Per ESPN: Shaq headed to PHX Wednesday for a physical

[JCSunsfan]

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

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[Bufalay]

Why couldn't they get Jermaine O'neal for Marion? That would've been a much better trade.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Why couldn't they get Jermaine O'neal for Marion? That would've been a much better trade.

NO, I don't think so. Okeafor would have been better long-term.

I just want to see Shaq on the court and watch for a while. To me, the big deal is DAntoni. He's not very flexible.

 

[Ode to Ocho]

Not sure what you Sun fans are complaining about.

This makes you a better a playoff team, who matches up much better with SA/LAL for the next two seasons. After that, both Shaq and Nash's contract expire and you can rebuild around Amare/Barbosa.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

NO, I don't think so. Okeafor would have been better long-term.

I just want to see Shaq on the court and watch for a while. To me, the big deal is DAntoni. He's not very flexible.

No great coach is flexible.

Is Phil Jackson flexible with his offense? Nope.

Is Bill Bellicheat flexible? Nope

Pat Riley? Nope

Don Nelson? Nope

Coaches have to be supremely confident in their system otherwise the players won't believe in it.

 

[mojorizen7]

To me, the big deal is DAntoni. He's not very flexible.

My thoughts too.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

No great coach is flexible.

Is Phil Jackson flexible with his offense? Nope.

Is Bill Bellicheat flexible? Nope

Pat Riley? Nope

Don Nelson? Nope

Coaches have to be supremely confident in their system otherwise the players won't believe in it.

BTW I stole this from an NFL commentator this weekend on why Bellicheat and Coughlin were "inflexible". Once you thought about it, only loser coaches change with the wind. They aren't real leaders.

 

[Ode to Ocho]

No great coach is flexible.

Is Phil Jackson flexible with his offense? Nope.

Is Bill Bellicheat flexible? Nope

Pat Riley? Nope

Don Nelson? Nope

Coaches have to be supremely confident in their system otherwise the players won't believe in it.

Actually, I see your point completely and share that sentiment.

But your current squad wasn't winning any titles anyways.

Shaq for all his faults will still be a force in the playoffs. Too much pride and Ego not to show up against the Lakers or Spurs. And Nash is GOOD enough to run some half-court sets and keep everybody involved.

 

[Griffin]

Let's look at the bright side: with Banks gone, DJ will get more playing time.

 

[playstation]

No great coach is flexible.

Is Phil Jackson flexible with his offense? Nope.

Pat Riley? Nope

Coaches have to be supremely confident in their system otherwise the players won't believe in it.

you've got to be kidding me

do you remember showtime? do you remember the 90's knicks? if riley was inflexible, i'd think these teams would have played similarly.

great coaches ARE flexible in that they find their players strengths and play to them instead of forcing them to fit a "role"

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

Let's look at the bright side: with Banks gone, DJ will get more playing time.

Boy we really stuck it to Miami for having to deal with Smush AND Banks.

 

[Joe Mama]

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.

I honestly believe that the current team had a better chance of getting taken out in the first round. In fact I would say they had a much better chance of getting taken out in the first round. This is something I'm not just saying because I'm trying to support the trade. It's incredibly risky. Shaquille O'Neal could miss the entire playoffs whereas Shawn Marion is always healthy.

Here's what we have to hope happens...

The training staff goes to town on Shaq. He doesn't need to be able to run up and down the court with Amare Stoudemire, but he should at least be able to make it down to the offensive end with more than 10 seconds left on the shot clock. If he's healthy in the playoffs like the Phoenix Suns chances.

Steve Nash, Leandro Barbosa, and Raja Bell have got to shoot well from beyond the arc. They are going to get A LOT of opportunities to keep opposing defenses from completely sucking into the middle. Fortunately Amare is an excellent midrange jump shooter, and Boris and Skinner aren't too bad either.

Shaquille O'Neal will average 10+ rebounds per game on this team with ease as long as he plays 25-30 minutes per game.

It's going to be interesting for sure.

Joe

 

[mojorizen7]

Are we going to see anything like this big, slow diesel trailing the play?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMX1FGwyr38
Probably not...but you get the idea.

 

[jandaman]

If this goes through.

Im hoping both teams swap picks... if so its not too bad.

I think with Nash, and a team concept ball.

Shaq will get 15 a night and about 7-8 boards, whilst preventing many second chance points with his size alone.




The shooters will also get more open looks.... Shaq, even at his age, when he gets a few easy looks , 3-4 shots in a row... usually gets doubled for the rest of the night... in the SUns system, it will benefit towards the end of the game, just make sure he passes it out before the foul comes in.


The way I look at it, it is an "all-in" moment when the Lakers got bigger...
Because Shaq can neutralize Bynum and a bit of Gasol by himself by simply putting a body near them... Amare will then have to take advantage.


Duncan will also have a big body on him that can push him out.

Skinner can relieved Shaq or play next to him.

 

[jandaman]

The thing is.... Shaq better put some effort for the rest of the season...

OR

Teams will simply run us out... it'll be ironic.. that the suns are more prepared for the playoffs.... but misses out..

The west has 10 teams with 6-7 games above .500... and it'll get tighter.

Suns lose a few during adjustments.. or Shaq healing... then they'll find themselves 7-8 spot...

 

[Feeble Mcjackson]

shaq complains all the time about not getting enough touches, how is that gonna work here in phoenix? Not to mention he has horrible numbers this year and is out of shape. terrible trade if we do this.

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

shaq complains all the time about not getting enough touches, how is that gonna work here in phoenix? Not to mention he has horrible numbers this year and is out of shape. terrible trade if we do this.

Shaq's complaints about touches are not very high on my concern list personally.

 

[taz02]

wow....

 

[taz02]

Sorry for the double post but I had to pick my self off the floor...This is the craziest trade I've ever heard of. With the Laker move and suns chemistry troubles this team has no chance to winn it all. Now there is at least a chance. If we can dump banks and swap picks this is a great deal.

Shawn and wade will make a good pair for miami..

 

[dodie53]

woohoo!

Shaq will be revitalized in Phoenix!

go suns!

 

[jlove]

If the only players in this trade are Marion, Banks and Shaq, then due to Shaq having a $20 mil contract 2 years from now and Marion's contract being gone for Miami, then a pick swap is definitely waranted and should be required for Phoenix to complete the deal.

As far as Marion goes, I hate to see him go because he does so much on the court. It was inevitable though that either him or Amare were gonna be traded either before the deadline or this summer. With Shaq, the deal has me on the fence and with questions. Is and has his health concerns been legitimate? I mean, who wouldn't fake an injury or 2 playing for Miami? Is his hip really hurt, or was he faking since Miami has no hopes or chances of making the playoffs. He gets paid whether he's on the bench in street clothes or playing. If he's healthy, he's a major piece to the puzzle. He dominates on the boards or clears enough space inside for Amare to get the rebounds and he intimidates opposing players on both ends of the court. Boris and most likely DJ get more playing time as well with this move. Time will tell as to how this deal pans out. If he's healthy than it's a major move and catapults us to definite favorites at least out here in the West. We'll definitely gain more rebounds than we have and we'll have a much better chance of getting that elusive NBA Title.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

It come down to this...

Everyone wanted a post defender and we got one. Everyone wanted someone to move Amare to PF and we got one (one of the most underrated pieces to this move). Everyone wanted a guy who can command double teams for our shooters and we got one.

The deal is what it is. A reaction move to Pau Gasol. But I think this was a risk worth taking.

And everyone wants to point to Shaq's numbers this year. Well on that Heat team he had 15 pts and 8 rebounds with no outside shooters, without DWade for much of the season, and playing for a horrible team. Shaq ain't KG - he ramps up when he wants to ramp up. Just like Grant Hill you have to assume his numbers will go up on this team with this PG. Christ you think Nash could get whatever is left out of that tank? I sure do.

As I said 5 pages ago - a superstar with a chip on his shoulder is tought to beat.

Looks like he has a big purple and gold chip about 300 miles to the West.

My only question is this. After we go back to back the next two years...does O'neal go into the Hall a Sun?

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Oh and one more thing:

Look for Amare to have the best numbers of his career from this point going forward. Given the freedom to play his game at the 4, he is going to be unleashed.

 

[chickenhead]

It come down to this...
As I said 5 pages ago - a superstar with a chip on his shoulder is tought to beat.

Looks like he has a big purple and gold chip about 300 miles to the West.

Seriously. You can count on him being up for the Lakers, and the Spurs fans are worried about him. These aren't the worst things...

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Are people absolutely forgetting how we lose games? This is unbelievable--this entire board spends 4 YEARS complaining about how we don't have any rebounding or inside presence, and here it comes, and they still aren't happy? Inconceivable!

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well said

The lakers raised the stakes with gasol, and we just said alright "all in". Are we bluffing or not we shall find out in months.

Love poker analogies. I worked them over at my home game last weekend.