Phoenix Suns Blog [Category - Eddie Johnson]

Shots Didn't Fall But All-Star Weekend Still Memorable

Tue, 19 Feb 08 21:00:00 UT

I just finished one of the best experiences since I retired from the NBA eight years ago. I was able to compete in an All-Star event for the first time. I must admit that it was bitter-sweet and not because we did not win the contest and I did not deliver my fatal jumpshot on time.

Cappie Pondextor, Amare Stoudemire and Eddie Johnson prepare for their Haier Shooting Stars competition during All-Star Saturday Night.
(NBAE Photos)

It was because I felt that there were at least four times in my career that I should have made it and did not.

So I approached this opportunity with my eyes wide open and it was a moving experience for me. The city of New Orleans put on a great weekend. It was nice arriving in town as a participant because I was spoiled with transportation and conveniences that made my ability to enjoy the weekend a lot easier.

My wife Joy and I arrived on Thursday night and when we got off the plane there were a few limousine drivers waiting, but none for me. She cracked on me and said you are old and forgotten go find a cab, but to my delight when I reached baggage claim there was a driver with a sign held high for yours truly. I told Joy I guess you will be the only one catching a cab.

On our drive downtown our eyes were fixated on the surrounding areas and remembering the devastation of Katrina, but when we neared Bourbon Street we could see the beginnings of a party that was waiting to happen.

Thursday was obviously Valentine’s Day, o dinner and spending time with your loved one was first on the itinerary. That’s how you stay together for 27 years - for you novices out there.

Friday morning I was off to my participant meeting and press conference. The meeting was quick and the press conference was even quicker. I would say at least two reporters came by my table - but only to find out where Amare was and how could they find the nearest restroom.

I could care less because I was reliving a dream that I left eight years ago. How many people can say that?

Friday night I attended the Behind the Bench wives organization gala honoring Spike Lee, Billy Hunter and Deuce Macalister and had a great time. I especially had a great time acquiring some football helmets with some great signatures.

I was able to secure a Joe Montana, Barry Sanders, Joe Namath, Dick Butkus and Brett Favre autographed helmet. The one helmet I did not get was because of Spike Lee. He straight out played gangster with me on the one helmet I really wanted for my collection.

I saw a Jim Brown helmet sitting all alone with no one bidding on it and I said, "Wow, what a steal this is going to be." I bid $700 for it and when I showed up later I saw an 'S Lee' had bid $800. I did not comprehend who it was until with five minutes to go he showed up while I was hovering over the table. I said, "Come on, Spike, you can call Jim and get an autograph." He responded, "Why should I do that when I can take this one?" I answered, "Well, I am ready to fight for this autographed helmet." He said, "Let’s go" and proceeded to take the bid up from $800 to $2,000. I congratulated him and walked away.

Later that night I stopped by Michael Jordan’s party for a while and then proceeded to Harrah’s Casino in the middle of downtown to visit with a few friends. Soon it was time to head back to the hotel to get ready for the Shooting Stars competition.

I treated this Saturday like any game day I had in my 18 year career. I got up, ate breakfast, stretched and laid around till it was time to leave for the arena. I was focused and determined to win!

This is when it really became good for me. The one thing I really miss about playing is game day. To have a chance to experience it again as a participant meant so much to me. Entering into the arena, being led to the locker room where my uniform was hanging up in my locker and being spoiled was a something I wish every ex-player could go through again. Now there were some instances where you still were reminded of your current status: like the small locker room David Robinson, Bill Laimbeer, B.J. Armstrong and myself had to dress in - but nevertheless it was wonderful.

I really enjoyed sitting around and talking with all the players involved in the skills competition and observing the circus atmosphere all around us. Sometimes people get caught up in the moment but really do not appreciate the opportunity. I always try to reflect on good things afforded me in my life and I suppose it was ingrained in me because of my childhood and learning to appreciate all the good things, but I felt so special to have been selected to participate in All-Star Weekend. The smile would not leave my face even after losing out on the competition!

Now don’t get me wrong I was mad that I did not perform better, but I have been disappointed so many times in my career as a basketball player that it is easy for me to clear my mind and get back to enjoying the opportunity.

I was rooting for the Bulls after we lost because I did not want two centers to beat us, especially a Spur. The funny thing is we averaged about 23 to 30 seconds in the trials and the Spurs were above a minute, but my quick shot out of turn cost us and I must admit I became a little disheveled and missed a few attempts and that cost us.

I would also like to thank all the critics who texted me immediately after the contest to remind me of my failures. It must be because they realized that this loss by me was equivalent to Villanova beating Georgetown, Michael Spinks beating Larry Holmes and the Giants beating the Patriots. So I acknowledge that one of the greatest jump shooters of all time was upset and now I will have to live with it unless I convince the Suns to allow me to redeem myself next year in Phoenix. So I encourage all my supporters to e-mail the Suns in support of me for next year, because flukes do happen.

After I showered and came to my seat to be criticized by the boss. I knew I was in trouble when she was drinking wine already. Well she just looked at me and shook her head and said, "You tried hard, but you hurt your team." Now you see what I have to put up with being the great shooter I am.

I do have to thank Steve Nash for making my life easier because he looked like he caught my disease during the three-point contest. I doubt if it would have made a difference because Jason Kapono is a machine.

Dwight Howard is a freak of nature. I have never seen a big man dominate a dunk contest like he has the last two years. He is amazing and I love the way he enjoys the game.

Finally I went back to the hotel and enjoyed a great comedy show and after my performance, boy did I need to laugh.

Now I am looking forward to the next few months' plane rides with the team and hearing Amare and Kevin Tucker talk smack. I also expect that bench riding Tom Leander - who could not get off the bench at Brophy - to remind me of my defeat at the hands of two centers and a girl.

Sounds like a movie!

Why Phoenix Made the Deal for Shaq

Mon, 11 Feb 08 04:15:00 UT

A few weeks ago I heard about a potential deal the Suns might be involved in, but I brushed it off because around this time of year we hear all kinds of rumors.

Eddie Johnson lists the top 5 reasons the Suns made the Shaquille O'Neal trade.
(NBAE Photos)

Then when the Lakers acquired Pau Gasol, my mind started to wonder and mainly because there are two teams that the Suns view as huge hurdles to the finals: the Lakers and the Spurs.

I again started to worry because it meant more Shawn Marion trade rumors and one more round of those rumors could really destroy any progress the Suns made since the Garnett discussions last summer with regards to the Matrix.

Well, here we are again and this time it’s a done deal.

Let’s get one thing straight before I talk about the value of this trade and give my five reasons why the Suns had to make a deal for Shaq and my five reasons why it could work… Shawn Marion is one the best people and players I have ever had the pleasure of watching and the Miami Heat will find out what working hard for 48 minutes is all about when the Matrix arrives in South Beach.

Marion leaves as one of the most consistent and popular Sun players ever and he will definitely be a candidate for the Suns Ring of Honor when he retires. Shawn is the best combination rebounder and defender in this league since Dennis Rodman and the Suns will have to find a combination of players to replace what Marion brought to the table every night in those hustle categories.

I also know Shawn well enough to say that he will indeed miss Phoenix, but he understands that being traded virtually head up for the most dominant player that has probably played is nothing to be embarrassed about.

Although the Matrix factor will be missed, the Suns had to do something. Yes, they have the best record in the Western Conference. But something was not right. The dominance that we were used to see was not there on a consistent basis. We did not see the blowout games or the 20 to 4 runs that this team has spoiled us with over the last three years. The games seemed to be a grind and it wore on the fans and critics and caused us to think that maybe the Suns were becoming vulnerable. That, combined with the improvement of the Hornets, Nuggets, Trail Blazers and Warriors at the bottom of the pack, made a trip to the Finals look hazy and difficult.

So we also must assume the Suns front office and coaching staff had some of the same anxiety because they are extremely giddy at having the opportunity to put Shaq in a Suns uniform.

Here are five reasons why the Suns had to make this move for Shaquille O’Neal:

Steve Nash’s window of opportunity is closing

As each year passes, the Suns cannot expect Nash to continue to create offensively for everyone. Pushing the ball on the fast break is one thing, but having to run the two-man game 40 possessions every night against physical defenses will eventually take its toll. Nash deserves a chance to add a title to his two MVP trophies.

Spurs have never won back-to-back championships

The last time this scenario came to bear, the Dallas Mavericks used a physical combination of Erick Dampier and DeSagana Diop to wear down the Amare-less Suns to move on to the Finals against Shaq and the Heat. The Spurs have showed signs of wear and tear and the Suns do not want to miss out again on this opportunity.

Lakers add Pau Gasol factor

The Lakers could have said we traded for Pau Gasol on Halloween because it scared everyone in the Western Conference. I don’t even play anymore and it scared me. Imagine the frontline of Lamar Odom, Andrew Bynum and Gasol. Then combine it with the athleticism and shooting of Kobe Bryant and it’s obvious how every team is saying, “Why is Phil Jackson so darn lucky and why can’t he suffer for long?”

Throw in Trevor Ariza, Jordan Farmar, Derek Fisher and Ronny Turiaf. The Lakers look like a championship team this year.

Suns are 2-6 against the top teams in the West

The Suns have beaten the Lakers without Bynum and they beat the Spurs early in the season. They are 0-2 against the Hornets, lost twice to the Lakers with Bynum and got beaten by the Mavericks. The major reason for the losses has been an inability to defend the paint and the lack of defensive rebounding. Proof lays in the stats of the teams interior players when they play the Suns. Bynum averages 21 and 12. Duncan averages 27 and 17. Chandler averages 15 and 15. All above their season averages. And if you want to look further, Al Jefferson, who plays on arguably the worst team in the league, averages 32 and 16 in two Timberwolves wins this season against the Suns.

Combine this with the foul trouble of the Suns best offensive player, Amare Stoudemire, and we see why the Suns chose to pursue Shaq.

The Portland Trail Blazers and the Greg Oden factor

The Blazers are the team of the future. If Greg Oden lives up to his promise and LaMarcus Aldridge and All-Star Brandon Roy continue to grow, the Suns will have another couple of big bodies to deal with over the next few years.

So now that I have given you why the Suns made the move, here are five reasons why it could work:

First let me say this… I have heard the comment about Shaq is a shell of himself so on and so forth. Give me a break. I predicted the Heat would struggle this year and it was not because of Shaq. It was because of the players Pat Riley surrounded him with. Riley basically signed and drafted players that can’t throw the ball into the post and most importantly did not strike fear in teams with their jump shooting ability. This can ruin any big man that is a threat to post up and be productive in this league, including one of the most dominant ever.

So it’s absurd to judge Shaq on what he has done this year. He deserves to be judged on what he can bring to the Suns.

Suns rise immediately to one of the most physical teams

Shaquille O’Neal is a wall. The most overhyped stat is blocked shot. What about deterrence and altering decisions with the ball? The Suns are at the top of the league in blocked shots, but are viewed as a weak defensive team. The reason they blocked shots is because they got a ton of opportunities. Now that statistic will go down, but the opposition’s in-the-paint scoring will too. That means teams will take more jump shots and the Suns are better at that game than anyone in the league and now they also have the interior scoring of Amare and Shaq to boot.

The Suns are the worst defensive rebounding team in the league because they could not command space. Shaq will allow Amare, Grant Hill, Raja Bell, Boris Diaw, etcetera, to be better rebounders because he will eat up space and punish offensive rebounders with long outlet passes – thus allowing Nash and Leandro Barbosa to leak out.

Finally, Shaq will protect Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire from physical play. Players are physically afraid of him and he will punish you if you take shots at his teammates. I would love to see Robert Horry throw Nash to the floor with Shaq around to punish Parker or Duncan.

Three players that command serious defensive attention

Shaq, Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire will cause teams to change their defensive philosophy during the course of the game, which is extremely difficult to do.

Case in point. How will teams defend the Suns when they run the high pick-and-roll with Amare? Normally teams will rotate the weak side big defender over to challenge him. Well, if that occurs you have Shaq on the weak block flashing in for a pass from Nash or a guard trying to block him out. If teams get silly enough to rotate a small player to Amare, then they allow Raja Bell or Leandro Barbosa to have wide open three-point shots on the weak side.

Mike D’Antoni can use his full playbook now with the back-to-the-basket dominance of Shaq.

Improve the running game

The biggest fallacy about the Suns and their running game is that Shaq will slow them down. I believe it will speed them up and give them more opportunities to run. I have already talked about possessions and the physicality Shaq brings to the Suns.

Now couple that with better confidence with your defensive rebounding – thus allowing Nash, Barbosa, Hill and Bell to run out earlier. The Suns could be even more potent. Also throw in Amare running more because of not having to fight and box out big centers.

I never saw Kareem Abdul-Jabbar running the lanes for the Lakers, but I did see him igniting it with rebounding and long outlet passes, and then coming down on the block with commanding presence.

Amare will become more dominant

Because of the matchup nightmare Shaq would bring, Amare Stoudemire will benefit the most.

Foul trouble should decrease and scoring and rebounding should go up. Also watch for his weak side defense to produce more blocked shots and steals. We have never seen what Shaq could do with a young dominant power forward beside him and he has one of the best in Stoudemire, who should be ecstatic at the chance to stop battling centers every night.

Nash can play without dominating ball

This might be the most important cause of the Shaq trade and here is why.

D’Antoni would love to keep Nash on the floor and use him off the ball, but he knows the offense would stall. The addition of Shaq and his great passing out of the post will allow the NBA’s best three-point shooter to spot up for periods during the game and punish defenses for doubling.

Case in point. Grant Hill throws it in to Shaq with Nash and either Barbosa or Bell on the weak side and Amare on the elbow waiting for the short jumpshot or the run to the basket if they double off of him.

This will destroy any defense and if Shaq stays healthy the Suns will be the team to beat come playoff time.

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(Eddie Johnson's blog originally appeared on HoopsHype.com and was reprinted with permission.)

On the Road Again

Sun, 25 Feb 07 20:54:00 UT

I am back on the road after having basically a month off to watch my son Justin finish his high school basketball career at Brophy College Prep high school. I have been harassed by a number of the players mainly Kurt Thomas for taking too much time off.

Amaré Stoudemire was one three-pointer away from his first All-Star MVP award.
(NBAE Photos)

They say I am stealing money, but my response to him was that I was losing money because I could not play poker against him on plane trips.

I also think that I will start charging Shawn Marion for signing his shoes before games a normal ritual of ours the last three years. I forgot to do it before the Timberwolves game and at half time he came over and requested I do it now and he proceeded to go 6-6. I need to get paid!

Every time someone gets busted in our poker game and has to buy back in we announce it to the whole plane.

It’s pretty funny. For instance if I get busted --- Kevin Tucker (Suns head of security) screams out Rebuy for Blade III Trinity my nickname or he might scream out rebuy for Shrek a reference to Jumaine Jones. By the way when he rebuys his nickname is Bookman.

I did take some time to attend All Star weekend and all I can say is WOW!

I have never seen that many people at one event in my life. People watchers would have had a grand time in Vegas last weekend.

I saw some outfits and hair do’s that I thought would never be seen again, but it was fun.

My favorite event is the Retired Players Brunch hosted by Retired Players Association.
It is always so nice to see so many players I played with or against during my career. They honored all the ABA players at the event and it is so nice to see so many great players like Julius Erving, Rick Barry, Maurice Lucas, Connie Hawkins etc in one room.

Finally it was so nice to see Amaré and Shawn show how deserving they are to be All Stars. Amaré was one three-pointer away at the end of the game to garner the MVP.

Successful Trip and the Art of Never Giving In

Fri, 15 Dec 06 04:05:00 UT

The road trip was definitely a complete success. I get a little miserable before trips like this (five games in seven nights), because I don't like being away from my family. But, if I have to leave, why not travel with the most exciting team in the NBA?

I usually take a suit for each game, but I pulled a "Tom Leander" and took only four this time. It did not work for me because I didn’t like my tie with the suit I wore twice on the trip. All that does is convince me to never pay attention to how Tom packs his clothes.

If you don’t like this team, then something is wrong with you. I have so much fun with these guys, not just watching them play every night, but conversing with them, as well. Our poker games are legendary and on this trip I must admit Shawn Marion and Kurt Thomas pummeled me, especially on our day off in Charlotte.

It’s funny how one game can propel a team forward even more. The New Jersey game was definitely one of the best games I have ever seen. That game should be used as an educational tool for young players on how to play a great game with ultimate sportsmanship. Both teams just played hard and competed and it was a shame someone had to lose. But Steve Nash solidified again why he was MVP for two straight years and might get a third.

I thought before the trip that if the Suns beat Jersey they could sweep all five games. It would have been extremely hard to come back the next night against Boston if they had lost that one in double-OT and, as we saw, the Suns had to go to the final minute to beat the Celtics.

I am still trying to figure out who built the new Boston Garden and what the thinking was behind building a garage ramp that is so narrow that busses have to drive up backwards to get inside the arena. Our bus got stuck and we had to walk up the ramp in 10-degree weather! I remember the old Boston Garden when the visitors locker room had no heat in the winter and no air in the summer, and with only one shower head working for 12 players. So, I just assumed that our bus driver on this trip worked for the Celtics.

I couldn’t wait to leave Boston because it was cold and windy, which also meant turbulence. Yuk! Soon as I settled in I heard the captain’s voice say we will have a bumpy flight, but thankfully it turned out fine.

We enjoyed a nice day off, except for me getting destroyed on the poker table by Kurt and Shawn. It was "bad beatting Sunday" for EJ. I got my money back by going out with Kurt and putting everything on his bill, though. I keep warning those guys that they better not make me mad. I have the microphone. I was just happy that Kevin Tucker (head of security) and Tim Kempton didn’t get my money, because when they do I hear about it too much!

The Charlotte game was a cake walk and then it was on to Disney World (Orlando). This was the only team other than Jersey that I worried about ending the streak. The Magic had been playing extremely well and it was the Suns' fourth game in five nights. Plus, I knew that I would be pulling double duty on Monday night, just like I did two years ago in March when we came to Orlando.

Back then it was Illinois against Arizona in the NCAA Tournament. I was watching the game and the next thing I know Suns owner Robert Sarver was sitting next to me pulling for his alma mater. It was hilarious. I was trying to call a close contest involving the Suns and watch Illinois make a great comeback against Arizona, and deal with Mr. Sarver hitting me in the shoulder because Illinois was making a run. You should have seen Tom Leander’s face when he noticed that I was calling our game by looking at the monitor instead of the actual game.

So, he was not too happy that my Chicago Bears would be playing on Monday Night Football during this year's Suns-Magic matchup. They won, of course, and that’s when things got really juicy.

We had just landed in Miami and Kempton -- a Bear Hater who has no team other than Norte Dame, who I might add has lost eight straight bowl games -- wanted to bet me that the Bears would not win the Super Bowl this year. Now I must admit that I will argue a point regardless if I am right or wrong. My track record is pretty good at making the sky blue even when it is cloudy. I even mention on www.jumpshotclub.com (my official blog page) how I like to stimulate conversations by taking the opposite view from everyone else, just to see if I can change their mind. I also list a few people who I consider very good opponents.

Well, anyway, I mentioned how my 1985 Bears won the Super Bowl and my good friend Bob Adlhoch, who works on the Suns' telecasts, says the Bears won the Super Bowl in 1986. Which is true, but I thought he was making reference to the Bears 1986 team, which was wrong. So, I called on him to bet on it, which he did and I immediately realized I was wrong. But true to form I would not give in. That’s when the comedy begins.

I had at least five guys including, of course, Kempton, going crazy. They knew that Bob was right, but they were having a frustrating time convincing me and especially since I was picking up supporters one-by-one to side with me. I would have told Bob that he was right, but I was enjoying all the high blood pressure too much to stop. I finally walked by Bob when he was alone at the hotel and said "you were right."

After that we finished off what we started in Jersey with yet another win in Miami on Wednesday night. Although it got close at the end, the Suns finished off a great trip, 5-0, and I redeemed myself somewhat on the poker table on the way home.

Finally, if you are wondering why I will not follow Tom Leander’s advice on packing, it’s because I could not wear a tie last night, which you might have noticed on My45. It just did not match my brown suit, and I did not want to give all those guys that were mad at me about the Bears, a reason to talk about my yellow tie!