Nash on Shaq Trade: "It was a risk we had to take."

[rsavaj]

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/training ... ons-081013

It's an INSIDER article, but I'll post the relevant quote:

The Suns also strongly dispute the claim that their season was ruined by the trade, noting that they entered the playoffs on a 15-5 surge after Shaq averaged more than 12 points and 10 rebounds in 28 games. Losing Game 1 of the San Antonio series on Tim Duncan's unforgettable 3-pointer in overtime -- and simply drawing the Spurs in the first round -- is what ruined a lot.

"You're always judged on wins and losses and we lost in the first round -- that's the way it is," said Suns president Steve Kerr, who made his first full season in charge unforgettable as well by making the O'Neal deal with Miami. "So I can't argue with people who say it didn't work. But we think he played very well for us and that we played well with him. Everyone knows we threw Game 1 away. Who knows what might have happened?

"We knew what we were doing when we made the move. It was a big gamble in many ways. But hopefully we'll be in a better position [in the 2009 playoffs] after a whole season with Shaq."

It's also Kerr's contention that getting O'Neal at the end of his career, when he has ample motivation to go out in glory, enhances the Suns' chances of keeping Shaq at the level he finished last season.

Said Suns guard Steve Nash when asked if he'd do the trade over again: "Yes. I think it was a risk that we had to take. And now that we have him for a full training camp and the whole season, hopefully we can get the most out of each other."

Shaq's take?

"I accept [the blame]," O'Neal said. "I have no problem with that. I've played 16 years and it's been my fault 12 times [when his teams didn't win the championship]. I accepted that all my life. That's fine with me. But last year I think I did everything I was asked. I just think we met each other too late. We tried to change something at the end of the season and the Spurs were just the better team. This year we started from the beginning, and by the time the playoffs come we'll know each other."

Edited: Sorry, forgot to bold Nash's contribution

[-SDU-]

i dont see a nash quote in there?

[Phx4Life08]

Said Suns guard Steve Nash when asked if he'd do the trade over again: "Yes. I think it was a risk that we had to take. And now that we have him for a full training camp and the whole season, hopefully we can get the most out of each other."

Here it is

[-SDU-]

haha im blind!

[The Diesel]

No, you're not allowed to post whole articles, ESPECIALLY if they are Insider articles.

[eastsidecrossover]

Good positive article. I agree with #4. Gragic to me is too little, too late. The suns could have had a real backup 2 years ago, but passed on it and spent more money on a guy I think that will never be as good as Rondo. I also think he is not going to be the guy we need to take those mins/games from nash and keep this team running.

Now with this new offense, maybe, just maybe Barbs can bring the ball up. I know it is asking a lot from the gunner. The reason why I bring this up is because of how well tuck is playing, and is more of a SG size wise and can play some D. So, if barbs CAN bring the ball up and give it to Hill, Diaw, or shaq and let them distribute the ball, I think we will be better. Tuck has played well and has made a solid impression of what he can be for this team. But I think it would not be a good decision to split time between bell, barbs and tuck at the 2.

[lilfishi22]

Honestly, still not sold on Tucker. He's had a few good games but it's still hard to tell if he'll make an impact. So far he's shown he can score in low pressure games ie. preseason, D-league and not much else. But he has surprised me with his production, not worth 6th or 7th man minutes, but should give him enough to rest Bell (10mpg?).

1. Can't regret the trade. It was a a trade to help our chances in the playoffs. Last playoffs we didn't get beaten by the Spurs, we lost to ourselves. So I still believe this trade will work out.

2. I think Nash's stats will take a slight dip, but definitely not a nosedive. I hope to see him get more aggressive with his scoring because I think this season we'll really need it.

3. Still waiting to see Stat with the googles (pics anyone?) Would look goofy if it was the KAJ googles, but thankfully is a "stylish" pair.

4. In a way I think comparing Barnes to Posey is a bit much. In terms of what they bring to the team is similar, but Posey is a winner, you can't argue that, he's got 2 rings and whether you like it or not, his contribution was vital to both teams in won rings with. Barnes hasn't proven much in his career, other than doing well while beating Dallas in the first round. But I agree with Shaq, every good team needs one of these guys in the playoffs. Also not happy with Dragic, I know I've said I had my expectations low, but he hasn't really shown me much at all. We've invested too much into him and giving up on potential FA so he can play the backup to Nash, which I think is a mistake.

5. The last few seasons with all the talk about title-contention was all well and swell, but so far has amounted to nothing but defeat in the playoffs. So while it's nice to have people talk about our team being a top 3 team in the league or whatever, it's just talk. Blazer's last season wasn't expected to even be in playoff contention, then they went on a 13 (or 11 I forget) game winning streak and was a borderline playoff team, (they were in for a little bit, then Den vs Gsw.) Who knows maybe it will be the same with us. Go on a nice streak, and be a serious title contender (in the eyes of the public.)

[mrtcsm]

Steve Nash when asked if he'd do the trade over again: "Yes. I think it was a risk that we had to take. Unfortunately it hasn't worked out. Guess it backfired on us. Shaq was useless in D'Antoni's system, that's why we got rid of him. Hopefully coach Porter can work something out and make something out of this 325 pounds of garbage.... I mean, Shaq!"

JK... U guys have to accept this was not a good move at all. If you can remember Steve Kerr told the media that this move as the Suns GM would either make him a genius or a moron.... So far Shaq has not looked good at all. Besides being a huge body in the paint, he is useless and can't even dunk the ball no more. In the preseason game against the Nuggets you could see Nene dominating him and Shaq was trying to make layups out of opportunities that in the past he would've dunked ferociously. IMO this was a bad move and if getting rid of Marion was the whole purpose, I think they could've obtained much more from him. Just a thought.... I am a Magic fan but I am very intrigued on how this move will play out now that Shaq has gone through a full training camp with the Suns. Nevertheless, I wish you well. Good Luck (which means, I hope you guys have no injuries and can really, at last, compete for an NBA championship).

[Mr. Sun]

Still have this upcoming season to prove out.....

[The Diesel]

If Shaq can rebound the ball as well as he did in Phoenix last season and just stay out of the way offensively, the team has the potential to be really good.

But it seems like Porter is forcing the ball to Shaq too much, and I remember D'Antoni correctly pointed out last season (at one point) that it's important not to go to him too much.

The team played really well towards the end of the season, and it's important to build on that.

But I think Shaq played better than people expected considering how awful he looked in Miami before the trade.

He averaged 13 and 11 on 61 % shooting which are solid numbers for a 36 year old guy.