The Pistons will get taken out by Cleveland again come playoff time. The were fortunate to get by Clev 2 years ago and last year they were fortunate to win any games versus them last year. Cleveland is a terrible match up for them. I think the Pistons have a better chance versus Boston.
Agreed. Shaq doesn't fit with the team at all. With him in the game, Detroit just collapsed on the inside and prevented any Phoenix wings cutting to the basket. Detroit was very impressive. Their depth off the bench will keep the starters fresh. Hayes, Maxiel, Johnson, and Afflalo are solid contributers.
YEah they put thorought out the first half ! but they were too clumsy. I feel for de antoni ! Miwahhaha
im not going to come out and say the suns are finished for the season like some, but they definitely look worse right now than before the trade. the celtics win honestly had much less to do with how well the suns played than it did how poorly the celtics played. i watched that game and was amazed at how poorly boston's stars were shooting. it was the kind of game where you go 'well boston is getting what they want, they're just missing, and the shots will eventually start falling.' they never did. KG's shooting percentage was respectable only because he abused amare in the post and got everything inside to go; he bricked numerous wide open, uncontested Js that are well within his range. then you have ray allen and paul pierce with probably their worst games of the year at the same time and i can't say it was because the suns played good defense. and with all of that, the Cs lost by only 8 points. so i wouldnt exactly point to the celtics game as an example of the suns' improved play post-trade than pre-trade. they might end up better off later on this year, but right now they are struggling on offense and its not infeasible that shaq's interior defense is largely offset by the dropoff in perimeter D with marion's absence.
They wouldn't have to cut to the basket if Bell and Barbosa were out there spot up shooting like they did the previous two years. I do think they need their guards (outside of Nash) to start shooting well again and also also think they need to figure out their rotation. I am not sure the combination with Shaq, Hill and Diaw. In the end their best team may be Nash, Barbosa and Bell on the wings and Amare and Shaq on the interior. That is better than any 5 man team they could do with Marion, because he then left them small at the PF and C. But to do this Bell and Barbosa have to play better and they have no guard depth (where Barry would really help them). So yes the Suns have work to do--but and I'd hardly figure they are done. Shaq may not even be part of their best 5 versus all competition (GS, Dallas, Det). The Heat 2 years ago did better versus Dallas with Shaq out. But Shaq may be key to beating power and big front line teams (SA, Utah, Lakers, Hou, Bos).
Yep. Expiring contract, they're just gonna let him rot til season's end...really felt he could give the Rockets some Kyle Korver-lite contribution this season but oh well now... Man, the Suns bringing in Shaq was almost like firing D'Antoni midseason and replacing him with Mike Fratello. It could still work out but now you have to wonder...
Well, the Pistons are playing their bench much more this year than in years past. It's really a big difference, cuz their starters are going to be fresh for the playoffs. I don't know if it's enough to beat LeBron, but we'll see.
Shaq against the Pistons: 27 minutes, 7 points on 3-8 shooting, 10 rebounds, 1-6 from the line, no blocks, no steals, 3 TOs. The best big man in the NBA had 25 points on 9-20 shooting, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block, had 3 of his shots blocked, and had a +/- of -29.
The suns look terrible and Shaq reminds me of Olajuwon playing for Raptors...Hang it up before you are remembered for your decline rather than your rapage!
Yep. You know he is washed up when he is as motivated as he has ever been and he still can't score in double figures. I still think this deal can work in the Suns' favor once the coaching staff figures out the best way to utilize Shaq's strengths and hide his weaknesses. Nash needs some time to figure Shaq out as well. I just think it is sad when a guy who once made any team he played for into an instant contender is now a role player who is a liability in so many ways.
