Marion or Diaw?

[ASUCHRIS]

Excellent season, one of the best ever. It seems like always though, the offseason will mean changes. It is my opinion that the Suns will come to the financial situation where they can afford either Diaw or Marion. Kind of an informal poll to see if they come to that decision, who you would prefer to keep. At this point, I think I would tend to keep Boris. He is younger and has a more refined game. I like Marion quite a bit, but Boris seems on the verge of superstardom. Boris looks like his pricetag could skyrocket as well, although he likes it here...Opinions?

 

[panfolk]

Diaw because as Elindholm pointed out in another thread Diaw's fundamentals are already better than Marion so his skill potential is much higher than what Marion is already at.

 

[Evil Ash]

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

 

[PhxGametime]

Keep both and Trade Kurt Thomas... IMO Diaw's best position is PF and getting a player like Armstrong in Draft, the Team just doesn't need Kurt. If you Trade KT, you can probably keep Tim Thomas as well.


Everyone's just giving Sarver a reason to be cheap already... unless you feel KT is better than Marion, then I really don't know what to tell you...

 

[HooverDam]

^The Suns were barely better than .500 when KT went down. The Suns really need KT against teams like the Pistons, Spurs, Heat and Clippers. Unless we can find a cheaper KT (Im open to suggestions) the Suns need to try to keep him too.

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

 

[PhxGametime]

You must not know who Hilton Armstrong is, then huh lol he'd easily take KT's place (the player I believe I read on this board, that the Suns are after)... if the Suns were really considering Trading #21 and KT for a higher Pick, and it gets them Armstrong, then I hope they pull trigger.


KT was a decent defender but why keep a guy, the Team's not even gonna play in series that you clearly need the guy? If you're only expecting him to play the Spurs series for $7 Million (as I'd rather have HA AND TT against the Pistons and Clippers) and Trading away an All-Star for crap because of the cap... then it's going to be a long off-season.

 

[PhxGametime]

The Suns played well without Amare, don't tell ME they can't play well without Kurt... depth hurt us (losing both guys) not because Kurt is better than Amare BTW.

 

[Goldfield]

Diaw...

 

[KingLouieLouie]

Amare, Marion, Diaw, and KT can all co-exist and receive plenty of playing time next season because 3 out of the 4 (not KT) are versatile.....

In some situations, Diaw will be brought in as a PG to provide Nash much needed rest.. therefore... that would take immense pressure off of Barbosa (who essentially becomes a SG) because he still has that "me-shoot" mentality.....

The only 2 key players that I envision not returning next season are both TT and House..... Essentially... TT is strictly a perimeter scorer who can get inside once every so often and the Suns have several of those types.... TT will be replaced by a healthy Amare obviously and probably the Suns will manage to find some servicable shot-blocker.... House is just too streaky and the rest of his game suffers when he cannot score.... He will be replaced by probably a physical type player who will provide other intangibles.....

It's too premature to discuss '07-'08 at this time when the Suns will be forced to make a long-term decision on Diaw.... Again.. people are getting overly excited on some small sample-size.. Let's just monitor his progress and see if he manages to expand his game during the offense... bulk-up and does whatever else necessary to become more consistant and complete..... Otherwise.. it would be such a waste to squander so much money on someone who hasnt proven himself beyond one season of decency... True. he didnt get a chance in Atlanta, however, I hope Diaw isnt the type whenever he does get a lucractive contract to become complacent.. or else....

In terms of Marion..... I still contend that he will have his best campaign in '06-'07 because he wont be forced to become one of the primary options on offense... He still is one of the most multi-dimensional players in the league.. and with Amare back... Marion wont be punished inside more.. wont be forced onto the 3-point line as much.. and will benefit again a lot more from Nash's deft alley-oop passing..... He will revert back to '04-'05 form in that regard.....

 

[Goldfield]

Amare, Marion, Diaw, and KT can all co-exist and receive plenty of playing time next season because 3 out of the 4 (not KT) are versatile.....

In some situations, Diaw will be brought in as a PG to provide Nash much needed rest.. therefore... that would take immense pressure off of Barbosa (who essentially becomes a SG) because he still has that "me-shoot" mentality.....

The only 2 key players that I envision not returning next season are both TT and House..... Essentially... TT is strictly a perimeter scorer who can get inside once every so often and the Suns have several of those types.... TT will be replaced by a healthy Amare obviously and probably the Suns will manage to find some servicable shot-blocker.... House is just too streaky and the rest of his game suffers when he cannot score.... He will be replaced by probably a physical type player who will provide other intangibles.....

It's too premature to discuss '07-'08 at this time when the Suns will be forced to make a long-term decision on Diaw.... Again.. people are getting overly excited on some small sample-size.. Let's just monitor his progress and see if he manages to expand his game during the offense... bulk-up and does whatever else necessary to become more consistant and complete..... Otherwise.. it would be such a waste to squander so much money on someone who hasnt proven himself beyond one season of decency... True. he didnt get a chance in Atlanta, however, I hope Diaw isnt the type whenever he does get a lucractive contract to become complacent.. or else....

In terms of Marion..... I still contend that he will have his best campaign in '06-'07 because he wont be forced to become one of the primary options on offense... He still is one of the most multi-dimensional players in the league.. and with Amare back... Marion wont be punished inside more.. wont be forced onto the 3-point line as much.. and will benefit again a lot more from Nash's deft alley-oop passing..... He will revert back to '04-'05 form in that regard.....

Your right about Marion for next year.

But Diaw was very good this year. He stepped up more than anyone on the team in the playoffs. Between him & Amare we will be very good at scoring inside.

 

[gdiddy]

Kurt Thomas was brought in because Suns needed size aside from depth. Last season all our backup centers left, including Steven Hunter who many thought had a good future in Phoenix.

I can understand if Thomas was a lousy performer offensively, but if you trade him then you put the team back to square one because now Amare will have to play center, which is out of position for him. Let's not even talk about how Marion is out of position playing PF.

The team needs to strike a balance, and no matter how quick they play, they're gonna need some big men for the Detroits and San Antonios of the league.

 

[KingLouieLouie]

Your right about Marion for next year.

But Diaw was very ood this year. He stepped up more than anyone on the team in the playoffs. Between him & Amare we will be very good at scoring inside.

If I came across as being negative on Diaw... I didnt intend to.... In fact.. he was my favorite player this season.... I actually drafted him and Barbosa with my final 2 picks in my Fantasy Draft before the regular season started because I sensed so much potential for both of them... Obviously... Diaw exceeded mine (and everyone's expectations)....

The issue though.. one year isnt a career.... Diaw justified himself this season, however, now all the leagues in the NBA have taken notice of him.. will take him more seriously... this is where he must make some more adjustments to his game to keep him at the current level.. or of course improve himself even further....

I just hope he does add some more upper-body bulk and make enhance his game..I'll give him credit for the major upgrade to his game that he exhibited in the play-offs.. which was his ability to shread his tentativeness inside and slam the ball down with authority.... But now.. he must add some more hook-shots or more post-up moves that will give plenty of teams fits... They will wonder... will Diaw go outside and shoot the 3.. or will he be pounding the ball inside.... He will cause so many match-up problems in that regard... He might even become such a threat that Amare will be left wide open more.. .and we all know Amare was draining the 3s last summer during training camp.... So.. suddenly.... if the Suns have 2 players above 6-9 that both can shoot with effectiveness from both the outside and inside.. that will pose so many problems for the opposition....

However... if Diaw believes that he's at his best and doesnt add more to his game.... then....he will become somewhat of a non-factor because of the fact teams will guard him more and he wont manage to be the defining player he has potential to be..... That's what happened against the Mavericks in Game 6.... Diaw got-off to an excellent start.. then the Mavericks knew that they had to respect his game.. guarded him more closely and then he suddenly became a non-factor.. couldnt sustain anything.....

I was shocked last-season that the Suns made all the moves that they ended-up doing, but this offseason.. I just envision some minor tweaking is all......

 

[boisesuns]

If there is a choice, then it's Diaw. He can create his own Shot. That said, Marion and diaw work well together.

 

[Joe Mama]

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 this is the most likely scenario because unless they get something spectacular in return trading Shawn Marion is a public relations nightmare. However there is a downside to keeping him around another year. That is he's a year older, and assuming people are healthy his numbers and his role with the team will diminish next year.

Not much would surprise me this summer. It will be interesting.

Joe

 

[TucsonDevil]

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.

Best case scenario - We keep the team together next season. Marion plays well (as others have said) due to less pressure on him with other options. We win a championship and then trade Marion. That way, he won a ring with us, and we traded him at a higher value (assuming he doesn't pull a Houdini once again).

I like Marion, but if he can't perform consistantly during the playoffs, he doesn't deserve to take up that much cap space - we could find talent that can play inconsistant in the playoffs for much less.

 

[DeAnna]

Haven't we already ??

Keep 'em both.

 

[JWF]

Diaw for sure. The guy is is a walking mismatch.

 

[elindholm]

In 20 playoff games, Diaw averaged 18.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 5.2 assists. The only other players to average at least 18/6/5 in this postseason were LeBron James and Kobe Bryant. James was the only player to accomplish it during the regular season.

Diaw has put himself in some very select company.

 

[Folster]

I say both for a year. Then Diaw for sure.

 

[Phill11]

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

I could see Sarver doing so. He isn't as cheap as a lot of people think. Is he lucky how a few situations have turned out? Yes, but so far he's made all the right moves.

Sarver loves this team, you can see it by him on the sidelines. I don't think he'll have a problem forking over a bit of cash in hopes of going on step further to a championship.

 

[slinslin]

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.

 

[JS22]

Excellent season, one of the best ever. It seems like always though, the offseason will mean changes. It is my opinion that the Suns will come to the financial situation where they can afford either Diaw or Marion. Kind of an informal poll to see if they come to that decision, who you would prefer to keep. At this point, I think I would tend to keep Boris. He is younger and has a more refined game. I like Marion quite a bit, but Boris seems on the verge of superstardom. Boris looks like his pricetag could skyrocket as well, although he likes it here...Opinions?

You should have made this into a poll.

My answer: Diaw.

 

[devilalum]

If it has to be one or the other, which I don't necessarily believe then wait until next summer. Diaw will still be under his rookie contract next year. No need to rush into things.

 

[BC867]

I appreciate the job Marion did during the season helping cover the loss of Amare.

But I'm on record as saying that it would be best to move Marion for a few reasons.

He won't be a 20-10 guy when Amare returns.

He won't be happy being dropped from 3rd to 4th, with the emergence of Diaw in the frontcourt.

He's been very moody before over lack of recognition around the league.

When the opponent forces us to play half-court offense, Marion can't bust it as Diaw can.

 

[Goldfield]

If I came across as being negative on Diaw... I didnt intend to.... In fact.. he was my favorite player this season.... I actually drafted him and Barbosa with my final 2 picks in my Fantasy Draft before the regular season started because I sensed so much potential for both of them... Obviously... Diaw exceeded mine (and everyone's expectations)....

The issue though.. one year isnt a career.... Diaw justified himself this season, however, now all the leagues in the NBA have taken notice of him.. will take him more seriously... this is where he must make some more adjustments to his game to keep him at the current level.. or of course improve himself even further....

I just hope he does add some more upper-body bulk and make enhance his game..I'll give him credit for the major upgrade to his game that he exhibited in the play-offs.. which was his ability to shread his tentativeness inside and slam the ball down with authority.... But now.. he must add some more hook-shots or more post-up moves that will give plenty of teams fits... They will wonder... will Diaw go outside and shoot the 3.. or will he be pounding the ball inside.... He will cause so many match-up problems in that regard... He might even become such a threat that Amare will be left wide open more.. .and we all know Amare was draining the 3s last summer during training camp.... So.. suddenly.... if the Suns have 2 players above 6-9 that both can shoot with effectiveness from both the outside and inside.. that will pose so many problems for the opposition....

However... if Diaw believes that he's at his best and doesnt add more to his game.... then....he will become somewhat of a non-factor because of the fact teams will guard him more and he wont manage to be the defining player he has potential to be..... That's what happened against the Mavericks in Game 6.... Diaw got-off to an excellent start.. then the Mavericks knew that they had to respect his game.. guarded him more closely and then he suddenly became a non-factor.. couldnt sustain anything.....

I was shocked last-season that the Suns made all the moves that they ended-up doing, but this offseason.. I just envision some minor tweaking is all......

If there is a time teams will adjust to diaw it was in the playoffs this year. He was sometimes the best player on the court. I never thought I would say that about him, but its true.