Shaq to Suns

[Pa Jayhawk]

They did finally make the deal on the rumors that started up earlier this week.
ESPN - Suns grow larger, acquiring Shaq from Heat for Marion, Banks - NBA
ESPN - So long, Suns, it's been fun - NBA

Personally, I'm not a big NBA fan because I feel most of the players just lack the passion they have for the game in College, and don't give any credit for defense.

[EDSGolf]

WOW! I'm surprised.

[SplooGe]

This is quit possibly the dumbest things the suns could have done. The Big Aristotle has lost more than a few steps and in no way will the $40M he's owed over the next 2 years be money well spent. The Matrix on the other hand is one of the most productive players in the game. Stupid, stupid move on the part of the Suns, however as a Lakers fan I do appreciate them handing the division over to the Lakers. If they keep the team they have for next year and stay healthy they should be the #1 team in the league.

[warbirdlover]

Dumb move Suns. Isn't Shaq about ready to retire? He hasn't been the same for a couple of years and is always injured....

[West Coast Duffer]

Horrible move by the Suns, Shaq is done! They wanna compete with the Lakers and Spurs in the west but I think the Suns time has past, they had their chance and blew it.

[ualtim]

The Suns were not getting through the playoffs with the old roster, why not change it up? He is not the Shaq of old, but he still can play the game. Besides, they did not bring Shaq in to be the "man" on the floor, they have a team loaded with stars already, Shaq will be more of a role player on the Suns.

More importantly, they brought Shaq in to be a clubhouse leader. Someone to improve the chemistry in the locker room and on the floor. Marion is a great player, but recently he has been a cancer in the clubhouse since the Suns would not sign him long term.

I like the deal. Kerr is trying to shake things up and build a team for the playoff run.

[Pa Jayhawk]

Again, not a big NBA fan, but don't the Suns play a Run-n-Gun type game? Seems if they want to make a run in the playoff, adding a player that you want to make a focal point of your offense, and that will require changing your entire gameplan and offensive scheme in mid season may make for a tough task.

[ualtim]

Originally Posted by Pa Jayhawk

Again, not a big NBA fan, but don't the Suns play a Run-n-Gun type game? Seems if they want to make a run in the playoff, adding a player that you want to make a focal point of your offense, and that will require changing your entire gameplan and offensive scheme in mid season may make for a tough task.

Thats just it, I do not think Shaq is going to be the focal point for the offense. Rebounds, blocks, and outlet passes setting up the run. Shaq will not be running the floor with the rest of the pack. Kind of like a change of pace back in the NFL, Shaq will only be seeing 20-30 mins a game.

[Slingblade61]

What? Moses Malone wasn't available?

[Sandpiper3]

Dumb Dumb Dumb Dumb move.

Yes they needed a big guy, but Shaq wasn't the guy they needed. I'll eat my words when they win with him, but he doesn't fit the style of play, it's guna be extremely tough for them to do anything with a man who cant run or barely even play...

Tim, theyll lose a lot more offense off losing Marion then they will gain defense from Shaq.

[jerome]

This move makes no sense to me. The so called experts are saying they need a big guy to defend guys like duncan and gasol out west, well Shaq is not going to be able to keep with the quickness of those guys. He is in horrible shape and I see alot of foul trouble coming his way.

By trading away Marion I see their D getting worse since the only guy on that team that can really stop someone is Bell. Stoudemire and Nash are both horrible on that end of the court. They will probably get through the first round but they will not be going any further.

[Pa Jayhawk]

Originally Posted by ualtim

Thats just it, I do not think Shaq is going to be the focal point for the offense. Rebounds, blocks, and outlet passes setting up the run. Shaq will not be running the floor with the rest of the pack. Kind of like a change of pace back in the NFL, Shaq will only be seeing 20-30 mins a game.

I guess that could be a viable option, but he would make for a rather expensive 3rd down back. In the same sense, if you are not trying to change your game plan, then 20-30 minutes may be a mild over estimate if he is just in to hold a lead and slow down the ball. I guess my thought is that if you are not paying that kind of money for a focal point in the offense, and trading away younger talent in the process, then maybe there are better options.

Or in your analogy, even though Marion Barber was a great running back and made the pro bowl as a backup, he didn't take Dallas to the promised land and will likely make them re-evaluate their offensive scheme for next year. They didn't get a ring, but still have to deal with the aggravation.

[Sandpiper3]

He is in horrible shape and I see alot of foul trouble coming his way.
jerome

coming his way as in future tense? try present tense, im pretty sure he's having problems RIGHT NOW (and past too) with foul trouble.

again, BAD MOVE.

[Daninreallife]

This is a horrible trade for the Suns, they just got $40 Mil dumped on them..

[sssmokin]

There was an interview last night with Steve Kerr (Sun's GM) and after hearing that, it seemed to make sense..............also interview with Shaq, and he's fired up..............he says he hears all the talk about him, and he always responds as he did with Miami. I believe him. Barkely was hitting Kerr with all the things negative in this thread, and I think we'll see positive results from the trade. But just for this year.