Shaq Traded to Suns

[tornado]

Pending a few details, like the physical, Shaq goes to Phoenix, Shawn Marion to Miami.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AgCwXDYknDFAnpfQ6LstKus5nYcB?slug=jy-shaqdeal020508&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3232862

[BUBraves06]

I don't really get this trade. Obviously Marion has said he wanted to be traded for the past two seasons, but with the way the Suns play, Shaq just doesn't fit their system. They run up and down and he's only getting older and will only be able to stay out there for a few minutes at a time, plus he's not even 100% healthy right now.

[houstontxbrave]

My guess is Marion has been a serious cancer within the locker room this season. O'Neil does not fit their system but he is a great passing center, with good hands and I will guarantee that he will magically be 100% and rejuvinated by going to Phoenix.

But he has two years guaranteed on a huge contract so even if he plays well this year they are stuck with him for another. A front court of O'Neil and Amaure Stodelmire will be a force in the West and gives them more of a chance to win a title then Shawn Marion does, but I dont really think they have a real chance of winning a title with or without O'Neil.

[PTownHawkeye]

Granted that on the surface, Shaq does NOT fit the Suns system at all, but after reading quite a bit about this, I've come to a couple conclusions...

1. The Suns HAD to get rid of Marion. From everything I read, he was becoming a cancer.
2. Shaq is one of a kind player, as almost no relevant player can match his height/girth/strength combination, despite his age and obvious declination. The Suns have so many tools...great passing, shooting, running, dribble penetration, etc. But the one thing they severly lack...
3. ...and one of the biggest reasons the Suns continually lose early in the playoffs is their poor defense, especially in the interior. Despite Shaq's conditioning problems, he is still a force in the middle on defense. He is averaging 1.7 blocks/game and still pulls down 8 boards.

That's just my opinion on the Suns logic...

[ph]

Granted that on the surface, Shaq does NOT fit the Suns system at all, but after reading quite a bit about this, I've come to a couple conclusions...

1. The Suns HAD to get rid of Marion. From everything I read, he was becoming a cancer.
2. Shaq is one of a kind player, as almost no relevant player can match his height/girth/strength combination, despite his age and obvious declination. The Suns have so many tools...great passing, shooting, running, dribble penetration, etc. But the one thing they severly lack...
3. ...and one of the biggest reasons the Suns continually lose early in the playoffs is their poor defense, especially in the interior. Despite Shaq's conditioning problems, he is still a force in the middle on defense. He is averaging 1.7 blocks/game and still pulls down 8 boards.

That's just my opinion on the Suns logic...

... And thus the reason the 4 guard offense will never win championships in the NCAA... ?

[jasonpeoria911]

Shaq may not even pass the physical LOL. He hasn't been able to play with that bad hip for almost a month. How's he expected to run and gun on a nightly basis.

Jason

[Dallas Brave]

Shaquille has been playing 25+ minutes a game lately. I think he will be a load in Phoenix. Teams like Dallas won't get a rebound against the tandem of Shaq and Stoudemire.

[amckillip]

... And thus the reason the 4 guard offense will never win championships in the NCAA... ?

Villanova?

[ph]

Villanova?

They may of been ranked #1 but "only" made the Elite 8


Mostly, I wonder why this thread is on the College sports Bradley board..

[ser_solace]

Was listening to radio in South Florida. They confirmed it was a done deal.

So, uh, the Heat get Marion, but they still need a good center with Shaq and Mourning gone. Wonder where though.

[Chico]

Just watched the press conference out here in Mesa. The coach said you don't need 5 guys running to have a fast break. Once Shaq gets the rebound he doesn't have to run. Just get the ball to Nash.

[ghunt]

... And thus the reason the 4 guard offense will never win championships in the NCAA... ?

They may of been ranked #1 but "only" made the Elite 8


Mostly, I wonder why this thread is on the College sports Bradley board..

Because Bradley, as was widely made known, runs the Phoenix guard-oriented offense. And, as I tried to create a thread yesterday, there are very interesting and relevant implications and parallels for our team. Please see the the following thread and article it links to and the parallels to our season are fairly interesting:

By way of following up on our offensive system and all it entails, and in the interest in learning even more, I was doing a little Googling and came across an article/blog that had several observations of the Suns. There were so many analogs to our season that I couldn't help but post the link here. I like, in principle, the goals and objectives of the Phoenix offense. Given my previous comments about the current state of American basketball being too physical and defensive oriented and neglectful of "puristic" basketball skills (passing, shooting, movement), I like the efforts of a system such as Phoenix's. In fact, I believe the coach has an international FIBA background, so the concepts seem appealing.

I also understand and have mentioned that apparently spacing, driving and outside shooting are keys, hence the guard emphasis. The system is also one apparently predicated on reads, but it can incorporate a three man drive and kick weave that we often see. However, there can be downsides. Feel free to click on the story and see the observations made and how at times one could just about swap out Phoenix for Bradley and Ruffin for Nash, but I would not be ready, like the blogger, to swapout D’Antoni for Les:

http://www.arizonasportsfans.com/200...coach-dantoni/