Can We Continue to Sit Shaq?

[Cheesebeef]

Time spent to be game-ready is a lot more than the 15 minutes of playing time some of you are proposing for one of the back-to-back games.

The 30.4 minutes per game that Shaq is now averaging certainly takes more than a half an hour when you consider practice, exercising, stretching, shoot-arounds, etc.

For the first time in our 41-year history, I want to see our Suns strong in the playoffs when we won't have back-to-back games.

I consider resting him during the season is essential to having us strong in the post-season. And I have confidence in Terry Porter and Shaq planning the best way to accomplish that.

The question of whether we rest Shaq vs. the stronger team in a back-to-back or the weaker is interesting.

Perhaps it should be based on match-ups in the post. Once again, I have confidence in Terry Porter handling that well.

your confidence in Porter can only come from not wanting to admit getting rid of DA was the wrong move. It's okay to say getting rid of DA was the wrong move, but filling his spot with Porter was an awful move as well.

Porter came cheap and we're getting what we paid for.

And Kerr is a moron for having the "rest back to back" plan without actually getting a backup C.

 

[Bayless2Budinger]

The loss against boston is going to do it, it will be the tipping point towards more problems boiling up.

The fact that we just lost these 2 games can very well be the dagger taking into account that game vs boston which is almost a gauranteed loss, and if we lose the game before boston dear god help us, I don't even want to think about that. Only word would be train wreck if that happends.

And if we beat Boston? Will u jump back on? Or will you continue to hide in the shadows until the next time the Suns and Amare struggle?

 

[Cheesebeef]

And if we beat Boston?

we won't so it's a moot point.

Or will you continue to hide in the shadows until the next time the Suns and Amare struggle?

you realize that will put him on here more often than not? especially in the next three weeks.

 

[Covert Rain]

Tonights game higlights exactly what I said in my original post. The Suns simply cannot afford to rest Shaq. If we lose a game we are suppose to win (with Shaq out), then drop another game with him in...we end up digging ourselves deeper.

Something has to be done by Porter or Kerr needs to do his job, intervene or go out and get another player that can actually back up Shaq. Barbosa is playing alot of PG lately and looking good. I am OK with that in short doses. That's why I think we need another big man versus guard.

 

[Forrestham]

I dont get restnig him when we havent played in a few days. ITs worse because we probably could have won against Denver with Shaq in the lienup. This has turned out to be
a good trade. The biggest prioblem is Lopez has sucked when we havent had Shaq. If he played better it is do able. The only game I could see resting him is the wizards game but then that is not a guaranteed lead. The best solution is to get a big lead and hold on to it

 

[BC867]

your confidence in Porter can only come from not wanting to admit getting rid of DA was the wrong move.

Now that's funny. You're the one talking about D'Antoni, not I.

I've stated my thoughts about the 2009 playoffs. You're posting about the past.

But yes, now that you've done so, I certainly feel more comfortable with Porter's stated and exercised plans to have a healthy and rested Shaq -- and team -- for the playoffs vs. the wear-them-out seven man rotations of the previous four years.

Again, while you're bringing up D'Antoni, did you notice that his Knicks are next to last in the Eastern Conference with a record of 15-23 (eight games below .500) -- a winning percentage of .395?

And you're calling hiring Porter an awful move?

As I said in my post, I consider resting Shaq during the season essential to having us strong in the post-season. And I have confidence in Terry Porter and Shaq planning the best way to accomplish that.

And your rebuttal centers around Mike D'Antoni? C'mon, now.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Now that's funny. You're the one talking about D'Antoni, not I.

I've stated my thoughts about the 2009 playoffs. You're posting about the past.

But yes, now that you've done so, I certainly feel more comfortable with Porter's stated and exercised plans to have a healthy and rested Shaq -- and team -- for the playoffs vs. the wear-them-out seven man rotations of the previous four years.

and I agree with this plan also... if we actually had a back-up C. But we don't... and I don't blame that on Porter. I blame that on Kerr.

What I blame Porter for is our still atrocious defense and pathetic rebounding not to mention game management.

Having a well-rested Shaq won't matter if we don't even make the playoffs... and it really won't even matter if we're an 8 or 7 seed with the way we play D. As great as Shaq is (and he's by far our best player), he can't make up for the lack of D the entire rest of the team plays and that's on Porter.

We're in between a rock and hard place. If you play Shaq too much, he's gonna break down and won't be in shape for the playoffs... but if you rest him too much, we might not even make the playoffs and even if we do, it's gonna be facing the Lakers or Spurs... both team which own us.

Again, while you're bringing up D'Antoni, did you notice that his Knicks are next to last in the Eastern Conference with a record of 15-23 (eight games below .500) -- a winning percentage of .395?

what's your point? I already said I agreed with firing DA.

And you're calling hiring Porter an awful move?

yes. hiring a guy with zero head coaching pedigree who was then part of a Pistons staff who saw that team continually underachieve every year in the playoffs was an awful move. he was the cheapest guy available and we're getting what we paid for.

As I said in my post, I consider resting Shaq during the season essential to having us strong in the post-season. And I have confidence in Terry Porter and Shaq planning the best way to accomplish that.

And your rebuttal centers around Mike D'Antoni? C'mon, now.[/QUOTE]

it revolves around BOTH. You hated DA and pretty much thought Porter was the savior. It's okay to be right about one thing and dead wrong about the other. You were right about DA (and I agreed with the move and still do), but Porter might as well be Mr. Potato Head out there IMO.

look, the whole resting Shaq plan would be great if a) we actually had a backup C, b) if the West weren't as competitive as it is with a 48 win team likely being out of the playoffs and c) if Porter weren't such a horror show as a coach.

yes, firing DA (or whatever it was) was the right move. But hiring Terry Porter was idiotic and just flat out cheap. And we're getting what we paid for.

I've yet to see where or how you've gotten this confidence in Porter though. Besides, it wasn't his idea to rest Shaq. It was Kerr's brilliant idea, followed up by his knuckleheaded idea to not get an adequate backup in order to make that plan work.