A bit off topic but KJ is a great person off the court as well. He went back to college (CAL) and got his degree in Political Science. He has done a lot a charity work around the Sacramento area, and I don't mean just putting his name on some scholarships. I think he actually teaches and does community work around here. And I agree that the "selfish" tag is being thrown around too loosely here. KJ, along with Tim Hardaway and Rod Strickland, was the start of the "shoot-first" point guard. But, these players were still able to get their teammates involved, as evidenced by their assists. Along with Stockton, KJ was the best PG in the league in the early 90s and I think that does warrant a HOF plaque.
KJ lost his ring when Barkley was the only Sun who showed up in their final appearance (I guess Ainge too, the only other Sun that didn't play scared). KJ was a great player, I'd say probably a HoF but I'd have to look more closely at typical inclusion criteria for the NBA. However, like Karl Malone, they wilted in the pinnacle momments of their careers. Barkley darned near got the Suns a shot at game 7 versus the Bulls despite a bunch of awal stars like KJ, Thunder Dan, etc.
Kevin Johnson was a complete anomaly. The only player in NBA history to average 10apg and never make any of his teammates better.
well considering the fact that he WAS the phoenix suns before barkley arrived, it would warrant him to have justifiable cause for being a shoot first PG. sure he had the likes of majerle and hornacek but the Suns were never their team...KJ had the keys to the car and he did what he had to do: score AND pass. and i think the comparison with Marbury is pretty close...the only thing that separates the 2 is that KJ never wanted to feel the 'aroma' of Madison Square Garden.
I always thought KJ was just "OK", until I saw him against the Rockets in the playoffs. I've NEVER seen a PG dominate a series like he did in the 95 Playoffs against us. He went off for 43 in the Summit in Game 4 ("KillJoy" was the headline in the chron the next day), and followed that up with another 40+ in game 7, going 21-22 at the line, with legs cramping up throughout the 4th quarter. Think Hakeem vs. David in 95... it was almost a domination on that level. Had Barkley not ripped his knee to shreds in game 6, Mario's "kiss of death" may have simply been a meaningless basket... (j/k... nobody will ever take that away from me!) I think the best comparison for KJ is Bo Jackson. When both guys were healthy, they looked like two of the BEST EVER at their positions. Problem is, health was never a constant.
When are the Suns going to get a big man. They always have the best power forwards but it doesn't get them anywhere. Time to change their strategy.
I know he had aged a bit, but didn't Tom Chambers fade really fast when he left the Suns? KJ was a great point guard. Who wouldn't him on their team?
There isn't really a player exactly like him in the NBA, today. I think a Tony Parker with better athleticism would probably be the most apt comparison. I disagree that he was all that selfish. He passed the ball very well - but he knew that he was a great scorer, and wasn't going to pass up a good look. He wasn't a mad gunner at all, imo. I'd be very happy if SF played the point like KJ. Unfortunately, he's slightly more athletic but not as quick.
To me, honestly, KJ played exactly the way Francis would play if he was utilizing his talents to their fullest extent. He was what I wish Francis would be.
Style of play most similar to Tony Parker with more ups & a little less range. KJ never really had a 3 & Parker's 3 although inconsistent is better than KJ's ever was. He was no Francis though. He had ups but the dunk on Dream was great b/c it was unexpected. He could dunk for sure, but his dunks weren't draw dropping. He was no Marbury b/c he didn't strong arm people in the lane. He finished in the lane b/c his INCREDIBLE first step, not b/c of a really good first step & forearms of a built 4. The best comparison is Parker, but more like Parker times 2. More consistent (couldn't leave the guy open from15-18 feet) & more of an impact player. He wasn't selfish, he just was on mediocre teams until Charles got there. His defficiencies: Mediocire defender (somewhere slightly above the Cassell/Van Exel range), not really a clutch player & a polorizing born again Christian (alienated alchoholic Barkley & bisexual Marjele in his best shots at a ring)
