We root for Shaq now
Ok, we've had a few days to take this all in. Let's look at the trade for Shaquille O'Neal.
1. We actually have a center now. Think about that for a second. The Suns are now a power team. All of Shaq's title teams have feasted on points in the paint and behind the line because defenses double and sag. The Suns were already an efficient offensive team now we have Shaq in the middle.
2. Shaq always believes his team is a contender and isn't afraid to say it. F*ck the doubters, he demands optimism. The guy has won just as much as Duncan and has been to the Finals six times and wants to get back. I want him to back it up. He's wants a fifth ring and I him to get it.
3. Summer of 2010. I'll be at the World Cup in South Africa. The major issue is who will be signing a free agent contract with the Suns. Both Shaq and Nash will come off the books and the core of Amare, Boris and LB will be 27 and hopefully have a ring or two. Dwyane Wade and LeBron James will be unrestricted free agents if they opt out. Both players took shorter extentions and by opting out that summer will have the ability to get paid and be part of a contender. Steve Kerr was thinking about the future with this trade too.
4. D'Antoni has to play at least one rookie now. Strawberry and Tucker need to get a look because we'll need athleticism on the floor. The team just got older so the rookie energy will be useful and on some nights a necessity.
5. Don't bank on a number 1 seed. This team is building for the playoffs. The team has to build an attack that incorporates Shaq's strengths as he gets into Phoenix Suns shape. There will be some losses and there might be an ugly night or two in this transition. But when the game slows down- we have a huge big man whose won 4 titles, another big who can score at will, the best point guard in the game and a supporting cast that knows how to score. I like our chances.
All this depends on health of course. Any of our veterans get hurt- we're done.
Labels: Phoenix Suns, shaquille o'neal, Steve Nash
posted by Hersey @ 8:35 PM
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"I'm very upset, and you don't want to get me upset, because when I'm upset I'm known to do certain things like win championships."
I like our chances too.
Almost as interesting as what the media say is what they've stopped saying.
They used to say the Suns have no chance to win the title with their run'n'gun style. Now they bemoan their abandoning it.
They used to say Marion was overrated. [Incidentally, this I agree with: I expect his almost 20-10 will turn into something in the area of 15-7 down in Miami.] Now they welcome him as a perennial all-star and an absolute steal for the Heat.
They used to say Marion was difficult to deal, as he'd be a free agent after the next, or perhaps even this season. Now they hail him as a cornerstone of great Miami teams of the future.
Hypocrites.
The more I think about it, the more I like Shaq in Phoenix. If he could score 14 points a night in Miami with lousy point guards and no three-point shooters, there's no reason he shouldn't average 18 in Phoenix.
And all the talk about Shaq being a lousy defender... The Suns aren't turning into a defensive team with him. All they need is to prevent the Tim Duncans of this league from going 35-20 against Phoenix. If they go 25-10, the Suns can live with that. And that's a result Shaq should achieve just by his presence.
We shall see, but I'm excited.
I feel a prediction coming on...Soon Shaq will tire of playing defense because he isn't getting enough touches in the paint. He will drive Amare crazy by continuing to insist that he is teaching Amare the game, that Amare is the Robin to his Batman, etc. He will pout and stop playing defense. He'll suddenly find himself injured and on the bench.
If you don't believe me, ask Penny Hardaway, Kobe Bryant and D. Wade. Shaq drives everybody crazy and it's always everybody else's fault.
Good luck, Phoenix.
As a Laker fan I really like this trade. "Good Luck"! (You're going to need a lot of it now.)
Well, Watchingfromafar, we'll see, obviously...
Personally, I think and hope Shaq isn't stupid enough to think he's going to redefine this team from scratch. The Suns have been a championship-caliber team for three years and counting, and Shaq knows that. He seems to have a genuine respect for Steve, Amare and the other players, and for the Coach as well. At his age, he should know he needs to fit, not to take over.
If he doesn't, well, then Steve Kerr is a moron, as he put it...
"I'm no idiot," O'Neal said. "I'm not going to be coming here and trying to take over and take 30 shots. I'm going to fit in very, very nicely. Rebound, outlet, set picks for Steve, get easy buckets, play some defense."
Just what we want to hear... and see!
I like the trade, and this is why. The Suns were not going to win the championship with the team as it was assembled. They've had some great years of getting close, but in the end they simply couldn't get it done. This year was no different.
But now, the team takes on a different look. And every other playoff team in the Western Conference, and the NBA for that matter, is wondering how this will work. Will the Suns still be able to run? How motivated will Shaq be to bring a championship to Phoenix? Can Shaq hold opposing big men to average numbers instead of career highs like Amare was giving up? There are lots of things that will be revealed in the coming months. And everybody will be watching with eager anticipation.
But here's what I like most. Shaq brings a fun loving attitude to the team that hasn't been seen since the 2005-2006 season. That's worth a lot. And Shaq brings championship experience to the team as well. Steve Nash can bark at his teammates all day long, but he's never won it all. Shaq has, and that will make them all listen.
I don't know if this is the move that will take the Suns to the top. But I'm excited to find out.
Russell
Amen, Russ. I really can't wait to watch this group play together. That excitement alone makes this a good trade.
you need to change your header now
Hi. I just watched the Suns-Lakers game, as I guess everyone else did. Shaq was good, but it wasn't him that wowed me, it was Amare Stoudemire. I agreed that going back to power forward would make him better, but I'm amazed at how fast it did. It proves further that trading Kurt Thomas, and letting Steven Hunter get away a few years ago, were horrible mistakes.
Actually, there's something I paid more attention to than O'Neal or Stoudemire. Is anyone asking why the Lakers won? It's not because of Kobe Bryant or Pau Gasol. It was because Raja Bell didn't show up offensively, and I'm really concerned about him. His defense is probably okay, but he was nonexistent offensively tonight. In 36 minutes, he had no field goals, no free throws made or attempted, not a damn thing. All his missed shots were threes. If he had managed seven points tonight, we'd have won. I hope he was so off only because Shaq accidentally pummeled him.
The Suns short reign in the Pacific Div. is coming to a sorry end...let that sink in for a few mins.
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