Am I the only person who thought Shaq was done? It's not just injuries - he can barely jump or move anymore. The only way this works out is if he gets super-motivated and loses 60 pounds. But I'm not sure that's possible given his age. If I were a Heat fan I would be ecstatic. And it looks like the probability that Wade would opt out just became much lower.
Hollinger with a good article summing up what everyone, except apparently Steve Kerr, thinks: http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/insider/col...dShaqSuns080206 <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>My first reaction to hearing reports about this deal was that I was being Punk'd. After that, I checked the calendar to make sure it wasn't April 1, and verified that the voice on the other end of the phone didn't belong to Orson Welles. But there was no Ashton Kutcher, no Orson Welles, and the calendar says it's February.</div>
Check out Shaq's PER. http://www.82games.com/0708/07MIA16D.HTM Their defense is better with him on court: 108 Poimts Per 100 posessions vs. 112.5. Their offense is better, too: 103.4 on court, 101.6 off. http://www.82games.com/0708/07MIA16C.HTM PER 19.7, opposing C's PER 14.2 His ratings are good because he doesn't play that many minutes/game. Who knows about next season, tho
I don't think Shaq rates out that well in my system as he does using PER. He's a 3rd tier guy. I guess the theory is that with a top flight PG and a very active guy like Amare blocking shots, you could ignore his immobility. Looks like a big risk to me, and it cements the Suns in luxury tax territory in 08-09 unless they get rid of Nash (whose contract is only partially guaranteed). On the other hand, it slightly helps their tax position this year and next, and 2 years away is a long way to worry about for an old team. I think the bigger question is can they do better than Shaq? I think Wallace might get them about the same kind of production (though more defense oriented) at a little over half the cost. If I'm John Paxson I'd be selling Steve Kerr really hard on that point anyway. Just in general, it's pretty interesting how everyone is gearing up to do battle with the Celtics and now the Lakers. It gives a pretty clear idea of who wants to win and who doesn't give a shit.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MikeDC @ Feb 6 2008, 10:41 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Just in general, it's pretty interesting how everyone is gearing up to do battle with the Celtics and now the Lakers. It gives a pretty clear idea of who wants to win and who doesn't give a shit.</div> I think who wants to win and who doesn't give a shit has been pretty clear for a while.
The Suns could do something crazy like offer Amare for Wallace and Pax would be twiddling his thumbs..... I'd take Wallace out to Red Lobster for a nice meal and then we'd go to a nice sports store so he could pick out his suitcase: any color he wanted. I'd then buy him a really nice limo with several Gatorade drinks in there and tell him to say: "Hello and wear a jacket, we can't have you sick for your first game." to Amare for me at the Airport; Amare's flight is scheduled to leave later. As Wallace's Limo pulls off, wave good bye. End of story. Fantasy. Realistically they'd laugh at the thought. As for Shaq, Phoenix just wants interior presence, but Shaq is losing that presence. However, Wade probably could have a good time having Shawn Marion as a teammate who could give more points. It is a realistic deal, but Phoenix has work cut out for them if they do.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MikeDC @ Feb 6 2008, 10:41 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Just in general, it's pretty interesting how everyone is gearing up to do battle with the Celtics and now the Lakers. It gives a pretty clear idea of who wants to win and who doesn't give a shit.</div> Yeah, most definitely. Cuban would appear to be on deck; it'll be interesting to see whether he comes out swinging or nervously runs back into the clubhouse.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (rwj @ Feb 6 2008, 02:09 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Hollinger with a good article summing up what everyone, except apparently Steve Kerr, thinks: http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/insider/col...dShaqSuns080206 <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>My first reaction to hearing reports about this deal was that I was being Punk'd. After that, I checked the calendar to make sure it wasn't April 1, and verified that the voice on the other end of the phone didn't belong to Orson Welles. But there was no Ashton Kutcher, no Orson Welles, and the calendar says it's February.</div> </div> I can't read that.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticBalla32 @ Feb 6 2008, 01:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MikeDC @ Feb 6 2008, 10:41 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Just in general, it's pretty interesting how everyone is gearing up to do battle with the Celtics and now the Lakers. It gives a pretty clear idea of who wants to win and who doesn't give a shit.</div> Yeah, most definitely. Cuban would appear to be on deck; it'll be interesting to see whether he comes out swinging or nervously runs back into the clubhouse. </div> I think there's a deal to be made between the Mavs and Nets, although if I'm the Nets I'm asking teams to take Carter back as the price for taking Kidd
Phoenix looks pretty awful today. Van Gundy keeps talking about how their spacing is off and how they don't have as many shooters as they did in the past.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MikeDC @ Feb 24 2008, 08:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>It sure gives the impression Shaq is washed up and the Suns made a booboo.</div> I think trading Marion wasn't such a mistake, it was just that Shaq is going to kill their future. They should have gotten a different piece.
This was a terrible trade for Phoenix, and I've been saying that from the get-go. He simply does not fit in with their offense. He just does not have the mobility of conditioning to fit well in that offensive system. And as far as his defense, what he's doing is overrated. Why does it matter if he can play some defense when the other four guys out there can't? In my opinion, they traded away their glue guy in Marion for a guy that's clearly on the downside of his career. Why they did this, I haven't a clue, but it was stupid. And, now for some shameless promotion, for my thoughts on this trade and a couple others, check out my blog. Link is in the sig and comments are welcome.
