Ronnie Brewer

[JMarkJohns]

Brewer doesnt have the ball handling ability or shooting ability like JJ but he is much better defensively

At one point, JJ didn't have those either. Johnson was so damn inconsistent it made Suns fans want to throw the TV. His inconsistencies stemmed from his game being based around his size, strength and athleticism, rather than upon any real skill. Brewer doesn't quite have the strength, but he is as tall and is the quicker athlete. Maybe he doesn't quite have the abilities JJ now possesses. Maybe he never will. My point wasn't to say he can, but to say he just reminds me of JJ's first three seasons with the Suns. He's a slasher with good floor vision, an average jumper and a decent three-point shot. I watched each in college and have kept an eye on Brewer in the pros (I desperately wanted Phoenix to nab him by trading up last year). JJ may not be the best comparison as far as potential goes, but limited skills dictating current situation, overall potential at the position and the possibility of developing one's game around one's physical ability are very close.

And if I had Kidd, I'd desperately want someone like Kirilenko. Kidd would make him infinitely better by making best use of him in transition, and AK's help defense would probably cause Kidd to become a better perimeter defender and fewer PGs will attack the basket as consistently. You throw a rotation of...

Kidd... Terry
Brewer...
Kirilenko... Stackhouse
Dirk... Bass
Dampier... FA/signing

... and you're a much better transition team, have better perimeter athleticism, have better shotblocking, better rebounding and really don't lose any shooting.

That team would really scare me when healthy. That, for me would be the biggest deterrent: AK's injury history.

[balli]

he just reminds me of JJ's first three seasons with the Suns. He's a slasher with good floor vision, an average jumper and a decent three-point shot. I watched each in college and have kept an eye on Brewer in the pros (I desperately wanted Phoenix to nab him by trading up last year). JJ may not be the best comparison as far as potential goes, but limited skills dictating current situation, overall potential at the position and the possibility of developing one's game around one's physical ability are very close.

No offence, but I just disagree entirely. Ronnie Brewer shoots 22% from 3pt land. I wouldn't call that decent, I'd call it terrible. Not that it's his fault- he does have the ed up bone in his arm. But still, that's just awful for a SG. Overall he shoots a great fg% (57%), but most of that comes from the paint. I tried to find one of those hotzone charts on his shooting, but they didn't have data on him. I'd be willing to bet though (and I've seen every single second of his pro career) that he's at about 35% on his jumpshots, if that; which is well below average for his position. And in terms of his court vision, I've never really seen him do anything that would make me believe he is a good distributor. There's never been a Ronnie Brewer pass that's made me say "Oh !" anyway.

I don't say this to rag on the guy, I love Ronnie Brewer and think he brings a whole of a lot to the team, but definitely not even "decent" shooting or court vision.

[JMarkJohns]

And Joe Johnson shot 29% from three his rookie season, and 30% from three in his third season. He had one year where he didn't even shoot 40% from the field. In his first three seasons, JJ averaged just 3 apg and 2 topg.

In college Brewer was an amazing talent as far as court vision went. His highest apg average was 3.3. JJ's in college was 1.8.

Again, and maybe it's changed since coming to the NBA, but I think situation is determining his potential right now. He's not getting that many touches, and when he does, they aren't ball-handling opportunities. His court vision has been somewhat stifled. Aspects and cir stances of Brewer just remind me of Joe Johnson. Like I said, he may never develop every facet of his game the way Johnson has, but from what I've seen, he has plenty of ability as far as ball-handling/passing and is still young enough to develop a consistent mid-range jumper and decent 3-point shot.

Obviously THIS Brewer is very far behind THIS Johnson, but within context, I think many things are comparable/similar.

[balli]

And Joe Johnson shot 29% from three his rookie season, and 30% from three in his third season. He had one year where he didn't even shoot 40% from the field. In his first three seasons, JJ averaged just 3 apg and 2 topg.

In college Brewer was an amazing talent as far as court vision went. His highest apg average was 3.3. JJ's in college was 1.8.

Again, and maybe it's changed since coming to the NBA, but I think situation is determining his potential right now. He's not getting that many touches, and when he does, they aren't ball-handling opportunities. His court vision has been somewhat stifled. Aspects and cir stances of Brewer just remind me of Joe Johnson. Like I said, he may never develop every facet of his game the way Johnson has, but from what I've seen, he has plenty of ability as far as ball-handling/passing and is still young enough to develop a consistent mid-range jumper and decent 3-point shot.

Obviously THIS Brewer is very far behind THIS Johnson, but within context, I think many things are comparable/similar.

Fair enough regarding the passing thing. Sloan does keep him on a pretty tight leash in terms of handling the ball. The shooting thing I still disagree with, but whatever, you clocked these guys in college and I didn't so you might have some insight into what your talking about. I just think his shot is ass ugly without much hope for improvement. He can't make it better IMO unless that bone miraculously re-heals and allows him to shoot the ball differently. Don't think that's going to happen.

[JMarkJohns]

You may be right on the shot. I did not know about any kind of bone injury. I agree his form is awkward, but I've seen plenty of good shooters with awkward technique/form.

Maybe his shot never quite makes it to JJs quality, I think his ballhandings, court vision and slashing ability can maybe open up some easy jumpers for him. I think in time he'll develop some mid-range touch, which, to be honest, is all a good slasher needs... see Grant Hill.