We underrated Jason Richardson

[cold5]

Definitely was underrated. Averaging about 19 points a game, 53% from 3 and making big shots and playing solid d. Not to mention how nice Dudley has been off the bench. J-Rich is the best starting shooting guard as an overall player we've had since JJ (LB is awesome, but having him come off the bench is a major advantage for us) and could really help down the stretch/playoffs.

[The Diesel]

J-Rich is a MUCH better scorer than Raja, but Raja is a better defender.

The bottom line is that J-Rich is a great fit for this team now that Shaq is gone. When Shaq was made such a huge part of the offense, J-Rich was nothing more than a spot-up shooter and defensive liability.

Now that Shaq is gone and he has an increased role in the offense, he's a a great fit in an up-tempo system.

J-Rich is one of the best scoring shooting guards in the NBA and is getting a chance to do it now that Shaq is gone.

Getting rid of Shaq was addition by subtraction.

[bwgood77]

Definitely was underrated. Averaging about 19 points a game, 53% from 3 and making big shots and playing solid d. Not to mention how nice Dudley has been off the bench. J-Rich is the best starting shooting guard as an overall player we've had since JJ (LB is awesome, but having him come off the bench is a major advantage for us) and could really help down the stretch/playoffs.

That's kind of what I thought when I made this original post, that this guy never was able to get into sync last year because the whole team was trying to change styles into a style that didn't suit him, and then when they made Gentry the coach he didn't have a ton of time to adjust to his teammates (and Shaq wanting the ball didn't help).

Just reading about him in the offseason and how he feels much more in sync with the teammates now and that he is focused made me remember how much potential he has, and felt he could be a stud when he fits in.

Nice to see his last two games, especially after people here started talking about he is overrated, etc, after I made this post a week ago.

[rsavaj]

I am on the J-Rich hate train but will admit that he has impressed me and been a vital part of our wins so far. If he keeps this up, who knows, I might actually like him

[bwgood77]

I am on the J-Rich hate train but will admit that he has impressed me and been a vital part of our wins so far. If he keeps this up, who knows, I might actually like him

Why do you hate JRich?

[JohnVancouver]

I am on the J-Rich hate train but will admit that he has impressed me and been a vital part of our wins so far. If he keeps this up, who knows, I might actually like him

Why do you hate JRich?

He ran over my dog

[PHXfan85]

I've been in and out of this thread so this may or may not have been said.

I don't think we underrated JR, but we obviously didn't let him know what his role was (and by "we", I mean Porter). I've heard it said multiple times that he was unsure of what he was supposed to do when he came here last year, which is understandable. Gentry talked to him in the off-season and let him know exactly what he wanted. And now the dude is doing his job, hopefully sans anymore driving citations or anything that reflects negatively on him and the Suns organization.

[lilfishi22]

I don't think he's overrated or underrated. Definitely overpaid but he's rated about right. He is what we expect him to be.

[aIvin adams]

the increase in focus on defense is apparent, if not overwhelming. he shot 40% from 3 last year in charlotte w/out a point guard.

nothing that's happening this year w JR is suprising, IMO. i expect him to finish the season around 20 ppg, a good rebounding rate, and shooting above 40% from 3.

[PHXfan85]

He is what we expect him to be. Exactly.

Underrated was in the thread title, it's what I used, but I didn't mean to say he was underrated/overrated. Just that he is now doing what we want him to do and that's all I want.

Can I consider my post an assist for your slam dunk fishi? I'm all about the assists. My tag on Modern Warfare 2 is "Dish The Rock". I'm like Nash in that bitch. hahaha

[rsavaj]

I am on the J-Rich hate train but will admit that he has impressed me and been a vital part of our wins so far. If he keeps this up, who knows, I might actually like him

Why do you hate JRich?

It was just a series of bad initial impressions. The fact that we traded two of my favorite Suns players(ever) for him made me dislike him before he even played. The two DUIs reinforced this negative impression of him. His poor shot selection and bad defense made me dislike him even more.

This season, he's contributing big time for us, and I'm ready to admit I was wrong if this keeps up.

[lilfishi22]

lol sure. . .

[lilfishi22]

I am on the J-Rich hate train but will admit that he has impressed me and been a vital part of our wins so far. If he keeps this up, who knows, I might actually like him

Why do you hate JRich?

It was just a series of bad initial impressions. The fact that we traded two of my favorite Suns players(ever) for him made me dislike him before he even played. The two DUIs reinforced this negative impression of him. His poor shot selection and bad defense made me dislike him even more.

This season, he's contributing big time for us, and I'm ready to admit I was wrong if this keeps up.

Initially I really hated the trade as well because I was and still am a huge fan of Raja's. And even then we needed a perimeter defender and instead we traded away two good defenders for a perimeter gunner. It just didn't rock my boat.

[nashrambler13]

I am on the J-Rich hate train but will admit that he has impressed me and been a vital part of our wins so far. If he keeps this up, who knows, I might actually like him

Why do you hate JRich?

He ran over my dog

[Qwigglez]

J-Rich continues to be inconsistent and streaky. But hey... as long as we are winning games I guess I'm fine with that.
We really need to hit him early in the game though.

[Spartan13]

I am on the J-Rich hate train but will admit that he has impressed me and been a vital part of our wins so far. If he keeps this up, who knows, I might actually like him

Why do you hate JRich?

He ran over my dog

Don't forget he also ruined Christmas with his crappy D on Mason Jr.

If the Grinch went out after knocking back a few, stole Santa's sleigh and went for a joy ride with a 3 year old elf on board not properly strapped in, that would be called "pulling a J-Rich"...



BTW I'm actually not a J-RIch hater, though I wouldn't cry if we somehow found a way to replace him with a defensive oriented sg, and nabbed a good defending/rebounding C in the process.