Well this is bad news for Phoenix, i really wanted Johnson back this season, that cuts us short of a title, unless we can still pick up Finley and Raja Bell. That would give us 3 players at the 2.
Well, they want Joe playing point guard: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Wasn't Childress supposed to be the Hawks' shooting guard of the future? Wasn't he the same player who raised his game to another level the second half of his rookie season, which culminated with a second-team All-Rookie selection? But the Hawks want Johnson to play point guard, a radical idea to some, and not take over the position earmarked for Childress.</div> Atlanta Journal-Constitution
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting MrJ:</div><div class="quote_post">Well, they want Joe playing point guard: Atlanta Journal-Constitution</div> JJ can play PG at a high level as evidenced by his play at the position in the postseason. He also idolized Majic Johnson's skills as a child and as spoke on numerous occasions on how he modeled his play after him. JJ would look much better in Phoenix though.
If we lose JJ, I will personaly call Sarver and B.C. and cuss them out. Then I'll call the hawks and hollar at them. Finally, I'll call JJ's mom and ask her to tell her son to reconsider....!
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Sources indicate that Joe Johnson is serious about wanting to play in Atlanta. They will pay dearly to acquire him, but with Marvin Williams, Josh Childress, Josh Smith and whomever they can get for Al Harrington, the Hawks would instantly have one of the most versatile young teams in the league. Johnson, Williams, Childress and Smith can each play multiple positions and their size would present a multitude of match up problems.</div> RealGM
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting jadien:</div><div class="quote_post">If we lose JJ, I will personaly call Sarver and B.C. and cuss them out. Then I'll call the hawks and hollar at them. Finally, I'll call JJ's mom and ask her to tell her son to reconsider....!</div> if anything it would be all sarver's doing, he's the one that writes the checks.......from what i've read colangelo really wants to keep JJ and is upset with Sarver because he most likely won't match his offer
What I just don't understand is why would he want to go to the Hawks when he has a chance to win a championship in Phoenix?
They had better sign JJ. I was thinking about it and realized how important it is. They said they would match and offer, and if they don't the franchise loses a lot of credibility. No one will believe them the next time and they will keep taking our players.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting MrJ:</div><div class="quote_post">What I just don't understand is why would he want to go to the Hawks when he has a chance to win a championship in Phoenix?</div> The money man, that's it. From what I understand, JJ loves the area, he enjoys playing the style they play, likes his teammates, and wants to compete for a championship!
If JJ agrees with Atlanta, Pheonix should defintly consider Finley filling the SG spot. Johnson had the shooting and was very versatile for the Suns, but Finley still brings the great shooting that the Suns would need.
What's interesting is the Suns said they would match ANY offer to keep Joe Johnson once free agency began. With the Hawks willing to max out Joe Johnson, the Suns have backed themselves into a corner and have a huge dilemma on their hands. Earlier I felt they had enough to compete without Joe Johnson, but that was assuming they could have landed some of the other free agents who were still out there, namely Antonio Daniels. I also never expected players like Larry Hughes, Cuttino Mobley, and Bobby Simmons to get the deals they received. So with players with less value than Joe Johnson getting long contracts and big money offers, the Suns have to pay the market rate for JJ. I think if you are the Suns you bite the bullet and give him what he wants. JJ has improved every year and the Suns are a championship team with him on the roster. Also you have to take into account, Steve Nash isn't exactly young anymore and the Suns can limit his minutes and save his energy for the post-season with JJ and Barbosa holding down PG duties. The Suns might as well gamble and see if they can win it all this season. The salary cap is going to be higher so the team should be under the luxury tax threshold. Next summer they will have to offer Amare a max deal, which would put them in the luxury tax range. However, the Suns could then explore trading Kurt Thomas, Shawn Marion, or Joe Johnson if money is a problem. Winning a championship involves taking financial risks, they should match the offer and deal with the consequences after this season is over.
