Kerr Radio Interview Recap (Interesting stuff)

[The Diesel]

Hey,

I found this recap of a radio interview that Kerr did yesterday on another message board and I thought you guys would find the following stuff interesting.

Please give your thoughts:

Here is the recap:

- He acknowledged that the Shaq trade will be a failure if they don't win a ring while he's in Phoenix

- He promised Kerr he will play out his contract (He won't retire early)

- Said they moved Marion because they didn't want to be locked into another large deal for another 5 plus years

- Kerr would be happy with 55-60 regular season games a year (I guess he is talking about Shaq? Not sure)

- They drafted Lopez to give the team a defensive presence at the basket when Shaq is out of the game

- His primary focus on the Summer League will be Lopez's adjustment to the speed and defensive 3 seconds and also on Tucker and Strawberry

Hope you enjoyed!

Thoughts?

[amitg]

where's the part where he says "we're gonna get Ron Artest, no matter what"?

oh, i guess that was a dream

[The Diesel]

I'm disappointed that Shaq is going to play another two years before retiring; he's declined so much and his reputation has been ruined these last couple of years and it's only going to get worse...

[eastsidecrossover]

Artest would be great.

As long as shaq loses weight, I am fine with him playing 2 more years. I also like that he will be played less. MD would have played him 35 mins, 82 games.

the focus should be our young 3 guys on the summer league.

I wish he would have brought up some more interesting stuff pertainning a swing man and maybe skinner, or KT.

[Miklo]

Ya but isn't Shaq still making in the $20M/yr range? Imagine if that could come off the books earlier. We should just trade him for expiring and call up Jahidi White! (joking)

[rsavaj]

Man I loved Jahidi White.

[NashtyNas]

Jahidi White.. intriguing.. on the other hand, skrew that. Shaq is a gangster. I dont care how many shaq haters there are (or Kobe lovers, whatever you wanna call em), SHAQ is still the best center in the shotclock era (until DHOWARD matures). I wish Kerr wouldve talked about who hes willing to trade, and more about Dragic and his buyout. I want Dragic over this year if its possible. I also want us to get JJ Reddick with a TE and get rid of Barbosa....

[Miklo]

Man I loved Jahidi White.

Do you remember the game when he was with us when he ABSOLUTELY shut Shaq down?? Kept him to like 8 points and few rebs or something and that was when Shaq was still dominating to some extent.

[The Diesel]

I hope Shaq will only continue to play if he still feels he can be a productive player instead of just playing because of the money.

If he struggles badly (again) next season, I hope he retires.

No need to ruin his reputation even more...

That was a good interview by Kerr; revealed a lot of interesting stuff.

By the way, what do you make of his reasoning as to why Marion was traded?

First, we heard it was because he was unhappy, now this seems to be a different reason.

Was it a good decision to trade him considering what Kerr said?

I don't think so...Marion deserved a long-term deal.

[TASTIC]

^Marion deserved a long term deal, but not for the $$$ he thought he deserved. If they'd have offered him $50m over 4 years I think he'd have said no not enough...which is unreal for a guy his age

[The Diesel]

That's a good point; but they should have pursued someone else other than Shaq.

This team is going to be a mess in a few years when Hill/Nash/Shaq retire and Amare becomes a free-agent.

The team was just fine as it was pre-trade.

And it looks like Miami is going to turn things around very quickly with a core of Wade/Marion/Beasley/Haslem/Chalmers.

That was a great trade by Miami.

I hate the way Riley treated Shaq last season and I love Shaq, but Phoenix should have just kept Marion or pursued another player to trade him for.

I mean, LA got Gasol for Kwame Brown and Marion is a MUCH better player than he is.