<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (o.iatlhawksfan @ Feb 6 2008, 05:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I love the Hornets their my 2nd favorite team, but I don't see them making noise, paul will have a huge playoff, CHandler will be solid, and D west will be have his shine, but after that IDK. They don't really have a reliable bench, Bryon has called out his bench many times this season, and Mo Pete was a horrible signing. They got owned by Utah cause they couldn't guard a big guard like Deron, I see that being a problem, if they meet a team like GS. </div> GS will pose huge problems for the Hornets, GS poses huge problems for more traditional type teams....like the Hornets. I guess it'll come down to matchups when everything shakes out.
For the person that said the Suns could have won last year..nope. The Suns could not have won last year, did not win last year, would not have won last year, and never were going to win a championship playing that style. This is them admitting that.
To the person who said Shaq is an unstoppable force when motivated...this would be true if we were living in the year 2004. The Diesel just doesnt have anything left in the tank. He cant run, he can't gun, hell he has trouble finishing around the rim...if he can even manage to stay healthy long enough to get on the court.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (pegs @ Feb 6 2008, 04:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Astral @ Feb 6 2008, 03:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>No matter how old or how injured, people forget that Shaq is still Shaq.</div> Welcome to S2, Astral! I agree. But that doesn't really matter till the playoffs. And then, when we get to the playoffs, what happens if Shaq gets injured before, or during? That might be a problem. </div> Thanks - I was around on the old forums (seems like a long time now). Shaq is not just a basketball player. He makes people believe. When he cares enough (and believe me, NOW he will care enough - it's his chance to make history) he can motivate his squad as well as anyone. That's issue #1 - chemistry. Teams need charisma to win. More than that, a team needs a pecking order. Shaq has a personality that will say "Nash, this is your team" and mumble "and noone will dare F it up while I'm here". Issue #2 is that from PHX's point of view, they're not giving up much. When Stoudamire was out, Diaw played EXCELLENT. Since Diaw has a body similar to Marion, I think PHX expects him to take over the role of main defender and running mate - one who doesn't whine about his shots. Then they get a HOF Center, a true back to the basket player who can still command a double team in half court (something Marion can't do). You almost know what to expect with Shaq. But there's a 10% chance that he'll actually take it easy and rest up, then come back motivated to add to his legacy come playoff time. Point #3 is that Steve Kerr is the GM of one of the most successful clubs in the last 3 years. Chances are, he knew exactly the gamble he was taking and still thought it worth it. I'll take Kerr's opinion over someone like Stein or Hollinger any day. And lastly, NBA is still a business. PHX probably has the same shot of winning the title with this team as with Marion, yet they're pretty much guaranteed to be more profitable than before.
God Shaq is fat. Look at the Yahoo NBA page. When I looked at it, I thought it was Chris Hansen and Charles Barkley in that picture, but it turned out to be Steve Kerr and Shaq.
A trade that is horrible long term wise, the Suns are trying to get to the next step. Phoenix has given up their philosophy that running alone can win them a championship. Or have they? Realistically you don't need all 5 guys to run a fastbreak. I think the big question is Shaq willing to sacrifice his offense and just be a defensive force? At this stage in his career, I don't see why not. But then again, they may need him to score a few points here and there. Marion's absence will slow them down a bit and will need to set a few half court plays for the big fella. Every trade will have pros and cons. Marion, after rumored to be traded before this season, has expressed (quietly) his desire to be moved. With this move, Steve Kerr may have avoided a "Jason Kidd type" situation in the future. What looks to be a bad trade, may very well benefit both parties involved. Only time can tell though.
