Welcome the Suns Shaq Era

[slinslin]

PROS
- no more small ball

- a big man who can clog the middle defensively which will dramatically improve our teams defense and make it a lot easier for the guys on the perimeter knowing they have Shaq behind them

- no more Shawn Marion style choking in the halfcourt

- a more balanced team makeup that can still run just as well maybe even better with Shaq on the boards and his ability to make the outlet pass to start a break

- much better play in the halfcourt having Shaq and Amare as threats inside who both should command double teams

- less dependant on Nash, look for DJ Strawberry benefiting from this trade, halfcourt offense will be rather simple to run, dump it into Shaq or Amare and score or let them kick it out to a shooter or slasher

- we didnt lose any offense by losing Marion since we didnt run plays for him anyway and since he can't really create his own shot

- we lose a bit of his individual defense but it will be covered up by the overall impact that having Shaq at the 5 should have

- we should get to the foul line a lot more and earlier because of Shaqs ability to draw fouls

- for as good as Marion is our players have enough talent to make up for his contributions by increasing their own even if Shaq couldn't give us as much as Marion

- we get one of the best guys to have in the locker room in Shaq

Cons
- I don't see any right now except for Shaq's age and durability

This is the most exciting trade the Suns did since Barkley, maybe even in their history.

 

[TRW]

PROS
Cons
- I don't see any right now except for Shaq's age and durability

This is the most exciting trade the Suns did since Barkley, maybe even in their history.

I agree. THis is the only problem, Shaq's age and durability. If he is even at 85-90% come playoff time the Suns will be a beast IMO.

 

[asudevil83]

i dont mind this trade if shaq is healthy. he'd be a great force down low. what i dont what is a guy making $20mil for the next 2 1/2 years playing only 40 games or so.

 

[Hat]

If the trainers can keep Shaq healthy like they did with Hill, this is trade is amazing for the Suns.

 

[krispydude]

im starting to come around to the idea of shaq being here. but there is still way to many if's regarding shaqs desire and health.

i dont see how we had a chance with our current roster to win a championship this year so this at least improves those chances if shaq can play.

 

[arthurracoon]

This whole deal hinges on whether Shaq will be healthy for the rest of the year

 

[abomb]

This whole deal hinges on whether Shaq will be healthy for the next three years

ftfy

 

[Covert Rain]

PROS

This is the most exciting trade the Suns did since Barkley, maybe even in their history.

No it's not. CB had alot more mileage left then Shaq. Maybe on paper I agree but you can't compare the 2 trades. Barkley was brought here to build the team around and lead. Shaq is being brought in here as a missing piece. Huge difference. Now if we had traded for Shaq in his prime that would be different.

 

[Bayless2Budinger]

ftfy

I could care less how he plays in 08/09 and 09/10 if he helps the Suns win a championship this year.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Pros: It's 1998!

Con: Crap it's 2008!

 

[Bayless2Budinger]

I dont see this becoming a Shaq era. I think Amare will explode with Shaq in the line-up. Nash/Hill/Shaq can all find "our" big fella.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

If the trainers can keep Shaq healthy like they did with Hill, this is trade is amazing for the Suns.

The Suns trainers have proven time and time again that they are the real deal. (Getting Penny to even play another game is a miracle. Completely redid McDyess' knees, Amare's microfracture, even fixed Googs knees)

This whole deal hinges on whether Shaq will be healthy for the rest of the year

ftfy

Shaq only needs to be healthy this year, and next. The last year of his contract can be a throwaway for all I care, if we win a championship in one of these next two years.

 

[nashman]

If he can be healthy it could in fact get us over the hump. On the positive side if this works maybe they will actually try to find another C after Shaq and win more championships. God I hope this doesn't turn into a disaster.

 

[abomb]

The Suns trainers have proven time and time again that they are the real deal. (Getting Penny to even play another game is a miracle. Completely redid McDyess' knees, Amare's microfracture, even fixed Googs knees)

Shaq only needs to be healthy this year, and next. The last year of his contract can be a throwaway for all I care, if we win a championship in one of these next two years.

Asking for two years of healthy Shaq is a reach at best. Asking for two years of healthy AND motivated Shaq is pipe.

 

[nowagimp]

Asking for two years of healthy Shaq is a reach at best. Asking for two years of healthy AND motivated Shaq is pipe.

Shaq doesnt have to play one full NBA season. He didnt for the heat, and they won the title. Shaq just needs to be there for the playoffs. A big plus is more time for Straw and skinner during the season. Amare will be a different beast at the PF. Opponents will not be able to wear amare down physically with shaq at the '5'. Amare should block more shots and get more boards with shaq around to bang/box out. The suns would be wise to play shaq sparingly, keep his old legs fresh for when it matters. Aging effects speed first, not sure that shaq was ever dependent on that. It also effects durability, and the suns would be wise to keep that in mind. I dont think teams will try to physically intimidate the suns anymore.

 

[abomb]

This day has left me tired.

I am even more excited for the remainder of the season.

 

[jandaman]

Shaq "kinda" lost motivation when he got Heat his "promised" ring...

He did make a promise to Nash not to let him down... hopefulyl.. Nash requested Shaq to help the Suns get that elluded ring... or finals appearance...again..

Actually.. All or nothing...

 

[Evil Ash]

This day has left me tired.

I am even more excited for the remainder of the season.

Whether you agree or not on how good/bad the deal is for the Suns, I think we can all agree that for once the trade deadline deals have made the rest of this year interesting.

Gasol to the Lakers
Shaq to the Suns
and apparently Kidd is close to joining the Mavs

Typically around the deadline there is a whole lot of hype but nothing happens. Can't say that about this year

 

[abomb]

Whether you agree or not on how good/bad the deal is for the Suns, I think we can all agree that for once the trade deadline deals have made the rest of this year interesting.

Gasol to the Lakers
Shaq to the Suns
and apparently Kidd is close to joining the Mavs

Typically around the deadline there is a whole lot of hype but nothing happens. Can't say that about this year

For sure. Last year was a huge tease that ended in nothing.

 

[bko32]

I don't like this deal because it is very risky due to Shaq's health and salary. However, I give the Suns management props for taking a gamble on trying to win a championship and not sitting around while others contenders make upgrades.

With that in mind, here are some more cons, imho:

-opposing teams will run the pick and roll, ad nauseum, against the Suns and guarding the pick and roll is Shaq's glaring weakness.

-on offense, Shaq will take away touches for Amare and others; like many said, Shawn didn't need plays run for him. Shaq needs plays run for him, which means less plays run for Amare

-Shaq clogs the lane on offense. Nash, Barbosa, whomever can't simply drive into the lane with Shaq and his defender in the paint.

-Shaq's a fun, lovable guy when he's on a winning team AND around guys that he likes. When he is on a losing team and/or around people he doesn't like (i.e. Kobe) he can become a pain in the ass.


Here's another thought. What happens if Shaq can't play due to injury or is very limited due to injury? The Suns probably don't win a championship, but have enough talent not to fall into lottery land. Puts the team into limbo since Shaq's salary will be hard to move and it'll obviously put them over the luxury tax threshold.

 

[jbeecham]

Here's another thought. What happens if Shaq can't play due to injury or is very limited due to injury? The Suns probably don't win a championship, but have enough talent not to fall into lottery land. Puts the team into limbo since Shaq's salary will be hard to move and it'll obviously put them over the luxury tax threshold.

If Shaq gets hurt then our lineup becomes:
PG: Nash
SG: Bell
SF: Hill
PF: Diaw
C: Amare

With LB & Skinner as the main guys off the bench......still competitive, but not elite. But the Suns must sign 1 more player because they are under the 13 players required by the NBA and they have 2 trade exemptions to work with....KT $8 mil & James Jones $3 mil. I'm all for trying to get Sam Cassell and a SF/PF like Tim Thomas.

 

[bko32]

If Shaq gets hurt then our lineup becomes:
PG: Nash
SG: Bell
SF: Hill
PF: Diaw
C: Amare

With LB & Skinner as the main guys off the bench......still competitive, but not elite. But the Suns must sign 1 more player because they are under the 13 players required by the NBA and they have 2 trade exemptions to work with....KT $8 mil & James Jones $3 mil. I'm all for trying to get Sam Cassell and a SF/PF like Tim Thomas.

Yeah, they'll definitely still be competitive, but not championship contender material. So you get a Suns team that's not good enough to win it all, but too good to get high draft picks.

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

Whether you agree or not on how good/bad the deal is for the Suns, I think we can all agree that for once the trade deadline deals have made the rest of this year interesting.

Gasol to the Lakers
Shaq to the Suns
and apparently Kidd is close to joining the Mavs

Typically around the deadline there is a whole lot of hype but nothing happens. Can't say that about this year

Im so glad to be in the Western Conference. SA acquired a vet backup pg, LA nabs a great post player, Dallas making efforts to improve, Suns grab the big diesel. Hornets not letting league low attendance affect their domination. Utah turning it on with a big winning streak. These are ALL teams that have legit chances of winning it all within their reach, and theyre all turning on the afterburners to make even bigger strides.

Meanwhile, the East has TWO (count:2) teams that are worth buying tickets for.

 

[Stargazer]

Con:

If Shaq can't hit the three consistently, D'Antoni will probably just sit him on the bench.

[Joke]

 

[SirStefan32]

Con:

If Shaq can't hit the three consistently, D'Antoni will probably just sit him on the bench.

[Joke]

LOL