Marion or Diaw?

[Goldfield]

Well it might just be Diaw playing for a contract but I doubt that. I'd keep Diaw and I would move Marion because Diaw should be a SF ideally once he devellops his perimeter game and especially his shooting.

I don't want to see Diaw as our PF or C of the future. That will not get it done.

I want to agree with that logic but it worked this year in this system and (although I would like to see us get alittle bigger) Dantoni will continue to go small.

I do believe a lineup of Diaw, Amare, Marion will be very good next year. But I only see the Suns keeping those contracts for one final year before moving Marion. JMO

 

[JCSunsfan]

Get rid of Marion while he still has value. However, what is his value today? I think this last playoff series hurt his value a bit.

I completely disagree with this. Marion showed up big time in the first two series. GM's have seen this. Their memories are not as short as fan's are.

This entire year has enhanced Marion's trade value immensely, its only his salary that makes it difficult to deal him.

If we wanted to deal him, that is.

 

[SunsTzu]

I wish Sarver would pay the luxury tax just for next year, because this team is so close if healthy.

Suns shouldn't be in tax range next season regardless, it is the following year(the final year of KT's deal) when Diaw's and Barbosa's extentions take effect(assuming they are extended) that they would be in danger.

 

[Joe Mama]

Suns shouldn't be in tax range next season regardless, it is the following year(the final year of KT's deal) when Diaw's and Barbosa's extentions take effect(assuming they are extended) that they would be in danger.

the Phoenix Suns might be in the luxury tax range (they will be right there) just from their draft picks. If they re-signed Tim Thomas A. would almost certainly be over the luxury tax. Only way that wouldn't happen is if there is a huge boost in league revenue.

Joe Mama

 

[George O'Brien]

I know the Suns have reputation for not paying much attention to defense, but I can't help but think Suns fans are worse. Who do the want to trade?

Kurt Thomas - the team's best interior defender
Shawn Marion - the team's second best outside defender

What do they want in return? More offense.

What killed the Suns in the Dallas series was that they couldn't stop the Mavs once Bell got injured. In the playoffs the refs tend to permit holding, which slows the game terribly and the Suns only chance is to be able to stop opponents. Trading away their defenive players doesn't solve that.

 

[Mainstreet]

IMO, replacing players like KT, James Jones or even a Barbosa would be the easiest to replace if they would provide enough salary cap relief.

However, I really think D'Antoni thinks Barbosa's upside is off the chart and will want to keep him based upon the comments he's made. I trust D'Antoni when evaluating players.

Signing Diaw is a must.

If an excellent trade offer came the Suns way for Marion, I would have to listen because of his salary.

Just curious, (cap aside), would anyone trade Marion for the Number 1 draft pick from Toronto?

 

[JCSunsfan]

I know the Suns have reputation for not paying much attention to defense, but I can't help but think Suns fans are worse. Who do the want to trade?

Kurt Thomas - the team's best interior defender
Shawn Marion - the team's second best outside defender

What do they want in return? More offense.

What killed the Suns in the Dallas series was that they couldn't stop the Mavs once Bell got injured. In the playoffs the refs tend to permit holding, which slows the game terribly and the Suns only chance is to be able to stop opponents. Trading away their defenive players doesn't solve that.

I agree with you on this--half way.

Marion is our second best outside defender, AND a pretty good interior defender. We would miss is defense tremendously if we traded him.

KT has NOT been our best interior defender, primarily because he is not on the floor. If he can't get pt, his defensive abilities do us no good. I know he was injured, but he is also an aging player, and stress fractures tend to be a chronic problem (Bill Walton's career was decimated because of them). We would probably be better off with a little bit worse of a defender, whose health is a little more dependable.

 

[Nasser22]

For next year you keep both. After that however if you have to choose based on financial reasons then you choose Diaw.

He has a higher ceiling and will probably be cheaper.

I'd still prefer to keep this team together as long as possible with some minor improvements

I agree. And I think Tim Thomas may have to go, but Speedy Claxton would be a good pick-up.

 

[Mainstreet]

I agree with you on this--half way.

Marion is our second best outside defender, AND a pretty good interior defender. We would miss is defense tremendously if we traded him.

KT has NOT been our best interior defender, primarily because he is not on the floor. If he can't get pt, his defensive abilities do us no good. I know he was injured, but he is also an aging player, and stress fractures tend to be a chronic problem (Bill Walton's career was decimated because of them). We would probably be better off with a little bit worse of a defender, whose health is a little more dependable.

Also, there is no way KT has the quickness to guard Dirk. Actually very few players have that ability. Actually, I think Steven Hunter could have posed a few problems for Dirk with his height. He certainly could have not stopped Dirk but it would have been good for the Suns to put a taller defender on Dirk in particular situations much like the Mavs used Diop. At least Hunter could have altered some shots when the Mavs drove it to the hoop. Although Dirk could run over Skita, I was curious if he could have effected Dirk's outside shot a tad. Too bad Skita lost those extra 20 ponds he had when he played for Denver.

However, I know D'Antoni would be hesitant to use Hunter because he doesn't have an outside shot.

 

[Nasser22]

I think Kurt is our best interior defender. No one can guard Nowitzki with much luck. We could put Amare and Marion on him and they can switch off. We need Kurt though. The Suns gave up 8 points per game more without him in the regular season. He did a good job guarding most big men.

 

[elindholm]

I know the Suns have reputation for not paying much attention to defense, but I can't help but think Suns fans are worse. Who do the want to trade?

Kurt Thomas - the team's best interior defender
Shawn Marion - the team's second best outside defender

What do they want in return? More offense.

This argument would carry more weight if Marion had played better defense against the Mavericks or Lakers, but I don't recall him slowing anyone down. So basically, he was a solid defensive presence in the Clippers series, but otherwise got torched by the likes of Odom, Nowitzki, and Josh Howard.

Marion's defense is overrated. He's pretty good at guarding wing players, although generally not any more effective than Bell. He's competent in the post, but no better than a run-of-the mill player with true PF size (which Marion lacks).

 

[Mainstreet]

I agree. And I think Tim Thomas may have to go, but Speedy Claxton would be a good pick-up.

I agree Speedy Claxton woul be an excellent pick-up for the Suns. I would like to keep TT if possible because I know D'Antoni will play him.

In fact, I would prefer to keep TT over KT, because KT just did nor seem to fit the Suns new style. I think, if healthy, Amare will help with the Suns' interior defense. He certainly has the ability. And TT can spread the floor even better that KT.

 

[jibikao]

Keep Kurt Thomas. When KT was healthy, we played like the top 3 teams with that long winning streak. I don't know how much improvement Amare can make this off season but he couldn't guard the paint.

I vote for Diaw simply because he is a lot cheaper. With Diaw's versatility and passing, it's a lot easier to find guys who can fit him than finding guys who can fit Marion.

 

[scoutmasterdave]

Marion's defense is overrated. He's pretty good at guarding wing players, although generally not any more effective than Bell. He's competent in the post, but no better than a run-of-the mill player with true PF size (which Marion lacks).

Marion is a very decent defender, but I agree that he's overrated. The one thing he has is versatility - he can guard point guards and centers - but he's not a shutdown defender at any position.

 

[SirStefan32]

I think they have to sign Diaw. That should not be open for debate.

The question is- who is going to be gone- Tim Thomas, Shawn Marion or Kurt Thomas.

I think Kurt has to be back in Phoenix next year. He is a good, very tough defender, and probably the only guy on the Suns' roster who knows how to block out and grab a rebound.

Tim Thomas has been GREAT! He played hard, gave it all he had, played some D and rebounded.

Marion seems to be the odd man out to me. He had a couple of good offensive games, but he was torched by everybody he tried guarding. The problem with trading Shawn is that I am not sure people would give us much in return. If I were a GM, I wouldn't touch Marion with a ten foot pole.

 

[SirStefan32]

he can guard point guards and centers

I would disagree. He can guard shooting guards and SMALL small forwards, and that's about it.

 

[elindholm]

I hadn't realized this before, but Tim Thomas is only a year older than Marion (29 vs. 28 ). Of course Marion is a better player, but replacing Marion with Thomas wouldn't make the Suns significantly older.

 

[boisesuns]

Man, next year we will have three guys ahead of Marion that can create their own shot. That will be huge.

 

[scoutmasterdave]

I would disagree. He can guard shooting guards and SMALL small forwards, and that's about it.

Marion did an excellent job on Sam Cassell in the second round, and historically he has done very well on Nowitzki...

 

[Nasser22]

You don't get rid of Marion when you don't need to get rid of salary just yet. Next year I think Marion will look even more impressive and help us more when he goes back to SF. Then we can trade him for more the next off-season when we actually need to get rid of him. He's perfect for our style though and will help us win. We also need KT. I love what TT did for us but he's going to have to go unless he takes very little money to stay and win or Sarver doesen't mind paying the luxury tax if we go over 1 year.

 

[Joe Mama]

I'm not sure how I really feel about trading Shawn Marion. The Phoenix Suns would have to get a significant return, and I'm not sure any team is really going to give that to them.

I don't see how he is going to look any better next year unless the Phoenix Suns suffer significant injuries again.

Joe

 

[cly2tw]

I'm not worried about Dirk as long as we have a healty team. Actually, TT's defense on him was adequate for most part. With another year learning to defend the bigs under the tutlage of KT, he'd only be better.

What would we get for Marion?

Chicago: Deng, Duhon, Songaila for Marion
Boston: Pierce for Marion

 

[panfolk]

The problem with trading Shawn is that I am not sure people would give us much in return. If I were a GM, I wouldn't touch Marion with a ten foot pole.

Good point. Kind of discouraging though. I think maybe they have to live with an inconsistent performer that puts out a great stat line. If only they could get him to stay away from the 3 point line.

 

[elindholm]

Marion's game is very effective in the regular season. Not every team in the league has to worry about competing in the conference finals within the next three years. Marion's value is plenty high.

 

[panfolk]

Anyone think Ratliff could be a Suns success? The Blazers will need to replace Miles and they shouldn't be looking to get any younger (i.e. their high draft pick) so they might be a suitor for squeaky clean Marion (image problems as you all know). Maybe Ratliff and filler for Marion? I'm uneasy about the Marion trade stuff. Kinda torn on the issue. Just curious. And of course you'd have to wonder if the Blazers want to get rid of their only AllStar.