Diesel for the Matrix (and others) apparently. Looks like that Gasol deal really did shake up the league. And maybe we’ll even get to see a PHO-LAL West Finals and then another BOS-LAL Finals.
Wow. I do not think Shaq will do well in Mike D’Antoni’s system. Do the Suns think they will be getting the Shaq of old? We will see how this trade works out for them. Although, I don’t think it will be good for them at all. Looks like this will be a great trade for the Heat.
Looks like an idiotic trade from the Suns perspective.
Shaq in his prime wouldn’t fit in the Suns system all that well. An ancient Shaq doesn’t do much at all for them.
An idiotic move of monumental proportions.
I’m going to be the outcast and be one of the few people who supports the Shaq to PHX trade. I know Shaq is close to retirement, but I think Shaq will be used for leadership, tutor Amare Stoudemire, and maybe provide a change of pace to the run and gun style of PHX. Shaq’s numbers are at career lows, and since PHX scores so many points anyways, anything Shaq gives them is a bonus. I think Shaq will be used for intangibles and things besides relying on scoring and rebounding (although he will still get the ball and get double-doubles a lot of nights).
Maybe PHX sees this as the missing piece of the puzzle to a championship, the veteran leader who’s won (and lost) championships, and knows how to get it done.
Marion wanted out of PHX anyways, and Flash and the Matrix will make a good combo, for this season at least. Miami will save a little bit of money by trading Shaq, but picking up Marion’s contract is a little smaller than Shaq’s ($20 mil vs. $16.5 mil), so they are not having a whole lot of money. Marion does give Miami a legitimate scoring and rebounding threat, as well as a healthy body.
As for the Gasol trade to LAL, that’s bigtime for the Lakers. Gasol will be a good wingman for Kobe, and when Bynum returns healthy, the Lakers will be dangerous. They are off to a surprisingly good start this year, and I think they will finish great down the stretch.
This is good for all of us West fans. They’re a worse team for this.
This trade makes the Suns worse. A lot worse. In trading Marion they lost a guy who did everything else for the Suns after Amare and Nash. They lost a guy who scored, rebounded like an animal, and blocked shots. They lost the best defensive player on their team. They lost one of the most athletic players in the league. They lost speed. They lost a constant alley-oop threat. They lost the MATRIX for god sakes. I’ve always believed Marion’s greatness was often eclipsed by the brilliance of Nash and the explosiveness of Amare.
In return, they got an injury ridden, old, past his prime, marginally motivated Shaquielle O’Neal. Shaq’s always been a big talker, and he’ll charm the team and the city of Phoenix, but in the end he will bring them down. The Suns scrapped their game plan for plan B.
Now as a Lakers fan I couldn’t care less about this deal. I think the Suns will be much more BEATABLE now.
Bynum, Odom, Gasol and Kobe. Thats an unstoppable team. LA wins the Championship this year.
Do the Suns have a time machine? That’s the only way this makes any sense.
Well, they were going to lose Marion anyway, so at least they got something. I guess they figured that they can’t contend with the big men of the Lakers and Spurs with their current lineup. They’re hoping that they can get Shaq to focus more on the defensive end of the floor. I think they could actually improve a little from this, but still not enough to win a championship. Great move for Miami, getting rid of that contract.
Guys that think shaq is done can look at randy moss at oakland. When he came to a much better team-the patriots- he had the best year ever for a receiver. Shaq helped win a championship 2 years ago in miami he could easily do it again. Not to mention his presence alone helps draw defenders. If shaq can be healthy he will be good and the suns will be a great contender. Shaw has been to 6 championships and has won 4 so his leadership will also be good for the team.
Also wouldn’t say the lineup of LA is unstoppable either, both Boston and the veteran team of the spurs are right up there with them along with suns.
Shaq O’Neal – Shawn Marion
PPG 14.2 ----- PPG 15.8
RPG 7.8 ------ RPG 9.9
APG 1.4 ------ APG 2.1
SPG 0.6 ------ SPG 2.0
BPG 1.7 ------ BPG 1.5
FG% 0.581 ---- FG% 0.526
FT% 0.482 ---- FT% 0.713
3P% 0.000 ---- 3P% 0.347
MPG 28.5 ---- - MPG 36.4
Are they really that different, I mean, I understand the speed of their respective game is different, but their contributions are about the same (except FT%).
Now PHX has a big man to combat the likes of Bynum and Duncan, etc. Maybe I am reaching but I am looking forward to the Shaq v. Kobe drama.
Not to mention DWade and Marion plus a high draft pick for next year.
Maybe a small power shift to the East…