Suns Sign Linton Johnson (again)

[Griffin]

Suns Sign Linton Johnson

PHOENIX — The Phoenix Suns signed forward Linton Johnson for the remainder of the season, the team announced today. Johnson is eligible to be on the Suns’ 2008 NBA Playoff roster.

The 6-8, 205-pound Johnson returns to Phoenix after signing two separate 10-day contracts on Feb. 22 and March 3 earlier this season. Johnson appeared in six games in his first stint with Phoenix, averaging 2.5 points and 2.2 rebounds in 8.8 minutes. The 27-year old also signed a 10-day contract with the Toronto Raptors on March 27, 2008 and appeared in two games, totaling six points in 10 minutes.

In 141 career games (27 starts), Johnson owns averages of 4.1 points and 3.4 rebounds in 14.6 minutes. The four-year NBA veteran enjoyed his best career season in 2005-06 with the Hornets, posting averages of 5.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 18.1 minutes in 27 games. Johnson signed his first NBA contract with the Bulls on Sept. 29, 2003.

The Suns roster now stands at 14.

http://www.nba.com/suns/news/johnson_080416.html

 

[shazaam6]

Ok now we are serious. Good move just in case we need him. This is smart. Kerr is this you?

 

[Griffin]

So how exactly is Linton eligible for playoffs? After we cut him earlier, he was signed by the Raptors and played his last game for them on March 31st, that's a month after the playoff eligibility deadline. Is it because he was already on the Suns roster after the deadline?

 

[nowagimp]

Ok now we are serious. Good move just in case we need him. This is smart. Kerr is this you?

Yes this is a good move so the suns have a defensive SF, SG to spell Hill, Bell. Hill was putting so much energy into D, his offensive game suffered. Friends of DA will call this a DA move, and the DA haters will give Kerr credit, it was probably a unanimous decision I expect. Doesnt take much basketball smarts to see that Raja coming off a sprain and Hill off a groin tweak will be hard pressed in longer stints against the better 2's and 3's. The suns need scoring out of those guys, so a credible backup defender makes sense, and Johnson is that.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

So how exactly is Linton eligible for playoffs? After we cut him earlier, he was signed by the Raptors and played his last game for them on March 31st, that's a month after the playoff eligibility deadline. Is it because he was already on the Suns roster after the deadline?

Pretty sure that is it.

 

[Suns_fan69]

I assume this is Grant Hill insurance?

 

[scoutmasterdave]

So how exactly is Linton eligible for playoffs? After we cut him earlier, he was signed by the Raptors and played his last game for them on March 31st, that's a month after the playoff eligibility deadline. Is it because he was already on the Suns roster after the deadline?

He wasn't waived by the Raptors; his contract expired. I'm pretty sure the March 1 rule only applies to players that were waived by their old teams, and they would have to be waived by March 1 to be eligible for the playoffs.

 

[Michael]

Nice move!

 

[mojorizen7]

I assume this is Grant Hill insurance?

Thats what i'm thinking. Good news IMO, very smart.

 

[Cheesewater]

Good! I love this guys intensity!

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[mojorizen7]

Good! I love this guys intensity!

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I heard he can catch & run routes with the best of 'em too cheesewater........
GO RAMS

 

[Cheesewater]

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I heard he can catch & run routes with the best of 'em too cheesewater........
GO RAMS

Hehe. RIP Rev. (He's dead to me now that he's a niner....ok not really)

 

[jagu]

If you think DAntoni would play LJ any minutes in the playoffs, your pretty much near insanity.

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

Good thing no one thought that, and it was established that this move was probably Hill insurance.

 

[Cheesewater]

If you think DAntoni would play LJ any minutes in the playoffs, your pretty much near insanity.

He WILL get minutes...in garbage time during the many playoff blowouts the Suns will inflict!!!

 

[jagu]

He WILL get minutes...in garbage time during the many playoff blowouts the Suns will inflict!!!

Hadn't thought of that but you make a great point!

 

[PoolBoy]

he might get time tonight. isn't DA sitting hill?

 

[TheHopToad]

I'm sure we brought him in for his veteran playoff leadership. He does have a ring with the Spurs afterall (like Sean Marks).

 

[nowagimp]

I'm sure we brought him in for his veteran playoff leadership. He does have a ring with the Spurs afterall (like Sean Marks).

Defense matters in the playoffs and LJ can D up better than LB, or a fatigued Hill or a tired Bell. Sometimes they just need to get some stops and rest the shooters. Having a strong Hill or Bell in the 4th quarter could be a nice result of signing LJ. I like Hills defense, but when he is out there taking on the opponents best swing player for 36 minutes, it takes something out of his offense.

 

[shazaam6]

Except for a backup point guard, D'antoni has all the chess pieces. Now it will come down to how he uses them.

My guess is he will play 7-8 guys and slowly watch us fade from fatigue which will look like missed shots, turnovers, being out rebounded and out hustled to the ball, slow at defensive rotations. At which point he will say at the press conference something like, "What was I supposed to substitute Skinner for Shaq with 6 min left in the 4th Qtr?"

This is why I want to play the Spurs first so we have the energy to kick their ass before D'antoni tires our guys out.

 

[dodie53]

nice move

 

[Chaz]

Never should have let him go when his 2nd 10 day was up.
But I guess they saved a month of salary.

They needed a backup defensive wing. Glad to see the FO addressed this.

 

[TheHopToad]

He should get dressed and get in the game...

 

[Mainstreet]

Is Linton Johnson a better contributor in the playoffs than Tucker? I'm not so sure unless D'Antoni likes his defense more.

 

[cly2tw]

Is Linton Johnson a better contributor in the playoffs than Tucker? I'm not so sure unless D'Antoni likes his defense more.

Linton has played in many more NBA games than Tucker and is proven to be quite good at defense. He is just an insurance signing, now DA realizing Pike doesn't belong on the team.