joe johnson to atlanta

[TheWriter]

I was defending you and you say something stupid.

He's good for that.

[BillsCarnage]

If they want to attempt to torch the messenger, then the messenger has the right to throw some gas on the fire.

I'd really like to find the express article to rehash what was said, but according to those who have discussed it(paper, TV and radio), when Manu found out Bell was going to the Suns he called Rudoy to find out why he'd let the one guy he hates playing against go to a compe or. Whether it was whinning, complaining or respect is how the story is interpreted. But from most/all accounts Manu was not pleased.

[190 Octane]

BC, you are a sad little man. The Western Conference is weak. Being the fourth best team in a weak conference doesn't mean you can contend with the defending champions, you silly troll.

You wanna talk about homerism? You claim Phoenix is going to better without one of the league's rising young stars, who averaged 17 ppg and shot 48% from downtown despite being the No. 5 option offensively. That's not homerism, that's flatout delusion.

[BillsCarnage]

BC, you are a sad little man. The Western Conference is weak. Being the fourth best team in a weak conference doesn't mean you can contend with the defending champions, you silly troll.

picking you apart is not worth the time, especially with someone who only has 34 posts, most of which probably came yesterday. You have not room to call anyone a troll. Been here for a while and i ain't leavin. Git used to it. Come back when you can offer insightful pov's.

You wanna talk about homerism? You claim Phoenix is going to better without one of the league's rising young stars, who averaged 17 ppg and shot 48% from downtown despite being the No. 5 option offensively. That's not homerism, that's flatout delusion.

Despite your delusion, JoJo was the #2 option. Nash was not a primary point scorer and Marion cleaned up. Marion isn't the best at creating his own shot, but he sure can clean up. Q just sat on the wing waiting for the ball. JoJo was #2. He's delusional to think he was the #4 option. JoJo's success was a result of the system.

[190 Octane]

Picking me apart? So far you have yet to say anything of revelance, just posted some smiley face icons. But good for you.

Keep telling yourself Johnson's success was a direct result of the Suns system. His numbers have improved every season, including those years when he wasn't in the D'Antoni system. But you know everything, you don't stats getting in the way. I'm sure Raja Bell and his career 7 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist per game will be just the ticket to that NBA championship.

Pick that apart.

[Extra Stout]

In the middle of the Western Conference Finals, according to Suns fans, Joe Johnson was the X-factor, the critical element to the Suns' success, and his return to the lineup was just the spark the Suns needed to turn the series around in the favor.

Now, according to Suns fans, Joe Johnson is overrated, his production was just a function of the Suns' system, and what he provided can be replaced with what Raja Bell will do.

Now Raja is the X-factor, the critical element to the Suns' success against the Spurs. Just as Ruben Patterson was the "Kobe Stoppa," Raja Bell is the "Manu Stoppa."

I'd laugh, but Spurs fans did this exact kind of rationalization with Derek Anderson and Steve Smith in the summer of 2001.

[190 Octane]

I'd laugh, but Spurs fans did this exact kind of rationalization with Derek Anderson and Steve Smith in the summer of 2001.

, nice!

You're right on the money, Extra Stout. All I read in the Arizona Republic, and all I heard from my many Suns-fan friends was the Conference Finals would have been different if Johnson had been present. Less than two months later, he's an overrated hack. Which is it?

The fact of the matter is the Suns still have no center. They've lost 17 points and 5 rebounds a game in Johnson. Aside from his numbers, Johnson was an anomily. 6'8" guards with the ability to shoot the three, run the point, and post up defenders aren't a dime-a-dozen.

BC, or anyone else, if you really believe Raja Bell will, or is even capable of, producing anywhere near the same level as Joe Johnson, I have this bridge in Brooklyn I'd like to sell you.

[AI-square]

I actually think having Joe Johnson will make Atlanta a lot tougher if they can get a center. I don't think Raja Bell is anywhere as good as JoJom, so I think that it's not a good deal for Phoenix in the short term. Imagine the 2005 playoffs and Nash gets an injury or gets into foul trouble. Phoenix fans wouldn't want Leandro Barbosa running the point, would they?