Matt Barnes wins starting spot

[rsavaj]

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/ar ... arnes.html

I approve.

[TASTIC]

As do I...

Keep Hill fresh for the playoffs and Barnes will help spread the floor for Shaq and Amare to Kill Em All down low

So the second unit will be

Dragic
Barbosa
Hill
Diaw
Lopez

I like...Still think we're lacking another athletic F...Linton Johnson perhaps? DerMarr Johnson?

[Mr. Sun]

No surprise here.

[Mr. Sun]

I like...Still think we're lacking another athletic F...Linton Johnson perhaps? DerMarr Johnson?

Amundson not athletic?

[-SDU-]

im very happy with the move

its the right move

barnes is the better 3 point shooter to go with our interior who will be drawing fouls etc and hill and diaw on the bench means we have some versatile passing veterans to compliment the youth and help them develop and not make too many mistakes while learning

[NashtyNas]

I like this decision. I still think we need to get rid of Diaw, because he's not what we need at ALL. I heard Gerald Wallace is on the block jk jk

[eastsidecrossover]

This was the right move. Hill has lost a few steps, and I thought his shot would have improved by now. But this makes our bench stronger, and I think this also helps Dragic out with two playmakers in his unit. Hill needs to be fresh for the playoffs and healthy.

I would like to see Tuck get some mins too.

[lilfishi22]

I like that move. Not only does it make our starting 5 better with the spacing and defense, it makes our 2nd unit better by putting a solid vet in.

[Never Fear 33 Is Here]

I don't like it, but I am sure you guys would have figured that out by now. Having said that, if it means more wins and essentially a better shot at a title then I am all for it.

I understand the concept of it all, but still don't completely agree with it.

[-SDU-]

of course you wouldnt like it, but everyone else does, so i guess you may have to accept that it is probably your love for hill blinding you to the facts that it is the right move at this point

as is resting shaq on the second nights of back to backs and also leaving nash off some more.... short term loss for long term gain, the vets must be fresh for the playoffs

[SunsWinSunsWin]

This is a good move. I really like Matt Barnes but he needs to pass the ball more. He takes some bad shots at times, but hey no one is perfect.

Our bench is solid this year. Everyone is sleeping on the Suns this year and that is perfect. Assuming no injuries, there is no reason this team is not in the top 5 in the West and a much better playoff team.

Amare must be a better post defender. He also needs to average 10rpg if he wants MVP consideration. Shaq needs to stay healthy along with Nash, Bell, and Hill. Diaw MUST start finishing when close the basket. If he doesn't I would bench him and give Tucker a shot. Diaw having an open layup and passing to the arc makes me cringe every time.

I'm concerned Porter will restrict the offense. I hope I'm wrong. I know he wants to still run, but our offense has never been the problem and I don't think Porter should mess with something that isn't broke. Instead, focus solely on defensive schemes and rebounding. The offense will always be there. This team would have 2 titles in the last 4 years if they played better team defense and rebounded the ball more.

[Never Fear 33 Is Here]

of course you wouldnt like it, but everyone else does, so i guess you may have to accept that it is probably your love for hill blinding you to the facts that it is the right move at this point

as is resting shaq on the second nights of back to backs and also leaving nash off some more.... short term loss for long term gain, the vets must be fresh for the playoffs

Don't get me wrong, like I said, I understand the concept of it all, but am not convinced. I mean the whole concept as far as I understand it is to spread the floor. Which IMO Barnes doesn't do more than what GH does, sure, as I have stated before he shoots the 3 more, but purely shooting the 3 ball more does not make you more of a threat if you can't make a high percentage. Here is to hoping he gets back to his percentages of a couple of seasons back. Also, GH spreads the floor with his mid range. A good mid range shooter can spread the floor just as much as an average 3 ball man.

I also understand the concept of limiting minutes, BUT this does not have to be done by not starting someone, if this was the case heck lets sit Nash and Shaq in favour of Dragic and Lopez?

Again, like I said, if it gets us more wins and a greater shot at a 'ship then I am all for it. But for now, I don't like it. I'm sure within time it will be cool and it aint like I am going to go around whinging and moaning that GH isn't starting. Just thought this was a forum where you could express your opinion and state if you don't like something?!?!

I got nuthin'

[TASTIC]

Shut up.


You and your Hillacious lust for that guy is madness

[Never Fear 33 Is Here]

At least it is for another human being and not the neighbours pet.

[-SDU-]

of course you wouldnt like it, but everyone else does, so i guess you may have to accept that it is probably your love for hill blinding you to the facts that it is the right move at this point

as is resting shaq on the second nights of back to backs and also leaving nash off some more.... short term loss for long term gain, the vets must be fresh for the playoffs

Don't get me wrong, like I said, I understand the concept of it all, but am not convinced. I mean the whole concept as far as I understand it is to spread the floor.

there is your first mistake. this move serves more than one purpose

1 - better spacing with our starting group due to barnes' better spotup shooting ability

2 - provides hill with more rest, less minutes, which means fresher legs come playoff time

3 - hill is a far better slasher than barnes, but how will that slashing be as affective when he drives in and shaq is there and therefor his defender too clogging the lane. Hill on the bench means he can play more when shaq is out and the lane will be much clearer for his slashing game to open up

4 - the bench lacks leadership and experience. It hill started, then our bench would be dragic, barbs diaw barnes lopez basically - no leadership whatsoever. Hill instantly becomes the floor general for the second unit and im certain we will see hill at the PG spot at times also. this provides stability for the bench which is a huge need given the inexperience we have there

Which IMO Barnes doesn't do more than what GH does, sure, as I have stated before he shoots the 3 more, but purely shooting the 3 ball more does not make you more of a threat if you can't make a high percentage.

youre just purely being blind in this case. ask 100 people who is the bigger threat and 99 (with you being the only exception) will say barnes is. He takes more, hits more.

and to counter your argument, consider this - half of hilss 3's were wide open because the defense dared him to shoot it and didnt want to give him the first step - barnes on the other hand is rarely left open due to the perception that he is a bigger threat from 3.

Here is to hoping he gets back to his percentages of a couple of seasons back. Also, GH spreads the floor with his mid range. A good mid range shooter can spread the floor just as much as an average 3 ball man.

serious? i couldnt disagree more. if your talking about us dumping it in to shaq lets say, with hill on the baseline, what to you think is more open - hill 15 feet out while his man is only one step from doubling shaq or recovering to block hills shot, or hill 23 feet out on the three point line where his defender must either committ to the double team and give hill a much more open shot or stay on hill and give shaq more room to move?

a mid range DOES NOT open up the spacing anywhere near as much as a 3 point threat......

I also understand the concept of limiting minutes, BUT this does not have to be done by not starting someone, if this was the case heck lets sit Nash and Shaq in favour of Dragic and Lopez?

barnes and hill are far more equal in what they are expected to bring to our team than the stupid examples you listed above. also, barnes is not as good of a playmaker so it makes sense to play him with nash and shaq more where he is a complimentary piece whilst leaving hill to be the main man in the second unit

no different to manu starting on the bench while finley starts

Again, like I said, if it gets us more wins and a greater shot at a 'ship then I am all for it. But for now, I don't like it. I'm sure within time it will be cool and it aint like I am going to go around whinging and moaning that GH isn't starting. Just thought this was a forum where you could express your opinion and state if you don't like something?!?!

call the waaaaaambulance..... when an opinion is clearly biased by affection for your boy then youre gonna get called out on it. it seems that 95% of the unbiased views here are that its a good move.

Just thought this was a forum where you could express your opinion about other peoples opinions if you dont agree with something>??!!??!!

[DaDragicShow]

Good... our starting lineup gets a little younger. Now we got Barbs, Hill, Diaw coming of the bench.

[Never Fear 33 Is Here]

Haha

[-SDU-]

i see my detailed well thought out response got a short answer hey?

[daveang]

I like the fact that not only will Hill get more rest, but the leadership that he'll bring to the second unit. The fact that he's embraced this bench role is a testament to his desire to win, which is what you want, and need.

Agreed with SDU, there will be better spacing on the floor with Barnes as a starter, and that 3 point threat extends beyond Nash & Bell now - Barnes is going to get some good looks all season long.