Analyzing the Phoenix Suns trade

[The Diesel]

Many people obviously wondered how well he would play after what happened in Miami this season, but I think Shaq has done great.

He's rebounding the ball great and has played pretty good defense in general, and he's doing pretty well offensively.

Obviously, at 36, he can't put up the scoring numbers he once did, but he doesn't need to score that much because Phoenix has so many weapons.

Plus, having such great shooters at every position means more 1 on 1 match-ups for him, and if he gets doubled, he is a great passer who will find the open shooter.

I think Phoenix is the perfect place for him for these last few years of his career; they just need him to rebound, be a defensive presence and provide occasional scoring which is the PERFECT role for him at the age of 36.

He's healthy, he's motivated and he's been a good addition.

[NapoleonII]

Our offense run through Amare and Shaq is UNSTOPPABLE. It'll come down to hitting our shots and playing adequate defense. I like my chances with this team a hell of a lot better than our team with Marion.

[|||-Abaddon-|||]

Don't undermine Shaq.

He is still, in my opinion, the best center in the game, even at age 36.

I rate the best players in the league based on their impact on the game. Shaq is a force that needs to be neutralized, and that commands doubles and triples.

Phoenix, with Shaq, should slowly become a Shaq team. He still has it, the league refs have to respect Shaq once again.

This guy contually delivers. We have the chance to be one of the best assembled teams of all time.

I truly think this team is an MLE player away from being really bloody amazing.

If we dont win this year, give next year to establish and run more of our offense through Shaq.

[kevin44]

All I have to say to you regarding this trade is defense wins championships. Losing Marion makes the Suns one of the worse defending teams in the playoffs. Enigmatics- dropping from the #1 seed to the 6th seed cost you home court advantage and you can't put a price on that in the playoffs. My "prediction" with Eastsidecrossover was to inform you that this trade would cost you valueable playoff ranking and now that it has come true and the Suns will lose in the first round maybe this will wake you guys up. I have nothing against the Suns, I use to watch Nash play at Santa Clara Univ. I knew that trading Marion for Shaq would put the Suns in this position and as tough as the west is you need homecourt if you want a shot at a ring.

[PHXfan85]

Homecourt is a **** away from meaningless this season. So yes, you can't put a price on it cuz it isn't worth anything.

Even w/ Marion we would have been one of the worst defending teams in the playoffs. Shaq is an inside presence and sucks up rebounds like a black hole.

Yer "prediction" may have come true, but yer logic for making it is wrong.

[enigmatics]

All I have to say to you regarding this trade is defense wins championships. Losing Marion makes the Suns one of the worse defending teams in the playoffs. Enigmatics- dropping from the #1 seed to the 6th seed cost you home court advantage and you can't put a price on that in the playoffs. My "prediction" with Eastsidecrossover was to inform you that this trade would cost you valueable playoff ranking and now that it has come true and the Suns will lose in the first round maybe this will wake you guys up. I have nothing against the Suns, I use to watch Nash play at Santa Clara Univ. I knew that trading Marion for Shaq would put the Suns in this position and as tough as the west is you need homecourt if you want a shot at a ring.

Exactly how many Suns playoff series have you seen? We blew homecourt more times than I can count with Marion.

[The Laker Kid]

The MOST important thing that Shaquille brought to the Phoenix Suns is his leadership.. his "big brother" mentality that the team never had. Shaq will be a valuable mentor to Amare and at the same time he brings swagger and interior presence.

The battle in the West is not about speed anymore. The goal of the Phoenix Suns is to compete with the likes of San Antonio and Los Angeles - and both have superior big men. With Shawn Marion, the Phoenix Suns just cannot compete with these teams. The addition of Shaquille vastly improves their interior presence twofold.

Good trade for the Phoenix Suns.

[enigmatics]

The MOST important thing that Shaquille brought to the Phoenix Suns is his leadership.. his "big brother" mentality that the team never had. Shaq will be a valuable mentor to Amare and at the same time he brings swagger and interior presence.

The battle in the West is not about speed anymore. The goal of the Phoenix Suns is to compete with the likes of San Antonio and Los Angeles - and both have superior big men. With Shawn Marion, the Phoenix Suns just cannot compete with these teams. The addition of Shaquille vastly improves their interior presence twofold.

Good trade for the Phoenix Suns.

Good post. We would've gotten beaten up badly trying to get thru the western conference playoffs with our former front line. We couldn't let the idea of regular season glamour boys hold us hostage anymore. As we've seen time and time again, in the playoffs the game slows down tremendously and you have to be able to operate out of the half court set a lot more of the time. Being the 6th seed isn't the most desireable, but we've been growing a new identity with Shaq. The question remains, which team Suns team will show up on game nights.

Love the sig btw........noticed it earlier today in one of the other forums.

[flanpaw42]

i have noticed that the suns are much grittier now than before the trade. they, as a whole, seem to be playing with a chip on their shoulders. also, i am uite sure that nash wont have to worry about many more cheap hard fouls now. shaq is a player who isnt afraid to use that giant body of his to send a message

[kevin44]

Now what are you guys saying about this trade and the Suns future? Everyone still think the Suns made a good decision? This is exactly what I thought would happened.

[Kobe>Jordan>God]

The Phoenix Suns are OKAYING Shaq's Psychical away from completing a deal that would send the Big Diesal to the Phoenix Suns organization for disgruntled SF Shawn Marion and PG Marcus Banks.

The Suns are OKAYING Shaq's Psychical away?

WTF are you trying to say? If Shaq's psychical is OKAYED away then how will he make up new nicknames?