From: creasman@cheshire.oxy.edu (Scott Michael Creasman)
Subject: Re: Suns anti-woof
Organization: Occidental College, Los Angeles, CA 90041 USA.
Date: Thu, 8 Oct 1992 15:57:33 GMT

In article <rambis.718512230@pv3229.vincent.iastate.edu> rambis@iastate.edu (Paul L Pearson) writes:
>In <38969@sdcc12.ucsd.edu> cs161feu@sdcc10.ucsd.edu (Anthony Minkoff) writes:
>
>>dwarner@silver.ucs.indiana.edu (David J.) writes:
>>>In article <38352@sdcc12.ucsd.edu> aminkoff@sdcc13.ucsd.edu (Tony Minkoff) writes:

             [Lots of predictions concerning Suns roster next
              year including and discluding the presence of
              Kurt Rambis and Ed Neally and other guys with
              guranteed contracts]
>
>Alright, I'm biased, just because I've been a Kurt Rambis fan for so
>many years.  True, Rambis is no longer physically able to last a 
>complete season, but the p.t. he got last year should have him well
>rested for this season.  Kurt can't score-he's proved it year in and 
>year out.  With Barkley, Johnson, Majerle, et al who needs 20 ppg from
>the PF?  I guess they didn't need it two years ago when Kurt came over
>to the Suns and they began to win.  True, Kurt can't play defense as 
>well as he used to, but average defense and rebounding and hustle
>from K.R. is better than no defense or rebounding from Tom Chambers.

It is true that Rambis did provide a great deal of leadership
when he came over from Charlotte, and I do believe the Suns
have shown their appreciation.  But keeping an over-the-hill
player instead of allowing an infusion of young talent is on
the edge of idiocy.  The jabs at Chambers are beginning to get
a little annoying.  It was Chambers who offered to be sixth
man after Phoenix's premature exit against Utah two years 
ago, it was Chambers who pledged that he'd do whatever the
team asked of him to help them win, and it is Chambers who has
been participating in informal workouts in the best shape he's
been since he signed with Phoenix.
>
>And what about Ed Nealy?  Mr. Pathetic III learned how to hit three 
>pointers last year if you didn't notice.  He also plays the game 
>with some fire and work ethic, unlike Chambers.

Maybe the Suns acquired Mr. Neally and Mr. Rambis with the
intent of providing leadership (fire and work ethic) for the
younger players.  Now the Suns can no longer afford to sacrifice
those positions for that purpose.  If the presence of Neally and
Rambis will prevent them from signing Oliver Miller or their
other draftees, in the long run they'll no longer be helping 
the team.
>
>Personally, I think the Suns made the major screw-up when they traded
>anyone but Chambers.  They could have gotten a good payback for him, 
>and gotten rid of his non-existent defense, his sporadic offense, and
>his attitude.  If you want comedy, watch Chambers play center this year.
>The Suns fans who think so highly of him might sing a different kind of
>story when he goes up against the big boys in the West and allows them
>25 ppg/10 rpg.  Watch for it-his only salvation may be Barkley kicking
>him in the butt to work on D.

Chambers won't be playing center.  In fact I'd bet he'll be
the starting PF once the season begins.  Mustaf is still too
green.

>If Elgin wants to bite on your cash offer for Kurt, I guess I'll no
>longer be a Suns fan.  I lost my loyalty to Charlotte and the Lakers
>when Kurt left them.  I was hoping that Kurt would get the 'one for the
>thumb' he deserves this year with the Barkley trade, but with Chambers 
>at center-or anywhere on the team for that matter-look for the Suns to 
>bite it in the second round...again.

If your entire allegiance to the Suns hinges on the 
presence of Kurt Rambis on their roster, then I really
don't know if you're a fan at all.  The Suns have often
displayed their appreciation to Kurt for all of the 
contributions he has made to the team.  His spot on their
roster last season serves as an example.  Unfortunately,
due the rigors of age he is no longer the player the
Suns need.  It is much unlike the moves by Charlotte
and LA.  I can't fault Charlotte for trading Rambis for
new talent.  LA is another story.  The reality, is that
the Suns can no longer afford the luxury of having the
older, unused players taking up space in their roster.

Scott
>
>Paul "I'm an unstable intermediate with a long half-life at 37oC"
>Pearson-president, Kurt Rambis Fan Club, Ames, IA Chapter (unofficial)
>"Lookin' good, dude" -K.R.
>
>