[Miami Herald] Shaq-Marion Deal In Works (UPDATE: Done Deal)

so when is shaq expected back?

 

Guys, get ready for the best Western Conference Playoff Basketball in NBA history.

 

I predict a first round loss for Phoenix.

 

for real. 10 teams on pace for 47 wins so there's great depth. about 6 teams all jumbled up at the top which should make for some really close, long early series, and stars and newly traded stars galore. hopefully it lives up the hype and everyone stays healthy (and the rockets get to be part of it).

 

shaq vs yao revitalized.......back in the west

 

Naw. The Suns are close to a title and they got a guy who has done it before. We weren't close and we got a guy who has never won a playoff series.

Now that Gasol gift..that is a worse trade.

 

Nash makes everyone look good. If Shaq can stay healthy (a big if), and play at 75% of what he once was (pulling a % out of my hat), this could be a good move for the Suns. Did they really give up two 1st round picks?

 

Love this trade. We could beat the Suns now. That is, if we make the playoffs.

 

I think the trade can work out for the Suns, because the one team that they cannot beat has been the Spurs. Now IF Shaq is healthy, he can be a presence against Tim Duncan, because nobody can really post up against Shaq the way they want to. He would have to make his post moves a little farther away from the basket. Also, Parker and Ginobili will not be able to have a free pass to the basket anymore. The Suns can really try to lock down on the outside and know that they have a huge presence to block and change shots at the basket if their player gets by them.

If teams try pick and roll against Shaq, the Suns can always go to a zone defense to eliminate that problem as well.

Offensively, the Suns have an option now in the half court. O'neal is a great passer, so with all the cutting, he'll be able to pick apart defenses. Nash can increase anybody's scoring average, and he'll get O'neal much easier baskets at the basket. As far as their fast break, Shaq can get the rebound or block the shot and throw the outlet and watch Steve Nash and Barbosa do their thing, and if they dont score, then they wait on Shaq to get back and run the offense either through Nash or Shaq. That will save some wear and tear on Nash.

The one good thing that this does for the Rockets is, it makes this a much more even matchup. Yao can guard somebody who is slower than he is, and plays inside, instead of trying to guard Nash and Stoudamire on the pick and roll. However, if Tmac tries to drive inside, it will be hard for him to finish inside against Shaq, so he may shy away from that even more now, but now there is no more Shawn Marion to contest his jump shots, only Raja Bell, which is not a hard matchup for T-mac. Plus they only have one other 3 point shooter now other than Nash, which is Bell, so that means the Rockets can guard the paint better now as well.

I think the Rockets vs. Suns in the playoffs would be fun to watch and a better matchup for us, now that Shaq is there.

 

No picks exchanged.

http://www.nba.com/transactions/current_month_transactions.html

 

Someone please tell me this guy is joking.

 

Prior to this trade, in the crunch time which is the best Sun to have to take an open shot with a game on the line? Answer is Shawn Marion and that alligator arm, nut shrinking to his stomach, shot of his.

 

Shaq isn't going to have to work nearly as hard on the Suns -- this really could be good for them provided the hip heals 100%.

There is also marketing to think about as well -- it's not all about championships.

 

All you have to do is to look at the game that PHX lost to NOH last night 132-130 and you can understand why Steve Kerr would take such a big gamble. During crunch time in the 4th Qtr & the overtimes, PHX was consistently unable to make a defensive stop on NOH or grab a key rebound. And that's exactly what has been happening to them for 3 years now in the playoffs. This is one huge gamble but it's one that does have the possibility of paying off big for them and that's really all one can ask for at this point in time. Whether this means that they no longer match up well against the Rox still remains to be seen but it should really be fun to watch now.

 

Thanks. A crazy trade, but the Suns must have decided to make a radical move and see if it works. Nash isn't going to be at the top of his game forever. At least without the picks said to be involved, it looks slightly less wacked.

 

Look for Suns to become basement dwellers in the league in 3 or maybe even 2 years. Aging Nash, already aging Shaq, and no real escape plan.

 

Maybe in couple years... This year they are gearing up to win a championship.

I'm sorry but the line up of:

Nash
Barbosa/Bell
Hill
Amare
Shaq

is completely and utterly disgusting, and if Shaq is running good come playoffs, which I expect he will be, then Phoenix is going to be a monster.

Shaq haters need to get real... just b/c he is old and slowER than he used to be, doesn't mean he can't dunk or back it in on anyone in this league. Amare will now be the ultimate weak side shot blocker... OH, you beat Shaq?? Too bad your **** just got knocked into the third row by Amare...

Get real... The reason Phoenix hasn't been able to win the playoffs is b/c of no strong Post presence on offense and defense. If you look up Shaq in the dictionary it says "strong post presence."

Phoenix is going to be tough... they can still run with Diaw

Nash
Bell
Barbosa
Amare
Diaw

Shaq is for the playoffs...... this years playoffs.... not 3 years from now....

 

If Marion really is leaving, they needed to get something for a guy who hasn't won them rings.

As mentioned, with Marion and their style of play, they haven't reached the Finals. Something needed to be done. You could argue that trading Marion was or wasn't the way to do it, but you can't argue that the Suns needed a change of some sort.

 

I am sure this is what Stern had in mind when he said the East-West disparity will correct itself in time. There will bound to have some stupid GM in the West...

 

not hating, but i doubt shaq will even be ready for this years playoffs, too many uncertainties and gambling for the suns, and the odds aren't that great