Comments on: A changing of the guards: Suns acquire J-Rich http://valleyofthesuns.com/2008/12/10/a-changing-of-the-guards/ Phoenix Suns basketball blog. The hottest source in the Valley for Suns news, rumors and analysis with a fresh perspective from ESPN's TrueHoop affiliate. Wed, 17 Mar 2010 22:59:47 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Seven seconds or mess: A season in chaos| Valley of the Suns http://valleyofthesuns.com/2008/12/10/a-changing-of-the-guards/comment-page-1/#comment-9847 Seven seconds or mess: A season in chaos| Valley of the Suns Fri, 17 Apr 2009 10:35:35 +0000 http://valleyofthesuns.com/?p=1002#comment-9847 [...] was the a deal in which Boris Diaw and Raja Bell were dealt for Jason Richardson and Jared Dudley, and then a few months later the Suns saw Amare go down for the season after eye surgery with no [...] [...] was the a deal in which Boris Diaw and Raja Bell were dealt for Jason Richardson and Jared Dudley, and then a few months later the Suns saw Amare go down for the season after eye surgery with no [...]

]]> By: Lisa Bryan http://valleyofthesuns.com/2008/12/10/a-changing-of-the-guards/comment-page-1/#comment-266 Lisa Bryan Thu, 11 Dec 2008 03:41:36 +0000 http://valleyofthesuns.com/?p=1002#comment-266 Thanks for putting things in perspective here. I was freaking out a few hours ago, because I really like Bell's defense and feistiness. But, I agree that he seemed to be on the decline. *Sigh* Still sad, but hopefully this will be a good thing. Everyone seems to think this trade was positive for the Suns, but I can't help but feel that it's sending some mixed messages as far as defense goes. We got rid of our best defensive player (and the next best, Shawn Marion, last year), and I am wondering who's going to guard the Kobes, Lebrons, Wades, etc.? Thanks for putting things in perspective here. I was freaking out a few hours ago, because I really like Bell’s defense and feistiness. But, I agree that he seemed to be on the decline. *Sigh* Still sad, but hopefully this will be a good thing.

Everyone seems to think this trade was positive for the Suns, but I can’t help but feel that it’s sending some mixed messages as far as defense goes. We got rid of our best defensive player (and the next best, Shawn Marion, last year), and I am wondering who’s going to guard the Kobes, Lebrons, Wades, etc.?

]]> By: Ryan Trybus http://valleyofthesuns.com/2008/12/10/a-changing-of-the-guards/comment-page-1/#comment-264 Ryan Trybus Thu, 11 Dec 2008 02:45:53 +0000 http://valleyofthesuns.com/?p=1002#comment-264 Dude Schawartz...like really....your blogging is about as good as your low post game. Good to hear that you're giving this sports writer career a shot. Hopefully you'll develop your observational skills better than your real life post up game. I have to agree with you about J-Rich though. This was a good deal. The problem with the half court offense is that you need a solid slasher to win with Shaq on the court (see Penny, Kobe, and Wade in their respective finals appearances). Richardson has the skills to create havoc cutting through interior defenses which will help create better chances for Amare and O'Neal to shake a second defender and for Nash and the other wing to set up for the kickback 3. As educated and professional as Bell was, it was for the best to see him go. Bell never rebounded well or was never in the best position to rebound because he was usually either out on the perimeter guarding the best wing or he was watching the younger/quicker guard get past him. Lets face it, Raja lost a step this year. Also his best skill was to sit at perimeter and wait for someone pass him the ball. He couldn't create his own shot and that meant defenders would close out on him quickly. Now imagine you have the same situation but instead on the rotation you give the ball to J-Rich. Not only does the defender have respect the 46% 3PT shooting he's produced this season so far, but you have to worry about that 6'2", 220 lb tank of a body running you over. Time will only tell if this will work but I like where this is going. Dude Schawartz…like really….your blogging is about as good as your low post game. Good to hear that you’re giving this sports writer career a shot. Hopefully you’ll develop your observational skills better than your real life post up game.

I have to agree with you about J-Rich though. This was a good deal. The problem with the half court offense is that you need a solid slasher to win with Shaq on the court (see Penny, Kobe, and Wade in their respective finals appearances). Richardson has the skills to create havoc cutting through interior defenses which will help create better chances for Amare and O’Neal to shake a second defender and for Nash and the other wing to set up for the kickback 3.

As educated and professional as Bell was, it was for the best to see him go. Bell never rebounded well or was never in the best position to rebound because he was usually either out on the perimeter guarding the best wing or he was watching the younger/quicker guard get past him. Lets face it, Raja lost a step this year. Also his best skill was to sit at perimeter and wait for someone pass him the ball. He couldn’t create his own shot and that meant defenders would close out on him quickly.

Now imagine you have the same situation but instead on the rotation you give the ball to J-Rich. Not only does the defender have respect the 46% 3PT shooting he’s produced this season so far, but you have to worry about that 6′2″, 220 lb tank of a body running you over.

Time will only tell if this will work but I like where this is going.

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