All aboard! The Shaq bandwagon departs this station in roughly 8-10 hours....

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

One thing I can't wait to see though, is the first time all the Suns fans complain about Shaq getting fouled all the time. Also, when you all defend his post move and say that he isn't committing an offensive foul.

I remember all of you howling that he should foul out every game. Something tells me that a lot of you may have a different perspective this time around.

With that said, I still think this is a positive move for the Suns.

howl with glee . . . for sure.

i hate the "cheating" that goes on in the league (flops, timmy's tap dancing steps, shaq's offensive fouls) but if that's the way the league is going to call that crap i'd rather be taking advantage of that laxity than continue to be on the receiving end. i'll still acknowledge an offensive foul is an offensive foul, but i'll be happy they're refraining from calling it on MY guy for once.

 

[abomb]

I figure it doesn't hurt.

The funny thing is the same people who were saying the Suns were too small, needed to slow it down in the playoffs, and had no chance to win a title with the current group are now saying that they are worse and shouldn't do this trade.

My question is, why not? If all the above is true, then how does this hurt? If anything it gives them a fighting chance.

Doesnt hurt? You are taking a FIRST PLACE team, a racecar and replacing its four tires with wooden wagon wheels.

IMO, the Suns needed to make a move, just not this one. Shaq will have a couple of good games. He plays less than 25 minutes a game when healthy which isnt much these days.

I guess I am saying dont get your hopes up. Shaq brought my team 3 titles, but he broke our hearts a few times too, by getting surgury on "company time" and not manning up to win more titles in LA.

 

[abomb]

Kareem Abdul Jabbar.

And IIRC that fastbreak was pretty damn good too

Cap wasnt 360lbs.

 

[Renz]

Kareem Abdul Jabbar.

And IIRC that fastbreak was pretty damn good too

Kareem was never injury-prone or overweight.

 

[green machine]

Doesnt hurt? You are taking a FIRST PLACE team, a racecar and replacing its four tires with wooden wagon wheels.

IMO, the Suns needed to make a move, just not this one. Shaq will have a couple of good games. He plays less than 25 minutes a game when healthy which isnt much these days.

I guess I am saying dont get your hopes up. Shaq brought my team 3 titles, but he broke our hearts a few times too, by getting surgury on "company time" and not manning up to win more titles in LA.

Sure, I'm not a Shaq fan. I think he's lazy, and could have been a much greater player then he was if he would have actually tried (stayed in shape, worked on free throw shooting).

But as far as the team being in first place, how many said it wouldn't last or it wouldn't matter because they would get beat up by every team that has a big front line, which includes your Lakers? Once the Lakers got Gasol, how many of you thought that they were now the team to beat in the West? If you believed that, then that means the Suns were not and then they had to do something about it.

Does this move guarantee a title? No way. It does, however, mean the Suns acknowledged that maybe small-ball isn't going to win a title without some sort of defensive presence/big man, and now they got what they hope will be one.

If they could have gotten Camby, Okefor, Dalembert for this same deal I would have preferred that, but something tells me those guys would have cost Barbosa and/or the Atlanta pick, and frankly I'd rather give up Marion and Banks.

 

[SO91]

Most people here would take the heartache over the next two years if the Suns can win a title. There's never a guarantee for that to happen, but come playoff time the team looks better prepared to succeed.

 

[AsUdUdE]

Doesnt hurt? You are taking a FIRST PLACE team, a racecar and replacing its four tires with wooden wagon wheels.

IMO, the Suns needed to make a move, just not this one. Shaq will have a couple of good games. He plays less than 25 minutes a game when healthy which isnt much these days.

I guess I am saying dont get your hopes up. Shaq brought my team 3 titles, but he broke our hearts a few times too, by getting surgury on "company time" and not manning up to win more titles in LA.

The playoffs are like a Demoliton Derby.... this trade we are trading a racecar, for a Deisel....

When Shaq comes back, and we are balenced and good, I want apologies from all you Shaq Haters...

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Kareem was never injury-prone or overweight.

Laker fans I am really disappointed in your selective memory.

You gys know Shaq better then ANYBODY. You know what happens when he is not motivated. You know what happens when he has something to prove. And you also know what happens when he gets fat and happy or his team has no chance.

Doesn't the best PG since Magic (let alone the best Shaq has played with) deserve a little bit of benefit of the doubt here too?

If you think Shaq was motivated to get in shape and dominate for 2+ years in Miami - what do you think is going to happen when he is traded to the same divsion as his ARCH NEMESIS? You think he is chomping at the bit right now?

I'm worried about Fat -take time off- Shaq in 2009-10. Not this year or next.

 

[oneofthesedays]

I always thought Marion was the 2nd best player on your team. He's the glue that keeps the system together. You guys are going to miss his presence now that he is gone.

Shaq, when healthy, is not a bad player. He can still dominate in the post on offense and grab a couple of boards when needed. But for the style of play that PHX runs there couldn't be a worse fit.

I actually feel bad for PHX fans because last year was YOUR year, your shot to finally win the title. It was ruined by a stupid NBA decision to suspend Amare+Diaw. Now you are seeing the end, this is it. The last hurrah before it all gets blown up.

 

[D-Dogg]

To all the quotes about Cap not being a fat, overweight lazy player.

 

[green machine]

I always thought Marion was the 2nd best player on your team. He's the glue that keeps the system together. You guys are going to miss his presence now that he is gone.

Shaq, when healthy, is not a bad player. He can still dominate in the post on offense and grab a couple of boards when needed. But for the style of play that PHX runs there couldn't be a worse fit.

I actually feel bad for PHX fans because last year was YOUR year, your shot to finally win the title. It was ruined by a stupid NBA decision to suspend Amare+Diaw. Now you are seeing the end, this is it. The last hurrah before it all gets blown up.

You thought wrong.

 

[D-Dogg]

Sure, I'm not a Shaq fan. I think he's lazy, and could have been a much greater player then he was if he would have actually tried (stayed in shape, worked on free throw shooting).

But as far as the team being in first place, how many said it wouldn't last or it wouldn't matter because they would get beat up by every team that has a big front line, which includes your Lakers? Once the Lakers got Gasol, how many of you thought that they were now the team to beat in the West? If you believed that, then that means the Suns were not and then they had to do something about it.

Does this move guarantee a title? No way. It does, however, mean the Suns acknowledged that maybe small-ball isn't going to win a title without some sort of defensive presence/big man, and now they got what they hope will be one.

If they could have gotten Camby, Okefor, Dalembert for this same deal I would have preferred that, but something tells me those guys would have cost Barbosa and/or the Atlanta pick, and frankly I'd rather give up Marion and Banks.

I hear you man...they had to do something. I just don't think this was the best thing for them. As an opposing fan, I'm ecstatic you didn't get someone like Camby instead.

Who knows, it may work out. I don't see it happening, but who knows. It's up to D'Antoni though...HE is the one who is going to have to adjust here, and he damn sure has not shown a willingness to do that in the past.

 

[Dan H]

Shaq's defense of the pick and roll may very well be an issue.

But . . .

He never had a weak-side shotblocker behind him in LA to clean up the mess. Amare is averaging two blocks a game now . . . what's he going to do when he feasts on point guards rolling to the basket . . . ?

 

[Renz]

Laker fans I am really disappointed in your selective memory.

You gys know Shaq better then ANYBODY. You know what happens when he is not motivated. You know what happens when he has something to prove. And you also know what happens when he gets fat and happy or his team has no chance.

Doesn't the best PG since Magic (let alone the best Shaq has played with) deserve a little bit of benefit of the doubt here too?

If you think Shaq was motivated to get in shape and dominate for 2+ years in Miami - what do you think is going to happen when he is traded to the same divsion as his ARCH NEMESIS? You think he is chomping at the bit right now?

I'm worried about Fat -take time off- Shaq in 2009-10. Not this year or next.

Whether Snaq is motivated or not, I don't think he can physically get it done anymore. JMO.

 

[abomb]

The playoffs are like a Demoliton Derby.... this trade we are trading a racecar, for a Deisel....

When Shaq comes back, and we are balenced and good, I want apologies from all you Shaq Haters...

If the Suns (as currently assembled) win, I will humbly eat some crow. I just dont see it.

The Playoffs arent a DD, they are the Indy 500. Just ask Dallas last year. I cant see the ShaqSuns winning a game against GS's uptempo style.

Laker fans I am really disappointed in your selective memory.

You gys know Shaq better then ANYBODY. You know what happens when he is not motivated. You know what happens when he has something to prove. And you also know what happens when he gets fat and happy or his team has no chance.

Doesn't the best PG since Magic (let alone the best Shaq has played with) deserve a little bit of benefit of the doubt here too?

If you think Shaq was motivated to get in shape and dominate for 2+ years in Miami - what do you think is going to happen when he is traded to the same divsion as his ARCH NEMESIS? You think he is chomping at the bit right now?

I'm worried about Fat -take time off- Shaq in 2009-10. Not this year or next.

Shaq is 5 years removed from the Lakers title run and a couple removed from MIA. It is going to be that much harder for his body to get in line with his mind (if that even gets in line).

KB and Shaq buried 99% of their beef. Again, even if Shaq does get angry and wants to knock the Lakers off, his body has to agree.

Do you guys realize Shaq (when healthy) is playing less than 2 quarters of basketball per game?!?

 

[D-Dogg]

The playoffs are like a Demoliton Derby.... this trade we are trading a racecar, for a Deisel....

When Shaq comes back, and we are balenced and good, I want apologies from all you Shaq Haters...

haha...you didn't get a nice new diesel though...you got an old beat up and worn out diesel.

Not to mention your coach likes to drive 100 mph and the old diesel has knocks and pings when taken over 50 mph. HE is the one who will have to change, cause Shaq ain't changing.

I'll eat my words if he helps you out and gets you a title...

 

[oneofthesedays]

Yup I don't doubt Shaq can get there mentally. Physically I just don't think he has the goods.

 

[D-Dogg]

Laker fans I am really disappointed in your selective memory.

You gys know Shaq better then ANYBODY.

Yes, we do. And I find it odd that you are arguing with us in regards to Shaq.


But man, I know more than anyone how easy it is to look for the good in a trade. I was fully behind the Kwame for Caron trade we made...and look how that turned out (well, it turned into Pau, but still, not a good trade).

 

[Gee!]

I'll finally watch some games this season now.. Ive said all season Ive had absolutly no interest in the NBA after what happened last season.. But now Im very interested.. We just were not gonna do anything with the way it was.. Amare playing out of position and the clubhouse atmosphere which was said to be in shambles.. Now Amare moves to the 4 and, what I think alot of you may be overlooking, the clubhouse atmosphere should be a great place to be once again.. Shaq is a great locker room guy, the locker room has alot to do with winning.. Amare idolized Shaq and Shaq fawned over him rookie year.. Add that with Nash and I see the potential for something special to happen.. The window on Nash is closing quick and the current style wasnt getting it done.. I'll take a less than prime Shaq for this 2-3 year run.. Lets see what happens.. Now I need to find a Suns schedule..

GO SUNS!!

 

[AsUdUdE]

If the Suns (as currently assembled) win, I will humbly eat some crow. I just dont see it.

The Playoffs arent a DD, they are the Indy 500. Just ask Dallas last year. I cant see the ShaqSuns winning a game against GS's uptempo style.

LOL... maybe, but look at the NBA champions the past 10 years

2006-07
San Antonio Spurs
Cleveland Cavaliers
4-0
Tony Parker, San Antonio

2005-06
Miami Heat
Dallas Mavericks
4-2
Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat

2004-05
San Antonio Spurs
Detroit Pistons
4-3
Tim Duncan, San Antonio
2003-04
Detroit Pistons
Los Angeles Lakers
4-1
Chauncey Billups, Detroit Pistons
2002-03
San Antonio Spurs
New Jersey Nets
4-2
Tim Duncan, San Antonio
2001-02
Los Angeles Lakers
New Jersey Nets
4-0
Shaquille O'Neal, Los Angeles
2000-01
Los Angeles Lakers
Philadelphia 76ers
4-1
Shaquille O'Neal, Los Angeles
1999-00
Los Angeles Lakers
Indiana Pacers
4-2
Shaquille O'Neal, Los Angeles
1998-99
San Antonio Spurs
New York Knicks
4-1
Tim Duncan, San Antonio


Whats the common theme.. They ALL had a low post presence...

The bottom line is the Playoffs ARE a grind-it-out process, that with Shaq gives the suns a LOT better shot than with Marion...

 

[slinslin]

Then maybe (you Lakers fans) shut it and stop telling us the same thing over and over again, it's annoying and makes you look like angry bitter little babies who haven't won a playoff series since SHAQ.

We will see what happens, if I understood that right someone from the Miami Herald said on ktar that a year ago in a discussion between Steve Kerr, Doc Rivers and someone else who I forgot all of them picked Shaq first in a hypothetical fantasy draft over guys like Lebron because even at his age as long as he is healthy he commands a double team and gets the other team in the penalty quickly.

The only question about this trade is if Shaq is healthy for the playoffs. The question isn't if Shaq is good or not because he obviously is. He won a championship not even 2 years ago and finished 2nd in MVP voting and physically is in better shape weight-wise than he ever was for a long time.

Everyone thinks the trade will motivate him a lot and maybe because of his recent divorce he will focus more on basketball than maybe he did in the last 5 years or so.

 

[abomb]

Shaq is a great locker room guy, the locker room has alot to do with winning.

What?

Also, good to see you on the bandwagon btw. Havent you become everything you hate?

LOL... maybe, but look at the NBA champions the past 10 years

How many of those teams won with a 35 year old retread who plays 24 minutes a game?

 

[slinslin]

How many of those teams won with a 35 year old retread who plays 24 minutes a game?

Well he was 34 the last time , ok?

 

[Gee!]

What?

Also, good to see you on the bandwagon btw. Havent you become everything you hate?

Become everything I hate? How so?

 

[abomb]

Become everything I hate? How so?

Jumping on the bandwagon and grabbing a schedule now that Snaq is in town.