Will Joe Johnson's return make a difference?

[Horry For 3!]

Joe J won't be too effective because he will be wearing a mask which he has never worn before and he won't be used to it. He could put up some numbers but I think he would be afraid to get hit again even with the mask on.

[2centsworth]

This is where my point is made, Ginobili is the #2 guy right now on the Spurs. Behind Duncan and ahead of Parker.

Manu is arguably the #1 guy in the playoffs so far, but tim is catching up quick.

Suns fan wants to make the argument that JJ=Manu so People would say Spurs wouldn't win with Manu so why expect the Suns to win without JJ. It's typical of what fans on the losing side do. Problem is JJ is certainly not equal to Tim or Manu and probably not equal to Tony either. He's more like Bruce or Nazr in importance, it would be a to lose either one of those guys but not a difference maker.


Also, if how much you're paying someone meant anything than Daimon Stoudamire would be the best PG in the league. JJ gets 6-8 mil at best.

[SPARKY]

The loss of Johnson is significant to them since without him Jackson moves into the starting lineup and they have no bench.

[samikeyp]

Manu is arguably the #1 guy in the playoffs so far, but tim is catching up quick.

good point...and I think we would agree that he is not the #3 guy.

[2centsworth]

good point...and I think we would agree that he is not the #3 guy.

JJ isn't even the number 3 guy, mairon is. Don't know what that guy has been smoking.

[AZLouis]

2centsworth

Again with your assumptions and insider knowledge.

Suns fans aren't making an argument. I am. 1 Suns fan.
Nobody has said not to expect the Suns to win w/o JJ. Go back and read my posts.
Fact is the Suns have won w/o him. Point blank.

My assertion is that the Suns need him. There is no denying his importance to the Suns success. As a matter of fact this is the 1st time that as a Sun he has missed games.

It's a good thing you've attributed JJ some value (likening him to Bowen or Nazr).

Horry for 3, the mask probably won't be too much of a problem. Sure you have to get accustomed to it, but Rip, King James, and that guy from the Nets a few years back in the playoffs had no problems with it. Actually Rip and the dude from the Nets went back to wearing the masks even when it wasn't required.

[Kori Ellis]

It doesn't matter if he's #2, #3 or #4, of course his presence would make a difference. He's their best perimeter shooter, so the Spurs couldn't sag off him. It would just be another guy to guard. Plus it would obviously make them deeper.

Take a look at his postseason numbers.

19ppg on 52% from the field and 57% from 3.

[T Park]

the dude from the Nets

lucious Harris.

and, no, he didn't

Rip Hamilton is the only one I KNOW of that went back to it.

[timvp]

Joe Johnson makes a huge difference.

1) If the Suns put him and Jim Jackson on the floor at the same time and take out Q, that will force the Spurs to guard Marion with Tim Duncan. Either that or go small.

2) Barbosa pretty much sucks. Johnson will take away almost all of his minutes.

3) Johnson can guard Parker. He shut Parker down in that one game at PHX. He's exactly the type of defender that give Parker problems. The Suns can then hide Nash on Bowen.

4) Johnson will give the Suns another ballhandler and passer that will help players like Marion and Q get more involved.

5) Johnson is probably the team's deadliest three-point shooter. The Suns need threes to beat the Spurs.

Joe Johnson is a player close to the same level as Manu Ginobili. Spurs fans who think he won't make a difference need to rethink their stance.

[2centsworth]

It doesn't matter if he's #2, #3 or #4, of course his presence would make a difference. He's their best perimeter shooter, so the Spurs couldn't sag off him. It would just be another guy to guard. Plus it would obviously make them deeper.

Take a look at his postseason numbers.

19ppg on 52% from the field and 57% from 3.

The guy is comparing him to Manu. He say's JJ=Manu. Can you see the built in excuse?

[T Park]

He's their best perimeter shooter

agreed. BUT, BUT, you wonder about his effectiveness after getting a mask, and, his agressiveness in going to the hole.

[samikeyp]

I still think Manu means more to the Spurs than Johnson does to the Suns. then again...what do I know? I thought Alfredrick Hughes could play in this league.

[2centsworth]

Joe Johnson is a player close to the same level as Manu Ginobili. Spurs fans who think he won't make a difference need to rethink their stance.

JJ has yet to make a difference against the spurs in 3 years. However, I concede he will improve their team, but if you think he's close to Manu and then you're crazy. Imagine having JJ on our team instead of Manu, scarey thought?

[timvp]

JJ has yet to make a difference against the spurs in 3 years. However, I concede he will improve their team, but if you think he's close to Manu and then you're crazy. Imagine having JJ on our team instead of Manu, scarey thought?

Not really. Did you watch Joe Johnson play this year?

[T Park]

he will improve the SUns no question, BUT,

couldnt you just do some pick and rolls to get him off of Parker, and free him up that way???!!?!?

[Kori Ellis]

Imagine having JJ on our team instead of Manu, scarey thought?

We aren't talking about that.

He's a great player for THEIR system, not for the Spurs.

He sucked against the Spurs this season, but you can't devalue a guy who was shooting that well in the postseason. Plus he makes the Suns a lot more versatile.

[T Park]

Imagine having JJ on our team instead of Manu

wouldnt TOTALLY bother me.

Joe Johnson is a of a player. The one player Ice guessed would be good.

[2centsworth]

Not really. Did you watch Joe Johnson play this year?

Of course, he's a jump shooter in the run in gun system. Bo Kimball would average 40 pts in that system, but he still sucks. JJ is a good player, but don't pretend he hasn't been on the trading block since he came into the league.

But again, what do I know maybe we can sign-n-trade for him with Manu. That sounds crazy doesn't it?

[Spurminator]

couldnt you just do some pick and rolls to get him off of Parker, and free him up that way???!!?!?

I'm hoping that will be a big part of our gameplan, with Nash's man (Bowen/Barry/whoever) screening for Parker at the top of the key and forcing Nash to switch.

[2centsworth]

We aren't talking about that.

He's a great player for THEIR system, not for the Spurs.

He sucked against the Spurs this season, but you can't devalue a guy who was shooting that well in the postseason. Plus he makes the Suns a lot more versatile.

all great points. I like JJ, but am not gonna let Suns fan try to make the comarison between him and Manu, because the Spurs without Manu would probably lose this series.

[2centsworth]

wouldnt TOTALLY bother me.

Joe Johnson is a of a player. The one player Ice guessed would be good.

If getting knocked out in the first round doesn't bother you then go for it.

[AZLouis]

Comparison still stands.

They are both great players who have developed nicely in this league and will only continue to get better.

Great discussion. None of us will change our minds.

2centsworth, what is your opinion of JJ's game? Not as a comparison to his importance to a team but as whole? And would you want him on your team? 2 parter

[T Park]

Now, I do think Ginobili > JJ

Joe Johnson is not an all star, and clearly, Manu Ginobili is, and will be for the next 5 years, if he can live.

[2centsworth]

Comparison still stands.

They are both great players who have developed nicely in this league and will only continue to get better.

Great discussion. None of us will change our minds.

2centsworth, what is your opinion of JJ's game? Not as a comparison to his importance to a team but as whole? And would you want him on your team? 2 parter

Nice player, maybe he can be as good as Michael Finley was in his prime. JJ still has a lot to prove. He's not in Manu's league though and you hurt your credibility trying to make that argument. JJ has enough game to stand on his own, and doesn't need to be exaggerated.

[AZLouis]

My credibility?

You guys don't know me, I could care less about my credibility.

Nothing I said was exaggerated about JJ. Everything my opinion is based on is statistical fact. Whether it be the rankings from cbssportsline or nba.com.

You just can't underestimate a starting shooting guard's importance. No matter which team. Doesn't matter who the player or what team he plays for.

If a team has a nice backup who fills in nicely that's great. But he is the backup for a reason.

Just like any and every team in the NBA. Take out a starter and the team is at a loss. No matter what the importance the guy is to the squad.