FA Backup Point Guard Leans Toward Desert

by Steve Weinman on Jul 4, 2008 12:00 AM EDT in NBA Comment 7 comments

Sounds like Tyronn Lue's first concern is -- as usual -- going to a winner.

As reported by the Arizona Republic's renowned Paul Coro:

Tyronn Lue, a 10-year NBA veteran, said Wednesday that the Suns, the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks are his favorites. Boston might not make a big offer, either. Lue finished last season with Dallas, for which he played two minutes during the playoffs.
"I feel really good about the Suns," Lue said. "I want to go to a winning team and a good organization. They have both those things. I'd love to play with Nash and with Shaq (O'Neal) again. Hopefully we can work something out."
Lue considered the Suns in March, when the Sacramento waived him, but chose Dallas.
"I wanted to go to Phoenix, but I knew (former coach Mike) D'Antoni only played seven people in his rotation," Lue said. "With (new coach) Terry Porter there and Nash needing more rest, it'd be a great place for me."

Seems reasonable enough. Coro goes so far as to report that if Lue signed in Phoenix, he would be likely to start a few games over the course of the season simply to give Nash the extra rest.

Comments

At least we won’t get stuck with him on the Celtics. Good riddance.

Phoenix are going to regret signing Lue. Just like Dallas did. Just like Sacramento did. Just like Atlanta did. Just like Houston did. Just like Orlando did. Just like Washington did. Notice a trend here?

Pathetic excuse for a defender who hasn’t played defense since he left LA (7 years ago!). He can’t run the point at even an acceptable level. He can’t pass the ball either but that isn’t important for point guards is it?

But hey at least he does one thing well – he’s turned himself into a clutch player at the end of games. Gotta like that. One thing I like about the man. Ty Lue, don’t ever say I didn’t find something nice to say about you. He can score at the end of games and has some range on his jump shot and is dangerous on his pull up off the dribble. Now who wants Lue on the floor at the end of games over a starter? Yep, pretty worthless benefit alright. Yep, couldn’t even manage to give him a full compliment.

Tyrone Lue should not be a rotation player on a playoff caliber team. He isn’t good enough. He should spend the rest of his career being a backup point guard on the basement dwellers around the league.

by Who on Jul 4, 2008 12:30 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Lue would start some games with the Suns to rest starter Steve Nash.

What in the name of all that is holy is Paul Coro thinking when he wrote that line right there? Paul Coro is a solid NBA writer. Where did he pull that garbage from? Come back and join the rest of reality, do it right now.

by Who on Jul 4, 2008 12:35 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

As you begin to allude to, Who, I was going to mention that Coro is one of my favorite beat writers across the league. Really does a solid job and always has a pretty good scoop on the Suns. I took that claim right from the article — and as far as I can tell, it was presented sans substantiation. I’m a bit confused as well on this…kind of hoping Phoenix signs him just to see how this shakes out…

-sw

by Steve Weinman on Jul 4, 2008 12:41 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

And did I or did I not call your angry response on this one? I need to take my points where I can get ’em ;D

-sw

by Steve Weinman on Jul 4, 2008 12:42 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

One defensive casualty substituting for another(Nash). Can you imagine him and Barbosa in the backcourt together? I sure hope DJ makes a big impression this offseason because I do not think Lue is the answer to our backup point guard issue. Last year towards season end he would have been a decent emergency plan for the playoffs considering the options were limited. However starting the season with him is a sign of desperation based on limited financial restraints. Work hard DJ.[/quote]

[quote]How is it possible that Tyrone Lue is dictating where he wants to go?[/quote]

[quote]Wow. See, D’antoni was the reason no one wanted to come here[/quote]
[quote]Lue wont be any help, but we do need someone to give Nash some breathing time.

Four pages into the comments section now and I still haven’t seen a positive Ty Lue comment from Suns fans. The closest was one “he’s better than Marcus Banks” comment and I’m not convinced that’s even a true statement.

Six pages in. There have been several comments calling for DJ Strawberry to play those minutes instead of Lue. At least DJ plays defense seems to be the consensus, true, tough to argue with that.

9 pages in. It’s amazing to see just how many wild directions this goes in while retaining hardly any relation to the Ty Lue story. I’m giving up now.

At least they have the expectations right. Miserable potential addition for the team.

by Who on Jul 4, 2008 12:45 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Haha … Ty Lue isn’t quite as bankable as a Mo Williams or Mike Bibby mention but he’s up there!

I like Paul Coro too. Provides good Suns coverage. Very odd one liner back there that came out of nowhere and disappeared just as quickly.

What an insignificant player Lue is. Bugs me how much attention he’s getting and has gotten over the past few years. Undeserved.

There was comment on that Coro article calling for Anthony Johnson instead. Smart call. AJ is a solid player. He just helps every team he joins. Very capable backup. Nets and Pacers missed him hugely when he left. Playing solid ball for Sacramento and Atlanta too. It’s surprising how little love he seems to be receiving during free agency. Nice find for a vet’s minimum contract.

by Who on Jul 4, 2008 12:53 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Trust me, Who, if I’ve learned anything above all else since hopping aboard here in December, it’s that I need to warn you so that you can brace yourself if there is going to be any sort of mention of Mo Williams, particularly if it’s even remotely positive. You have my word on this :)

We could go back in the comments sections and analyze it in total words or create some sort of Hollinger-esque “Who Harshness” metric, but I’m fairly sure you’ve directed more venom Mo’s way than just about any of the other points who have come up in this space. I’d also go so far as to say that while you’ve spent more total time on Bibby here, that’s largely because he received much more attention here down the stretch this season while Lue was only mentioned on a couple of occasions. Your per-minute production as far as point guard-bashing definitely would put Lue ahead in my estimation.

Now this is what we really have advanced stats for!

Thanks as always for taking the time to read and comment, Who. It’s always welcome and appreciated.

-sw

by Steve Weinman on Jul 4, 2008 1:18 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs