OT: Shaq to Phoenix more than a rumor

[Dat2U]

Shaq would be a fine acquisition if he was an MLE signee. I do think he can offer some help in limited minutes. Here's my problem with this move though. Marion was such an integral part of the Suns success. Marion often kickstarted the Suns fastbreak by getting out in transition and running the floor at breakneck speed. He was Nash's main outlet.

Marion was also the only Sun outside of Raja Bell who gave a rats ass about defense. Replacing him with Shaq could possibly mean even more trouble defensively for the Suns. Shaq hasn't defended the pick & roll in years. He can clog the middle but I don't see how Shaq is going to be very effective with guys like Nowitzki or Bass (when Dallas goes small), Duncan, Boozer or Okur and etc challenging him nightly. Teams are going to run the pick & roll every single play with Shaq out there.

Also I heard that there's an expectation that Diaw & Grant Hill can somehow step in a replace what Marion gave them. I don't believe it. Diaw is a skilled player, but extremely low energy and lackadasical for the most part. Nor is he physical. He's the complete opposite of Marion. Grant Hill isn't a defender and there's no sure bet on how long he can stay healthy and in the lineup.

Not to mention Shaq's own health is a huge issue. I just think Phoenix just eliminated themselves from Championship contention and aged themselves greatly in the process. I can understand them wanting to make a move to get over the hump, but this just reeks of a move of desperation. I think the front office really misses the decision making of Colangelo. They don't have a clue what their doing down there.

[Wiz99]

I think Steve Kerr must have been looking at a list like this. Basically, nearly any quality big man playing the Suns has an outrageous night stat-wise. It's like 9 times out of 10. I went through Nov. and Dec. and looked at any game where the sun's opponent had a decent big man (am at work, don't have time to do January). The Suns get ROASTED. Their stats for the game are first, and their season averages are in parentheses.

Argue if you want whether Shaq is the right solution, but clearly they needed to do SOMETHING. How do you expect to win a chip with defense so soft in the middle?

11/4: Ilgauskus 22 & 13 (14 & 10)
11/9: Shaq 25 & 10 (14 &
11/10: Dwight Howard 33 & 18 (22 & 15)
11/13: Curry 17 & 8 (14 & 5)
11/17: Yao 12 & 6 (22 & 11)
11/23: Kaman 17 & 14 (17 & 14)
11/28: Yao 31 & 13 (22 & 11)
11/30: D. Howard 30 & 23 (22 & 15)
12/2: Curry 21 & 8 (14 & 5)
12/4: J. O'Neil 30 & 11 (15 & 7)
12/7: Jamison 16 & 11 (21 & 10)
12/8: Al Jefferson 32 & 20 (22 & 12)
12/10: Shaq 18 & 11 (14 &
12/12: Boozer 24 & 13 (22 & 11)
12/15: Chandler 14 & 18 (12 & 12)
12/17: Duncan 36 & 17 (20 & 11)
12/19: Dirk 31 & 9 (22 & 9)
12/22: Bosh 42 & 13 (23 & 9)
12/25: Bynum 28 & 12 (13 & 10)
12/27: Kaman 9 & 9 (17 & 14)
12/28: Kaman 22 & 20 (17 & 14)

All this helps me understand why Gasol or AK47 might not have been their first choice: no one's ever accused Gasol of playing elite D, and AK as good as he is can't guard Duncan, Yao or Bynum, so he doesn't solve their problem.

On the other hand, I could see Kerr convincing himself that if Shaq can gear up to offer even 75% of his former dominant defense when crunch time hits in the playoffs, that would be a big improvement. Add to it that he still commands doubles on the O, and it can look like a good deal.

[Ruzious]

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They almost need a new Ted Stepien type rule for Memphis to protect the franchise. How bout every Memphis trade has to be approved by a majority of the Wiz forum to be finalized.

Pop agrees with me! Well... sort of.

February 9, 2008 - 1:20 am
Sports Illustrated -
Memphis GM Chris Wallace challenged all executives who are speaking out against the Pau Gasol trade to do so on record, and according to Sports Illustrated, Spurs' Coach Gregg Popovich did just that on Friday night.

"What they did in Memphis is beyond comprehension," said Popovich. "There should be a trade committee that can scratch all trades that make no sense. I just wish I had been on a trade committe that oversees NBA trades. I'd like to elect myself to that committee. I would have voted no to the L.A. trade."

When told that Wallace had challenged executives to criticize the deal publicly, Popovich replied, "Well, there you go. I'm on the record."

[Black Jesus 1]

Marion seems like the whiny type who'd rather have the spotlight than a winning record. I wouldn't want him on the Wizards.

Exactly what he is.
Hate to say it, but it's true.

[miller31time]

Exactly what he is.
Hate to say it, but it's true.

The odd thing was that it never seemed to affect his on-court performence. Even though he was pretty whiny, he still seemed to give 100% effort on every Suns possession.

But I only watch Suns games that are nationally televised. You watch every game. Is there something about his performance I'm missing?

[-SDU-]

^ nope, he was always giving his all regardless of how he felt

ON the court

there were off court issues, and its been noted many times this year when marion has not helped a fallen teammate up etc

[Black Jesus 1]

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The odd thing was that it never seemed to affect his on-court performence. Even though he was pretty whiny, he still seemed to give 100% effort on every Suns possession.

But I only watch Suns games that are nationally televised. You watch every game. Is there something about his performance I'm missing?

Well, the fact he was happy about getting traded from a 35 to 9 win team and always complaining about him not being respected by the league pretty much let everyone know what he's about..personal accolades over team

On the court though, yea, he was great, left all that stuff off the court, but deep down, he wanted to be THE man else where.

[LyricalRico]

Miami played with more energy and excitement with Marion...but still lost. Of course they were playing a Western Conference contender in LA and Marion has only had one practice. Still, I get the feeling that they're going to need a lot more.

[miller31time]

Shaq's first game with the Suns is going on right now.

I'm not sure I like the fit (it just doesn't seem to make sense), but he is giving them a physical presence they haven't really had.

[LyricalRico]

Yeah, Shaq really does look out of place. But he's filling up the lane, getting boards, and REALLY opening things up for Amare. I think you'll see more of an impact from the Big Cactus in the playoff, though.