<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Payton Interested In Backing Up Nash 25th June, 2005 - 4:01 pm East Valley Tribune - Gary Payton listed the Suns among his three favorite options in this year?s free agent market, along with Sacramento and returning to Boston. Payton, speaking on the "Best Damn Sports Show Period," said he wasn?t planning on taking Steve Nash?s place, but that, "I will play next to him. I will play with him. They run-and-gun like me, so I want to run and gun, give him a little break." Though the Suns would seem to have greater needs up front to spend their money on, "Someone as good as he is, you have to think about it," D?Antoni said.</div> [Link] as soon as I saw his name on the FA list here I thought of him and the Suns
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting M_V_P:</div><div class="quote_post">[Link] as soon as I saw his name on the FA list here I thought of him and the Suns</div> He may want to play with Nash but the reason he wants to go to Phoenix is for a ring.
He wants a ring and he wants to be back on the West Coast. Gary Payton is better in a run and gun uptempo style, he'd be a solid backup for Nash. He might have to be 3rd in the rotation behind Barbosa though, and I'm not sure how long Mr. Mouth could keep his mouth shut being buried on the bench.
I dont see this happening...First off, the Suns need height, desperately...they will not win a title with amare playing center...now, theres not a lot of available options, but I think the Suns should target Ilgauskas...if they re-sign Hunter and get Ilgauskas, it gives them two different styles of bigs, one who can play in a running game, and another who can play a halfcourt game, once playoff time rolls around...secondly, the Suns need to re-sign Joe Johnson, because he is a hot target around the league, and he's a huge part of their running game... thirdly, why sign Payton, who has been known to be disruptive for chemistry and for selfish tendencies, when you're only stunting the growth and development of Leandro Barbosa? Barbosa will not prosper if hes not given minutes, and at this point in their respective careers, I'd much rather give Barbosa 10-12 minutes as a backup then Payton...barbosa is faster and quicker and is a better shooter...Payton, IMO, is way over the hill and past his prime...
With the 1.7 exception he would be a great signing for the Suns. There's just no point them using their MLE or part of It on him. Seems obvious GP realises he will have to take less money and be a back-up for him to go to the Suns. I get the feeling the Suns are more conerned with signing someone like Donyell Marshall although to me they need to sign Reggie Evans. Truely a prefect fit for that team. They need a guy who will go after everything, play hard and rebound. Thats what Evans does so well.
payton is 37 !!!! and with nash getting his minutes and barbosa a decent backup , do they really want to sign him ???????????????????????????
I think Payton as a back up for the suns isnt all that bad. Paytons been in the league so long and deserves a ring. So I hope he goes to the suns.
Wouldn't that mean payton would be 3rd string unless they want to stop barbosa's progression as a pg. I know he wants to win a championship but I dont see payton accepting a 3rd string role.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Swish15:</div><div class="quote_post">He may want to play with Nash but the reason he wants to go to Phoenix is for a ring.</div> i swear that same thing came to my mind.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Swish15:</div><div class="quote_post">He may want to play with Nash but the reason he wants to go to Phoenix is for a ring.</div> That is what I was going to say all he wants to do is win a ring just like two years ago with the Lakers.
[quote name='Shooter']I dont see this happening...First off, the Suns need height, desperately...they will not win a title with amare playing center...now, theres not a lot of available options, but I think the Suns should target Ilgauskas...if they re-sign Hunter and get Ilgauskas, it gives them two different styles of bigs, one who can play in a running game, and another who can play a halfcourt game, once playoff time rolls around...secondly, the Suns need to re-sign Joe Johnson, because he is a hot target around the league, and he's a huge part of their running game... QUOTE] I didn't know they would be targetting Ilgauskas, don't get me wrong if he joined the team I would be very happy
Barbosa is a joke. Woody Paige called him the worst PG in the league. I sort of agree, and I would play Payton more than Barbosa, espeically since the Glove has more experience. In the playoffs Nash had to play a lot because Barbosa was unreliable. Payton is old though, but I think he still has a few good years left.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Char:</div><div class="quote_post">Barbosa is a joke. Woody Paige called him the worst PG in the league. I sort of agree, and I would play Payton more than Barbosa, espeically since the Glove has more experience. In the playoffs Nash had to play a lot because Barbosa was unreliable. Payton is old though, but I think he still has a few good years left.</div> Barbosa isn't a joke he is quick, a good shooter, and a good ball handler. The hawks are a joke.
Barbosa is far from the worst PG in the league, the guy shoots 47% FG, 38% 3pt, and is probably the fastest basketball player in the world, this kid can run very fast, his problem is he doesnt know how to lead an offense, but he has some creative passing skills, and he's learning under Nash. Barbosa is also a good defender, he takes D seriously. Woody Paige can't even speak english........lol
Barbosa ain't the worst PG in the league.. But he's not in the top half either.. I just don't see him developing into a point guard.. He can be a really good combo guard though.. I can't remember how many times I swore at the tv when dude missed easy layups.. The problem I see is that he doesn't collect himself well enough.. He's got blazing speed.. passes defenders easily but I think it surprises even him that he's already at the rim.. So instead of just dropping the ball in, he gets flustered and chucks it up.. lol But give Barbosa time.. The Suns are.. The kid's got plenty of potential.. He WILL develop.. But 'til then, why not have Payton back up Nash?
Damn the Suns dont need em man. Payton need to go to a team like Cleveland which can use a PG or the Houston Rockets. As for Barbosa, he aint that bad, hes had some great games for the Suns when Nash was out with an injury.
Barbosa is unreliable at times, and signing payton might help, but i think that payton will just stay in boston because of his family.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting pg1413:</div><div class="quote_post">Barbosa is unreliable at times, and signing payton might help, but i think that payton will just stay in boston because of his family.</div> Payton's family never moved with him to Boston, and the C's have made no indication that they want him back. At this point, that basically means he's done. And besides, we don't have the money to sign him with.
