<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">In business, there are often two interpretations of just about any move. Suns Managing Partner Robert Sarver sees that dynamic when reading Joe Johnson's comments on leaving Phoenix for Atlanta. Sarver said the Suns called Johnson's agent, Arn Tellem, at midnight July 1 and were told: "It's all about the money. Give us the money." He said Tellem wanted a maximum-level deal but that Suns President and General Manager Bryan Colangelo told him: "If that's the only way to get it done, why would we offer it now?" The Suns did ask Johnson to bring back an offer from another team. They were hoping to broker a deal like San Antonio did with Manu Ginobili for six years and $52 million, but said their first offer was for six years and $60 million, not $50 million as Johnson said.</div> Source
I love(d) JJ's play style and I used to think he was pretty alright too. Cool as a cucumber, consistant iron man, etc. But seeing our new look suns this year, the depth we've added to the bench.. I'm glad he's gone, same with Q-Rich. JJ was our best defender, true.. but now we've got several defenders at various spots and though we don't have Q-Rich's 3 bomb #'s, we arguably have more accurate 3 point shooting now. Who knows, maybe in a few seasons or whatever we'll find a way to finagle him back and he can once again become part of our franchise. Until then, I hope he enjoys his money and new home in Atlanta.
I think he would fit nicely with this group, but he sowed his seeds, and now he has to reap them. Let's face facts, the Hawks don't work for anyone, but there you have it, he just had to have this deal. I think Diaw and Johnson on this team would be quite a nice one-two punch, but obviously that wasn't going to happen. James Jones has been a nice fit too, so I can't complain. But the Hawks aren't exactly a dream team. Maybe he can find a way to make that situation work for him.
JJ is a really good player You can depend on him to give you good points every night however he was not worth the contract which he received Suns would have been much better with him however JJ is not worth 14 mill a year he is probably worth about 8-9 and is not a franchaise player
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting PlaTsanity:</div><div class="quote_post">JJ is a really good player You can depend on him to give you good points every night however he was not worth the contract which he received Suns would have been much better with him however JJ is not worth 14 mill a year he is probably worth about 8-9 and is not a franchaise player</div> Joe Johnson is in no way a franchise player. He makes a nice support guy in the right siutation, which he was in. He's not worth 14, he's not worth 8 or 9, give him high fives or 6 like every other solid support player in the game. Does this man in any way deserve to make more than my main man Ricky? No. And why? Because he plays the same game, with as much success. I guess that last part isn't true, he still hasn't won a game in a Hawks uniform.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Crywalker:</div><div class="quote_post">Joe Johnson is in no way a franchise player. He makes a nice support guy in the right siutation, which he was in. He's not worth 14, he's not worth 8 or 9, give him high fives or 6 like every other solid support player in the game. Does this man in any way deserve to make more than my main man Ricky? No. And why? Because he plays the same game, with as much success. I guess that last part isn't true, he still hasn't won a game in a Hawks uniform.</div> I think everyone can agree that JJ is not worth $70 million. Manu makes $52 million with the same amount of years as JJ. I found it hilarious that JJ was offended when the Suns FO offered Johnson a 5 year $50 million deal. Honestly I am glad he is gone. We recieved Diaw and two first round picks, and saved enough money to sign quality players in the future.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Crywalker:</div><div class="quote_post">Joe Johnson is in no way a franchise player. He makes a nice support guy in the right siutation, which he was in. He's not worth 14, he's not worth 8 or 9, give him high fives or 6 like every other solid support player in the game. Does this man in any way deserve to make more than my main man Ricky? No. And why? Because he plays the same game, with as much success. I guess that last part isn't true, he still hasn't won a game in a Hawks uniform.</div> Where have you been? High 5's or 6 is the mid-level exception. No team can seriously expect to get a guy like JJ for the mid-level exception. Q-Rich - $7.25 million/year Marquis Daniels - $6.1 million/year Jason Terry - $7.5 million/year Troy Murphy - $9.7 million/year extension Some guys that just signed: Damon Jones - $4 million/year Donyell Marshall - $5.5 million/year Cuttino Mobley - $8.4 million/year Earl Watson - $5.8 million/year Dunleavy Jr - $9 million/year extension Stromile Swift - $6 million/year Larry Hughes - $12 million/year The minimum anyone was getting a Joe Johnson for was $8-9 million a year, and that's being generous, really it would have to be in the $9-10 million a year range. I don't think you've been paying attention to the market lately, when you pay guys like Marquis Daniels, Earl Watson, Donyell Marshall etc 5-6 million a year, how much do you expect a guy like JJ to get. Look at "similar" players, and how much they were getting, Hughes - 12, Dunleavy Jr - 9, Q-Rich [who JJ is better than] - 7.3, Terry - 7.5, and the market price overall increased this past off-season.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting og15:</div><div class="quote_post">Where have you been? High 5's or 6 is the mid-level exception. No team can seriously expect to get a guy like JJ for the mid-level exception. Q-Rich - $7.25 million/year Marquis Daniels - $6.1 million/year Jason Terry - $7.5 million/year Troy Murphy - $9.7 million/year extension Some guys that just signed: Damon Jones - $4 million/year Donyell Marshall - $5.5 million/year Cuttino Mobley - $8.4 million/year Earl Watson - $5.8 million/year Dunleavy Jr - $9 million/year extension Stromile Swift - $6 million/year Larry Hughes - $12 million/year The minimum anyone was getting a Joe Johnson for was $8-9 million a year, and that's being generous, really it would have to be in the $9-10 million a year range. I don't think you've been paying attention to the market lately, when you pay guys like Marquis Daniels, Earl Watson, Donyell Marshall etc 5-6 million a year, how much do you expect a guy like JJ to get. Look at "similar" players, and how much they were getting, Hughes - 12, Dunleavy Jr - 9, Q-Rich [who JJ is better than] - 7.3, Terry - 7.5, and the market price overall increased this past off-season.</div> You're absolutely right, and this is kind of part of a trend of overpaying. Giving Hughes 12 mill was totally ridiculous, but you're spot on, the man doesn't deserve what he got, but he did get it, and that's that. I think you may be giving JJ more credit than he's worth, yes, he's better than Q, but Q made 7, and I say giving JJ more than 8 is just overpaying. Obviously, he isn't helping that Hawks situation much.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Crywalker:</div><div class="quote_post"> Obviously, he isn't helping that Hawks situation much.</div> No one could help their situation at this stage. Give it time though. A couple of years and a true PG and Atlanta will be a force, whilst Phoenix will have a huge cap problem with an aging roster.
The only aging player on their roster is Nash. Marion is what, 27? Amare is 23 or whatever, so Phoenix will be fine.
JJ is not a franchise player, the price Atlanta paid for him was ridiculous. Not only did they overpay him, they gave up three players for him. Phoenix is going to be capped out for the next 4 seasons, but aside from Nash, the core is relatively young. I think as long as Amare is in Phoenix, they'll have no problem attracting over veterans for cheap. Coangelo is a smart GM, and D'Antoni's offensive style has a lot of people wanting to play in Phoenix. Diaw emerging as a ballhandler has been a key for the Suns so far. I felt the Suns would miss JJ's ability to run the team when Nash rested, but Diaw is proving he can fill that role. The Suns have plenty of shooters to replace JJ's shot. The Suns were smart to let him go and I think JJ will regret leaving because he could have been a key player for the Suns. The fans enjoyed him, and he benefitted from the system he was in. He's going to find out how hard it is to win with a rebuilding team, in a city that doesn't support their team whether it's winning or losing.
I also think that he will regret leaving the Suns. With the Suns you have a legitamate chance at going to the Finals. In ATL you would be the surprise team of the year if you actually made the playoffs. The Hawks overpaid him, and JJ rather have the big money then to have very good money and be on a good team. Not to mention he wants to be the "man", and that doesn't work when you have a team full of good players trying to compete. Basically, JJ needs the Suns to be successful morethen the Suns need JJ to be successful. I also don't think JJ will be much of a star in Atl like he and the Hawks think he will be. I won't be surprised when they trade JJ within the next few years.
I agree with all of you JJ is a good basketball player but he ain´t the franchise of this team Amare is. Besides if they would of kept the same team I think they had a better chance of winning the title this year. NOw he is ATL his team hasn´t won one game yet.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting B-22:</div><div class="quote_post">I also think that he will regret leaving the Suns. With the Suns you have a legitamate chance at going to the Finals. In ATL you would be the surprise team of the year if you actually made the playoffs. The Hawks overpaid him, and JJ rather have the big money then to have very good money and be on a good team. Not to mention he wants to be the "man", and that doesn't work when you have a team full of good players trying to compete. Basically, JJ needs the Suns to be successful morethen the Suns need JJ to be successful. I also don't think JJ will be much of a star in Atl like he and the Hawks think he will be. I won't be surprised when they trade JJ within the next few years.</div> This is the major misconception between many NBA fans and even more sports writers..............JJ was offered the exact same amount of money by the Suns, Sarver wanted to match Atlanta's offer. Johnson decided either way be would be better off in the ATL.
