Shaq traded to Phx; Marion, banks to Miami

[Heat3]

-= original quote snipped =-

Whether he's as good or not, isn't that much of a big deal.

We get into SALARY CAP HEAVEN a few years earlier to be able to spend $$$ in Free Agency to supply Wade with HIS TEAM!

NO! Don't you know Miami is stuck with big contracts?! We can't possibly do anything until Shaq's contract ends and by then Wade will leave. No one will ever want to come and play in Miami ever!

[Krispydude]

suns werent gonna win a championship this year before this trade.

after the trade, there is at least a possibility now if shaq is motivated and healthy. huge if's.

ive never been a huge marion fan, so im not gonna cry about him leaving. he has dogged it at times this year and already said he wanted out.

nash being able to pick between amare and shaq down low will be fun to watch. teams cant crash amare anymore.

im still 50/50 on the trade though. maybe the suns just couldnt find another big man that teams were willing to part with?

[D-Wade]

well, that just bought Miami 12 more wins...good move...might just squeak into the playoffs now...man im going to hate seeing Marion 4 times a year...

No thanks!!!!!

But we'll see you in 2008-2009 for the division title.

[Triple M]

This trade is going to be remembered as the beginning to the end in Phx. Like many I think this a terrible trade for the Suns, and if it is as bad as I think it is it will set them back 3-5 years. I don't really see Shaq being healthy enough to contribute over the next two years I guess they just overreacted to the Lakers trade.

[Jules Winnfield]

Yeah I think Phoenix is stupid. First of all, Marion was the reason they were so damn good. Seriously. No disrespect to Bell, but he was their best perimeter defender. He had the length and quickness to give superstars problems. Now? Kobe, Lebron, Carmelo are going to absolutely light it up in Phoenix.

Second, I think the acquisition of Shaq means fewer possessions for the Phoenix Suns. You know Marion could get down the floor in 3-5 seconds and score well in transition. You know Marion could hit a 3 trailing the play. That's gone now.

Just from a system standpoint, how do you trade a guy that thrives in your system to a guy who has NEVER played in such a system?

It isn't just the defense on the interior where Phoenix is going to suffer. Shaq is notoriously lazy. Have you ever seen him on a screen a roll defense? He's TERRIBLE. SAS, LAL are going to have a field day bringing Shaq out to the perimeter and then using Shaq's laziness to create easy opportunities.

Also I think Marion gets more rebounds. So not only do you lose perimeter shooting, but you're still not going to be able to outboard SAS, LAL. It just ain't happening. Who besides Nash and Barbosa can be a constant threat beyond the arc?

Oh and this is going to be disastrous for Nash. I'm telling you. His assist numbers are about to dip.

No disrespect to Phoenix, but I really think you're done in the first round this season. Hollinger and I agree for once. This is a gamble that won't pay off.

[Deuce33]

If the suns would have gotten Shaq WITHOUT giving up Marion then alot of western conference teams and fans would have been a lil worried, but since the suns are giving up Their work horse in shawn marion and banks its laughable. If the Suns actually think they'll get a defensive presence in Shaq they'll be deeply disappointed, Shaq's only way of defense these days is fouling people lol. I mean comeon, The Sun's should have just kept Kurt Thomas, with him they would still have that defensive presence while still keeping shawn marion.

[D-Wade]

Kobe knocking Shaq out of the playoffs - justice served.

^Exactly what I'm hoping to see, except for the retirement part.

[the7boss]

Terrible terrible trade for Phoenix IMO.
Miami should continue the tanking and get a PG in the draft or even Deandre Jordan, so watch out for the Heat in 09, Rose-Wade-Wright-Marion-whoever....sounds good

Shaq's fit for the 5th ring was Dallas, no doubt.

[LakersSquad]

The question now is where is PHX 3 pt shooting coming from? With a Diaw Amare Shaq front court or Hill Amare Shaq. They lose the best 3 pt shooter outside of Nash in the starting line up. This should have effect on how nash plays the game. Teams can now double nash and sag off guys like Shaq & Diaw. Nash used shooters when he drove to the paint off of picks. Now when Shaq steps out the paint he becomes useless and his man can help out on Nash. while Amare (& Bell)man stays with him. Diaw isn't much of a threat just like hill isnt real a threat.

[triplet1984]

I'm sorry, but WHAT? SHAQ in a run and gun system? This makes no damn sense.

SHAQ CANT RUN!

[Harold_and_Kumar]

I don't think you are giving Nash (two-time MVP) or Shaq (4 time Champion) enough credit. Just because Nash will now have to make modifications in his ways of getting people the ball, and where they get it, people don't believe he'll be able to do it? I think that's bogus

I also think it's bogus to believe that Shaq is completely washed up, hell everyone on the Heat looked washed up, and these are the same ppl that won a championship 2 years ago. Shaq has pride, and with that he will work hard for the next two years because he wants another championship.

I am actually going to go against the grain and say this will be a good trade for the Suns, because even if it doesn't work out, they can blow it up in 2 years when Shaq's contract ends.

[I-AM-A-BEAST]

Put me down as one who thinks this is a great trade for the Suns. This will put them over the top and infact, I'm predicting they will win the title right now. Shaq is exactly the type of big they needed. An inside presence that will clog the lane and keep people out of the paint. Not to mention it keeps Amare from guarding C's which will help decreases his foul trouble and defensive liabilities.

I've always thought that Marion was overrated on D anyways. People keep talking about this versatile defender who can defend all positions, but who exactly has he shut down in the past? Dirk? Odom? Parker? Brand? Nada. He went up against all these guys in the playoffs and ALL OF THEM lit his ass up like a Christmas tree. Not to mention he ALWAYS disappears in the later rounds of the playoffs and leaves STAT and Nash to carry the his weight.

I also see improvements offensively for Phoenix as well. Shaq is gonna be in the paint surrounded by a surplus of shooters either going one on one or making great passes out of the posts to all the cutters and shooters. He gives them someone else beside Nash and somewhat Diaw who can crate offense. Marion was finisher not a creator. Shaq can finish. With Stat and Nash carrying a heavy offensive load (which will be made easier with Shaq) Marion will not be missed offensively.

Another highly underrated aspect of this trade that I don't think a lot of people understand is just how EASY Nash will make the game for Shaq.

Think about folks; You're putting one of the biggest targets in NBA history besides one of the best passers in the game. Shaq will be catching Allys and easy dump down finishes from Nash all game. NASH MAKES PEOPLE BETTER. And I think he's gonna prove it by what he could do with Shaq.

Shaq's situation in Miami is not even comparable to this with the Suns.

I mean he has shooters all over the place, compared to none in Miami. He's playing with another inside presence, compared to none in Miami.
He's playing with the best passer in the game and a supremely more talented team. Let's not forget he'll be rejuvinated as well.

And people are expecting to see the same Shaq they saw with the Heat?

This is a great trade for the suns IMO. Mark it down.

[hype_2004]

This trade just proved that D'Antoni and Sarver has no confidence in Stoudamire playing the Center spot as well as the Phoenix run and gun system to beat the Spurs half-court grind it out style in the playoffs. This maybe could just backfire in their face, I mean how can a 36 yr old Shaq with wonky knees be able to keep up with Nash and co? either he plays only spot minutes or they adjust to his style of play, this just doesn't look very good from all perspective .

[triplet1984]

The Gasol trade has just made everybody lose their minds. They seriously have gone mental and are just throwing out NBA2K trades left and right.

[Flash3]

I'm sorry, but WHAT? SHAQ in a run and gun system? This makes no damn sense.

SHAQ CANT RUN!

There aren't 5 man fast breaks.

They don't run every damn time.

[wizardg]

This trade just proved that D'Antoni and Sarver has no confidence in Stoudamire playing the Center spot as well as the Phoenix run and gun system to beat the Spurs half-court grind it out style in the playoffs. .

So no matter how it turns out its worth the chance, because they were not going to beat the Spurs and probably not the Lakers.

The question is can Shaq still score on Bynum, Gasol, Duncan, Oberto, and whoever Dallas has ... one on one and/or draw the double.

If he can do the above its a good trade.

[the7boss]

The Gasol trade has just made everybody lose their minds. They seriously have gone mental and are just throwing out NBA2K trades left and right.

[Jules Winnfield]

Right now, I'd have them favored to beat everyone but San Antonio and the Lakers and they'd have a good shot at both depending on execution, HCA, and luck.

With Shaq and minus Marion, I seriously don't think the Suns can be the overwhelming favorites in any seven game series.

I'm trying to think, but with Shaq, I think they'd have a hard time beating Houston...but could probably pull it off. I don't think they could beat GS, I don't think they could beat Utah or Dal or SAS or LAL....I don't think they could beat Denver now either. Thoughts? Am I overreacting?

[T.Duncan21]

I think now PHO, DAL, LAL and SA can all beat each other. Shaq is much more of a game changer than Marion ever was and makes PHO a real contender IMO. I thought GS had PHO's number before the trade but now there's no way GS can beat PHO. I expect these teams to finish in the top 4 and most likely make it out of the first round. On the other hand... the east should cancel its first round of the playoffs cause that's gonna be a joke.

[Flash3]

No one knows, yet.

It will take a few weeks to see how this team will fair with Shaq.

For all we know, they might be a MUCH better team with him than a lot of ppl are giving them credit for....