Why is everyone so suprised?

[passenger]

It's easy to hang this on Shaq.

But every time D'Antoni allows Pop to manipulate him and sends Shaq to the bench . . .

Every time D'Antoni wavers on the concept of a real Center and puts a passive 6'8" lightweight in his place . . .

Every time D'Antoni talks to the Press about a running offense and disregards defense . . .

Every time we look at his bench and see five or six unused players . . .

Every time we see Steve Nash dragging his butt because we don't have a backup Center . . .

Every time we see totally undeveloped rookies . . .

Every time we hear D'Antoni tell the Press that he doesn't know what's going on . . .

How in the world can you blame Shaq?

He could have played a very efficient role if his Coach weren't dysfunctional.

Very true,Shaq is the only player who played exceptional first three games,whatever

Of course we can blame Shaq,it's not D'antoni's(accepting he s a pretty bad coach) fault that he does 3-4 line violations in free throws,he does 5-6 turnovers a game,he is lazy and doesn't lose weight and move better,missing the very easy baskets,get insulted by ginobili and parker each time,not controlling his anger and doing intentional weird fouls.

 

[mojorizen7]

Very true,Shaq is the only player who played exceptional first three games,whatever

Of course we can blame Shaq,it's not D'antoni's(accepting he s a pretty bad coach) fault that he does 3-4 line violations in free throws,he does 5-6 turnovers a game,he is lazy and doesn't lose weight and move better,missing the very easy baskets,get insulted by ginobili and parker each time,not controlling his anger and doing intentional weird fouls.

Again....Shaq has done what he was brought in to do.He improved our rebounding woes and provided a defensive presence in the paint.
If you believe Shaq has failed here...fine......then put the blame on Sarver/Kerr/D'Antoni for making the deal and/or using him improperly.
IMO, Shaq is an easy out. Shaq's been here 3 months........D'Antoni's been here 4 yrs

 

[limnull]

As a Laker fan who's really enjoyed the Steve Nash era, here's what I don't get about the Shaq trade: last season, I think most people -- particularly those in the Suns organization -- would agree Phoenix had the best team. They had an excellent chance to knock out the Spurs, except Bob Horry pulled an uncharacteristically punk move and Amare took the bait. (Yes, I think it's a stupid rule, but it's a rule everyone knows.)

Rather than go back with the same team, the Suns take apart two of its most important pieces: Marion and Thomas. I truly believe with those two guys instead of Shaq, this series is a helluva lot more competitive. Shaq was done two years ago, and it took D-Wade and a ****-load of free throws to get that championship.

Why the Phoenix brass panicked, I'll never know, but they're paying the price now.

 

[MiamiHeat]

very true post above me

 

[passenger]

Again....Shaq has done what he was brought in to do.He improved our rebounding woes and provided a defensive presence in the paint.
If you believe Shaq has failed here...fine......then put the blame on Sarver/Kerr/D'Antoni for making the deal and/or using him improperly.
IMO, Shaq is an easy out. Shaq's been here 3 months........D'Antoni's been here 4 yrs

shaq has been here for 3 months but his last 2-3 years game is obvious.and you dont expect shaq to carry this team next year right?it can only be worse and he might deal with injuries next year-he hasnt played 1 whole season i the last 3-.

and of course suns fans will expect a lot from him,his salary is 20m,more than any other player's.when he came he kept talking and mentioning how he will make the other players better,how he delivers championships wherever he goes etc..and then?what difference did he make in the play off's?

you said we re a better defensive team now but i dont agree with that either,last year we were dealing better against the Spurs.Heck,at leats we knew we ll definitely win home games,this year we might be the only play off team being eliminated 4-0.(ok,denver too)

 

[tobiazz]

The Suns were getting killed by all of the top teams in the league all season *before* the Shaq trade. If the Suns were playing as well this year as they had last year, then the trade could be considered a cause for the decline. The more apparent problems are the depreciation of Bell, Barbosa, and Nash.

I would rather the Suns try a move than stick with a team that was in a major rut. At least the Suns will clear tons of capspace when Nash and Shaq come off the cap, the same year we have no draft pick, ugh.

 

[passenger]

we were number 1 or 2 team before the trade,i'm sure we would be playing an easier team right now if the trade wasn't done.

 

[MiamiHeat]

That's basically the way I look at it. At least Shaq brought finality.

You guys would have been wondering 'what if' if you didn't make the trade. The way it ends now, there is nothing to wonder about but fixing the problems.

 

[elindholm]

Why the Phoenix brass panicked, I'll never know

No, I'm sure you won't. Because if you were really interested in understanding the situation, you would have figured it out by now. It really wasn't a tough call.

 

[some_user86]

we were number 1 or 2 team before the trade,i'm sure we would be playing an easier team right now if the trade wasn't done.

The impetus for the trade was that the Suns still weren't good enough to beat the Spurs. You guys had just gotten beaten by us on January 31st, and Marion had once again disappeared. Look back to quotes about the trade at the time, and you'll find Dan and Kerr mentioning that. The 2007 series was competitive, but the Suns still weren't the best team. If that were the case, the full roster would have won Game 6 to at least force a Game 7. The key problem lies with a coach that doesn't understand defense principles and two superstars who are unwilling or uneducated in defense to make a difference. Getting a defensively-competent coach who is willing to play a longer rotation would go a long way to solving the Sun's ills. If you listen to what Nash and Amare say now, they agree with this sentiment.

 

[sLapzsHaQ]

I guess Shaq is right, he is the biggest scapegoat ever...