76ers vs Suns 7:00 FSN AZ

[Chaplin]

So you honestly believe had the Marion-Shaq trade not gone down, the Suns would still be in this "funk" ? Damn............i dont see it.

I dont see a Marion factored Suns team losing to a mediocre Sixers team. A team that played last night against GS vs the Suns who had two days off to prepare.

Sorry, but i have to disagree.

Sigh, another Laker fan that knows nothing about the Suns.

 

[MiamiHeat]

Suns were #1 rank in the Western conference..... if marion was there, there's no way they go down like this 2-4 or 2-5 in the games that shaq played.

i feel sorry for Suns fans becuase i love the suns style of ball and steve nash needs a ring. the biggest BS ever was last year's spurs series with the ejections that were too harsh. hopefully SUns can find someone to take Shaq in the off-season and replace some management if you want to

 

[GorrilaLips]

you are just frustrated at the Suns right now and are venting out on me. that's a primal reaction, come on you are humans, not chimps. control yourselves!

you are mad at the Suns for losing. i'm only saying that shaq is your problem

Yes, I am frustrated with my suns team right now. Fact.

Venting out on you. False. (I replied to your comments, look back at your response to me....you mention things that I never even bring up that annoy you.)

Mad at the suns for losing to an 8th seed team in a conference that we WERE 6-0 before this game. Fact.

You only saying Shaq is our problem. False.

 

[az1965]

So you honestly believe had the Marion-Shaq trade not gone down, the Suns would still be in this "funk" ? Damn............i dont see it.

I dont see a Marion factored Suns team losing to a mediocre Sixers team. A team that played last night against GS vs the Suns who had two days off to prepare.

Sorry, but i have to disagree.

It seems you have interest in this team after Shaq's trade and have not really followed this team. Yes, we could still have lost even with Marion. In fact, we lost TWICE to the sucking Wolves and at the time gave them 2/7 of their total wins. And we lost to the sucking Heat and at the time gave tham 1/5 of their total wins. So, yes were losing even worse games WITH Marion.

I did not see the entire game today, just from 9:00 min mark in the 4th when Shaq was NOT in the game and the Sixers were abusing Suns, hitting every shot, getting to the foul lines, we could not buy a shot. They stretched the lead from 7 to 14 while Shaq was on the bench.

 

[Michael]

This looks even worse than I feared when we traded for O'Neal. It's still just 6 games with him in the line-up, but it's not like we have some rookies on the court.

It shouldn't take half a year to integrate a veteran player into a veteran team - neither on offense, nor on defense.

I agree with Yuma. The effort seems lacking which is the last thing I expected after the trade. I expected enthusiasm, emotion, effort and hard work.

To the people starting to bash Nash: Think back three years. When we aquired him, we hoped to get 2 or 3 years of him at a nice level of play. Some veteran leadership and playmaking.
What Steve gave the Suns is beyond words, and nobody could dream of him having an impact like he had.
Now that his age finally starts to show and his play is not MVP-worthy but All-Star worthy only, it's just so wrong to see peole blaming him.

We still have a good team. Those past three years were legendary. The best Suns stretch I witnessed. 2005 with that 33-4 ? start, the All-Star domination, so much fun, resurrecting the fastbreak, winning awards....
2006 starting as underdogs with incredible play by Diaw and Barbosa along Nash's second MVP award. Incredible series with the 2 LA teams and a good fight with Dallas.
2007 - possibly the best Suns team there ever was and finally injury-free. It should have been the year, but we all know what happened.
2008 - Yes. We all expected to compete again. But it looks like every other team improved, while age is finally an issue for Phoenix.

Now I lower my expectations. I won't be disappointed if we can't get the title this year and enjoy a good Suns team as long as I can.
Who knows for how long we'll be a 50-win- team? It'll be hard next year and the year after.

In two years however, it could be new excitement all over again. Lots of cap space and some interesting free agents, who would make a nice addition to Leandro and Amaré (maybe DJ and Alando, who - I think - has a lot more to offer than what we've seen).

We had worse teams before and found something to cheer for.

Over the last three years, Suns fans were among the luckiest NBA fans out there, I believe. Spurs and Heat got the best, arguably. But after that it's Phoenix.

So much joy, so much fun. Deep playoff runs. Spectacular players. We had it all.

So of course, it feels like a step back now. But we still have a good team, that could make some noise in the postseason. And maybe they will surprise us all.

 

[Trophytown]

Sigh, another Laker fan that knows nothing about the Suns.

Nothing.....i know nothing ? I know the Suns arent playing any defense. I know an avg Sixers team logged 119 pts when they only avg 96. What does that tell YOU ? The Suns during the Marion era this season allowed the opponent to score above 117pts in 6 contests. Post Marion its already allowed the opponent to score more than 117 pts, 5 times thru 11 games. Now while you were sub par defensively with Marion as a team, you are much worse minus Shawn. I KNOW that much.

 

[GorrilaLips]

This looks even worse than I feared when we traded for O'Neal. It's still just 6 games with him in the line-up, but it's not like we have some rookies on the court.

It shouldn't take half a year to integrate a veteran player into a veteran team - neither on offense, nor on defense.

I agree with Yuma. The effort seems lacking which is the last thing I expected after the trade. I expected enthusiasm, emotion, effort and hard work.

To the people starting to bash Nash: Think back three years. When we aquired him, we hoped to get 2 or 3 years of him at a nice level of play. Some veteran leadership and playmaking.
What Steve gave the Suns is beyond words, and nobody could dream of him having an impact like he had.
Now that his age finally starts to show and his play is not MVP-worthy but All-Star worthy only, it's just so wrong to see peole blaming him.

We still have a good team. Those past three years were legendary. The best Suns stretch I witnessed. 2005 with that 33-4 ? start, the All-Star domination, so much fun, resurrecting the fastbreak, winning awards....
2006 starting as underdogs with incredible play by Diaw and Barbosa along Nash's second MVP award. Incredible series with the 2 LA teams and a good fight with Dallas.
2007 - possibly the best Suns team there ever was and finally injury-free. It should have been the year, but we all know what happened.
2008 - Yes. We all expected to compete again. But it looks like every other team improved, while age is finally an issue for Phoenix.

Now I lower my expectations. I won't be disappointed if we can't get the title this year and enjoy a good Suns team as long as I can.
Who knows for how long we'll be a 50-win- team? It'll be hard next year and the year after.

In two years however, it could be new excitement all over again. Lots of cap space and some interesting free agents, who would make a nice addition to Leandro and Amaré (maybe DJ and Alando, who - I think - has a lot more to offer than what we've seen).

We had worse teams before and found something to cheer for.

Over the last three years, Suns fans were among the luckiest NBA fans out there, I believe. Spurs and Heat got the best, arguably. But after that it's Phoenix.

So much joy, so much fun. Deep playoff runs. Spectacular players. We had it all.

So of course, it feels like a step back now. But we still have a good team, that could make some noise in the postseason. And maybe they will surprise us all.

that's a good way to keep the spirit up....

maybe all the good memories is what some of us still want from our team and we still believe we have a chance. It really sucks though lately....like watching a car wreck in slow motion; unfortunately the car you're watching is your car.

 

[MiamiHeat]

.........

 

[Chaplin]

Nothing.....i know nothing ? I know the Suns arent playing any defense. I know an avg Sixers team logged 119 pts when they only avg 96. What does that tell YOU ? The Suns during the Marion era this season allowed the opponent to score above 117pts in 6 contests. Post Marion its already allowed the opponent to score more than 117 pts, 5 times thru 11 games. Now while you were sub par defensively with Marion as a team, you are much worse minus Shawn. I KNOW that much.

You have no idea about the reasons that Shawn got traded. You prove it with every post you make.

 

[GorrilaLips]

.........

what was that...edited out the part where you mentioned "no wonder shaq's wife shaunie cheated on him...."

say again?

 

[MiamiHeat]

what was that...edited out the part where you mentioned "no wonder shaq's wife shaunie cheated on him...."

say again?

wow i know you are mad at your team for what has happened, but quit your silliness

 

[Trophytown]

You have no idea about the reasons that Shawn got traded. You prove it with every post you make.

Okay........i dont really care about the intimate details of why Marion got moved. If you move a player of that caliber you'd better bring back something in return ---something that brings advantages or improvement in other areas or a similar benefit the player you just moved (brought). Shaq brings you no benefit whatsoever. You say rebounding ? But i say wheres the defense ? If Marion insisted he wanted to leave for whatever reason that might be, then tell him you will accomodate his wishes when the season is done. This not only gives you time to survey the available pools of other teams talent and whom might be a potential trading partner, but it also gives the team and the new player(s) a training camp and a preseason to become acclimated to the team and its schemes offensively and defensively. Making the trade while you were in first place in the hotly contested Western Conference was just plain stupid.

The Suns are now like an artist thats trying to "paint on the run". As a result the artwork looks sloppy.

Again, you move Marion after the season.

The defense rests, your honor !!!!

 

[GorrilaLips]

wow i know you are mad at your team for what has happened, but quit your silliness

oh....I see, so now you're denying it huh. editing out the fact that you commented on something so stupid....
Too bad I saw that before you were done, moron.

 

[MiamiHeat]

The problem is Marion has an option to OPT OUT of his contract after this season, so the SUNS were worried he would opt out and go sign somewhere else. so the suns felt they needed to get some value for him or else get nothing after the season.

however , as an NBA guy, i don't agree with them acquiring shaq. cap killer etc.....
as a HEAT guy, i'm thankful to stevie kerr

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Stop with the insults or I will begin issuing bans. If you need to insult others, walk away from your computer.

 

[Chaplin]

Okay........i dont really care about the intimate details of why Marion got moved. If you move a player of that caliber you'd better bring back something in return ---something that brings advantages or improvement in other areas or a similar benefit the player you just moved (brought). Shaq brings you no benefit whatsoever. You say rebounding ? But i say wheres the defense ? If Marion insisted he wanted to leave for whatever reason that might be, then tell him you will accomodate his wishes when the season is done. This not only gives you time to survey the available pools of other teams talent and whom might be a potential trading partner, but it also gives the team and the new player(s) a training camp and a preseason to become acclimated to the team and its schemes offensively and defensively. Making the trade while you were in first place in the hotly contested Western Conference was just plain stupid.

The Suns are now like an artist thats trying to "paint on the run". As a result the artwork looks sloppy.

Again, you move Marion after the season.

The defense rests, your honor !!!!

I guarantee you, 1st place or not, the Suns with Marion probably weren't going to win the title. Marion never plays well in the playoffs. He's been that way for 7 years. 7 years!

Trade him in the offseason? Sure, but that is tantamount to conceding the season. We're not playing well now, but the Shaq trade was made precisely so that we can make more noise in the playoffs.

 

[MiamiHeat]

Next SIX GAMES :
Blazers Nuggets Jazz Spurs Grizzlies Warriors.

Warriors Nuggets games are very important games.
Grizzlies should be an easy win.

 

[bigfoot]

To the people starting to bash Nash: Think back three years. When we aquired him, we hoped to get 2 or 3 years of him at a nice level of play. Some veteran leadership and playmaking.
What Steve gave the Suns is beyond words, and nobody could dream of him having an impact like he had.
Now that his age finally starts to show and his play is not MVP-worthy but All-Star worthy only, it's just so wrong to see peole blaming him.

We still have a good team. Those past three years were legendary. The best Suns stretch I witnessed. 2005 with that 33-4 ? start, the All-Star domination, so much fun, resurrecting the fastbreak, winning awards....
2006 starting as underdogs with incredible play by Diaw and Barbosa along Nash's second MVP award. Incredible series with the 2 LA teams and a good fight with Dallas.
2007 - possibly the best Suns team there ever was and finally injury-free. It should have been the year, but we all know what happened.
2008 - Yes. We all expected to compete again. But it looks like every other team improved, while age is finally an issue for Phoenix.

Now I lower my expectations. I won't be disappointed if we can't get the title this year and enjoy a good Suns team as long as I can.
Who knows for how long we'll be a 50-win- team? It'll be hard next year and the year after.

In two years however, it could be new excitement all over again. Lots of cap space and some interesting free agents, who would make a nice addition to Leandro and Amaré (maybe DJ and Alando, who - I think - has a lot more to offer than what we've seen).

We had worse teams before and found something to cheer for.

Over the last three years, Suns fans were among the luckiest NBA fans out there, I believe. Spurs and Heat got the best, arguably. But after that it's Phoenix.

So much joy, so much fun. Deep playoff runs. Spectacular players. We had it all.

So of course, it feels like a step back now. But we still have a good team, that could make some noise in the postseason. And maybe they will surprise us all.

I hate you. You're making me cry.

 

[Trophytown]

Next SIX GAMES :
Blazers Nuggets Jazz Spurs Grizzlies Warriors.

Warriors Nuggets games are very important games.
Grizzlies should be an easy win.

No........no......you cant take that approach in this league anymore. There are no such things as easy wins. Especially the way the Suns are playing it would be dangerous for them to overlook anyone. ANYONE. "Ain't" no more GIMMIES.

 

[CaptainInsano]

At least it will be nice when grant hill opts this summer (since we are plummeting like a comet right now). Then next year we will get a lottery pick, at least we have a pick in 2009.

Some people knew that 2010 pick without top 3 protection could come to bite us, now it is almost gauranteed.

 

[MiamiHeat]

No........no......you cant take that approach in this league anymore. There are no such things as easy wins. Especially the way the Suns are playing it would be dangerous for them to overlook anyone. ANYONE. "Ain't" no more GIMMIES.

well... the 76ers were 26-33 before they beat the suns, but they are better than the grizzlies

 

[dodie53]

i ate too much because i was upset at how the Suns play

 

[phillycard]

Okay, I'm happy now. On a side, i still want you guys to go all the way. This Shaq ish is just way to convoluted for a drunk man to comprehend right now. Oooph.

 

[Suns_fan69]

When the Suns made the trade I thought the offense would sputter for a bit while integrating someone of his impact but I thought the defense would be quite a bit better from what we are seeing right now. Maybe we've been spoiled by Shawn, but we're routinely getting killed in steals and that was a relatively big source of points for us in the past.

It's true, defensive rebounding is no longer a glaring issue with Shaq manning the paint but our perimeter defense has taken a huge hit, and I'm not really sure why as Shawn played 4 most of the time. The good news is I think there is hope, but it has to start with D'Antoni. Stop with your schemes!

First of all, Shaq and Amare should stop freaking showing hard on every pick and roll. It just puts them out of position and forces everyone to rotate leading to open jumpers. Seriously, this annoys me to no end. Go overtop the screen damn it!

Second of all, all the perimeter defenders should be overplaying on the outside and force the drive. You have Shaq and Stat on the inside, stop sagging back! This is one of the main defensive principles of the Pistons when they had Wallace and Sheed. Billups and Hamilton are great at funneling their guys into the back wall and there's no reason why Phoenix cannot do the same with the team they have..

I won't claim that this will fix all of the Suns problems but it's obvious what they're doing is not working.

 

[BuddyFranklin]

Shaq post game,

“We have to have some urgency and stop some people,” he said. “I’m fitting in. I’m swinging the ball to the top and I’m only taking four or five shots a game. I’m just rebouunding and trying to fit in. But right now we just have to stop people.”

Shaq should be getting 8 to 10 shots per game. I bet if he continues to get so few attempts they'll be more to come, especially when Bell is sucking it up.