We win it all this year

[Stout]

Yep, that's right. I said it. Right after a loss that really hurts us. We're winning the Big Tamale. Why, you might ask? Shaq exceeded his season totals without even being an offensive factor in the 1st half. The team isn't even settled as to how it will run the offense, and yet he steps up and provides a huge spark. Suddenly, we have offensive rebounds galore. Suddenly, we're not looking so bad on the boards. Our defense of the quick plays and the backdoor passes still needs work, but our presence in the middle is definitely there. Shaq was playing with passion and heart, and his play will improve quite a lot as the season ends. And Amare? He is going to explode in the 2nd half of the season. Simply dominate. Even Strawberry stepped up and showed some good defensive presence. Once we have everything ironed out, which will be soon, I think we're going to be almost unstoppable.

Edit: And Kobe isn't going to be that unreal in every game he plays. He was just incredible tonight.

 

[Chief]

Take it easy...its only one game. The upcoming schedule will be the true test. Can shaq manage this type of play day in and out is the real question.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

No, unless another move is made.

This team as presently constructed cannot beat a healthy Lakers team in a seven game series.

 

[Stout]

No, unless another move is made.

This team as presently constructed cannot beat a healthy Lakers team in a seven game series.

Strongly disagree. We took the Lakers to the wire, with a Shaq that hasn't played more than 4 games since Christmas, and a team that was using a whole new style of play for the first time. I won't say we'd dominate, but I feel, come playoff time, we can definitely beat any team in a 7 game series, and will win it all. Bank on it.

 

[Covert Rain]

No, unless another move is made.

This team as presently constructed cannot beat a healthy Lakers team in a seven game series.

I don't know about that. Here are some factors.

1. Only 1 game with Shaq - he admitted he was lost out there and didn't know plays.
2. Shaq played limited minutes but as he said made Amare better (especially on the boards).
3. Shaq played limited minutes and still put up 15 and 9 rebounds playing almost bench minutes.
4. The team is not in sync with him (especially Nash)
5. He brought some "Nasty" to this team tonight.
6. The team did not rotate well on defense tonight and guys were out of sync because of Shaq. That will get better.

Holy crap, if this is only a glimpse of things to come and if in fact this team does get better. I like our chances. I don't remember the last time I was this excited after a freaking loss.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

And the Lakers were without Andrew Bynum (nightly double-double who would be gathering up some of those boards that went our way) and the game was in Phoenix. We desperately need another perimeter defender and a shooter if the goal is to win a title.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

I don't know about that. Here are some factors.

1. Only 1 game with Shaq - he admitted he was lost out there and didn't know plays.
2. Shaq played limited minutes but as he said made Amare better (especially on the boards).
3. Shaq played limited minutes and still put up 15 and 9 rebounds playing almost bench minutes.
4. The team is not in sync with him (especially Nash)
5. He brought some "Nasty" to this team tonight.
6. The team did not rotate well on defense tonight and guys were out of sync because of Shaq. That will get better.

Holy crap, if this is only a glimpse of things to come and if in fact this team does get better. I like our chances. I don't remember the last time I was this excited after a freaking loss.

1. Shaq outperformed his season average today, expecting much more from him is unrealistic.
2. Shaq played 29 minutes tonight which is probably all we should expect from him the rest of the time he's in a Phoenix uniform.
3. Yeah, the Suns were a bit more physical but it was easy for them to be when the Lakers front court consisted of Gasol, Odom, and Radmanovic. It's a whole new ballgame with Bynum who's almost as big as Shaq with comparable skills.
4. Out of sync? We scored 124 points.
5. This team didn't rotate well on defense before Shaq got here, it won't be any different with him on the court. Shaq can't make Nash, Hill, Barbosa, or Amare any better defensively. All he can do is maybe cover up a mistake here and there but the perimeter defense remains atrocious and the interior didn't look all that hot either. One thing we need to replace is Marion's ball-hawking abilities on defense, we're not creating enough turnovers.

 

[Andrew]

I hate people who think Bynum is some GREAT player, the dude will cry if he has to play Shaq in the playoffs...

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

I hate people who think Bynum is some GREAT player, the dude will cry if he has to play Shaq in the playoffs...

The kid averages a double-double against Western Conference opposition and is a matchup nightmare due to his size (Shaq is the ONLY player on the Suns that can guard him). Bynum's not an elite player yet, but he's pretty damn good and anyone that watches hoops will admit as much.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Raja Bell was 0-3 in 37 minutes. Had his hands full with Kobe. That's the game right there. Is it possible Raja's lost half a step.

 

[Covert Rain]

1. Shaq outperformed his season average today, expecting much more from him is unrealistic.
2. Shaq played 29 minutes tonight which is probably all we should expect from him the rest of the time he's in a Phoenix uniform.
3. Yeah, the Suns were a bit more physical but it was easy for them to be when the Lakers front court consisted of Gasol, Odom, and Radmanovic. It's a whole new ballgame with Bynum who's almost as big as Shaq with comparable skills.
4. Out of sync? We scored 124 points.
5. This team didn't rotate well on defense before Shaq got here, it won't be any different with him on the court. Shaq can't make Nash, Hill, Barbosa, or Amare any better defensively. All he can do is maybe cover up a mistake here and there but the perimeter defense remains atrocious and the interior didn't look all that hot either. One thing we need to replace is Marion's ball-hawking abilities on defense, we're not creating enough turnovers.

1. Are you freaking kidding me? He was out of sync, didn't know the plays, doesn't have to carry the load with Amare.
2. If he is in good health and gets in better shape, there is no reason he can't play 35 minutes a night.
3. AB will help them in the middle but he can't keep Shaq off the block. Hell, Amare plays well against Bynum on the block.
4. Yes, out of sync. Our spacing was horrible. There were several times the spacing was wrong and guys were not getting to their spots. It happened several times. That will get better AND we scored 124. That's scary to me.
5. This team still has issues with rotations but what I did like is they didn't have to double in the post for the first time in ages. Guys looked like they were lost on rotations.

PS. Bynum is not a great player...yet. His return doesn't worry me one way or the other. When the guy does it for a full season and brings it in the playoffs then I will worry about him. He has improved this season for sure but I am not sold on the guy yet.

 

[Chaplin]

No, unless another move is made.

This team as presently constructed cannot beat a healthy Lakers team in a seven game series.

Great observation considering this was Shaq's FIRST freaking game with the team.

 

[Chaplin]

1. Shaq outperformed his season average today, expecting much more from him is unrealistic.
2. Shaq played 29 minutes tonight which is probably all we should expect from him the rest of the time he's in a Phoenix uniform.
3. Yeah, the Suns were a bit more physical but it was easy for them to be when the Lakers front court consisted of Gasol, Odom, and Radmanovic. It's a whole new ballgame with Bynum who's almost as big as Shaq with comparable skills.
4. Out of sync? We scored 124 points.
5. This team didn't rotate well on defense before Shaq got here, it won't be any different with him on the court. Shaq can't make Nash, Hill, Barbosa, or Amare any better defensively. All he can do is maybe cover up a mistake here and there but the perimeter defense remains atrocious and the interior didn't look all that hot either. One thing we need to replace is Marion's ball-hawking abilities on defense, we're not creating enough turnovers.

Dude, it's not about how many points Shaq scored. He was lost in the first half playing in an unfamiliar offense. Tell me you saw that.

 

[Renz]

Dude, it's not about how many points Shaq scored.

Too bad because Shaq sure didn't stop any of the Lakers from scoring.

 

[green machine]

Too bad because Shaq sure didn't stop any of the Lakers from scoring.

Nobody played defense this game, the Lakers included.

 

[Chaplin]

Too bad because Shaq sure didn't stop any of the Lakers from scoring.

... and the Laker fans are here to gloat.

Good night.

 

[mjb21aztd]

I sure hope you didn't jinx our chances by starting this thread...

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Great observation considering this was Shaq's FIRST freaking game with the team.

What do you want me to say? They still can't get the stops and getting stops wins championships. As of right now we're going to get pick and rolled and iso'd to death come playoff time. Another perimeter defender and we're talking, but I don't see it right now.

Dude, it's not about how many points Shaq scored. He was lost in the first half playing in an unfamiliar offense. Tell me you saw that.

Well, I don't think Shaq's ever going to be comfortable playing 15 feet from the basket every other possession.

 

[Chaplin]

What do you want me to say? They still can't get the stops and getting stops wins championships. As of right now we're going to get pick and rolled and iso'd to death come playoff time. Another perimeter defender and we're talking, but I don't see it right now.

Well, I don't think Shaq's ever going to be comfortable playing 15 feet from the basket every other possession.

You just won't be happy. I think you're just bitter because the Cats aren't doing well this year.

Seriously, though, it was Shaq's first game and really, he's played what--4 games in the last 2 months? Not only is it his first game as a Sun, but it's his first game in a long time, period.

And it's certainly not all about Shaq adjusting to his teammates, it's also about his teammates adjusting to him, and we saw that it is a big issue.

 

[Covert Rain]

Well, I don't think Shaq's ever going to be comfortable playing 15 feet from the basket every other possession.

Oh come on. It was obvious he didn't know the plays and played out of position. That's what he was referring to. Even a blind squirrel could have found that nut.

By the way if him being uncomfortable nets the same results, 15 and 9 per night, I don't want to see what happens when he gets comfortable.

 

[az1965]

Too bad because Shaq sure didn't stop any of the Lakers from scoring.

That's not what I saw... I clearly remember couple of instances when the Gasol had ball just underneath the bucket but had to throw the ball out as he could move against a giant wall. There were more where Shaq altered shots. They got a lot of points in the paints when Shaq was not in the game. He was not perfect but Shaq's presense was definitely felt. The Lakers just shot awfully well.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

First off, yes the Cats are pissing me off.

Second, I was and still am on board with the Shaq trade but on the condition that we replaced Marion's departed skill sets. Shaq took care of the previously absent front court size, team chemistry, and physical play. We're still missing an extra 10 minutes per game of quality play not to mention Marion's versatility and ability to create turnovers on defense. Get those in and we should be okay even without a shooter and backup point.

One more move...

 

[Chaplin]

First off, yes the Cats are pissing me off.

Second, I was and still am on board with the Shaq trade but on the condition that we replaced Marion's departed skill sets. Shaq took care of the previously absent front court size, team chemistry, and physical play. We're still missing an extra 10 minutes per game of quality play not to mention Marion's versatility and ability to create turnovers on defense. Get those in and we should be okay even without a shooter and backup point.

One more move...

I can agree with that. Nice to see Shaq with 9 rebounds tonight in a sloppy game as far as he's concerned. Amare had 15 boards, which of course when Marion was around, Amare didn't do that. He had a spectacular game, but at the same time I could see a little uncomfortability at his new position.

 

[Suns_fan69]

I agree it's a bit premature but I was certainly encouraged by the game tonight. In particular our defensive rebounding was WAAYYYY better. That's been our biggest bane in the Nash era and it looks to be under control now. Our defense has always been better than most people give it credit for especially because of how many second chance points we've been giving up.

 

[dodie53]

if Amare averages a double double. would we win everytime?