Suns Risk It All

[mojorizen7]

Go ask any NBA coach that question...

 

[Chaplin]

Because Kurt wasn't the recipient of about 85% of our fast break points. Shawn always seem to be on the receiving end because aside from Barbosa was probably one of the fastest guys on the team.

I think we take a hit because Marion won't be out there on the wing sprinting down the court.

This if funny. If Marion was on the wing all the time sprinting down the court, who was guarding his power forward?

If Marion WAS guarding his power forward, who's to say that Amare, when guarding the same damn guy, couldn't get down the court in a fast break. And Raja/LB always seem to be involved in fast breaks as well.

 

[mojorizen7]

Or the Lakers before that.
Or the Bulls before that.
Or the Rockets before ...
I'm just of the opinion that fast breaks are not as important as half court execution.

 

[Covert Rain]

This if funny. If Marion was on the wing all the time sprinting down the court, who was guarding his power forward?

If Marion WAS guarding his power forward, who's to say that Amare, when guarding the same damn guy, couldn't get down the court in a fast break. And Raja/LB always seem to be involved in fast breaks as well.

Chap, I guarantee if you looked at the Suns fast break points you would see Marion probably had the most. Amare is nowhere near as fast as Marion. I know other guys are involved.

I didn't say we would drop to last. I said we would drop a few notches. We shall see.

You mean like the coaches of the Spurs and the Pistons? The teams that have actually WON the title in recent years?

Yep ask them. They would tell you the key to beating the Suns is limiting transition buckets.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Sorry I would say that any coach will say that fast break points are very important because they represent the highest possible percentage of a positive outcome.

Even the Pistons and Spurs love to run when they get the chance. Less fast break points are never good.

 

[Chaplin]

Sorry I would say that any coach will say that fast break points are very important because they represent the highest possible percentage of a positive outcome.

Even the Pistons and Spurs love to run when they get the chance. Less fast break points are never good.

This makes no sense, but ok. I'm not totally discounting fast break points, but those teams didn't win titles because of their fast breaks. And you guys know it.

 

[Chaplin]

Chap, I guarantee if you looked at the Suns fast break points you would see Marion probably had the most. Amare is nowhere near as fast as Marion. I know other guys are involved.

I didn't say we would drop to last. I said we would drop a few notches. We shall see.

You're just not understanding what I'm saying. It's all good.

 

[Covert Rain]

This makes no sense, but ok. I'm not totally discounting fast break points, but those teams didn't win titles because of their fast breaks. And you guys know it.

No but those teams were good at limiting transition buckets (fast breaks) which spelled doom for the Suns and teams that like the West Coast style.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

This makes no sense, but ok. I'm not totally discounting fast break points, but those teams didn't win titles because of their fast breaks. And you guys know it.

Yes you are correct there. Of course I have always said good defense and rebounding leads to more fast breaks so maybe we are saying the same thing

 

[TBaslim]

Wow. Just...wow.

Well, we know now that Kerr has stones. He may get them ripped off by angry fans in a year or two, but he's got big stones.

As someone else mentioned, this is an all or nothing proposition. Either it works great or fails horribly.

Everyone has covered the reasons it can go either way, so I won't reiterate.

However, it is worth noting the reality of the 2006 Heat squad that won the title: outside of Wade and Shaq, they had much, much less collective talent then the current Suns squad has without Marion. So, if Shaq can get remotely healthy, it just might work.

They can still fastbreak. This is about the half-court and playoff bball.

Oh, and he will loosen up the locker room. Like him or not, the guy is a hoot. Just imagine him grinning and firing the team up about beating the Spurs. Or the Lakers.

I think the team, including Nash and Coach D, will adjust. It will all come down to Shaq's motivation and health. Period.

Heck, it might all be worth it just to see him set Manu and Horry on their asses in a playoff game. Oh, and maybe Kobe once too.

 

[tobiazz]

This will probably be a horrible deal, but I'm glad that the Suns are at least trying to reconfigure the team a bit. In two years Shaq's contract will be an albatross or perhaps a great expiring contract.

If Miami does not throw their pick in (even if just a swap w/ the ATL pick) I would consider this a near fleecing though. The pick will not be as super after the Heat's Marion-induced second half winning streak, but as it stands it will be a top-4 pick.

 

[Ode to Ocho]

Laker fan here.

Shaq, even at his ZENITH, was one of the WORST pick and roll defenders in the entire league. Mike Bibby, Troy Hudson ring a bell? Well, Shaq is the reason those two got ridiculous contracts. Shaq could clog the lane and block shots at a very high rate (were talking prime shaq here). But his overall defense has always been mediocre.

 

[taz02]

One thing I havent seen mentioned is championship experience. how many championships has shaq won. Correct me if I'm wrong but he would be the only player on the team who has been there. That certainly has value....

 

[dodie53]

i voted for better,
i believe in Shaq..

 

[Covert Rain]

Wow. Just...wow.

Well, we know now that Kerr has stones. He may get them ripped off by angry fans in a year or two, but he's got big stones.

Well if this doesn't work, Kerr will be known for one of the worst trades in history. He better hope he got this right.

 

[abomb]

Crash and burn when the meet GS in round 1.

Marion (warts and all) will prove to have been cog 1a in the Suns success the past few years.

 

[nashman]

Wow, well now people are gonna get to see how important Marion was to this team. That and now Miami will run us off the floor!

 

[dreamcastrocks]

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.

Diaw started at the 3, and played VERY well in stretches. Tucker will get minutes too.

 

[Covert Rain]

Diaw started at the 3, and played VERY well in stretches. Tucker will get minutes too.

I am not convinced this get Tucker anymore playing time.

 

[hafey]

After 09-10, the Suns will have 38 million in expiring contracts with Shaq, Nash, and Bell along with Amare(PO)/Diaw/Barbossa under contract. Thats alot of flexibility.

 

[JS22]

After 09-10, the Suns will have 38 million in expiring contracts with Shaq, Nash, and Bell along with Amare(PO)/Diaw/Barbossa under contract. Thats alot of flexibility.

Probably part of the reason the Suns made this trade. Isn't that the year where a number of superstars become FA's? (Lebron?)

 

[jandaman]

to be honest with the roster that lost to a Parker-less Spurs... and to the BIG Lakers... and to a track race againts Hornets and Warriors...

Suns record of 34-14 was deceiving in that they've lost most of their losses to teams the Suns will face in the west playoffs.... and most of them were common too.... due to rebounding and the lack of interior D.

Can anyone bring up Jefferson, Boozer, Duncan, Bynum, Odom, D.West's average against Amare Stoudemire.. playing center...

Its ridiculous...

 

[hafey]

I'm pretty sure Lebron, Wade, Bosh become free agents after 09-10.

In the short term this is a huge gamble, but a gamble that makes some sense. Long term, championship or not, we could be talking about this as "Kerr's Marbury trade."

 

[abomb]

I'm pretty sure Lebron, Wade, Bosh become free agents after 09-10.

In the short term this is a huge gamble, but a gamble that makes some sense. Long term, championship or not, we could be talking about this as "Kerr's Marbury trade."

All three players have player options for 10-11.

 

[D-Dogg]

I don't want him even talking to Amare.

Quite possibly the MOST important comment on all these threads.


I see an enormous clash with those two at some point. Amare is a hard worker, right? I assume so.