Exactly. He's always hurt. He is good, but his stats don't tell the whole story. He has quite a few games where he disappears, and does it at the wrong times. Maybe it's because he's always hurt. Look at Cat. The dude is fit. He plays HUGE minutes and keeps on going. You don't think that counts for a lot? ...Give the guy some credit (that comment's for everyone ) .
Brent Barry is guy I really like when I think of a good combo guard If the Rockets really want him, I doubt it will be that difficult to pry him away from Seattle. A guy who is not necessarily a combo guard but guard who impressed the hell out of me the other night is Rafear Alston. That guy is quick as a lightning bolt, and it was fun to watch how he created open shots, layups, and dunks for his teammates. Even Calvin was raving about the young guys mindset when it comes to working to set up his teamates. I think the Rockets should take a look at him during the summer if he keeps playing well on a consistent basis.
I disagree...yeah, he's hurt..but he plays ( 3 straight years w/o missing a game)...and he disappears at the wrong times!?!? His nicknames are Boogie ( not relevant) and 4th Quarter Alvin...He is unbelievably clutch.
I do not think this is correct. According to NBA TV (NBA Insider is what I recall), the Suns are 22-12 with Penny and 10-18 without him. Perhaps they gave the wrong data but that is exactly what they said this past week.
In the last 7 games the Rapts have lost 4. They still had an outside chance at the playoffs yet lost 3 of 5 to conference rivals in that span. Sure Vince & Co. must shoulder the burden of underachieving as well, but Alvin is a big part of the losses. Against the Pistons, C's, Bulls, & Rockets PG's (Billups, Atkins, Delk, Bremer, Jay Williams, J. Crawford, Norris, & Francis) he & Alston allowed a combined 39-72 FG...you do the math....nice shooting! They also averaged plenty of FT's & as a group had a higher scoring avg. over those games than their season average. Alvin managed to avg. only 10.7 PPG...3 + below his avg. He shot a dismal 18-50, plus the guy who is 15th in L in stl/ to ratio had 0 steals, 7 TO . It IS only a short span of games, & he did well in the victories, but if he did better in the losses, maybe the Rapts would be closer to the playoffs. Despite his 4th quarter rep, he has had plenty of let-down type games. Hey. I don't want to pick on the guy. He's one of the better guards in the L...just wanted to point out that the grass tends to be greener...you know?
I read this argument elsewhere...and read a response something like this- Bo Outlaw is averaging 23.5 minutes per game. When he has played at least 23 minutes in a game, the Suns have gone 20-7. When he's played less than 23 minutes, the suns have gone 11-20. During their recent streak where they lost 6 of 7 games, the one game they won was a game Bo Outlaw played 39 minutes (one of only 3 games in that stretch that he broke the 23 minute barrier). 20-7 or 11-20....simple right? ...nah. It is just manipulation of the stats to suit an argument without acknowledging any other factors. Penny is not as vital to the Suns success as some of you are trying to show. I'm pretty sure Stoudamire's BIG drop off in defensive intensity is at the heart of their recent slump (without Penny).
Actually the Rockets DON'T! Mobley can't play the point. Moochie can't play the 2. Posey can't play the point. ONLY Francis can play the one and 2. Perhaps you didn't understand the definition of a "combo guard" which is a player that can play BOTH the one and the 2. Most likely a player that is BIG enough to guard 2's but a good enough passer/dribbler to play the point. The Rockets do NOT have this. I think this would be a big help and free up Francis do move over to SG more often. Chris
I have to completely agree with MacBeth. I think adding an Alvin Williams to this team would be HUGE as would someone like Brent Barry. He is the type of combo guard I am talking about. I love Mobley but as a backcourt "unit" he does not match up well with Francis. They are SIMILAR players and it behooves us to find a backcourt mate for Francis that does things well that augment Francis' game and not just repeat it. Hey, if we could get a player like Alvin Williams and move Mobley to the bench as a 6th man I am all for it. I am not against Mobley. I like Mobley. I just think that we need someone else to mesh with Francis in the backcourt. Chris
I don't think Williams would mesh as well as you think. ...maybe Barry could be a nice addition, but not if it means sacrificing Cat. Cat has gradually improved his assist average and should eventually know where Francis & Yao are on the court without thinking...watch his assist numbers go way up in a year or two. Whether you agree or not, many people consider Mobley a combo guard. If your definition of combo guard requires All-Star skills in both categories (PG & SG) then what is Antonio Daniels?...not a good 2...not good at PG. Cat is about Daniels calibur at PG, but very good at SG. I think Mobley is as much of a combo guard as some of the others being mentioned...just remember what looks better on paper frequently looks worse in reality...& THIS speculation isn't even on paper.
Walt "Clyde" Frasier & Earl "the Pearl" Monroe Jerry "Mr. Clutch" West & Gail Goodrich ...plenty of other backcourts w/ players that were "too similar" ...'till they were champions. At least admit, that a major personnel change could backfire...just as no change could.
I think Jason Kidd taking his team to the Finals last year and all the talk of MVP of Jason Kidd gave Marbury an ill feeling since they were traded for the same amount. I think it is what pushes Marbury to be better, and to make his team better. He doesn't want people guessing that Kidd is better then Marbury when he knows he has the talent and skills. JMO.
