Diaw and Bell for J-Rich and Dudley

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

Someone, remind me how much it sucked

[Xylus]

BEST. TRADE. EVER.

Seriously, I can't think of a better one.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

When Charlotte needed a 3rd scorer to help Jackson and Wallace against Orlando, Diaw said, "Sorry, I'm fat."

When Phoenix needed the 3rd scorer Marion and Diaw never were against the Spurs, J-Rich stepped up the the plate.

[lurker]

It's funny how everything has turned out for Steve Kerr.

[timtonymanu]

A trade that's working out at the right time.

[JMarkJohns]

Not to toot my own horn, but...

Bell was no longer the solution to the Suns defensive woes. He had been torched repeatedly and was no longer capable of playing big minutes, keeping pace - in a slowed style - or hitting perimeter shots consistently.

His loss of a step - or three - made him expendable. I hate to see him go, but he was no longer helping to right wrongs. He was now as much a wrong.

Richardson brings offensive skills from the wing that this Suns team hasn't had since Johnson packed up and moved to Atlanta. His athleticism will be a huge benefit.

I'm cautiously optimistic about this trade. It brings more than it gives up, regardless of whatever preconceived notions most had about the Suns. This team needed some offense. They were not getting it inside from Diaw or outside from Bell. If tonight is any indication of things to come, then I, like Xylus, think Richardson will answer the call for each, hopefull revitalizing Nash, Amare and the Suns running game in the process.

Now we get to see if Porter is worth a damn as a coach. He has more "running" peices now and does face a tough decision, but the right move is starting Lopez and moving Shaq to the bench.

Starters: Nash, Richardson, Barnes, Amare, Lopez
Bench: Dragic, Barbosa, Hill, Dudley, Shaq

Those rotations maximize each skillset and individual talent. Nash and Amare can resume their pic-n-roll and running ways without Shaq's plodding and low-post game disrupting their flow, and Shaq can no dominate the ball when in without it taking shots away from Amare. Hill can run point, taking pressure off Barbosa and Dragic and I think Dudley can actually come close to matching Diaw's production if given the minutes.

While it never came to fruition that season, lots of what I thought could work has. Love Dudley. He's a Spurs player in a Suns uniform.

EDIT: I do feel compelled to add, that for as high as I once was on Lopez, I thought he was complete garbage by the end of last season. I saw zero improvement and he seemed content to just get by. Not sure what got to him, but it's nice to see my initial reactions to his selection wasn't off after all.

[Leetonidas]

Dudley would look damn good in a Spurs uni.

[da_suns_fan]

BEST. TRADE. EVER.

Seriously, I can't think of a better one.

Amazing. I used to think "well...at least we got Dudley".

Now it seems so lop-sided its not even funny.

I'll always miss Raja, but Im glad we got rid of Doris.

[lil_penny]

during the regular season i wasnt sure.. but after seeing these guys in the playoffs ive easily changed my mind lol..

[21_Blessings]

Hey Dok do you still want Gentry fired?

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

no. I think most of his problems came from lack of experience, now that he has enough games to realize Barbaro is always going to suck, he minimized the amount of minutes he got in the 4th quarter.

[lil_penny]

man what i would of gave for barbosa to get all of j richs minutes.. we may of had a chance then lol

[21_Blessings]

barbosa is only useful in the playoffs if he's being defended by smush parker

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

barbosa is only useful in the playoffs if he's being defended by smush parker

exactly. It's not just the Spurs he sucks against, you get a semi-legitimate playoff defense (I think you'll agree the 2006 and 2007 Lakers were not a legit playoff defense) and he gets shut down.