Seven new players are on the roster for SUNS

[ducks]

Suns look for young Jones to help fill the 3-point void
By BOB BAUM, AP Sports Writer
September 1, 2005

PHOENIX (AP) -- The Phoenix Suns failed in their courtship of Michael Finley, and that is good news for young James Jones.

Jones, acquired last week in a sign-and-trade deal with the Indiana Pacers, was introduced at a news conference on Thursday.

``I told him we had a thousand 3s to make up, and I penciled him in for about 500 of them,'' coach Mike D'Antoni said.

ADVERTISEMENT
The Suns traded Quentin Richardson and lost Joe Johnson to Atlanta from the starting lineup of their high-energy, 62-win team a year ago. They went after Finley to help fill that void, but he chose San Antonio.

That should mean more playing time for Jones, a 6-foot-8 guard-forward who shot 40 percent (66-for-166) from 3-point range for the Pacers last season.

``He's going to play a lot,'' D'Antoni said. ``I don't know if he'll start, but he will get his opportunities.''

The Suns sent a second-round draft pick to Indiana for Jones, who played in 75 games last season, his second in the NBA. Jones has a four-year, $11 million contract with Phoenix, the fourth year at the player's option.

The former University of Miami star loves the idea of going to an up-tempo style.

``It's just a great opportunity,'' he said. ``When the opportunity arose, I told my agent, `Hey, if you can make it happen, make it happen at all costs.'''

Jones, a second-round draft pick, averaged 4.9 points last season, shooting 40 percent from the field and 86 percent from the foul line. He credits Indiana's Reggie Miller with his improved outside shot, and Miller, Jermaine O'Neal and Ron Artest for keeping his work ethic up when he wasn't playing as a rookie.

``They just tell you work every day as if you're playing, because your opportunity will come,'' Jones said. ``Every player in this league gets an opportunity, you just have to make the most of it.''

When O'Neal, Artest and Stephen Jackson were suspended following the brawl in the stands in Detroit, Jones got his first big chance, starting 21 times. In 12 games from Nov. 20-Dec. 14, he scored in double figures seven times. Against Seattle on Nov. 28, he was 6-for-9 from 3-point range and scored a career-high 27.

``When the brawl happened, it was a blessing in disguise for me,'' Jones said, ``because it gave me an opportunity to showcase what I had been doing in the gym when no one was looking.''

Those games came in Indiana's slow style, not the Suns' high-octane approach.

``I'm pretty sure I'll get a chance to showcase some of those talents that my family members don't know about,'' Jones said.

Seven new players are on the roster -- Jones, Kurt Thomas, Raja Bell, Brian Grant, Pat Burke, Boris Diaw and rookie Dijon Thompson. They join returning all-stars Steve Nash, Amare Stoudemire and Shawn Marion, along with Jim Jackson and Leandro Barbosa. Brazilian rookie Lucas Tischer is expected to sign with the Suns before training camp begins on Oct. 4.

The possibility of adding free agent Scott Padgett has diminished because the former Houston guard has gotten a better offer than Phoenix can give him, Suns president Bryan Colangelo said.

Nash, in town for a month of workouts before training camp starts, praised the moves Phoenix made in the offseason, even though two starters are gone.

``I like it a lot,'' he said. ``We added some great people, great competitors.''

[SenorSpur]

One year later and they're going to again delude themselves into thinking they have a championship-caliber club. It will be up to the Spurs to "pimp slap" their asses back into submission.

Oh what a joy!

:elephant

[Dalamar_the_Dark]

I dont know about your assesment of the Suns. I think they will not win as many games as last season during the regular season but when it comes to playoff time, they have the pieces to go far. They have returned their main scoring trio of Nash, Marion and Amare. Theyve added someone who can guard Duncan, score some and rebound in Kurt Thomas. Theyve got another banger in Grant who can spot minutes guarding a big like Duncan so that Amare can stay out of foul trouble and do his stuff. They have some pretty ok wing players, Jim Jackson, Jones. The 3 point threat is still there. Just that they wont be doing so much running and gunning. They will have to slow down their game at times to win playoff games. Amare will develop his game so we may be seeing him improve his back to the basket moves. Every year he improves something so Im watching.

Guys like Thomas, Raja Bell, Grant, Jones, all improve their defense. The big problem I see is can Nash slow down the game and play half court sets? He couldnt do it in Dallas, he didnt do it last year. Can he this year?

I think the Suns are looking to mix things up. They will still run. But they will also be looking to slow it down when the need is there. Everyone is writing them off but I say they could be dangerous. Still not up to the Spurs yet but they could be there in a year or two when they add a couple more pieces.

[totalspurshomer]

The Suns really screwed themselves over this offseason. With the mix of players they have now, they're going to be caught between a running team and a halfcourt team. As cocky as their coach comes off, that could work against them as well. Anybody else here can't stand the guy? They'll probably struggle trying to play both styles at once and he'll deny that they need to decide on one or the other.

They'll be saved, though, if they can only sign free agent "guard" Scott Padgett.

[SenorSpur]

Theyve added someone who can guard Duncan, score some and rebound in Kurt Thomas. Theyve got another banger in Grant who can spot minutes guarding a big like Duncan so that Amare can stay out of foul trouble and do his stuff.

Tim Duncan requires constant double-teams (or haven't you noticed). The only player that can even come close to matching up with Duncan 1:1 is Rasheed Wallace and you saw he needed help at times from Ben Wallace. It still didn't matter during crunch time.

Furthermore, if you think Kurt Thomas can guard Duncan alone, perhaps you should review tapes from '99 championship series between Knicks and Spurs. With Ewing out of the series due to injury, guess who drew the Duncan assignment? - your boy Kurt Thomas. Even with occassional help from Marcus Camby, Duncan simply abused the entire Knick front line en route to becoming the MVP of the finals. Of course, the Spurs went on to win the series 4-2. Oh and by the way, Thomas was considerably younger back then.

As for Brian Grant - he a dinosaur, he's done, he's finished - he's got nothing left. Age and injuries have virtually rendered him a non-factor. He's no longer a threat on either end of the floor. I'm sure Nazr Mohammed will neutralize him with little trouble.

PHX has put all their defensive eggs into the basket of two guys (Thomas and Grant) who are both undersized, power forwards and are are past their primes. That won't work when trying to guard 7'0 centers. Not only are those two guys overmatched against the Spurs, but they're going to have trouble defending the paint against teams with other gifted bigs such as Houston (Swift and Yao), Memphis (Gasol and Wright), Sacto (Miller and Rahim) among others. Tall order - (pun intended)


As cocky as their coach comes off, that could work against them as well. Anybody else here can't stand the guy?

Count me in. Fan'Antoni is an overzealous, pompous, egotistical ass. Nothing would make me happier than to see this guy with "egg on his face" - again this year.

Because he was coach of the year last year, he's somehow convinced himself he's an upper echelon coach in this league. With every loss to the Spurs (regular season or playoffs) he always had an excuse. In one breath, it was the officiating, the next it was the loss of JJ, the next it was fatigue. Somehow he always had an excuse for why his team came up short.

Quite frankly, he was simply outcoached and his team was overmatched against the Spurs and he's too dumb to admit it. You would think he would have learned a little humility after his team got "smoked" last year. The mere fact that his team traded offense for defense says it all. They're trying to build upon the blueprint of the Spurs (that's flattering), but they aren't there yet.

My opinion is PHX has fallen back to the pack a bit. Therefore, they should worry less about the Spurs and more about getting by teams such as Houston, Sacto and Dallas.

I find it amusing that FanToni continues to obsess over the Spurs and continues "popping off" as to "how great they are". I can't wait for the Spurs to "stick it in his ass" again this year.

[Supergirl]

Tim Duncan requires constant double-teams (or haven't you noticed). The only player that can even come close to matching up with Duncan 1:1 is Rasheed Wallace and you saw he needed help at times from Ben Wallace. It still didn't matter during crunch time.

Furthermore, if you think Kurt Thomas can guard Duncan alone, perhaps you should review tapes from '99 championship series between Knicks and Spurs. With Ewing out of the series due to injury, guess who drew the Duncan assignment? - your boy Kurt Thomas. Even with occassional help from Marcus Camby, Duncan simply abused the entire Knick front line en route to becoming the MVP of the finals. Of course, the Spurs went on to win the series 4-2. Oh and by the way, Thomas was considerably younger back then.


Duncan is fairly unguardable, I agree. But KG and Duncan pretty much neutralize each other. In his prime, the same could be said about Shaq and Duncan, but Shaq is slower than Duncan now.

I agree the Sheed does one of the better jobs in the league guarding Duncan, and fairly cleanly, at that - as opposed the Kenyon Martin or Jerome James or some of the other punks who get away with a lot of shit.

[MiNuS]

new players same coach=same manure.

[SirChaz]

The loss of JJ hurts the most. Bell replaces Q pretty well IMO.
The bench is deeper than last year.

1-12 I think the Suns are a better team. Last year was lighting in a bottle.
I doubt they will win 62 again but they should have 8-9 players in the playoffs instead of just 6-7.


Well judge for yourself.

Out
Richardson
Johnson
Hunter
Voskuhl
McCarty
Outlaw
Shirley

In
Bell
Diaw
Thomas
Grant
Jones
Burke
Thompson

Suns team that started the 04-05 season:
Leandro Barbosa
Zarko Cabarkapa
Howard Eisley
Steven Hunter
Casey Jacobsen
Joe Johnson
Maciej Lampe
Shawn Marion
Steve Nash
Quentin Richardson
Amaré Stoudemire
Yuta Tabuse
Jake Voskuhl
Jackson Vroman

[Matrix]

Suns still return their three All Stars from last year. Everyone thinks we'll not get as much 3's as last year. As long as Steve is running the point, Amare and Matrix on the break, the three will be there. What killed us last year was when the Suns did get a stop, they couldn't get a rebound Suns OPP had way more FG attempts then the Suns in almost every game and we still scored our points. Hopefully the additions we made will help. We won't win as many games as last year, thats because the suns hit the ground running. This year teams will be ready. Sure am going to miss Paul Shirley and his hair at the end of the bench. :fro

[Dex]

The possibility of adding free agent Scott Padgett has diminished because the former Houston guard has gotten a better offer than Phoenix can give him, Suns president Bryan Colangelo said.


Someone check the shower rod for BillsCarnage. :lmao

[Manuismyhomeboy]

The 3 point threat is still there

Are you kidding me, they lost practically their only three point threats in JJ and Q. Sure Nash can hit the big three when needed, but he has never been a constantly three point shooter and the same goes for Marion.

[SirChaz]

Are you kidding me, they lost practically their only three point threats in JJ and Q. Sure Nash can hit the big three when needed, but he has never been a constantly three point shooter and the same goes for Marion.


Bell has a better career percentage than Q.

Jones is a good 3 pt shooter as well.

Barbosa is a decent 3 point shooter and they still have Jackson who made 45% with the Suns last year.


There will be open looks for whoever is playing because the Amare/Nash pick and roll is still there. They may not have as many threes as last year but they have plenty of guys that can it 18-20 footers.

[Knoxville Spur]

Marion is a flat out awful shooter as he showed in the Olympics and against Bowen.

[SirChaz]

Marion is a flat out awful shooter as he showed in the Olympics and against Bowen.


Marion was injured in the WCF. He missed a lot of close shots he would usually make.

His shot doesn't look good but he is pretty good around the basket.

Not quite so good from the 3.

[timvp]

Marion was injured in the WCF. He missed a lot of close shots he would usually make.

His shot doesn't look good but he is pretty good around the basket.

Not quite so good from the 3.

Injured?

Nice.

:lol

[SirChaz]

Injured?

Nice.

:lol


Yes, he aggravated a wrist injury at the end of game 6 vs. Dallas.

I don't blame you. I have Marion basher Suns fans that don't believe me either.
I just remember quite a few 5-10 ft shots that just wouldn't fall for him.

I don't mean this as some kind of excuse.
Many of those had nothing to do with Bowen is my only point.


This is prior to game 1 of the WCF.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v208/azchaz/marion_wrist.jpg

[SenorSpur]

This isn't the first time that Marion has disappeared in big games. Admit it, he's a playoff choker. By the way, if you still think Marion's disappearance had nothing to do with Bowen, I guess that mean Carmelo Anthony, Ray Allen and Rip Hamilton were all injured too. With the exception of Allen, Anthony and Hamilton were barely heard from during their series vs. the Spurs.

[SirChaz]

This isn't the first time that Marion has disappeared in big games. Admit it, he's a playoff choker. By the way, if you still think Marion's disappearance had nothing to do with Bowen, I guess that mean Carmelo Anthony, Ray Allen and Rip Hamilton were all injured too. With the exception of Allen, Anthony and Hamilton were barely heard from during their series vs. the Spurs.

You are not paying attention to what I am saying.

I am not saying Bowen didn't play good defense. I am not saying Bowen didn't limit the looks he got. He did a good job of staying with Marion and limiting his opportunities.
I am saying that many of the close shots Marion missed didn't have anything to do with Bowen. To use the WCF as an example that Marion is a bad shooter is not valid. It was not a typical Marion performance considering he was not able to convert the opportunities he had.


I also won't admit he is a choker. He has had some bad performances in the past but he had 38 pts and 16 reb in the closeout game against the Mavs with Amare fouled out and Johnson out of the game with his injury. That was a clutch performance.

[JMarkJohns]

Marion's been prone to fade. Marion injured his wrist in early in the Memphis series, even being doubtful for the next game. He was undercut by either Battier or Jones and fell, landing on his wrist.

He was injured, but, as evidensed of his 38 point, game 6 vs. Dallas performance, he was getting better.

As Chaz has stated...

Bell, Nash, Jackson and Jones are all at or above 40% from range. Barbosa and Marion are around 37/38%. That's six quality shooters. Everyone talks about Richardson and Johnson like their 3-point ability made the Suns, when, in effect, it's the exact opposite.

Johnson shot 30% from range in 03-04. Richardson shot around 33%. The open looks caused by Nash and Amare were what led to the open shots and the increased shooting percentage. For all his effort, Q was no better than a volume shooter. He was a 35% 3-point shooter. Jackson, who shot 45% with the Suns last season, attempted four three-pointers in just under 25 minutes per game with Phoenix. Give him 30 and an increased shooter's role and he'll match Q's volume and should do much better precentage wise.

Johnson hurts. Already gone over it. But his 3-point shooting wasn't HUGE. His percentage was great, but he only attempted like 3/4 a game. He wasn't nailing more than 2 per on average, so a combo of Bell and Jones should easily replace that. Both shot over 40% last year and both should benefit from the open looks.

I wanted Padgett real bad. He's a legit PF with 40%, 25-foot range. That was a big loss.

Overall, though, most claiming the Suns are through fail to grasp some key info...

1. Without Johnson and effectively without Q, the Suns defeated the Mavericks 3-1, including two games on the road. While JJ and Q are gone for good now, Bell, Jones and Thomas come in to help replace them.

So, IMO, they aren't any worse than the Mavericks, who, have had quite the offseason as well, losing Finley and Bradley (don't laugh yet) and replacing them with Christie and Diop (OK, laugh now)...

2. The Suns were one of the worst defensive rebounding teams in the League last season. They gave up around 15/16 per game. With Thomas and Grant being added to Marion and Amare, hopefully this won't continue.

You forget. The Suns were a pretty good defensive FG% team last year. They just couldn't rebound. Well, with Bell replacing Q, Jackson and Jones replacing Johnson and having Diaw and Grant off the bench, the Suns should be better defensively and now be able to rebound their forced misses.


I don't doubt that San Antonio is the favorite. They were without NVE and Finley. But you guys have a lot of players now and not many minutes to give them. Finley is a streak-shooter and needs touches, if not 20+ minutes. NVE is an odd move, IMO. I just don't get it. He likes the ball in his hands. Likes being in charge. That's not flying here.

While they are smaller question marks than what the Suns have, Finley and NVE are well over 30-years old and Finley is coming off some ankle surgery. I assume he's past a physical, so I'm not holding my breath, but it's a possibility. NVE is now a 12-15 minute backup with the decision-making process already made for him. How's he gonna take. You guys don't make many mistakes in your offseasons, so I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. But Rasho and Barry are constant reminders that no team is perfect. NVE is a move that could cause friction. He's talkin' the talk now, but so did Payton on LA. That's a gamble a team like San Antonio didn't need to take.

Overall, San Antonio is the clear favorite. Followed by either Phoenix or Houston, then Dallas, Sacramento or Denver.

But the Suns have some wild-cards. Diaw and Barbosa are playing great in their respective Tournaments, Jones and Bell were studs that the majority here wanted and Thomas and Grant provide the necessary look/skill that will win in the playoffs.

The Suns can still go small. Now they can go into battle mode.

I think they've taken a step back with the loss of JJ. But are they in heaps of trouble, only in the minds of ignorant media who proclaim the loss of Q and JJ as downfall situations, but fail to explain why. Don't buy what they're sellin'.

Nash = MVP
Amare = top-5 MVP candidate
Marion = 2-time All-star

[SirChaz]

He was injured, but, as evidensed of his 38 point, game 6 vs. Dallas performance, he was getting better.



He re-injured (or re-aggravated) that wrist right at the end of game 6. I believe it was Finley that fouled him to prevent a dunk on a break away.


Great post otherwise though.

[SenorSpur]

He re-injured (or re-aggravated) that wrist right at the end of game 6. I believe it was Finley that fouled him to prevent a dunk on a break away.


Great post otherwise though.

Yes, I saw his landmark performance versus the Mavs in Game 6 of that series. Yes, I remember him being injured during the series. All that is fine. However, one fine performance does not a playoff career make. He didn't appear too limited to me versus the Spurs.

Let's face it. The Suns never run any plays for Marion anyway. He gets most of his baskets in transition, putbacks and on the perimeter. I admit, for a guy that is so deliberbately "uninvolved" in the offense (in terms of playcalling), he is a legitimate 20-10 guy and a very underrated player.

Enough of the love. That's what made Bowen's defensive efforts even more impressive. He simply took him out of his comfort zones and limited him opportunities.

Overall, the Suns overall struggled to score in half-court. The Spurs forced them into playing a style they weren't comfortable. Compounding this fact, is PHX was a horrible defensive team.

It appears they have taken steps to shore up some of their defensive deficiencies. We'll see if the investment in two aging defensive stalwarts pays off. The point is, I believe PHX may have compromised some of what they built last year simply with the loss of JJ. We'll see how it matches up against us.

[picnroll]

I actually like this Suns team better than last years. Too bad for them they couldn't have kept Joe Johnsno instead of Marion. Q was addition by subtraction. Bell's a hardnosed defender and can have good scoring nights. Jones could be a more than expected surprise. I don't see outside shooting as their problem either, they're still better than most contenders, i.e., Detroit, Indiana, Miami,.Thomas helps on the inside. One problem though for the Suns imo is depth on the inside. Thomas and Amare are going to have to log a lot of minutes this year.

[SirChaz]

Overall, the Suns overall struggled to score in half-court.


I guess now the standard for struggling is averaging less than 115 ppg. :lol


How many other teams averaged over 100 ppg in the playoffs against the Spurs?

The Suns were out played by the Spurs but I wouldn't say the Suns struggled to score. The Spurs had to score more than usual just to keep up. The Suns problem is not the offense, even in the half court.

BTW I think you need one more 'overall' in there. ;)