getting double teamed? Still that is what you want, a player that commands a double team. He does play every game and play hard. Great handle, great size, and a deadly shooter.

I know. I watched them all. They were still a .500 ball club. Of course that will get you to the playoffs in the Eastern Conference. Joe is five tool player and my favorite on the Suns. At least for a couple more days. Excuse me while I go watch the WCF game 4 again.

The Suns were about a .500 club that season after they traded Marbury. Joe was a "go to guy" but Amare was injured part of that time as well.

JJ has an ok postup game. It has improved lately. He really is best at facing up and hitting a jumper. He has a nice drive and floater in the lane. He doesn't finish strong around the hoop. He is good at breaking people down off the dribble. I have seen him make Bowen look silly many times. JJ is a clutch player and was Mr.4th quarter for the Suns. IMO JJ is an adaquate PG. The Suns offense always seems to slow down a little when he was running the point. Of course that is compared to Nash one of the best veteran PG in the league. He is a little overrated on defense but there is nobody (at guard) that can back him down. He uses his size and strength very well and could play 4 positions in a pinch. He has always semed to be a little mentally fragile. Hearing you guys talk about Diaw reminds me of Johnson 2 seasons ago before we dumped Penny. I am a big JJ fan. I am really disappointed he is leaving Phoenix but paying him $70M/5 is a stretch.

But that was as a restricted FA. Now it is a sign and trade. It has become a different situation. I know what the article said. I was just curious what JJ was worth to the Hawks.

I am curious. Would you guys still want JJ at $90/6 years and this trade? If ATL is willing to pay the max then the max under a sign and trade is Michael Redd type money. I mean JJ wants the max right?