Will Shaq Deliver what Barkley could not?

[devilalum]

I understand what your saying, but how do you explain Amare's dominance when shaq is on the bench? It's happened a lot!

He's not in foul trouble as often and he's not worn down from fighting with some behemoth center. Also have you noticed how MD has been playing Skinner for Shaq at center lately?

 

[BC867]

I understand what you're saying, but how do you explain Amare's dominance when shaq is on the bench? It's happened a lot!

Good question, cobbler. I've thought about that, too.

My guess would be that Amare is now primarily a Power Forward. Swinging back to small Center is not his prevalent role.

Evidently, that's D'Antoni's intention. But if it reduces the effectiveness of the Suns in the playoff, I hope he makes a quick adjustment to Brian Skinner whenever Shaq goes to the bench.

Our success in the playoffs just might depend upon that.

P.S.: And, with his performance in the final regular season game, I would even have Sean Marks standing by as our third Center.

 

[cly2tw]

a resounding YES!

 

[cly2tw]

Embrace the Zen my friend. They are taking each other.

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My friend, this symbol has nothing to do with Zen. It's related to Tao though.

 

[jbeecham]

I understand what your saying, but how do you explain Amare's dominance when shaq is on the bench? It's happened a lot!

Amare was offensively dominant long before Shaq got to Phx. The main difference for Amare is that he isn't guarding the top PFs & C's in the league anymore. Also, guys can't leave Shaq to double team Amare like they used to before Shaq was here.

 

[PHX 32]

Absolutely.

 

[cly2tw]

Amare was offensively dominant long before Shaq got to Phx. The main difference for Amare is that he isn't guarding the top PFs & C's in the league anymore. Also, guys can't leave Shaq to double team Amare like they used to before Shaq was here.

Not only that, Amare has become a very good and willing passer over the time. He must have learned something from Hill too, then he controls his drives a lot better now to avoid offensive fouls. And with Shaq in there, the philosophy is to utilize him as much as possible since Amare is always the most reliable fallback option if going to Shaq failed. As a result, we have a much better energy level throughout the whole game and could always come up with another gear in the 4th quarter.

 

[cobbler]

Amare was offensively dominant long before Shaq got to Phx. The main difference for Amare is that he isn't guarding the top PFs & C's in the league anymore. Also, guys can't leave Shaq to double team Amare like they used to before Shaq was here.

When did he ever guard anyone?

Sorry, I had to take that one...you left it right out there in the open. I couldn't pass it up.

 

[Cheesewater]

When did he ever guard anyone?

Here's one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avma0bLmLYw&NR=1

 

[cobbler]

Here's one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avma0bLmLYw&NR=1

OMG! Wheres the foul???? Obviously the refs love amare over kobe!
Totally unfair! I bet stern had something to do with that non call!

 

[Darth Llama]

No.

 

[mjb21aztd]

I truly hope so but even if you do come out of the west you still have to probally face the best team in the nba record wise in the celtics and that will be no easy contest. This playoff race should defintally be great to watch baring the refs don't screw it up at all GO SUNS BEAT THE SPURS GET REVENGE FROM LAST YEAR

 

[nashman]

Much rather face the Celtics in the finals than Detroit! If we make it to the finals I am pretty sure we are gonna take care of business and bring home the title.

 

[cobbler]

Much rather face the Celtics in the finals than Detroit! If we make it to the finals I am pretty sure we are gonna take care of business and bring home the title.

I agree....I have Detroit beating the celts in the ECF.

 

[Covert Rain]

Everybody is on the Celtics jock straps. However, at the end of the game give me a team that can make a stop over a team likely to put up a jump shot. I am also picking Detroit in the East.

Though pulling for the Celtics because I think the Suns can beat them in a 7 game series.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Everybody is on the Celtics jock straps. However, at the end of the game give me a team that can make a stop over a team likely to put up a jump shot. I am also picking Detroit in the East.

Though pulling for the Celtics because I think the Suns can beat them in a 7 game series.

uh, both Detroit and Boston are primarily jump shooting teams and didn't Boston have the league's best defense? I'll be surprised if the Pistons take the C's past 6 games.

 

[Covert Rain]

uh, both Detroit and Boston are primarily jump shooting teams and didn't Boston have the league's best defense? I'll be surprised if the Pistons take the C's past 6 games.

Yep Boston led the league in overall defense. I am not suggesting that they won't or don't play defense. However, I do believe the Celts will let you back in a game. Detroit? Not so much.

I just think Detroit also has proved over and over again they turn it up a notch with defense once the playoffs get started. If that trend holds true and Detroit can keep a game close, my bet is on Detroit's ability to stop.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Yep Boston led the league in overall defense. I am not suggesting that they won't or don't play defense. However, I do believe the Celts will let you back in a game. Detroit? Not so much.

I just think Detroit also has proved over and over again they turn it up a notch with defense once the playoffs get started. If that trend holds true and Detroit can keep a game close, my bet is on Detroit's ability to stop.

personally, I think Detroit's incredibly over-rated. They're like the NBA's version of the Atlanta Braves. Everyone always talks about they're vaunted D. They've been to the ECF's 5 times and won it twice, once against a pretty solid Indiana team and then against a Miami team that had them completely beat until Wade got injured. They haven't proven the ability to turn anything up once the playoffs start since Larry Brown hit the road.

 

[devilalum]

My friend, this symbol has nothing to do with Zen. It's related to Tao though.

Same idea. The yen/yang thing is an obvious reference to how Amare and Shaq have helped each other and the Zen was for Cobbler.

 

[Covert Rain]

personally, I think Detroit's incredibly over-rated. They're like the NBA's version of the Atlanta Braves. Everyone always talks about they're vaunted D. They've been to the ECF's 5 times and won it twice, once against a pretty solid Indiana team and then against a Miami team that had them completely beat until Wade got injured. They haven't proven the ability to turn anything up once the playoffs start since Larry Brown hit the road.

Under that same token Boston has not proven a thing in the playoffs. They could be this years version of the Mavs for all we know. Not that I think that but I wouldn't exactly bet against a team that I have seen get deep in the playoffs on a consistent basis either. It should be fun to find out though right?

 

[Cheesebeef]

Under that same token Boston has not proven a thing in the playoffs. They could be this years version of the Mavs for all we know. Not that I think that but I wouldn't exactly bet against a team that I have seen get deep in the playoffs on a consistent basis either. It should be fun to find out though right?

yeah, that series should be a war. That being said, I do think this Boston team is mentally tougher than the Mavs... and I'm not talking about KG. I expect KG to wilt offensively in the 4th quarters of games, much like Dirk did, but whereas Dirk had Terry and Howard (two mental midgets), I think Pierce and Allen are pretty fearless and that's what will ultimately be the difference. People forget just how good/clutch Paul Pierce can be. I actually think it'll be his ability in the clutch versus any defender the Pistons throw at him which will be the difference.

 

[Covert Rain]

yeah, that series should be a war. That being said, I do think this Boston team is mentally tougher than the Mavs... and I'm not talking about KG. I expect KG to wilt offensively in the 4th quarters of games, much like Dirk did, but whereas Dirk had Terry and Howard (two mental midgets), I think Pierce and Allen are pretty fearless and that's what will ultimately be the difference. People forget just how good/clutch Paul Pierce can be. I actually think it'll be his ability in the clutch versus any defender the Pistons throw at him which will be the difference.

What about Ray Allen? That guys is not only clutch by I have watched so many games where he just buries the dagger in a teams gut. It wasn't realistic I don't think but I remember thinking at the time, man the Suns should go out and get that guy.

 

[Cheesebeef]

What about Ray Allen? That guys is not only clutch by I have watched so many games where he just buries the dagger in a teams gut. It wasn't realistic I don't think but I remember thinking at the time, man the Suns should go out and get that guy.

oh, I said Allen was fearless as well in the above and if he gets an open look at the end of the game, you're right, he does shoot daggers. I just don't think there will be those open looks with the way both teams play D and it's gonna take Pierce's superior skills at creating a shot or getting fouled which will be the difference. Both teams have clutch shooters galore (Prince, Sheed, Rip and Chauncy v. Pierce, Allen and I guess Cassel if he can move). I just don't think you're gonna get a lot of open shots at the end of tight games, thus the series will boil down to who's got the best one on one player in crunch time and I believe that guy to be Pierce.

 

[hsandhu]

personally, I think Detroit's incredibly over-rated. They're like the NBA's version of the Atlanta Braves. Everyone always talks about they're vaunted D. They've been to the ECF's 5 times and won it twice, once against a pretty solid Indiana team and then against a Miami team that had them completely beat until Wade got injured. They haven't proven the ability to turn anything up once the playoffs start since Larry Brown hit the road.

Bingo! Bill simmons hit it perfectly in his podcast this week, talking about how detroit walks around like they've won 9 titles and can just show up for games and win.

Their performances in the playoff the last two years (2 years almost losing to a bad cavs team, losing to a weak miami team, last year completing collapsing to a nothing cavs team) have been horrid. And it's not like they're a mentally weak team, actually the opposite. They are just so incredibly arrogant.

Can't see anyway they beat a healthy boston team.