Monroe: Barry narrows options to Spurs or Suns

[Dingle Barry]

I'm starting to get the feeling that he is going to have a gay ass "hat selection" ceremony like all these prima donna highschool recruits do on signing day.

ing pick a team already Barry.

[greens]

The guy has the right to think about what's better for him and his family.
Entertaining the idea of winning a ring sitting on the bench when you already have two isn't that appealing. There is more in real life than frendship and minor roles, especially in the NBA.
He should take his time, and whatever decision he makes, we'll thank him for what he did for the spurs.
Starting to diss and kiss him goodbye right now because he's taking his time is narrow minded.

I don't think anyone is dissing Brent. I think most people are simply saying that if he wants to play for the Suns, then he will choose to play for the Suns. Either way, I don't think people should exaggerate and start worrying about his decision...whatever happens will happen regardless.

He's a very nice guy off the court. His teammates respect him. The Spurs fans like him. He's a good player too...but I don't think the possibility of a the Spurs repeating is entirely based on his decision to stay with the Spurs or to sign with the Suns.

If he stays, the Spurs fans will be happy. If he chooses to leave, the Spurs fans will still respect him and like him...but I don't think it will be the end of the world...

I like him, and I'm thankful to him for everything he has contributed to the Spurs organization. I wish him well in whatever choice he makes.

[LavaLamp]

NEW ORLEANS - The Suns got another phone call and some more text messages Wednesday from free-agent guard Brent Barry but still no decision.

These text messages are not encrypted, right?

[Bruno]

Come on Brent, make your choice.

I can really see Barry going to Phoenix. It's the most interesting place for him BB wise. I wonder if the fact that Suns don't look good now will make him re-sign with Spurs. Spurs have a bigger chance to give him another ring than Suns.

It's also interesting to notice that Suns are actively working on a plan B with Giricek. At least, it means that Suns aren't sure to get Barry. Spurs ahve still a chance to bring back Brent.

[whottt]

It's also interesting to notice that Suns are actively working on a plan B with Giricek. At least, it means that Suns aren't sure to get Barry. Spurs ahve still a chance to bring back Brent.

It's also interesting to note that the Spurs haven't pulled their offer off the table and that little has been heard of what their plan B might be...

[mojorizen7]

Yet another banana-in-the-tailpipe facade from the Barry/Spur camp.
He's a SPUR already. Bank it. He should be joining ya'll right after he's 100% healthy.

[hsxvvd]

I do remember somebody saying that the longer this drags on, the more likely he is to sign with the Spurs... I guess it's looking good.

[Slippy]

For now it seems he's stringing both teams. Could be he wants the Suns to up the ante and then commit? It doesn't look good to me.

[xtremesteven33]

If Barry decides to go the Suns it would be the DUMBEST decision of his career. I LOVE the guy, but how can you chose the suns who time and time again lose because of a NO DEFENSE system,while Pop continues to win with his system. Barry knows Pops method and system, he knows the Spurs players, he knows they are the favorites to win it all again. WHY would he chose the Suns (if he did)?

Ask Sean Elliot if he LOVED Pops system all the time. Im sure he didnt like it at times cause he didnt get as many shot selections but it was a PROVEN method. Would he chose any other team besides the Spurs? NO WAY! ( and yet he was traded to Detroit at one point).

IF Barry choses the Suns i stand by my statement that it would be the DUMBEST decision any NBA player would make.

[Manu-of-steel]

brent would pick the spurs-because he'll be playing with the best team mates in the entire nba. his family has settled here, and the the thought of his 3rd nba ring as irresistable as ever. come back, brent.

[vanvannen]

Spurs fans have no right to hate on Barry if he leaves. Spurs FO traded him (twice). Don't forget that.
I'd love him to come back, but if he's bitter I wouldn't find it ridiculous.

[G-Nob]

Eh, not bad. The Spurs likely won't be near the luxury tax threshold for either of the next two years. Having a minimum contract on the books wouldn't affect much.

However, to me if Barry really wants to go that bad, let him go. If he doesn't want to try to win a championship in San Antonio and would rather do so in Phoenix, that's his decision.

It would just make beating the Suns that much sweeter

Timvp, you said a few days ago the longer this draws out the better it is for the Spurs. Granted, he knows the Suns need a quick answer and he's losing prorated money daily by not making a decision. We can't use him till March 21st anyway, so what difference does it make that this is being drawn out?

I'd also like to point what TPark said about his age and how this doesn't matter. Anytime you can add a playoff seasoned veteran with great passing skills, you make that addition. I don't care how old he is.

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

Spurs fans have no right to hate on Barry if he leaves. Spurs FO traded him (twice). Don't forget that.
I'd love him to come back, but if he's bitter I wouldn't find it ridiculous.

Hopefully his wife tells him to have a healthy ego about being traded.

[101A]

Barry continues to mull decision
Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic


...Barry's teammates must have a strong pull, because he was not pleased about being traded...

I think the secret to this is in that statement; and that statement is B.S. if it is attributed to BB.

WE ALL knew Presti was going to buy him out; therefore HE knew he was going to get bought out. WE ALL knew the Spurs were going to want to re-sign him, therefore HE KNEW the Spurs were going to want to re-sign him.

There's nothing to be mad about. What, is Brent pissed he had to fly to Seattle and have a nice dinner with Presti & P.J. and a couple of old friends? I doubt it. In that message is the indication that Barry is blowing smoke; and that he is not, and never was, going anywhere.

[dbestpro]

The defense delema.
Barry has been hurt a few times this year and it occurred trying to play Spurs defense. If he goes to the Suns he doesn't have to play defense. It's kind of like being a designated hitter. The reason to play for the Suns is he can sit back and take shots and then trim his nails while the other team scores. He won't get hurt, ge gets to fire away and oh yes he will get to watch his Spur friends in the finals from the comfort of his couch.

[phyzik]

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/110097

Suns notebook: Phoenix keeps pursuing Barry
Comments 0| Recommend 0
Jerry Brown, Tribune
NEW ORLEANS - The Suns were still pursuing Brent Barry with a full-court press on Wednesday, but they can’t afford to wait much longer for his decision.

Suns fall to Hornets, 120-103
SLIDESHOW: View photos from the game
Read Jerry Brown's blog, Rim Shots
With the deadline for free agents to sign with new teams and still be eligible for the playoffs looming on Saturday, Suns players and coaches followed up general manager Steve Kerr’s visit to the Barry family in San Antonio with phone call pleas of their own.

“We’re still talking. We’re still communicating,” Kerr said Wednesday. “Other than that, we’re where we were (Tuesday).”

But while Barry weighs his options, the clock is ticking and the Suns want to add another 3-point threat to the roster. That means even if Sam Cassell winds up a free agent, the Suns won’t be in the bidding. But they are watching to see what happens in Philadelphia, where a buyout of guard Gordan Giricek is still thought to be a possibility.

Veteran big man P.J. Brown, whom the Suns courted before the season began and kept in contact with through Christmas, is finally ready to play and agreed to a deal with the Boston Celtics on Wednesday.

A BAD REFLECTION
Amaré Stoudemire had a strong game Wednesday with 32 points, 14 rebounds and four blocks but was upset after the game saying he didn’t like being swept by the Hornets “even a little bit” and it’s time for each player to take personal stock.

“It’s a tough game playing against the top teams in your conference. Teams are going to shoot well, they’re supposed to,” he said. “They outplayed us. They played better all four times. We can’t give ourselves any excuses.

“We have to look in the mirror, learn what we individually did wrong and what we individually can do better. Talk to the man in the mirror and grow as a unit from that.”

THE USUAL SUSPECTS
Chris Paul was at the controls as usual in another New Orleans win over the Suns, but shooters Jannero Pargo (22 points), Peja Stojakovic (17) and Morris Peterson (11) were a combined 20-for-32 from the field and kept making the Suns’ defense pay.

“We don’t have an answer for Paul, but it was the other guys who killed us.” Suns coach Mike D’Antoni said. “Pargo had 16 in the first half, Mo Peterson goes 5-for-5 (shooting). That’s what kills you.

“We have to get better with our (defensive) schemes and knowing each other. It takes a lot to develop that chemistry, and I think we’ll do that. Right now, we just have to play better.”

NOT TAKING THE EXCUSE
After hitting his last three shots to close out the win over Memphis, Raja Bell hit his first three shots against the Hornets and looked poised for a big game. But Bell went 2-for-9 the rest of the way when he wasn’t chasing Paul all over.

Bell played 37 minutes Tuesday but said fatigue wasn’t a factor for him. “I don’t know about anyone else, but I felt fine,” he said.

“It was one of those nights when we were in the paint and getting to the rim,” Bell said. “But they were getting their hands on a lot of balls that we normally finish and a lot of things were bouncing off the rim that normally go in. And on the other end, they just wouldn’t miss.”

BONUS SHOTS
New Sun Linton Johnson played 24 minutes against the Hornets and was put on Paul for a while when Bell rested. He finished with five points and seven rebounds and said he feels very comfortable as his 10-day contract winds down.

“Linton played pretty well. Defensively, I like what I saw,” D’Antoni said.

Johnson played with Paul for nearly two years in New Orleans and said he looks forward to guarding him if the teams meet in the playoffs.

“I’ve got Paul’s number,” he said, smiling. “We were just out there experimenting now, so I don’t want to show all my tricks. I have some things hid that he doesn’t know about.”

Four straight wins gives the Hornets the longest current active winning streak against the Suns. The Warriors have won three straight.

Phoenix is now 11-1 in the first of back-to-back games this season and 5-6 in the second.

The Suns are now 36-10 when reaching 100 points this year, but 0-3 against the Hornets

[spursfan09]

Come on BB, make a decision already.

[phyzik]

http://www.hoopsvibe.com/nba/nba-art...t-ar47444.html

Is Brent Barry the Key to Winning the West? By Jason Kelly
02.27.2008 - Updated on 02.27.2008


Shocking, isn’t it, that the question is being asked. Shortly (perhaps by the time this piece hits the Web), he will have made up his mind. The Phoenix Suns need another sharp-shooter to help Shaq’s spacing, the Spurs would like him back, and the other contenders would welcome his presence as well.


The Denver Nuggets, at 33-23, sit in Ninth in the West, which would be good enough for a four-seed in the East.


Why delay the inevitable? Let’s change the “Western” Conference and the “Eastern” Conference into the Premier League and the First League – keeping the D-League as the farm division. It would be just like European soccer where the top two teams from the First League get bumped into the Premier League and the bottom two teams in the Premier League get relegated. That way, next year, Boston and Detroit would be in the “West” and Memphis and Minnesota would go “East.”


Things are not going to change anytime soon. Ben Wallace roaming around the Midwest is not going to change the fate of any team or teams. Sam Cassell backing up the point guard he tried to decapitate a few weeks ago is not a huge improvement. The only thing of value that the Bulls obtained is the intellectual property rights to another website for its newest guard. The Heat are going nowhere even faster with Shawn Marion lamenting, “I’m crying inside right now, because I feel like we’re playing so hard and we still couldn’t come up with a win.”

Moving Brent Barry around in the East would not be considered a monumental deal, but here, in the West, the playoffs may depend on it.

There would have to be some adjustments in my new league system (e.g., in England even the lowly teams are given a shot at the big boys in a tournament at the end of the year), and some adjustments would need to be made. However, why do we keep going down this road? Occasionally, an Eastern team does something in the Finals, but we can get all the same compe ion and output following this system.

Drastic changes need to be made simply because of the reality that Brent Barry has become such a hot commodity.

[YoMamaIsCallin]

With the deadline for free agents to sign with new teams and still be eligible for the playoffs looming on Saturday, Suns players and coaches followed up general manager Steve Kerr’s visit to the Barry family in San Antonio with phone call pleas of their own.

The writer is misinformed. This is the date by which a player must be waived to be playoff-eligible, not the date by which they must sign. Barry is playoff-eligible as long has he signs by the end of the regular season -- I believe I heard April 20?

[polandprzem]

I guess we are all a little in the dark, here and this article pretty much fails.

Umm he wanted the crowed to sing man!



Interesting is that D'Antoni let Linton Johnson play 20+minutes in last game, they can also sign Giricek. So they would add shooting plus defense in those 2 guys.

[polandprzem]

Spurs fans have no right to hate on Barry if he leaves. Spurs FO traded him (twice). Don't forget that.

So what?

Malik was traded as well, but would he rather play with the spurs?

[vanvannen]

I'm just saying that IF he is mad, he has every right to be.

[CubanMustGo]

Here's the thing about the supposed "increased opportunities" in PHX: Duh'Antoni plays a seven man rotation. They are getting their ass whooped by 20 late in the game yesterday and Snaq and other starters are still in. Why would Brent think that suddenly Duh'A is going to get a clue just because his white ass showed up to grace the bench?

[polandprzem]

I'm just saying that IF he is mad, he has every right to be.

Like every human being on planet earth

More or less

[anakha]

I wonder - what if Barry was purposely dawdling on the off chance that the Suns would miss out on both Giricek and Cassell?

If it were true, that would arguably be Pop's most CIA move ever.