Popular opinion seems to be that this trade doesn't make much sense for the Phoenix Suns. I'm here to tell you that it does. Sure, the Suns we've come to know and love are run and gun 20 dunks and 30 3's a game. Their offense is wherever Steve Nash can fit the ball. I have good news for all of you who love that style: it can stay!
The Suns would still have lots of pieces that make their Indy-Car offense work: Diaw, Stoudemire, Hill when he is healthy, Barbosa, and of course the driver, Steve Nash. Here's what acquiring Shaq would do. It would allow the Suns to have a change-up to throw in the mix of their fastball style. That isn't to say even with the Diesel running in the fleet of Ferraris there won't be some race track moments but imagine this for me, if you will.
A fast break starts off a long rebound it gets pushed up to Nash who inexplicably sends the ball towards the rafters. No one knows what to do, that is, except for Shaq. His job is to continue down the floor, at his labored pace, and get to the rim. We saw last year in the dunk contest that Nash can kick flip alley-oops. What would lead us to believe he can't throw them 30 feet up to allow for Shaq to plod down the floor and finish up. Really, with Shaq headed to the rim and his eyes directed skyward, who is going to be getting in his way? I'll pass.
Back in the realm of possibilities, Shaq would be able to offer a true low post presence to a team that lacks a force down low. I know Shaq isn't the same masher in the paint he was even two or three years ago, but I think he still has some gas in the tank. Amara is more suited for the high post, pick and roll style position with Steve Nash. If he could develop a good passing game with either dumping to Shaq or kicking to an open shooter he could be come an effective contributor as more than as just a dunk threat.
Shaq is headed to Phoenix for a physical. If that passes we could be well on our way to seeing a Diesel powered Sun lurking amidst a fleet of sports cars. And while I'll admire a Ferrari just as much as the next guy, I sure know that a Diesel can pull a wagon full of sports cars.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
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6 comments:
Please note, the opinions expressed on this site do not necessarily represent those of the entire staff of Hell Yes, Guy! This is one of those cases.
This is an awful trade for the Suns. Shaq isn't good enough in the half court on either end anymore to really help the Suns in their problematic areas (interior defense and half-court scoring).
Plus, Nash needs room to get to the hoop. That lane gets kinda crowded with Shaq standing about 3 feet from the hoop at all times.
I am not saying that Shaq is what he used to be. I think more importantly he will bring a new style of offense to the Suns. Maybe not one that will win 60 games in the regular season, but I think one that will become more methodical in the half court. This is the style that wins championships. If you Suns fans want to continue to win 55 games and lose in the 2nd round every year maybe Shaq really isn't for you. DEFENSE AND HALF COURT OFFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS!!!!
Scoring 120 points a game in the regular season = 2nd round playoff disaster
You can't be too happy about this trade then. Shawn Marion brings D-Wade some help but Banks was a money move.
Mark Blount is now your starting center.
I agree with BSR. I like Steve Kerr but this was a terrible idea. It's not so much the diesel pulling ferraris. It's more like a ferrari trying to tow a dump truck. It just doesn't work. The Suns are mediocre at best on defense, and the addition of Shaq may help (Shaq a few years ago would help, but I'm not so sure anymore). Plus, it'll be 4 on 5 offensively until Shaq catches up with the rest of the team. Not to mention, their bench is weighed down a bit during the last 5 minutes of the game. The move helps Miami with more offensive power but is disastrous to Phoenix run and gun offense.
"If you Suns fans want to continue to win 55 games and lose in the 2nd round every year"
It's amazing how two trips to the conference finals and a second round exit after what you could call a controversial suspension suddenly turns into losing in the 2nd round every year. Just amazing.
Regardless, the goal can't be to lose in the conference championship every year. It seems as though Marion didn't want to be around and was going to be gone after the year anyhow.
Not to mention, even with Marion, it hasn't worked out and people aren't getting any younger (Nash, Hill). It was probably time to make a move. This one probably wasn't the one to make.
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