Shaq to Suns (maybe) - Good or Bad for the Suns team?

i think we need a big man presence to allow amare to shine as a power forward. though i will miss marion and his defensive abilities, i think it was time for the suns/marion to move on. plus suns management knows bball better than any of us do - so lets see what the last half of the season has in store.

Obviously, the two big pieces in this deal are Trix and the Diesel, but Marcus Banks was making 10 million dollars! It was great to get rid of that cap room and that player. He has had great potential for at least 4 years, so I doubt it will ever pan out. Also, Banks leaving will free up room for the development of Strawberry, who adds great perimeter defense.

Shaq wasn't brought here to be a starter and play 35 minutes. He was brought here to beat the hell out of Duncan, Gasol, Yao, Camby, and possibly Dirk. Shaq is also looking at the best training staff in the NBA, motivation to prove everyone wrong, somewhere other than Miami, and a team desperate for a championship. Wouldn't surprise me at all if the trainers roll back the Diesel's odometer 50,000 miles.

The move will also help Amare out. If he can get a break from guarding centers, he won't be in foul trouble every game. Amare also did not like Shaun and his idol growing up was Shaq, as we've all ready seen, Amare's game has gotten a huge boost. The worst case scenario, is Shaq is a total loser, coaches Stoudemire to a new level and retires leaving the Suns with 30 million dollars that we wouldn't have had otherwise with Mucus Banks and Marion.

Another possibility, Marion hates halfcourt basketball, opts out, and the Suns sign him again.

I think Shaq would be worth it just to see him clobber Kobe, Horry, and Ginobili. Just ONE shot for each of them please!

They said Shaq was past his prime when he left LA because of some toe injury.

They say he wasn't motivated, even the year he won the title with Miami.

A move to PHX may spark the Diesel to work harder than ever before. He says his legacy would be tarnished if he didn't get his fifth ring. How sweet would it be for him if he could get that ring back in the west, where the Lakers play?

It's either the best move in recent years, or the worst move ever for the suns.

Nash, Bell, Hill, STAT, and Superman. A solid starting 5. Sure the game will slow down a bit, but Shaq is an excellent passer down-court and in the half-court. He's not the least athletic guy, either. He demands a double team leaving Nash, Bell, and Hill for open shots, and Amare for easy dunks.

Sure, nothing will happen this year. Will he even be healthy for this year's playoffs? probably not. Next year, though. It could be great. Trix' had a contract that would need renegotiation, and the suns weren't willing to give shawn what he wanted. I'm sad to see the matrix go, he was my favorite player on the suns, but business is business I guess.


Shaq for President.

When I first heard about the trade I was concerned, why would you give up the matrix for a past his prime Shaq? However its still too early to tell what's going to happen. The big question is going to be can Shaq stay healthy? Remember he's going to a Sun's team that has a history of keeping people healthy in recent years, look at Nash and Hill who have been out there most of the days. Also remember that when Shaq is motivated he is a complete beast in the paint, surely Sun's fans remember his days on the Lakers. While he might not be quite that good, I think he can give the Sun's 15 and 8 while having a greater impact in the middle than Marion. And than in the playoffs he is one person who can throw on hte switch and be amazing. The key to this whole thing is how is Diaw going to do. If Diaw can step it up and play at the level he should be at then he can replace some of what Marion brought to the team. He is going to get more minutes now that Marion is gone so he needs to prove his worth. In the end if Shaq brings us the ring i don't think anyone is going to be upset, so i guess we'll just have to wait and see how it plays out. Although this whole talk would be stupid if the trade fails due to Shaq's health since we would then almost have to trade Marion.

I believe this Trade would be horrible for the suns since mainly Shaq is past his prime. He is 35 years old and is consistently on the injured list for the last 2 years. Also, Shaq's numbers are on the decline, and this year he is posting up career lows in points scored, ft percentage etc. Suns are an up-tempo team that wont benefit from the slow player shaq has always been. Lastly, the excuse that he will attract double team from bell/barbosa/nash defenders cant be true. Many teams wont be using double on shaq, and the whole reasoning of drawing defenders away from our 3pt shooters just isnt a good reason for this trade to go through.