Finally official: Barry stays home with the Spurs

by TexSUN on Feb 28, 2008 7:33 PM MST in Phoenix Suns News

It's official. Brent Barry will return to the Spurs according to the latest from the Arizona Republic. It's not like this is a big surprise. I never believed for a second he wouldn't want to go back to the team he's won championships with, been with for years, and most importantly, is based in the same city as his home and family (not to mention he's still healing from a calf injury, and could probably use the extra rest anyway). Can't blame the Suns for trying though, although I have a feeling Barry would have been more valuable for his inside info on the Spurs than anything else.

Now, the Suns can concentrate on their backup plan: Signing a guy who actually wants to play for them.

On that note, I'm taking a breather from posting for the next couple of days to concentrate on some things that don't involve sitting in front of a computer. Srp has the ~~soapbox~~ floor all to himself through Saturday and possibly Sunday if I can talk him into doing the weekly review. Hopefully, we can get back to sounding like the "bright side" around here soon. (Some help from the Suns would be nice).

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hmmm

I guess the real question here is, will this provide DJ with more minutes? Let's hope so....

parallel universe

by SilverSprings on Feb 28, 2008 9:27 PM MST reply actions

No surprise here...

Obviously Presti, Carlesimo, and the Sonics collaborated with the Spurs on this deal, where they get Kurt Thomas, and get Brent Barry back as a refund on the trade. Everyone talks about the Gasol trade being robbery, which it definitely is, but don't ignore those dirty Spurs, who once again have committed highway robbery here. Well atleast you can say this time, they didn't use a hip check, a crooked ref, or the league for assistance. Nonetheless it is shrewd business, and the league should look into collaboration.

by Aluminum Foyle on Feb 28, 2008 10:28 PM MST reply actions

Ya think?

Was anyone surprised that Barry went back to S.A.? I sure wasn't. The easy thing was for him to stay in Texas. I am not sure I wouldn't have done the same thing myself. S.A. is playing well, his family is there, the familiarity, the $$$ and all that, plus Phoenix is a big unknown at this point. Still, I think it was fixed from the beginning. I wouldn't put anything past those Spurs.

One thing I am curious about is I read that Philadelphia is willing to release Gordan Giricek as long as he goes to a Western Conference team. How can they have any control over what team/conference he may sign with??

by TwinnerA on Feb 29, 2008 9:14 AM MST up reply actions

Can't Really Blame Him

I'd probably stay, too. I mean, his kids are in school and he'll probably retire a Spur and net a front-office job.

That said, it seems like the rules need to be fixed. I wonder if Stern investigates as to whether there was a pre-arranged deal? The evidence of the "heartache" in the decision-making process would seem to cut against that conspiracy theory. I wonder if any of the tin-foil-hat types will say that was all part of the plan?

Mmmmm ... Guinness

by JSun on Feb 29, 2008 10:10 AM MST up reply actions

Barry episode, KT, evil Spurs

I think we should just sit back and see what Cuban does. It could be entertaining. Does a leopard change his spots? Will the Spurs ever play fair?

I just knew when we traded KT that it would turn sour.

Consequences of KT trade

Suns lose services of a decent big who can hit an open jumper and set screens
Suns lose 1st round draft chices in 2008 and 2010, which could actually be lottery picks
KT goes to Spurs and brings Suns playbook
Amare has to play KT in the playoffs instead of Elson, whom he has owned

All of this for the bargain price of $16 million plus the always undervalued second round draft choice

We've been had.

'07-'08 Suns: It's clobberin' time!

by Hawk42 on Feb 29, 2008 10:36 AM MST reply actions

No Doubt..

The Suns dropped the ball on the Kurt Thomas deal last summer, as well as the past few drafts, but unfortunately your mistakes will lead to someone else's opportunity.

At the same time, the NBA reacted to the initial (blocked) Kidd deal, where Jerry Stackhouse was headed to New Jersey, but the league said Stackhouse would not be allowed back in Dallas. Of course, Stack opened his mouth about him returning to Dallas, and the league stepped in prevented that from happening.

Any time a trade is discussed/made, how can future plans of possible buyouts never be talked about? Now, I have no problem with Brent Barry choosing to go back to San Antonio, since his home and family are there. However, what the Spurs & Sonics did, was obviously discussed and well thought out. Of course the Spurs learned from Stackhouse's mistake, and they shrewdly planned out the trade, including making Brent Barry act like he would be interested in joining a contender like PHX or Dallas.

But where is the fairness and equality in the NBA? We know the officiating/treatment differs for every player and team. Sadly, the same can be said in terms of the league office (Stern), treating matters properly and fairly. For every great decision Stern makes (like having the All-Star game in New Orleans), he makes twice as many bad ones, such as last year's suspensions, turning the other cheek on these collaborative trades, and possibly his worst decision to come is teaming with his boy to move the Sonics out of Seattle to Jokelahoma.

by Aluminum Foyle on Feb 29, 2008 8:00 PM MST up reply actions

Giricek

I don't know a thing about Gordan Giricek, but should we be worried that some other Western Conference team will try to snatch him away from Phx? The way things seem to go with players Phx want I wouldn't be surprised.

by TwinnerA on Feb 29, 2008 11:17 PM MST reply actions