John Hollinger wrote a scathing report on the Shaq trade by the Suns. According to Hollinger, Phoenix is second to last among the 8 current playoff-bound teams in the Western Conference to fall off from race: http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/insi...ory?columnist=hollinger_john&page=Suns-080307
The Suns are going to miss the playoffs because they can't and/or refuse to play any sort of defense. Its shameful really. And by D'Antoni's comments, he doesn't know how to coach defense. The Suns are in trouble. They may make the playoffs, but their window shut when they traded for Shaq.
Eh. Everyone acts as if they were going to win a title with Marion. They weren't. The trade wa a huge gamble for sure, but it was worth a shot. It should also be noted that the season isn't over yet, so, despite stumbling thus far, they shouldn't be counted out just yet...
but with marion, they were winning games and a couple of questionable calls/officiating away from the finals
They were not going to beat the spurs. THEY WERE NOT! IF they couldnt do it with Joe Johnson and Q-Rich 3yrs ago , they missed out! Has Nash had a double digit assist game since the trade? Nash is overrated !!!! (like we didnt know)
They were right in trading Marion away (he was a cancer, had disputes with Amare) but they traded him away for an aging, no longer dominant center...seriously they couldn't find a better deal for marion than shaq? Absolutely failure by the Suns
This is my opinion as well. That team wasn't going to get out of the West with Marion. People can cry about last season and what Robert Horry did to Nash and what Stern did to Amare and the french dude that quit playing after he got a contract extension but it doesn't change the fact that these guys (save for Marion and maybe Bell) can't play a lick of defense. So they added Shaq and gave themselves a new look and maybe a chance to win it all. It doesn't appear to be working (although there is still time) but they certainly didn't miss out on winning a Championship by taking the gamble. Maybe now they will realize that D' Antoni has a style that caters to the casual fan but even with Dictator Stern trying to revamp the game and take away the effects of post play and good defense the fact remains that half court execution and solid defense is what gets you a ring.
The Suns are favored to win by a point against the Spurs. 1) The Suns are at home. 2) The Spurs are on the 3rd game in 4 nights of 2 back-to-back sets. 3) If they are built to defeat low post playoff teams, they should be to win or stay in contention until the last minute. 4) Shaq plays with more fire against Duncan than scrubs. I hope they pull it out and surprise the Spurs.
When did they trade the Atlanta pick? Future Draft Picks Phoenix Suns Credits 2008 first round draft pick from Atlanta Atlanta's own 2008 1st round pick to Phoenix. [Atlanta - Phoenix, 8/19/2005] 2008 second round draft pick from Cleveland Cleveland's own 2008 2nd round pick to Phoenix [Cleveland - Phoenix, 9/17/2002] 2009 second round draft pick from Orlando Orlando's own 2009 2nd round pick to Phoenix via Seattle (top 55 protected in the 2009 Draft). If Orlando's own 2009 2nd round pick is in the top 55 picks, then Orlando's obligations to Phoenix via Seattle shall be extinguished. [Orlando - Seattle, 7/11/2007 and then Phoenix - Seattle, 7/20/2007] 2009 second round draft pick from Golden State Golden State's own 2009 2nd round pick to Phoenix [Golden State - Phoenix, 1/3/2005] Debits 2008 first round draft pick to Seattle Phoenix's own 2008 1st round pick to Seattle. [Phoenix - Seattle, 7/20/2007] 2008 second round draft pick to Indiana Phoenix's own 2008 2nd round pick to Indiana [Indiana - Phoenix, 8/25/2005] 2010 first round draft pick to Seattle Phoenix's own 2010 1st round pick to Seattle. [Phoenix - Seattle, 7/20/2007]
That's going to be a problem since Amare is not a facilitator. Someone is either setting him up for buckets around the basket or he is getting his points off of jump shots. He is not going to create for others on the team. Nash is the one who has to take them to playoffs.
