The Suns are Rolling

[Biff]

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I agree. I honestly think this is the best big man tandem since Duncan and Robinson. And the rest of our team is quite a bit better than that Spurs team was. Shaq during this win streak has been much better than I expected. He's rebounding the ball as well as he did during his rookie season, which was his best rebounding year.

Gordon Giricek was a huge addition. He's really surprised me. Solid defense and another nice scoring boost off the bench. We're actually a legit 8(9 if we play Skinner) deep. Our bench has gone from average to one of the best in the league just by adding Gordon.

Best big man tandem since Duncan and Robinson??? Perhaps.

But lets say its a wash wiht the big men....HECK, ill give

Shaq,Amare a slight advantage over Bynum, Gasol

So, whats the equalizer?

Ahhhh yes,

The best player in the NBA: Kobe Bryant.

When each game is close and it comes down to the wire, similar to the last time,

Whose more likely to close it out 4 times out 7. Only the best closer in basketball, Kobe Bryant. He and Lebron James, that is.

Amare is a lot better than Gasol. I'd say it's probably a wash with Bynum and Shaq. Bynum might be a little better at this point in his career talent wise and athletically but Shaq is a lot more experienced and brings intangibles that Bynum doesn't have yet, leadership being the main one.

Kobe hasn't been able to close out a series since Shaq left. He was up 3-1 and was unable to close. Considering we were missing Amare that year, I don't think our team was THAT much better than the Lakers. The greatest player in the NBA should have been able to close out a 3-1 lead. He might be the MVP this year, but he's been unable to win a series without Shaq. Lebron's team last year wasn't any better than the team's Kobe has had and he led them to the finals. Kobe also has the advantage of having one of the best coaches in NBA history.

I think talent wise the Lakers and Suns are pretty even. I think the Lakers have the talent to beat anyone but I also think the same of the Suns. We're still having problems with our turnovers and Grant Hill has been banged up. We're only going to get better. As will the Lakers I'm sure.

[Milan24]

Lebron's team last year wasn't any better than the team's Kobe has had and he led them to the finals

So you are saying that if the Suns played Clevland last year in the playoffs, then the Suns would of lost in the first round. If not then this statement has no substance.

[generic_two]

- Shaq was never out of shape because he NEVER failed a conditioning test in Miami.

You know, a lot of what you just suggested was laughable, but this is the icing on the cake. Remember when Riley suspended Walker and Posey for having a higher percentage body fat than he would have liked? How was Shaq excused? And no, you aren't going to convince me he had less than 9%. He's always been given a pass for his lack of conditioning because he makes up for it while he works his way into shape going into the playoffs. We saw this every year in Los Angeles, and it's only been getting harder for him to do as he gets older.

Don't worry, Phoenix fans. You'll get to see what we're talking about next season. The Big "Cactus" is rolling right now, but it's just because he's had a couple months off and it's post-season time.

[Nebroc]

[quote="Biff"][/quote]Shaq's leadership did wonders in Miami.

[The Diesel]

Shaq "killed" his conditioning test going into the season according to Riley.

He came to camp in great shape this year and he was in great shape his first year in Miami.

The only year in Miami where he wasn't in great shape was his 2nd year because he felt if he bulked up from the previous season, he would put up even better numbers than the previous year.

Obviously, it didn't work out, but he wasn't out of shape due to laziness or anything.

Nobody is doubting there were times in L.A. where he wasn't in great shape, but for the most part in Miami, he was in very good shape.

He was not as out of shape in Miami as some people have said.

That was the point I was trying to make.

[Nebroc]

Ah, Pat Riley. His word is one to trust.

[dub81]

I guess Shaq has to be perfect just to get respect. Everybody had flaws in there game. Including MJ. But the problem I have for people on this forum is the lack of respect they give to Shaq. Clearly 1 of the best players ever, but no matter what he does. He does not get any respect. What must he do?

[LakerRings]

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Amare is a lot better than Gasol. I'd say it's probably a wash with Bynum and Shaq. Bynum might be a little better at this point in his career talent wise and athletically but Shaq is a lot more experienced and brings intangibles that Bynum doesn't have yet, leadership being the main one.

Kobe hasn't been able to close out a series since Shaq left. He was up 3-1 and was unable to close. Considering we were missing Amare that year, I don't think our team was THAT much better than the Lakers. The greatest player in the NBA should have been able to close out a 3-1 lead. He might be the MVP this year, but he's been unable to win a series without Shaq. Lebron's team last year wasn't any better than the team's Kobe has had and he led them to the finals. Kobe also has the advantage of having one of the best coaches in NBA history.

I think talent wise the Lakers and Suns are pretty even. I think the Lakers have the talent to beat anyone but I also think the same of the Suns. We're still having problems with our turnovers and Grant Hill has been banged up. We're only going to get better. As will the Lakers I'm sure.

The truth about the 3-1 series is that it was lost in a downtown hotel room. When Kwame got investigated for the hooker incident (later proven to be completely erroneous) he stopped playing well - and he was the key to the Lakers entire strategy. Kobe couldn't have taken over that series - you couldn't out shoot the Suns because it plays into their strengths as a run and gun team. Phil's strategy was to slow the game down and pound it inside to Kwame, over and over and over. Unfortunately, when Kwame lost his mind, he became even worse at catching the ball and rebounding.

I just don't think you can say fairly that Kobe should have been able to pull it off, when the team strategy was for him to do the exact opposite of what you are suggesting he should have done.

[generic_two]

The only year in Miami where he wasn't in great shape was his 2nd year because he felt if he bulked up from the previous season, he would put up even better numbers than the previous year.

Okay, wait. Only year? He was only in Miami for two and a half seasons (can you really count the third season where he played in half the games, or the following season when it was the same thing?). He went into Miami wanting to prove something, which is why he got into the best shape of his life. Then he "bulked up" (read: slacked off) just like he did every year in LA, and everything went back to normal.

[BRINGTHEPAIN]

I agreed the Shaq should have bulked up in Miami because it did appear he was being pushed off the block too much (and even having his shot blocked often). When I heard he was bulking up that year I approved. Though with the Suns its very appropriate for him to be light due to the up-tempo offense and hustle-role he plays.

[generic_two]

I agreed the Shaq should have bulked up in Miami because it did appear he was being pushed off the block too much (and even having his shot blocked often).

When Jared lost all that weight eating Subway sandwiches, was he a bulked up dude before, or a fatty? Why must we call it "bulking up"? Just call it what it is: Beefcake.

Though with the Suns its very appropriate for him to be light due to the up-tempo offense and hustle-role he plays.

You can kiss that "hustle-role" goodbye during the off-season when he gets spare time on his hands and decides to get surgery on company time. How many more years do you have him on the payroll?

[BRINGTHEPAIN]

The Shaq has one year left after this on his contract, and his aim is to equal Jordan's 6 rings. If the Suns don't win 2 rings I wouldn't rule out a one-year deal if Shaq is healthy.

The Shaq says he only puts weight on if he lifts weight, so it is easy to get his weight down, he just doesn't lift.

[-SDU-]

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Exactly, Bill Walton was right. Say what you want about Vince but Shaq tanked it in Miami.

did shaq tank it or did riley?

pat riley bred that stigma of giving up

ive lost so much respect for the guy, especially after his surgery during the season last year when he said he wouldnt have had it done if they were winning

the guy lost his passion and gave up, no wonder shaq wasnt motivated. tanking no, passionless yes! can you blame him?

look how much passion shawn marion is playing with lately.......

[Texas Longhorns]

I don't think the Suns can win their next game against the Celtics. But, I've seen Philli beat Boston, so the Suns can too. I just don't think they will because Boston will be out for revenge after their loss.

[BRINGTHEPAIN]

I just love Boston's homecourt, this is a good game to DVD.

[Nebroc]

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did shaq tank it or did riley?

pat riley bred that stigma of giving up

ive lost so much respect for the guy, especially after his surgery during the season last year when he said he wouldnt have had it done if they were winning

the guy lost his passion and gave up, no wonder shaq wasnt motivated. tanking no, passionless yes! can you blame him?

look how much passion shawn marion is playing with lately.......

I feel terrible for Shaq that he had to play under that terrible coach Pat Riley with Dwyane Wade. Life is woe.

[BRINGTHEPAIN]

Ah ha yep well Riley and Wade at the worst of their careers. Especially Riley what was he been smoken..