While it's not over for the Suns, one must wonder if Shaq had spent half as much time getting himself in better shape over his whole career (instead of ballooning up like he did) as he does time practicing those lame ass skits to do during the intros and warmups, that the Suns might have been in a much better position than they currently are.
Shaq's been better..much better than expected this season. They change their coach, get rid of role players and Amare is injured..this isn't a shocker.
But they might be back next year. Nash, Shaq, Richardson, Stoudemire and Barbarosa are still a formidable group. I wish Duncan, Billups, Nash, and Shaq would hurry up and "get old". They are all getting close to the age when most stars start becoming good role-players. If the bottom feeding franchises, which traditionally suck all the time, continue their futility, the West may become a little more reasonable. I also think the Rockets may fizzle soon. I don't understand why they have so much success. They have Yao Ming, but the rest of the roster is not that impressive.
time to swoop in on Nash (Blake/Bayless, 7M in savings for them) and sign Hill to a 1 year deal. Sure we're crowded then and they're expiring, but Nate can't bitch about not having vets and we're championship contenders next year for sure. Nash(25)/Sergio(15)/Koponen... Roy(8) Roy(28)/Rudy(20) Webster(20)/Hill(20)/Batum(8) Aldridge(30)/Outlaw(18) Oden(24)/Pryz(24) The real loser of the situation would be Batum (but only for a year) and during that time he could hit the weights hard and gain some great learning experience being around such great vets. And I'm guessing at some point 1 of Webster, Hill, Rudy, or Roy would be hurt.
Nash is great and all. He really tries hard, but he's not what we need. Part of the reason why the Suns are doing so poorly is because of Nash' (lack of) defense. Considering perimeter defense is one of our glaring weaknesses, he'd be the last PG I'd want for this team.
the rest of the roster might not have big names(other than artest) but that doesn't mean they aren't impressive.
Yeah Batum has done so poorly this year he deserves to not only be benched, but also out of the rotation. Really? Come on.
buy low. I think he'd have a much better time playing with some guys that D'd up like Oden, Pryz, and Aldridge than Amare and Shaq personally. He sure looked good when playing with solid defenders like Marion, Diaw, and Kurt Thomas the year they were screwed out of a championship. I also think it would do him some good to play with another creator like Roy to take some stress and pressure off of him to constantly create.
he'd be grabbing utility minutes for sure...and hypothetically w/o Hill I'd be fine with our rotation too Nash(26)/Sergio(14)/Roy(8)...Koponen Roy(28)/Fernandez(20) Webster(24)/Batum(24) Aldridge(30)/Outlaw(18)...Freeland Oden(24)/Pryzbilla(24) with Aldridge getting some minutes at 5 if Oden or Pryz are hurt or in foul trouble and Outlaw averaging more than 18 mpg.
Anyone see the Hornets/Spurs game? Noticed Duncan's knees seem to be really bothering him...It just looked like he was running slow and looked like they hurt...