Phoenix Suns Trade for Shaq

[RA1D]

when i first read about this yesterday, my first response was.... What the???

from miami's perspective, i love the trade. they basically get rid of dead weight and in return get a dynamic, athletic player that can play 3 and guard 4 positions game in and game out. how does pat riley always end up on the right side of a trade? they made out like bandits.

everybody knows how the suns play and they've been successful with their style for a few years now. shaq fits nowhere in that offense. the guy is washed up plain and simple. there's been whispers of it for a couple of years now and this year there was no debating it. though history shows that aging star players tend to temporarily rejuvenate their careers after being traded but i think shaq has already played that card after being traded to the heat. he's got vapor in his tank. sure he'll show a flash of his old self every so often but is that the type of production you want from someone earning $20 million per year??? seriously, the suns hurt themselves by this move.

i suppose the playoff theory is in effect here. one could argue that the suns don't really need shaq till the playoffs when they face the spurs. but honestly, that's a recipe for failure. how do you expect your team to play run and gun all year long and in the playoffs, magically expect them to change to a half court style and be successful? i would argue that the suns were due for a finals appearance the way the spurs have been playing anyways.

[screwballl]

its a bunch of sasquatches bouncing a ball back and forth... I think it is just an overrated sport that gets way too much attention.. it all went downhill after MJ retired the first time and all these teams tried finding the next super star and now we see these big no talent wannabes like Shaq. Its like a terrible movie with a big name actor in it, only there to get people in the seats to make a few dollars...

[RA1D]

Originally Posted by screwballl

its a bunch of sasquatches bouncing a ball back and forth... I think it is just an overrated sport that gets way too much attention.. it all went downhill after MJ retired the first time and all these teams tried finding the next super star and now we see these big no talent wannabes like Shaq. Its like a terrible movie with a big name actor in it, only there to get people in the seats to make a few dollars...

i would agree that the NBA got ugly there for awhile. games went from averaging over 100 pts per game to the 80-90 range. defense became the popular focus and for fans, like me, it was not as fun to watch.

recently the league has implemented rules to raise the tempo of the game and give offensive players more of an advantage. run and gun (aka showtime) teams like the suns have become successful and their style is being copied more and more each year (ex: raptors, grizzlies, warriors). this has made for more entertaining games and i think was a good move by the league.

i would disagree that the league is in search for a star as there are plenty now. the most marketable name and heir to MJ, Lebron James, took his team to the finals last year. in my opinion, Kobe is still the most talented player but ever the rape accusations, he's not as highly touted as he once was. there has been an influx of fantastic international talent the past few years which has globalized the sport. Yao Ming, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker, Pau Gasol, Dirk Nowitzki.... all stars in the nba but also mega idols in their homeland.

[Jokerswild]

I would add Tim Duncan to that list but your right RAID the league is looking as good as it has in years.

[azianai]

Originally Posted by One4yu2c

That, and to battle San Antonio come playoff time. But really though, the battle in the west is just to see who gets the honor of losing to the Celtics in the finals.

Never mind the fact that Allen and Garnett are unproven in the playoffs. Or that with the pace their going, they'll probably burn out by the playoff time. Oh and pierce is the most overrated pos in the NBA. I'd put my $$ on the Lakers, think about it a front court of Odom, Bynum, Gasol. And with kobe in the back court, i think they become the favorites.

Note im a knicks fan so i have no "allegiance" to any of these teams, my team is utter garbage and i pray dolen wakes up and fires isiah

[RA1D]

Originally Posted by azianai

im a knicks fan

sorry to hear that man

[One4yu2c]

I'm not back in this thread for long, just checking back in for a link I dropped. If anyone finds it, please let me know.

Celtics demolish Knicks 104-59 - USATODAY.com

[screwballl]

i thought this was kind of funny

Sheriff's Uniform Waiting for Shaq

[azianai]

Originally Posted by One4yu2c

I'm not back in this thread for long, just checking back in for a link I dropped. If anyone finds it, please let me know.

Celtics demolish Knicks 104-59 - USATODAY.com

Im not here for long too, i got this link i dropped as well:Amazon.com: 19-0: The Historic Championship Season of New England's Unbeatable Patriots: Books: Boston Globe

[One4yu2c]

LOL - I would have preferred the Super Bowl victory over the basketball thumping, but I'll take victories where I can get 'em.