Suns Risk It All

[Covert Rain]

Assuming that Shaq will pass his physical and that he is coming here, I wanted to start a thread about the impact this will have on the Suns.

IMO the Suns are risking it all here. Just imagine the team as it stands today minus Marion. Forget for a second that we have Shaq. Marion was the recepient of most of the fast breaks. He was our best rebounder and one of our best defenders.

So let's assume for one second that Marion got hurt. I have no doubt that the Suns would struggle without Marion and more then likely take a hit in the win column. So assuming that is true.......

What if Shaq doesn't fit in? What if Shaq can't rebound anymore. What if Shaq can't defend anymore. We won't run the offense through him unless we are having a bad shooting night.

So this is probably the biggest risk the Suns have taken in a very very very long time. This is an all or nothing trade IMO. If Shaq doesn't fit in and can't produce, we are down Marion and have added NOTHING.

At least with the team the way it was you knew we were good. It's very frightening to think where this team can be in the next couple months. We are either going to be very happy or more fustrated then we have been in a very long time.

Let me know what you all think.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

If the trade is pretty much Shaq for Marion I say crash and burn. We are a Grant Hill injury away from being screwed at the 3.

 

[Rab]

I can't see it working that well. Crash and burn for me.

 

[OldDirtMcGirt]

I'm going to say that it was a good move. It clearly wasn't working with this nucleus, and we now finally got what we were looking for: a true center who could bring size, toughness, and championship experience to Phoenix. I think that Shaq is going to be totally revitalized by a change of scenery and he's going to prove all of his doubters wrong.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

I put this in the giant Shaq thread but it sticks here too:

Reality: The Suns have absorbed a bad contract to deal what is effectively an enormous expiring deal and got zero picks out of it or young players in return. It is counter intuitive of every NBA deal we see, except the Kurt Thomas deal where we paid picks to get rid of a large expiring deal.

If the Suns don't win a championship Kerr may be the worst executive this side of Isiah Thomas. He effectively traded 3 1st round picks, James Jones, Kurt Thomas, Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks and got back Shaq and cash.

 

[CaptainInsano]

Unless there is another part of the deal, such as another trade, we crash and burn.

 

[Covert Rain]

If the Suns don't win a championship Kerr may be the worst executive this side of Isiah Thomas. He effectively traded 3 1st round picks, James Jones, Kurt Thomas, Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks and got back Shaq and cash.

I agree with this 100%. Like I said, this is a RISK ALL TRADE.

 

[mojorizen7]

The SUNS had to make a move. High risk but i think our window may have passed last year. This move has a small chance to open it up once more. Otherwise, we were headed for another gut wrenching yet equally frustrating defeat IMO. This way, at least the brass recognized our glaring weakness and showed a pulse. Panic move? Yes i think so. I also think it was time to panic with the western conference getting stronger around us.
I think the SUNS will feel the loss of Marion right away , but we'll be better prepared to handle ourselves in the playoffs.
Health permitting of course.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I voted for better, but I don't think anyone really knows. What we did know is that we were going to struggle matching up with the Spurs or Lakers. If Shaq can rebound and throw an outlet pass, we'll be better.

The key to all of this is--here we go again--Boris Diaw. He needs to play quality minutes in Shawn's role. He has the athleticism and skills to do it. Keeping him and dealing Shawn shows confidence in him.

So, if we trade for a shooter now--I know if one in Memphis that is being shopped--it could get interesting.

BTW, the rooks could get more time now.

Shaq/Skinner/Boris
Amare/Boris
Hill/Boris/Tucker
Raja/Leandro
Nash/Leandro/Strawberry

 

[damo]

Unless there is another part of the deal, such as another trade, we crash and burn.

agreed. hopefully it's a swap of their first rounder for atl's and/or udonis haslem. at a stretch, dorell wright.

 

[Hat]

Man I am still assessing the situation right now, this is just all too crazy. My Laker's fan friends are calling me up right freaking out. Shaq definately adds a defensive component to the team. I think the team will do ok, who knows though, it's really a toss up. My thoughts are you just run the team as usual, and let Shaq know the offense won't be run through him.

 

[CaptainInsano]

I put this in the giant Shaq thread but it sticks here too:

Reality: The Suns have absorbed a bad contract to deal what is effectively an enormous expiring deal and got zero picks out of it or young players in return. It is counter intuitive of every NBA deal we see, except the Kurt Thomas deal where we paid picks to get rid of a large expiring deal.

If the Suns don't win a championship Kerr may be the worst executive this side of Isiah Thomas. He effectively traded 3 1st round picks, James Jones, Kurt Thomas, Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks and got back Shaq and cash.

Please stop, I don't think I can take anymore...

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

In a nutshell:

1. The Suns traded one set of glaring problems for another set of glaring problems.
2. This will be the first time Shaq plays with an elite point guard.
3. I suspect Kerr knows what he is doing.
4. They need to address why they came out and said "we aren't trading our core," then go 3 weeks later and trade their core. They are no better than Stern in my eyes if they don't face the music on that one.

 

[Covert Rain]

I think best case scenario, Shaq feels invigorated and motivated to work his butt off to get back into form.

Worst case scenario we dropped to an 8th seed or worse yet all the way out of the playoffs. This is the gamble of all gambles.

 

[NastyOne]

How the hell do we crash and burn?

What has this suns team with Marion this season shown you against other title contenders thats makes you think we stand a chance in the playoffs?

You guys are letting our record fool the heck outta you and making you think this team stands a chance in hell against the spurs or any other team that can attack the paint and the glass.

Kerr knows basketball, real basketball.

Not this shiny new style that D'Antoni runs that doesnt work against sound defensive teams that have legit talent, a solid gameplan and a commitment to defense and rebounding.

And thats damn near half the western conference these days.

San Antonio
Dallas
LAL
New Orleans
Utah
Houston
Denever (When they wanna play defense and not just score like us)

All will give us problems if they can control the paint and boards against us cause their all bigger than us.

So if the shots aint falling from 3 and we cant run because we cant secure a damn defensive rebound, we probably aint winning.

If we dont win with Shaq, oh well, we wernt winning squat anyway this season without some miracle happening that destroyed all our competition.

 

[arwillan]

Assuming that Shaq will pass his physical and that he is coming here, I wanted to start a thread about the impact this will have on the Suns.

IMO the Suns are risking it all here. Just imagine the team as it stands today minus Marion. Forget for a second that we have Shaq. Marion was the recepient of most of the fast breaks. He was our best rebounder and one of our best defenders.

So let's assume for one second that Marion got hurt. I have no doubt that the Suns would struggle without Marion and more then likely take a hit in the win column. So assuming that is true.......

What if Shaq doesn't fit in? What if Shaq can't rebound anymore. What if Shaq can't defend anymore. We won't run the offense through him unless we are having a bad shooting night.

So this is probably the biggest risk the Suns have taken in a very very very long time. This is an all or nothing trade IMO. If Shaq doesn't fit in and can't produce, we are down Marion and have added NOTHING.

At least with the team the way it was you knew we were good. It's very frightening to think where this team can be in the next couple months. We are either going to be very happy or more fustrated then we have been in a very long time.

Let me know what you all think.

i hear they are throwing in their pick, so we would be adding a potential lottery pick too. maybe shaq could teach amare some defense and rebounding.

 

[mojorizen7]

You must be registered for see images

Please stop, I don't think I can take anymore...

Stay with us Captain.

 

[arwillan]

How the hell do we crash and burn?

What has this suns team with Marion this season shown you against other title contenders thats makes you think we stand a chance in the playoffs?

You guys are letting our record fool the heck outta you and making you think this team stands a chance in hell against the spurs or any other team that can attack the paint and the glass.

Kerr knows basketball, real basketball.

Not this shiny new style that D'Antoni runs that doesnt work against sound defensive teams that have legit talent, a solid gameplan and a commitment to defense and rebounding.

And thats damn near half the western conference these days.

San Antonio
Dallas
LAL
New Orleans
Utah
Houston
Denever (When they wanna play defense and not just score like us)

All will give us problems if they can control the paint and boards against us cause their all bigger than us.

So if the shots aint falling from 3 and we cant run because we cant secure a damn defensive rebound, we probably aint winning.

If we dont win with Shaq, oh well, we wernt winning squat anyway this season without some miracle happening that destroyed all our competition.

your last point is exactly the reason i want miami's pick out of all of this.

 

[HooverDam]

The Suns now have Grant Hill, Steve Nash, and Shaq in their starting 5. Sure, any player is just an injury away from it all being over, but those guys are all up there in years and injuries are a very real possibility. Add Amare's knees to the equation, and this is such a huge risk, I don't think its worth it. Marion is so versatile, O'Neal only does one thing well, being big. O'Neal isn't a great (or even good) defender or rebounder (note: Shawn Marion gets more rebounds than Shaq).

I'm a Suns fan first and foremost, so I certainly won't be hoping they crash and burn just to prove me right. I hope Shaq gets reinvigorated, gets in shape, and in a few months, I'm there crying at the parade down Washington St, but somehow, I doubt it.

 

[Rab]

How the hell do we crash and burn?

What has this suns team with Marion this season shown you against other title contenders thats makes you think we stand a chance in the playoffs?

You guys are letting our record fool the heck outta you and making you think this team stands a chance in hell against the spurs or any other team that can attack the paint and the glass.

Kerr knows basketball, real basketball.

Not this shiny new style that D'Antoni runs that doesnt work against sound defensive teams that have legit talent, a solid gameplan and a commitment to defense and rebounding.

And thats damn near half the western conference these days.

San Antonio
Dallas
LAL
New Orleans
Utah
Houston
Denever (When they wanna play defense and not just score like us)

All will give us problems if they can control the paint and boards against us cause their all bigger than us.

So if the shots aint falling from 3 and we cant run because we cant secure a damn defensive rebound, we probably aint winning.

If we dont win with Shaq, oh well, we wernt winning squat anyway this season without some miracle happening that destroyed all our competition.

I think a lot of us know the shortcomings of this team. The question is whether or not this was the way to go. Giving up a durable player who has contributed mightily to this team, and taking back an over the hill, often injured Shaq who will eventually cost us $20 more than Marion if he stays around.

It's a big gamble, and I think it's a stretch to say this deal is a no-brainer.

 

[Covert Rain]

i hear they are throwing in their pick, so we would be adding a potential lottery pick too. maybe shaq could teach amare some defense and rebounding.

I have not seen that reported. If we do get Miami's pick then this trade makes me feel a little better about the future.

HOWEVER...Your assuming Sarver keeps it but that's another thread.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Can we get some reality in here please?

Shaq has never....ever been a good defender.

At his peak, he was an average rebounder for his size.

Now he is a terrible defender and a bad rebounder. He is fat, lazy, and doesn't work to improve ANY aspect of his game. I don't want him even talking to Amare.

 

[arwillan]

The Suns now have Grant Hill, Steve Nash, and Shaq in their starting 5. Sure, any player is just an injury away from it all being over, but those guys are all up there in years and injuries are a very real possibility. Add Amare's knees to the equation, and this is such a huge risk, I don't think its worth it. Marion is so versatile, O'Neal only does one thing well, being big. O'Neal isn't a great (or even good) defender or rebounder (note: Shawn Marion gets more rebounds than Shaq).

I'm a Suns fan first and foremost, so I certainly won't be hoping they crash and burn just to prove me right. I hope Shaq gets reinvigorated, gets in shape, and in a few months, I'm there crying at the parade down Washington St, but somehow, I doubt it.

pardon, but shaq has always been known as a dominating force on both the defensive end and rebounding. sure this year has been far from his best, but with nash feeding him the ball who says he can't average 20 points? he gives us all we needed (assuming he stays healthy). i look forward to having him here, he's a high-character guy with toughness. The guy averages 12 revounds for his career. he is a perfectly fine rebounder. he will be an even better one in the suns' system, i bet.

 

[OldDirtMcGirt]

Can we get some reality in here please?

Shaq has never....ever been a good defender.

At his peak, he was an average rebounder for his size.

Now he is a terrible defender and a bad rebounder. He is fat, lazy, and doesn't work to improve ANY aspect of his game. I don't want him even talking to Amare.

Shaq used to a phenomenal rebounder (13+ a game). And Shaq has bling and toughness. That alone makes him qualified to mentor Amare, not to mention being one of the greatest players in the history of the NBA.

 

[Covert Rain]

Can we get some reality in here please?

Shaq has never....ever been a good defender.

At his peak, he was an average rebounder for his size.

Now he is a terrible defender and a bad rebounder. He is fat, lazy, and doesn't work to improve ANY aspect of his game. I don't want him even talking to Amare.

Disagree with you there. He has been a good defender. Never a great defender. However, you can't teach size and strength. So if he adds that then he does fill in the paint and does provide a defensive presence that most teams don't have the luxury of.

I just doubt he has any of that left in the tank.