Athletic and defensive- trades to help us.

[tigerblood]

I don't get all the JRich hate. Salary dump him? WTF. He is in his prime, is a flat out baller and has a lot to give next season. Idiotic unless u net someone of equal talent.

[The CrucifiXioN]

I don't get all the JRich hate. Salary dump him? WTF. He is in his prime, is a flat out baller and has a lot to give next season. Idiotic unless u net someone of equal talent.

J-Rich is a good player, don't get me wrong, but he's simply not worth what he's making and I just don't think he's a very good fit for this team. His three-point shooting comes in handy - especially since we don't have much of it to begin with - but we desperately need to improve our overall team defense above all else, and I wouldn't mind using him as trade bait to make it happen. I'm in no way suggesting we should salary dump him, and I think if we really did want a FA in the Ariza/Artest/Marion mold, we'd be better off working out a S&T.

[b-ball forever]

There's no reason to salary dump J-Rich.
He's overpaid, but he's a very good scorer still in his prime that'd fit great on certain teams that have PGs and SFs who can cover for him defensively and/or lack 3 point shooting (Detroit or Philly for example would be perfect destinations... Rip and Dalembert say hi).

He's a bad fit next to Nash tho.

In fairness to J-Rich we could also keep him and move Nash for a defensive PG instead, but that's a more risky move considering Nash is still the best in the league when it comes to running an uptempo offense. Not to mention he's an extremelly popular player and sells a lotta jerseys, doubt Sarver does that.


Back to the topic : Mickael Pietrus is another swingman that'd fit nicely next to Nash. Good defender and spot-up shooter like Raja, very athletic, and still young. His weaknesses are low BB-IQ and injury prowness, but the PHX trainers can keep him in shape.

Scenario : Orlando holds onto Gortat and Hedo bolts, leaving them wanting another offensive swing that spaces for Dwight. Courtney Lee and Jameer Nelson are good/solid defenders, so he'd fit in OK.

Trade : J-Rich to Orlando for Pietrus + Tony Battie's expiring + draft pick. Balances out the roster and saves 1 mill in cap spendings this year and 7 mill next year...

[rsavaj]

Shaq looks like he's in phenomenal shape: http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php ... 506&ref=mf

If he can get quicker, then maybe he can actually start showing on pick and rolls...

[lilfishi22]

If he loses another 15 pounds and get that extra step, man he would be in the 20/10/2 realm.

I'm actually a little excited about next season. Gentry/Amare/Shaq/Nash/Hill/JRich. Hello Championship.

lol getting ahead of myself.

[SideSwipe]

Shaq does look like he is in great shape, but Shaq is like a box of chocolates...you never know what you're gonna geayet. LOL.

Unfortunately history is the best predictor of future perfromance. I wouldn't count on Shaq showing on those pick and roles through 82 games, I don't think his knees can handle it. I love the guy, and his performance last year was absolutely admirable, but I'm just not sure he is a great fit with a running and defensive team. He has tremendous post presence, he doesn't get tons of blocks because people see him and just avoid going into the paint altogether. Maybe getting his marriage settled has given him some great motivation, less on his mind, more focus on basketball. I like the unfinished business argument, but if we really want to move forward with a better future, we need system guys, and he is not a great fit for our athletic and defensive SSOL system in general.

[TASTIC]

There's no reason to salary dump J-Rich.
He's overpaid, but he's a very good scorer still in his prime that'd fit great on certain teams that have PGs and SFs who can cover for him defensively and/or lack 3 point shooting (Detroit or Philly for example would be perfect destinations... Rip and Dalembert say hi).

He's a bad fit next to Nash tho.

In fairness to J-Rich we could also keep him and move Nash for a defensive PG instead, but that's a more risky move considering Nash is still the best in the league when it comes to running an uptempo offense. Not to mention he's an extremelly popular player and sells a lotta jerseys, doubt Sarver does that.


Back to the topic : Mickael Pietrus is another swingman that'd fit nicely next to Nash. Good defender and spot-up shooter like Raja, very athletic, and still young. His weaknesses are low BB-IQ and injury prowness, but the PHX trainers can keep him in shape.

Scenario : Orlando holds onto Gortat and Hedo bolts, leaving them wanting another offensive swing that spaces for Dwight. Courtney Lee and Jameer Nelson are good/solid defenders, so he'd fit in OK.

Trade : J-Rich to Orlando for Pietrus + Tony Battie's expiring + draft pick. Balances out the roster and saves 1 mill in cap spendings this year and 7 mill next year...

ha we finally agree on someone mate...Always thought he'd be awesome here playing the 2/3 and even 4 at a pinch here...What's his brother up to?

[The CrucifiXioN]

Pietrus would be great, but his low BB IQ worries me. He's a good defender and can stretch out the defense with his three-point shooting, but we need a player who isn't going to make a lot of bone-headed plays. We were all calling for Barnes' head when we saw him make them, do we really want to watch Pietrus do the same thing?

[b-ball forever]

His defense/shooting/athleticism would make him a nice fit for sure, as well as his hard play and joke interviews.

Since he mainly plays off ball he wouldn't have the responsibilities Barnes was forced to have after Amare went down, and so wouldn't screw up as often.
He still makes (Please Use More Appropriate Word) plays that get u pissed, but cut down on em some with the Magic.

ha we finally agree on someone mate...Always thought he'd be awesome here playing the 2/3 and even 4 at a pinch here...What's his brother up to?

lol

Flo Pete's still in the Spanish league, and will likely get in action again this summer @ the Eurobasket.

He's almost 30 now so prolly won't ever jump to the NBA, which kinda sucks cuz he coulda been one of those hyperactive hustle athletes that run the floor and bring 200% energy and shot deflecting off the bench (a la Birdman).

Tyrus Thomas lite skillset, woulda fit in the NBA well...











Luol Deng is still > both Mike and Flo Pete tho

[CraigDeuce]

I kinda like the Magic idea, mostly because Tony Battie would fit in VERY nicely here. Real solid post defender who can actually guard a pick-and-roll. Decent shotblocker and real good on the offensive end on the pick-and-pop.

But if Hedo's gone, it's because the Magic didn't wanna spend the luxury tax money to keep him, so taking on a contract like JRich's and dealing away their big expiring may or may not be something they'd wanna do.

[TASTIC]

Luol Deng is still > both Mike and Flo Pete tho

So Britain>France?

[TASTIC]

I made an offer to my mate who's a magic fan and he was loving it...pity he isn't the GM..And then Magic can S&T Turkoglu...

Pietrus + Battie > PHX
Haslem > ORL
JRich > MIA

[b-ball forever]

Luol Deng is still > both Mike and Flo Pete tho

So Britain>France?

Parker+Diaw+MP > Deng+Ben Gordon > Sean Marks

France>Britain>New Zealand

[TASTIC]

touche....haha