joe johnson to atlanta

[TheWriter]

Do you know which teams?

[Kori Ellis]

I don't know what teams. Someone last week said Cleveland.

Here's about the sign-and-trade from his agent ...

Realizing they are going to lose unrestricted free agent Earl Watson anyway, the Grizzlies are hoping to get a sign-and-trade deal for the former UCLA guard, whose value has risen in his three seasons in Memphis.

"Basically, the ball is in Memphis' court," said Mitc Butler, Watson's representative. "There's a ton of interest in Earl. It's a complex process but one that we want to progress on quickly." ...

[TheWriter]

Three way trade with SA.

We trade Beno to third team, third team deals whatever to Memphis, we get Watson.

[TheWriter]

Wait... nevermind. Just went and looked at his stats, dude makes Tony look like Nash at the freethrow line.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Both the draft picks and Diaw are tradeable, he's a decent player. The Suns apparently want him. And Diaw's salary has nothing to do with making the deal work, the Hawks are way under the cap

Diaw sucks. He plays decent defense, but if you stay within 5 ft. of the guy on offense he wimpers, finds someplace to stick his head in the ground, and passes the ball as soon as he catches it.

When you talk aggressiveness and Boris Diaw, this guy makes Rasho look like Kevin Garnett. Is that someone you think they're counting on as a player?

Phoenix took the guy because his contract is up at the end of this season if Phoenix wants it to be, giving them a little bit more money for extending Amare.

Yeah the Hawks are under the cap by a good margin, but they've still got to fill out a team. Diaw was a practice squad player and nothing more for them. If you suck on the Hawks you know you suck.

[Kori Ellis]

Wait... nevermind. Just went and looked at his stats, dude makes Tony look like Nash at the freethrow line.

Watson shot better than Tony from the line this season.

But if you are looking for a good free throw shooter, he isn't it. If you are looking for a guy who is strong, can defend, dish and hit some shots, then he might be.

[T Park]

Watson aint a whole of alot better than Beno.

Only thing Id say he holds over him, is speed, other than that, thats it.

[TheWriter]

Watson shot better than Tony from the line this season.

But if you are looking for a good free throw shooter, he isn't it. If you are looking for a guy who can defend, dish and hit some shots, then he might be.

FT % career wise: Tony > Watson

Watson making Tony look good was a

[Kori Ellis]

Only thing Id say he holds over him, is speed, other than that, thats it.

Strength.
Defense.

[exstatic]

Um, isn't one of the reasons that Watson wants to leave is that he wants a starting gig? He's certainly not getting that in SA.

[T Park]

Strength.
Defense

strength maybe.

Defense, ehhhhh.


a hair, not noticeably much.


Once again, id rather see em keep Beno.

If they trade him, do it for a Nelson, or a Speedy.

[TheWriter]

Strength.
Defense.

Hops as well.

[timvp]

Watson is one of the clutchest players in the league. He's deadly finishing games.

He's probably a top five defender at his position as well.

[Kori Ellis]

Defense, ehhhhh.


a hair, not noticeably much.

He's touted by most GM's as one of the best young defending PG's in the league.

[timvp]

Defense, ehhhhh.


a hair, not noticeably much.

Huh?

Watson is a stud defender. Off the top of my head, I'd only rank Lindsey Hunter.

[Kori Ellis]

Watson is one of the clutchest players in the league. He's deadly finishing games.

Solid D was saying the same thing the other day. I don't think the Spurs can get him because he'll get around the MLE plus a lot of playing time elsewhere .. but he would be a good pickup.

[ducks]

nets got a backup for kidd now that might save kidd for 2 more years

[TheWriter]

strength maybe.
Defense, ehhhhh.


a hair, not noticeably much.

[T Park]

He's touted by most GM's

These the same GM's that though Fran Vazquez was a "cinch" to play in America this year???


MOST Gm's in the league are stooges

Thomas
Minnesota GM


So once again, Ill take what they say with a grain of salt.

Clutch he is, I remember him beating the Spurs the day after the Mohammed trade with a jumper to give em a 4 point lead I believe.

[Kori Ellis]

So once again, Ill take what they say with a grain of salt.

Okay TPark. You could just admit that you didn't know that he was a good defender and call it a day. EVERYBODY in the league -- players, coaches, GM's will say that he's a good defender. Ask Tony Parker. Ask Pop. Ask R.C.

That's what he is. A strong defender that dishes really well and hits timely shots.

[JMarkJohns]

It sucks, no doubt and no way around it.

But, the Suns will have three 40% 3-point shooters (Nash, Jackson, Bell), plus Barbosa and Marion (37%) and could add Finley (over 40% last year)

That's not the concern, or at least not as big a concern.

It's true the volume of 3-pointers will prolly go down, but I don't think it'll be any less effective a weapon.

The worst part is without Finley, the Suns no-longer have a third player who can create offense or take over games. JJ made half the shots he took while getting to the rim almost at will.

His defense won't be missed as much as his offense since the Suns will be improving their backcourt defense with Bell and Diaw.

The trade, so far, is horrible for Phoenix. The players that come out of the 5 million exception will decide if it evens out. The picks will be nice, but from the rumored conditions, I'm not holding out hope of top-lottory talent.

[TheWriter]

These the same GM's that though Fran Vazquez was a "cinch" to play in America this year???

So because one team drafts a guy who then decides to sign overseas, GM's are stupid?

RC is stupid? Donny Walsh? Petrie? Jerry West?

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

strength maybe.

Defense, ehhhhh.

Strength a maybe? I'd be willing to bet that Watson comes close to benching twice as much as Tony Parker.

Defense? You are a true Spurs homer, I'll give you that. Watson is one of the toughest defensive PGs in the league, and definitely a of a lot better than Beno in that area.

And oh yeah, he can handle a press too.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

These the same GM's that though Fran Vazquez was a "cinch" to play in America this year???

I only saw one GM think that. The several that picked before him sure didn't.

[TexasAggie2005]

Diaw sucks. He plays decent defense, but if you stay within 5 ft. of the guy on offense he wimpers, finds someplace to stick his head in the ground, and passes the ball as soon as he catches it.

When you talk aggressiveness and Boris Diaw, this guy makes Rasho look like Kevin Garnett. Is that someone you think they're counting on as a player?

Phoenix took the guy because his contract is up at the end of this season if Phoenix wants it to be, giving them a little bit more money for extending Amare.

Yeah the Hawks are under the cap by a good margin, but they've still got to fill out a team. Diaw was a practice squad player and nothing more for them. If you suck on the Hawks you know you suck.

If Phoenix is just trying to clear cap room, why wouldn't they just nix Diaw from the trade and take back less salary to begin with? I also really doubt this is a cap clearing move because Diaw's not making enough. Although if it is, the very fact that he's in his last guaranteed year makes him more tradeable.

Also, how does getting rid of Diaw help the Hawks to fill out their roster? I'm not trying to provoke you, just to understand what you're talking about. You're not making much sense.

BTW, a player that averages 18 minutes a game isn't exactly part of the "practice squad". Keep in mind that he's playing forward on a team loaded with small forwards.