Per ESPN: Shaq headed to PHX Wednesday for a physical

[Chaplin]

That's precisely why they are not garbage rebounds. It take tremendous skill to do what he does at his size and rebound so well. Statistically, he is already one of the best rebounders at his position and size in NBA history. ESPN compared his numbers all time factoring his size and position and they stack up.

Ok, I'll give you that.

The reason we get outrebounded so often has more to do with our running system. If your system is designed to have guys cherry pick...errrr....run down the court on the wings, you can't possibly crash the boards. You can't do both.

That's just not true AT ALL. Watch any of the past 10 games and see where we get outrebounded so bad, it isn't because we're running--it's half-court teams doing it against us IN THE HALF COURT SET. That has nothing to do with running, unless you start talking about fatigue, but we're pretty good at dealing with that.

No doubt Shaq should take up realestate in the paint which should prevent much of the easy buckets the Suns give up. That is the hope anyway. The last few games I saw Shaq play, little guys were driving by him like he wasn't there. Let's hope we don't see that guy in a Suns uniform.

Amare and Shaq down low would discourage anyone from going into the lane. Shaq and Udonis Haslem? Not so much.

 

[slinslin]

Marion averages like 10 rebounds in 38mpg, Shaq averages like 8 in 28. I don't see what we are losing except for the fact that Shaq is taking up space and blocks out better than Marion which will make it easier for the rest of the guys to grab rebounds.

Plus Marion being largely ineffective in the playoffs offensively anyway. Shaq should help us pushing the opponents into the foul penalty much faster.

 

[Griffin]

He can be effective at the Suns pace. Consider this. In two games against the Suns this year, at the Suns pace, Shaq's numbers were:
21.5 pts, 10.5 boards, 4 assists, 2 blocks.

That's a bit misleading; he won't be defended by Amare anymore
But I do hope you're right.

 

[Covert Rain]

That's just not true AT ALL. Watch any of the past 10 games and see where we get outrebounded so bad, it isn't because we're running--it's half-court teams doing it against us IN THE HALF COURT SET. That has nothing to do with running, unless you start talking about fatigue, but we're pretty good at dealing with that.

I have also seen several games where Marion is the only one under the basket and the other guys are either on the perimeter (for spacing) or already off to the races thinking they will get a fast break.

That to me is system. I have seen some bad technique as well no doubt but it's a combination of factors and IMO the system is the #1 culprit.

Amare and Shaq down low would discourage anyone from going into the lane. Shaq and Udonis Haslem? Not so much.

I agree there. Again, assuming we get a better Shaq then what has showed up so far this year. I watched two full Miami games this year and guys were getting layup after layup like Shaq wasn't there. Guys didn't seem to be to intimidated by him at all in the paint.

 

[mribnik]

That's a bit misleading; he won't be defended by Amare anymore
But I do hope you're right.

But he'll have Nash feeding him the ball.

The big thing with Shaq is health. If the Suns training staff can do to Shaq what they did to Hill the Suns could be in great shape.

 

[Chaplin]

Shaq really hasn't been motivated this year. Would you be? On a team that has the worst record in the league?

My guess is that he really isn't even injured, and after our training staff (the best in the league IMO) gets a hold of him, he will be rejuvenated.

ALso, having Shaq will almost certainly improve Amare's already stellar game. And Shaq definitely is a great passing big man to go along with it. Wilt in his later years once led the league in assists, so it's possible.

 

[Covert Rain]

Shaq really hasn't been motivated this year. Would you be? On a team that has the worst record in the league?

My guess is that he really isn't even injured, and after our training staff (the best in the league IMO) gets a hold of him, he will be rejuvenated.

ALso, having Shaq will almost certainly improve Amare's already stellar game. And Shaq definitely is a great passing big man to go along with it. Wilt in his later years once led the league in assists, so it's possible.

Chap I pray your right. If not, this will go down as one of the worst trades in NBA history.

 

[Chaplin]

Chap I pray your right. If not, this will go down as one of the worst trades in NBA history.

Be honest, do you think we had a chance to win the title this year? Honestly.

If not, and Marion did the smart thing and stayed another year, do you think this same team could win it next year?

So what do you want? Do you want a title, or do you want the same old thing over and over again? I'm still torn on the trade, but at least this is a change, and on paper it could be a great change if the stars align correctly.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Shawn was getting 35+ minutes a game. Shaq will likely get 25. Who gets the extra 10?

Not Hill,
Not Skinner,
Not Amare.

The guy will be Boris, with Tucker and maybe Strawberry picking up a couple.

This is Boris' time to shine.

 

[mojorizen7]

I'm pumped!
The only factors that might F this up are Shaq's health or D'Antoni playing games.

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

Boris already gets 30+ mpg. It will be skinners minutes.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

I'm pumped!
The only factors that might F this up are Shaq's health or D'Antoni playing games.

Or if he actually ends up being the bad player we have seen so far this year and wasn't secretly pulling a Webber.

 

[Covert Rain]

Be honest, do you think we had a chance to win the title this year? Honestly.

If not, and Marion did the smart thing and stayed another year, do you think this same team could win it next year?

So what do you want? Do you want a title, or do you want the same old thing over and over again? I'm still torn on the trade, but at least this is a change, and on paper it could be a great change if the stars align correctly.

I think we had a chance. I didn't say a huge chance but a chance. A few breaks here and there (that never seem to go the Suns way) and we could get it done as is. Again I didn't say a great chance.

I have said repeatedly that I am sick of the Organizational line of "entertaining basketball". I want a title and I am sick of waiting. I like you am torn about this trade.

However, if we even get a semi-competent Shaq it could be a great trade. If not, again, will probably go down as one of the worst trades in Sun's history. I don't remember the last Sun's move that made me this nervous.

 

[JCSunsfan]

If we swap picks, its a no brainer. That Heat pick will almost assuredly be top 3.

Beasley would easily replace Marion, and Rose would be our future pg (and would be a perfect pairing with Barbosa).

To me, the pick swap is not that out of line. We are definitely giving Miami the younger, more tradeable player. THAT is what would make the trade make sense.

I wonder if Kerr had the nads to insist on it?

 

[HooverDam]

Shaq really hasn't been motivated this year. Would you be? On a team that has the worst record in the league?

The Heats record is bad in part due to Shaq being terrible.

Be honest, do you think we had a chance to win the title this year? Honestly.

Yes, the Suns had a good a chance as anyone in the West.

 

[Chaplin]

Funny how much a zebra can change its spots.

 

[HooverDam]

Funny how much a zebra can change its spots.

Are you talking about me? If so, please explain.

Furthermore, what are the doctors going to say in this physical "Well, he's an obese 35 year old with a bad hip who can't jump....so uh, you still want him?"

 

[Chris_Sanders]

If we swap picks, its a no brainer. That Heat pick will almost assuredly be top 3.

Beasley would easily replace Marion, and Rose would be our future pg (and would be a perfect pairing with Barbosa).

To me, the pick swap is not that out of line. We are definitely giving Miami the younger, more tradeable player. THAT is what would make the trade make sense.

I wonder if Kerr had the nads to insist on it?

Yes if we swap picks I will be much happier.

If we don't the trade is terrible unless we win the title.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Funny how much a zebra can change its spots.

Gambo's on the board at 1:25am?

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Gambo's on the board at 1:25am?

Gambo said it's the worst trade in Suns history. He didn't change his stripes.

 

[Covert Rain]

Gambo's on the board at 1:25am?

LMAO. Zebra....spots. That does sound like GAMBO.

 

[Chaplin]

Before today, nobody on this board gave the Suns much of a chance to win the championship. Yet now, all of a sudden they have a great chance with Marion. Funny.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Before today, nobody on this board gave the Suns much of a chance to win the championship. Yet now, all of a sudden they have a great chance with Marion. Funny.

Really after my initial reaction I believe our chances are fairly equal but for different reasons.

Before we had to hope for good shooting. Now we have to pray for good health.

With Marion you always had good health. With Shaq you can overcome bad shooting.

 

[HooverDam]

Before today, nobody on this board gave the Suns much of a chance to win the championship. Yet now, all of a sudden they have a great chance with Marion. Funny.

Well if you've been reading the board and noting the screen names of people, I've been saying the Suns have a great shot at the title w/ the lineup they started the season with. I'm all for the up tempo, perimeter oriented D'Antoni style.

Its not really funny or at all interesting, because you glomming the board all together like its all massive group think. Some people have been saying "the Suns have to get big! HRRR DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS! DA PLAYOFFS SLOW DOWN U GUYZZ" and some of us have shown statistics and argued that the Suns had a decent shot as currently constructed.

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

Really after my initial reaction I believe our chances are fairly equal but for different reasons.

Before we had to hope for good shooting. Now we have to pray for good health.

With Marion you always had good health. With Shaq you can overcome bad shooting.

Yeah, like I said in the other thread, we just traded one set of glaring problems for another set of glaring problems.