I'd like to see us offer Shane, BJack, Francis, and Luther for Marion and see if Miami would take it. Then draft Rush with our pick. Now, you've got 3 swingmen, McGrady, Marion, and Rush to take up your 96 minutes at the swing spots. We're already set at the 4. See if we can get Kurt Thomas to sign to back up Yao. Then see about getting Kyle Lowry from Memphis for Novak or another expiring contract and a future draft pick.
Uhhh... perhaps because I watch the games, and it's positively DISTURBING how easy it is to predict that T-Mac will pull up for a quick 3 or take a contested fadeaway rather than take it to the rack when we need points. I've supported T-Mac throughout the years. He'd be perfect, if he'd just resolve to attack the basket when it counts. Every year I've had to tell myself "maybe this is the year. Maybe this is the year McGrady actually takes it to the basket, gets free throws, gets high-percentage baskets." And it never happens. I'm tired of waiting for next year. T-Mac's been in the league for 10 years... I'm done hoping he'll finally attack the basket consistently, or give consistent effort on D. He just falls in love with his jumper and thinks that he can pull off another 13 in 33 at will. I think he may be the single most talented player in the entire league next to Lebron, but it doesn't matter, because he doesn't attack enough. Kobe goes to the rack. Ginobili goes to the rack. Wade goes to the rack. McGrady does not. The end. I'm sick of it.
I think the Dallas and Phoenix trades will prove to be bad moves for each team. Each team got a lot older as a result. Nash and Kidd are each near the end of their careers. The Laker trade on the other hand was very positive for LA. IMO the balance of power in the west has moved to NO and LA. Not forgetting about SA though, although Duncan has been around a long while, they still seem to turn it on in the playoffs. I do believe the Rox still have a window of opportunity for a year or two if both Yao and Tracy can stay healthy and if they can add a consistent third scorer.
I don't see all the arguments for the Suns beating the Spurs last year w/o Cheap Shot Rob's check + the leaving the bench fiasco. Phx had a man advantage in game 6 with all the motivation in the world (win to force a game 7 at home) and still lost. I think in the end had the bench fiasco not happened the Suns are still less than 50/50 to win that series. Further, the Suns team with Marion this year were a worse version of the 07 team and 05 team. They had next to no chance to win it all. Now probably they should not have made the Shaq trade given his price but at least they tightened the interior defense and rebounding. Next year they should find a coach who believes in defense and using a bench + add a SF who gives them atheticism, defense and shooting (move Hill to the 6th man)--basically a bigger version of Raja Bell, and go from there. They have draft picks (inc #15 from Atl) + Barbosa + Diaw as trade bait.
