Nash Requested Shaq Be Traded

[Covert Rain]

New reports from a Suns insider are saying a big factor in this trade that went down was Nash. Nash met with Kerr and Suns FO last week. He expressed his displeasure of having Shaq become a bigger and bigger part of the team on offense and didn't like the focus of the offense.

He threatened the Suns FO that if Shaq was not dealt he would not be back with the team.

This is being reported by KTAR.

 

[Bufalay]

"Hey Nash, tell me how my ass tastes"

--the real shaq

 

[Mulli]

"Hey Nash, tell me how my ass tastes"

--the real shaq

ha

 

[Black Jesus]

I'm glad Shaq is gone. Partial about Amare if it goes down though, really want anthony Randolph involved if thats the case.

 

[Ninjafish]

Not a big surprise. It's no secret that Nash and Shaq didn't couldn't play well together.

 

[Covert Rain]

I just find it ironic that Nash would demand a trade of a player that arguably made the team stronger in the are that Nash bitched about which was points in the paint. Nash in his own words on an interview I had seen said he felt the team needed a better post presence that could get them easier buckets.

Now.....he doesn't like it. WTF?

 

[az1965]

Never liked Shaq trade.

 

[i am the bad guy]

Wouldn't be surprised if this is true. I remember an interview @ the end of the season where he said he would like to see the team get a big man that could step out and defend esp. in the PnR.

 

[Ninjafish]

I just find it ironic that Nash would demand a trade of a player that arguably made the team stronger in the are that Nash bitched about which was points in the paint. Nash in his own words on an interview I had seen said he felt the team needed a better post presence that could get them easier buckets.

Now.....he doesn't like it. WTF?

Well he's not alone in that. Judging by how many people aren't all that sad to see Shaq go, there are a lot of Suns fans that share both of those opinions.

 

[Sundance]

Was this KTAR report based on the RealGM link to Fanhouse?

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/60082/20090625/sources_nash_wanted_shaq_traded/#

According to an NBA source, Nash expressed his displeasure with O'Neal during a meeting last week in New York with general manager Steve Kerr.

Nash, still one of the best point guards in the NBA, will become a free agent after this season if the Suns can't sign him this summer to a contract extension.

"I think he told him (Kerr) that if O'Neal was there, he wouldn't be around much longer,'' said the NBA source who requested his name not be used. "That pretty much sealed it.''

Nash had grown weary of O'Neal's inability to keep up with the fast-paced play that the Suns had been so successful with in the past and with O'Neal's demand to be a bigger part of the offense.

Oh yeah, this anonymous source sounds completely reliable, not dubious in the least.

 

[Skumbag]

I only want Nash back as an offensive PG coach.... that is all.

 

[dodie53]

if Nash really said that,
then..


kinda selfish on his part imo.

 

[Covert Rain]

Well he's not alone in that. Judging by how many people aren't all that sad to see Shaq go, there are a lot of Suns fans that share both of those opinions.

I think your missing the boat. I think alot of people are not sad to see this team making changes. Check the Shaq thread. Tons of people felt it was a bad trade. On top of that for every person I have seen like the Shaq trade I am reading a OK, now let's trade "Nash" or "Amare" comment.

My point was Nash has had it both ways now. He has had a team without a paint game. He has had a team with a paint game (one of the best). Nothing has changed. When is Nash going to realize the issue is defense and he is a big part of that problem.

 

[TBaslim]

I only want Nash back as an offensive PG coach.... that is all.

Whatever. The degree to which this board underrates what Nash brings to table is stunning.

For another year or two at minimum, in an open, running offense, Nash can take just about any athletic NBA team to the playoffs, in either conference. He's still that good on offense and directing the fastbreak attack. With decent pick n roll defense from the frontline behind him, the team will mask his defensive liabilities.

All these trade ideas to blow up the frontline (Shaq/Amare) AND get rid of Nash, and have some rookie PG running with a bunch of 20-23 year old athletic forwards/centers = a 15-20 win lottery team. And one that stays that way for awhile.

Based on all the rumours, I think the Suns are either keeping Amare or blowing up / replacing their starting frontline (Shaq/Amare/SF if no Hill), not the entire team.

They would like another young PG for down the road in this draft, but they very much want Nash back this year and probably the next 1-2 years. Hence the goal of getting better defending, athletic bigs to run with him, Barbs, Hill, etc.

 

[nashman]

^Agree! 2 time MVP's aren't very important to some fans, not like we have had lots of them in Phx

 

[Jault]

Personally, i dont really care if we dealt shaq because as long as we keep amare and draft tyler hansbrough

 

[Mathew81]

Personally, i dont really care if we dealt shaq because as long as we keep amare and draft tyler hansbrough

Hell NO!

 

[Covert Rain]

Whatever. The degree to which this board underrates what Nash brings to table is stunning.

Nobody underrates what Nash brings offensively. Many just also realize how horrible Nash is at defense.

With decent pick n roll defense from the frontline behind him, the team will mask his defensive liabilities.

Dallas couldn't mask it and neither could the Suns before the Shaq trade. Pick and Roll defense was not a problem pre-Shaq trade. Where is the proof that anybody can mask Nash on defense? Also, how do you keep your big guys out of foul trouble with Nash's guys going around him? How do you stop bad rotations because our bigs are covering for Nash while leaving their man open?

 

[Darth Llama]

Is this really a surprise? It pretty much fits with Shaq's history. That's what you get with Shaq, a talented guy that fans love and his team mates hate. Shaq doesn't exactly have a history of leaving teams on good terms.

If you could only keep one of the two, it makes sense to choose Nash.

 

[cobbler]

Is this really a surprise? It pretty much fits with Shaq's history. That's what you get with Shaq, a talented guy that fans love and his team mates hate. Shaq doesn't exactly have a history of leaving teams on good terms.

If you could only keep one of the two, it makes sense to choose Nash.

Yeah... not a secret anymore. I'm curioUs if Nash will be admonished like Kobe was for years for supposedly running Shaq out of town. I'm guessing not!

 

[Ryanwb]

At least we have broken up the duo that comprised the worst pick and roll defenders in the history of the NBA

 

[Covert Rain]

Is this really a surprise? It pretty much fits with Shaq's history. That's what you get with Shaq, a talented guy that fans love and his team mates hate. Shaq doesn't exactly have a history of leaving teams on good terms.

This is not even close to being the same. By all accounts both his fellow players and coaches loved Shaq and had no issues with him here. Sounds more to me like Nash was worried about the focus shifting from himself. Let's not forget that Nash was also rumored to be a big reason Porter was fired. Nash didn't like the "focus" on defense either. Last year he also cheered the trading of Marion.

Sounds more to me like Nash has been the one instigating alot of what has happened around the locker room and organization lately.

 

[cly2tw]

I just find it ironic that Nash would demand a trade of a player that arguably made the team stronger in the are that Nash bitched about which was points in the paint. Nash in his own words on an interview I had seen said he felt the team needed a better post presence that could get them easier buckets.

Now.....he doesn't like it. WTF?

For Nash, it's all about the TEAM concept. Only when his offense were going, the team he were on would have any chance to win games. So, the TEAM concept requires him being the quasi headcoach and general manager. Hey, for so much responsibility for the team, he deserves a raise for the next 3 years, fair and sqaure!

 

[mojorizen7]

IF...IF this rumor has any truth to it(which it more than likely does)
Steve (the GM) Nash can kiss my white a$$. At this point i'd rather he go play soccer somewhere.WhoTF is in charge of this team anyway?

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"Yes Steve,you have earned the right to dictate who we fire,hire as our head coach,roster and style of play.....with all those championship rings you've aquired in your career, we will follow your lead."
Are you serious?!

 

[Bufalay]

Yeah... not a secret anymore. I'm curioUs if Nash will be admonished like Kobe was for years for supposedly running Shaq out of town. I'm guessing not!

People hate Kobe because his selfishness forced the Shaq trade which transformed the Lakers from winners into losers. People tend to dislike selfish players. Nash wanted Shaq off the team presumably because he made them suck, which is pretty different. Both are bad, but they are different.