Jason Richardson has to be ecstatic about this trade. Charlotte needs to just blow up their team at this point. Who wanted this trade on their end? Larry Brown souring on Richardson's scoring mentality and wanting guys that play decent defense? If so, where does he think he's getting any scoring from this team? Wallace is the only other guy that's worth anything on that end of the floor, and even WITH Richardson they were getting a weak sub-90 points per game. These guys are going to be unwatchable. I'm also wondering if this was about money for them. This helps the Bobcats marginally for the summer of 2010, but not enough to make a major difference (save ~$5M that summer; $42M on the books), not enough to justify such a crummy roster, and I don't think any of the FAs would consider them anyway. What a horribly run franchise. The real shame of it all is that they should still be the Hornets. Evan
Suns got better part of deal? Well, did you guys remember how Marion used to be the defender for every good PG Nash had to face. After Marion was gone it became Hill's job, as Hill didn't have fresh legs and Bell had to take turn. I still remembered last year's playoff, how TP got a layup fest. Anyway, the point is that Suns just get even worse at defense, and Nash is only a shell of himself when he has to chase PG on defensive side. This move may help them make playoff, but that's about it.
I will say that Kerr has really f'd up the Suns...They've done jack and don't expect much from them...
This is one of the best good-bad trades of the decade. #1 - It's good, because the Suns have someone who is really athletic, can score, and keep the team somewhat competitive after Nash and Shaq are gone for good. #2 - It's bad, because they have no perimeter defenders to guard the likes of Kobe, Melo, T-Mac, Roy, D-Wade, and other high scoring wings....they are going to get ate alive on the perimeter. Their wing defenders are J-Rich, Nash, Barbosa, Barnes, and Hill....I see two of the guards above getting over 45 points against at least two times before this season ends. #3 - It's good they have someone else who commands a consistent defender to be on him at all times. You can't double team anyone on the Suns now. #4 - Scoring is about all Jason Richardson can do, while Diaw and Bell were very versatile. Diaw was a hybrid forward and guard, who could even play center on occassions, good rebounder, decent scorer, and an above average defender. Bell was in decline, but still somewhat of good defender who had reliable 3 point shot. Richardson is not a very good defender at all, can't rebound, and not a very good (or willing) passer, like the other two. #5 - The Suns will have better individual scorers... #6 - The "run and gun" high passing attack Suns are done. No more Marion, Diaw, or Bell. They won't be able to run like they used to, especially with Shaq and Hill.
considering JRich was one of the top 3pt shooters in the league last year.. why couldn't we have been a part of that deal
It's a part of the scoring aspect. Remember, they've given up their two best defenders for him. It is similar to us given up Ron Artest and Shane Battier for a 22 to 25 ppg scorer who doesn't play very much defense.
People keep talking about Raja's defense. His man was scoring at the highest clip on the whole team and it was much higher than previous years. http://www.82games.com/0809/0809PHO.HTM If fact, J-Rich's man actually is scoring less than Raja's, and JRich is matching his man offensively. http://www.82games.com/0809/0809CHA.HTM (though for some odd reason JRich production is less impressive in the on court/off court stat--so I can see where the BCats were thinking from their perspective, but I think this figure would really change with the caliber of playmakers Phx has--JRich will play off of them, instead of trying to be the main playmaker himself) The fact is Bell used to be excellent wing defender, but he can no longer log 32 minutes and sustain that level of play. Doesn't have the size/quickness/stamina to be much of a starter anymore. I think the best for him will be someone like Boston picking him up so he can be in James Posey type role, where you want him to give you all he has in 25MPG to hold the fort from the bench--give you solid defense, nail the open jumpers and veteran BBall smarts. If were Boston and Clev I be working it to land him and keep him from the other place--a guy like him could make the difference between these very even and EC class above teams late in the playoffs. If you watch Phx some, and I do, you really saw how much Bell and Nash have slowed down. Their SFs, Barnes and Hill, are also average-ish in athleticism for wings. So basically their 3 small positions were overwhelming athletically. They could turn to Barbosa, but he brings at least equal parts bad as good to the half court sets when he plays with the best Phx players (this guy makes J-Rich seem like a brilliant BB mind), thus is much better suited for the bench when you just need a guy to create and try to be that spark with a lot of freedom. So this was a good to great move for Phx. They made a serious upgrade to their starting line-up and greatly improved their athleticism. As for Diaw. He was at his best when Amare was injured and the Suns just tried to outshoot you with shooters all around. He has some nice offensive skills for a big man, but his rebounding and defense more than negates that. In fact Hill and Barnes are better rebounders, and have many of these offensive skills. They will miss Diaw a little on Shaq's rest days, but otherwise assuming good health I do see them losing much of anything by having his minutes go to other guys. So now Phx goes with: Nash, JRich, Hill, Amare & Shaq. That is a much better starting 5 than they had before. Their major bench players are now Barbosa, Barnes, and Lopez. If they stay healthy (big if with Shaq, Nash and Hill up there), that is a formidable group of 8 players. They can also play JRich at the 3 and Barbosa at the 2 around Nash, Amare & Shaq. If Barbosa remains his shooting form, good luck defending that group. Health is still a big concern for them, and their depth after player 8 is super shaky. But if healthy they would not be a fun 1st round draw for anybody--this puts them back in the mix as a dangerous team.
No, that would have been like giving up Bell and Marion 3 years ago. Bell is no longer a good defender as a starting 2. He is no simply overmatched against starting wings, either because of size, quickness or both. Not that JRich is great either, but it sure looks more like a wash defensively with a big gain offensively for Phx. JRich is also a better rebounder than Bell. As for Diaw, I agree with you offensive assessment--he adds a nice offensive punch off the bench because of multiple skills, but he is a sucky defender and sucky rebounder. Hill is much better in both respects, and Barnes is probably as well. Phx defense and rebounding will improve by having other players take Diaw's minutes.
I can't believe how over-rated Bell/Diaw are around here.... The best player in the deal is EASILY Richardson - who, for all his defensive shortcomings - is at least able to score against anybody in the league, and has developed into one of the best 3pt shooters in the league over the last couple of seasons. Diaw/ Bell are guys who are 3 years past their 'better days' and have a vast array of shortcomings between them. Jared Dudley is a talented young guy whose hustle and contract make him MUCH better value than Bell. And the 2010 second rounder... unbelievable. This is like us giving up Chuck Hayes and Carl Landry and Luther Head to bring back LaMarcus Aldridge, Pryzibilla and a 2010 second rounder... Shocker for the cats.
Chuck doesn't like the deal for Phoenix. I don't understand how its good for Charlotte either. Unless Diaw has some revelation and Bell becomes 6th man of the year, how is it good for the Bobcats? I forgot about that, now THATS a steal.
It was the ol' 8th pick. It's a double whammy of a bust move because of the Warriors lousy drafting over the years.
Bell is so over rated. People think the suns are giving up a lot defensively by losing Bell are thinking that way because of the undeserved hype from yesteryear. When you're the best defender on a bad defensive team that's not necissarily saying anything. J-Rich isn't a terrible defender just like Bell isn't a great defender. I think Suns are going to be fine and on paper, look about as good as the Rockets. Of course, lets see if chemistry can develop. If I was a season ticket holder in Charlotte I'd be rioting.
The Pho defensive problems begin and end with Amare. I'm not one to say Raja Bell is overrated; until I read this thread. I can say one thing: It is completely overrated to think Raja Bell offsets Amare's defensive problems. Why not get a scoring SG with excellent 3pt FG%. Hell, if you need a 20mpg defensive specialist SG for the few SGs in the West to go with JRich...they are pretty easy to find. Bell is sooooo replaceable. As far as Diaw goes...ummm, undersized big man with a shot...again, easily replaceable. Nash made Diaw valuable. But fact is, there are a lot of guys like him. Hell, they could sign Mike Harris. Excellent trade for Phoenix.
I'm actually surprised to see so many people liking this trade. I honestly feel this deal hurt the Suns. What the hell is their identity? They first trade for Shaq to slow down the tempo and play more defense. Now they acquire Richardson for one of their 2 best defenders. Richardson fits well in an up tempo offense and the trade would have made sense same exact time last year. But I just don't see Richardson fitting in quite well.
You gotta love the hyperbole around here. You would think the Suns gave up Bill Laimbeer and Joe Dumars for Matt Maloney the way some of you are talking about the defensive disparity. I have no idea when Raja Bell became the best defender in the league, when Jason Richardson became the worst defender in the league, and I certainly have no idea when the word defense was even applicable in a sentence describing Boris Diaw. The Suns lost a little bit of defense in Bell, but got over huge with simply the overall talent upgrade that is Jason Richardson.
