Jalen Rose signs with Phoenix Suns
Jalen Rose has decided to accept an offer to join the Phoenix Suns, the veteran guard-forward said on his Web site Friday.
Rose, who received a $14.5 million buyout from the New York Knicks, reportedly had narrowed his choices to Miami and Phoenix. The Heat could pay more than the Suns, who offered the veteran minimum of about $1.2 million, much of which is paid by the NBA.
It's unclear where he would fit into the Suns' already deep rotation. Rose wants to follow the path of Tim Thomas, who parlayed a successful stint with the Suns last season into a lucrative contract with the Los Angeles Clippers. Rose would be playing in a fast-paced style directed by two-time MVP point guard Steve Nash, rather than the more structured approach of Pat Riley's Heat. - Associated Press, FoxSports.com
What does this mean for the Suns? For starters, it gives them a big guard off the bench that can come in and spell Nash, Barbosa or Diaw. Boris Diaw seems to be the odd man out in the whole deal, especially with the way he's been playing to start the season because of Amare Stoudemire and Kurt Thomas' returns.
Rose apparently prefers playing in a system with more flexibility and freedom versus the strict play calling of Pat Riley in Miami... can you blame him? If he's able to play like Tim Thomas did last year, he's sure to get what he wants - another multi-year contract.
I'm not sure how well Jalen Rose will fit in with the Suns players, but if he can contribute consistantly, Phoenix will benefit.
Friday's game... Boris Diaw was benched in favor of Leandro Barbosa, but it wasn't enough as the Utah Jazz were victorious against the Suns. I can't put my finger on it, but Phoenix just doesn't look the same as they have the past 2 yrs. They look slower, unsure of themselves, and still lacking any defense (not really a surprise though). Barbosa had a chance to tie the game with 10 seconds left, but his layup rolled off the opposite side of the rim as he went sliding across the floor. The Jazz sealed it with two free throws by Derek Fisher.
Tonight the Suns get a chance to beat the LA Clippers again, but this time it's in Los Angeles. Look for the power forwards to decide the game - Brand/Thomas for LA and Amare/Marion for the Suns. Whoever has the advantage in this area is going to