OT: SHAQ TO SUNS, GOOD NEWS FOR THE ROCKETS

[tmacformvp07]

YES!!!!!!!

everyone knew that phoenix style basketball is rockets biggest weakness because of the speed and small players, well no longer as suns just picked up shaq, pending a physical.

good news for us all rocket fans, with a washed up shaq, if the rockets do end up playing phoenix first round, well let's just that it's going to be very interesting, shaq vs yao WOW

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=A ... &type=lgns

[compucomp]

I have NO idea why Phoenix did this. It defies reason. There are 3 possible reasons to do a trade, talent upgrade, better fit, and contract dumping. The Suns get none of these. I agree that they are not winning a 'ship with their current team, but they should have gone for Amare/KG trade.

Phoenix is no longer a matchup problem for us... but if Shaq has something left in the tank that we don't know about, he's still a handful for anyone in the league, even Yao.

[TMU]

FIRE STEVE KERR...

[ballinforkeeps]

gonna be interesting finding out who they trade for shaq, and why. next year the heat are gonna be pretty good tho.

[TMACFORMVP]

I definitely think Miami got the better end, but I think Phoenix also got better to some extent as well assuming Shaq is healthy and in-shape (big if, I know). He gives them a guy they can run the offense through with back to the basket game when the game slows down, like it does when they play SA in the playoffs. And it's not like they'll cut off their running game, when you have Nash, Amare, Shaq, and terrific shooters, your bound to be a very efficient offensive team. I have a weird feeling it'll work out--though when I first heard it at the beginning I also thought it was horrible for Phoenix.

In no way do we still want to face them in the playoffs IMO. But they can't front us anymore so that's a plus haha

[AttackTheRack]

Hello Shaq/Kobe playoff duel.

[King Roosk]

At this age Shaquille O'neal will NOT be able to run and gun with the Suns. If they slow the game down, then that works for us. Also, I don't think we'll have to worry about Yao being neutralized vs the Suns.

Even more important, a move like this in the highly competetive WC might drop Phoenix out of the playoff race.

[AttackTheRack]

No way they drop outta' the race. Nash, Stoudamire, Barbosa, Diaw, Bell, Hill, and now Shaq? Could be dangerous.

[Iggyemu]

Woot. Hope we get the 8th spot and the stay #1. We would absolutely destroy them now they have to play Yao straight up. No fronting. 6 games at most.

[Shabi__5]

This is great great news for us , great matchup for us.
We matchup verywell with them , they don't have very good defense and I don't mind at all getting them as a 1st round matchup if this happens.

[Young_Star11]

I don't mind whoever we come up against in the playoffs.

I think we can beat any team in the West.

Of course, doing it four times out of seven is another story however.

[Young_Star11]

Of course, we actually have to make them first!

Go Rockets

[aznkillabeezZz]

Well i guess, they'll be selling alot of shaq jerseys from now on.

How much does shaq have left in the tank? we'll have to wait and see. If he played with the same numbers he had with the heat this season, it's a horrible trade. But if he can hit it off with nash, and be a monster downlow, it might work in some aspects.

But if i were Suns, i wouldn't of done it because shaq only has 2 yrs left in the tank. Marion has alot more years.

Another possibility is that Suns are trying to get back at marion for requesting a trade in early season by trading him to a team with the worst record this year.

2nd possibility is that Suns didn't believe they could cope with the bigboys defensively so they hope that shaq could somehow be the shaq of old downlow and help them to a championship. Nash makes anyone look good offensively, maybe he could produce magic with shaq. Even stoudamire is trash without nash, but he's a completely different player with nash around. Its known in the league that suns have bad defense and would never be able to beat dallas or spurs in playoffs.

[mudyez]

I'd really like to see this trade going down:

wade gets his pinky for brain (or was it batman+raobin?) and in combination with haslem its the perfect supporting duo for him...add a high draftpick and they may content soon again

as for phoenix: wow...I have to see mr. "cant stop a pick and roll" + mr. "whats helpside again?" play next to each other (without a real backup! they would average 11 fouls a night while oponents score 140 on them frequently (not saying the suns cant win nontheless)!

OT: Plz take a look at the link in my sig...there are only 2 slots open in the 08-fanatsy-draft (starting after the Allstargame) and it would be a pity if you would miss it!

[Shabi__5]

IMO Lakers and Suns just switched places in the west.
So we are in good shape , still just 3 teams we don't have a chance against.
Shaq will slow them down and will make it harder for Nash in the halfcourt , plus it gives Yao someone to matchup with and takes another great defender off Yao and even Mcgrady in Marion.
+ they are all really old , LOVE IT.

[Shabi__5]

What are the chances this doesn't go through?
I mean what are the chances he doesn't pass the physical?

[dontel]

What are the chances this doesn't go through?
I mean what are the chances he doesn't pass the physical?

about as high as tmac playing 82 games in a season

[McTracy]

Kerr is an IDIOT. Shaq is/was great but he would destroy all Suns tactic. Run and gun is over, now I wanna play the Suns

[bubba]

why dont we wait to make the playoffs first before everyone starts getting all giddy about playing phoenix in the 1st round? still quite a bit of ball to be played. rankings change. we still gotta do our job and keep beating teams were supposed to and pull out wins against teams we have trouble against.

[CuttingEdge]

This just confirms that any type of trade could happen. I'm sorry guys but I think this might mean bye bye T-Mac before the trade deadline if there's a good enough deal on the table. Riley even gave his word Shaq was never on the bargaining table and now this.