Detroit Pistons at Phoenix Suns game blog

[Allanon]

This game has major implications on the Western Conference race and gives us another glimpse if Shaq is for real.

If the Big Cactus is for real, the Suns can make some serious noise this year.

Who are YOU rooting for?

1) Phoenix Suns? If Phoenix wins, that makes the #1 overall seed that much more possible since Detroit has 15 losses and the West top 4 have 17 losses...Utah has 19 losses.

2) Detroit Pistons? Pistons win the Suns drop down to #5, Spurs move on up. Hornets move on up, Mavs get closer to a home seed.

[Allanon]

Jeff Van Gundy just said Manu Ginobolli is the 2nd best 2 guard in the NBA behind Kobe Bryant.

He also thinks the Suns needs another player like Brent Barry or Sam Cassell.

Brent Barry says he'll make a decision by Tuesday.

[JamStone]

There's a game blog in the Pistons Talk section.

[Allanon]

End of quarter, Suns getting their asses handed to them.

Pistons up 11

[Allanon]

Ah, thanks man, I'll check it out.

[lefty]

Flagrant by Shaq

Well, I guess Suns are not dirty :rolleyes

[cornbread]

Suns are dirty!!!

[td4mvp21]

:lol Don't complain about the Spurs being dirty Suns fans

[N4th4n]

:lol Don't complain about the Spurs being dirty Suns fans

The spurs are dirty,
So is Shaq! :married:

[td4mvp21]

The spurs are dirty,
So is Shaq! :married:

:lol Nice

[hater]

shaq says this is the best team he's ever been in :dizzy

[Amarelooms]

Go Pistons...I need as many teams in the West to lose as often as possible. My Mavs are struggling....hope Denver and GS continue to drop down.

[td4mvp21]

shaq says this is the best team he's ever been in :dizzy

Shaq likes to run his mouth. Any one with common sense knows that any of those three Laker championship teams are better than this Suns team.

[td4mvp21]

Go Pistons...I need as many teams in the West to lose as often as possible. My Mavs are struggling....hope Denver and GS continue to drop down.

:tu Same with the Spurs, except they are playing a little better than the Mavs.

[peskypesky]

Man do I LOVE seeing the Suns get spanked on their own court!!! F-ck you, Phoenix! :)

[lefty]

Shaq had brought something the Suns have never seen before : the offensive 3 second violation

[peskypesky]

shaq says this is the best team he's ever been in :dizzy

Shaq has either lost his mind or he's a lying sack of sh-t, as Walton has implied.

[BonnerDynasty]

Holy shit Billups!

[peskypesky]

SHeed!!! Man I love the Pistons.

[td4mvp21]

God this is fun to watch!!!!

[lefty]

Haha, the look on Suns fans' faces :lmao

[Amuseddaysleeper]

I am loving this!

[traitoravery]

The Suns fans are booing HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[peskypesky]

I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for the Pistons for beating LA in the 2004 Finals.

Plus, I love how they're all about TEAM basketball. And even though they disappointed me last year by choking against Cleveland, I think they're still the favorite to come out of the East this year. They are tough. They are vets. They are DEEP.

They're making a laughingstock out of Phoenix and I love them for it!

[hater]

:lmao at sun fans.

I wanna see Kerr's face. please show Kerr's face

[peskypesky]

The Suns fans are booing HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

When do we start hearing the "Fire Kerr!" chants! :blah

[MaNuMaNiAc]

Shaq with 5 pts... yeah, brilliant move there Suns

[peskypesky]

Sheed!!!!!!!

[peskypesky]

Is Shaq pooping out already!!! haha

The adrenaline from the trade has worn off and he's starting to fade....

[Findog]

I aint jinxing this fucking thing. Suns are gonna come back fo sho. Go Suns!

[lefty]

Suns have got to go small

[Armando]

Fuck this is ugly! I can understand having a letdown after beating Boston but is inexcusable to be down 28 points to the Pistons. The Pistons are good but not that good.

[Medvedenko]

The funny thing...when Shaq is in the game the Pistons go on a run and when he's out the Sun's actually play better. It will take some time to integrate Shaq into the lineup. But he's struggling for sure. The Pistons when on their game IMO are the best team in the League.

[Findog]

Everybody keeps talking about the Spurs, Celtics and Lakers. People need to start talking about the Pistons. I still don't know how they lost to Miami and Cleveland.

[Armando]

Paging Brent Barry

[td4mvp21]

Fuck this is ugly! I can understand having a letdown after beating Boston but is inexcusable to be down 28 points to the Pistons. The Pistons are good but not that good.

Better than the Suns.

[MaNuMaNiAc]

Pistons, without a doubt my second favorite team in this league! Been there since 2004, and haven't faltered

[Findog]

Fuck this is ugly! I can understand having a letdown after beating Boston but is inexcusable to be down 28 points to the Pistons. The Pistons are good but not that good.

Pistons are legitimate title contenders.

[Medvedenko]

They have no perimeter defense anymore. Bell is good, but he can't gaurd all 3 perimeter players.

[Findog]

I'd be very surprised if Boston beats them, but that's why they play the games.

[Armando]

Everybody keeps talking about the Spurs, Celtics and Lakers. People need to start talking about the Pistons. I still don't know how they lost to Miami and Cleveland.

Because they lost to better teams.

[lefty]

Fuck this is ugly! I can understand having a letdown after beating Boston but is inexcusable to be down 28 points to the Pistons. The Pistons are good but not that good.

They're still better than the Suns

[Findog]

Because they lost to better teams.

No, it's because they melted down and didn't play their game, just like the Mavs did against Miami and Golden State. Detroit gets a pass for that because they won a title, while the Mavs don't.

[td4mvp21]

In all seriousness, Suns fans at the game need to relax, it's not gonna be instant success. You just won a grindout game, relax.

[peskypesky]

Everybody keeps talking about the Spurs, Celtics and Lakers. People need to start talking about the Pistons. I still don't know how they lost to Miami and Cleveland.

Pistons will be in the Finals this year. They are too experienced and too deep for Boston.

[Allanon]

Oh my, 36 point beatdown on the Suns?

[traitoravery]

back to back backcourt violations 34 pt lead :toast

[lefty]

Everybody keeps talking about the Spurs, Celtics and Lakers. People need to start talking about the Pistons. I still don't know how they lost to Miami and Cleveland.

They chocked big time

[Armando]

Pistons are legitimate title contenders.


Until they meet LeHype in the East Finals.

[lefty]

That's funny

http://arizonasportsfans.com/vb/showthread.php?t=107258&page=7

[MaNuMaNiAc]

34 pt bitchslap on the Suns! and this after the Spurs beat NO... man this is turning out to be a good weekend

[peskypesky]

Pistons, without a doubt my second favorite team in this league! Been there since 2004, and haven't faltered

Word. If the Spurs didn't exist, I'd be a straight-up Pistons fool. They've been my second-favorite team since 2004. I'll even forgive them for choking last year to Cleveland and Lebroom.

[hater]

Paging Brent Barry

yeah, Brent barry will be the difference :lmao

[MaNuMaNiAc]

Word. If the Spurs didn't exist, I'd be a straight-up Pistons fool. They've been my second-favorite team since 2004. I'll even forgive them for choking last year to Cleveland and Lebroom.Forgive them?? hell, they made it even easier for us! :lol

[Extra Stout]

AHAHA HAHAHA HAHA HAAAAAAA

I'm experiencing some major schadenfreude right now.

[td4mvp21]

Shaq got a taste of his own medicine and the bitch didn't like it.

[Findog]

:lmao on the miked-up part after Rasheed knocked down the turnaround on the baseline:

Alvin Gentry: "Nobody in the world can guard that shot."

That may be true, but Amare didn't do a fuckin' thing to contest it.

:lmao

[The Franchise]

shaq says this is the best team he's ever been in :dizzy
he also said Amare is the best big man in the league. :drunk

[Armando]

Pistons will be in the Finals this year. They are too experienced and too deep for Boston.


I am tired of hearing about Detroit's experience and depth. Where was this alleged experience and depth in 06 vs Miami and 07 vs Cleveland?

[MaNuMaNiAc]

AHAHA HAHAHA HAHA HAAAAAAA

I'm experiencing some major schadenfreude right now.
:lol

[peskypesky]

AHAHA HAHAHA HAHA HAAAAAAA

I'm experiencing some major schadenfreude right now.
lol :elephant

[lefty]

Good scrimmage for Detroit today

[MaNuMaNiAc]

I am tired of hearing about Detroit's experience and depth. Where was this alleged experience and depth in 06 vs Miami and 07 vs Cleveland?It was waiting for this game to show its ugly face

[Borosai]

'Tis a good day.

[Armando]

yeah, Brent barry will be the difference :lmao


Barry will spread the floor more then Hill. Look at Prince guarding Hill. Hill is at the 3 point line and Prince is not even bothering to go cover him. If that was a Barry or a James Jones Prince would not be able to roam on defense.

[StylisticS]

AHAHA HAHAHA HAHA HAAAAAAA

I'm experiencing some major schadenfreude right now.

LOL :lol

[phyzik]

is it possible that we could see a playoffs without the Phoenix Suns?

They have a pretty tough remaining schedule.

[Findog]

Pistons have had a troubling tendency to play down to their competition, but they peaked too early in 06, just like Dallas did last year, and they clearly struggled with people adapting to new roles after the loss of Big Ben last year. I think they're better than they were last year, and their experience and continuity will be decisive against Boston. Of course, if LeBron gets the Wade treatment, all bets are off.

[peskypesky]

I am tired of hearing about Detroit's experience and depth. Where was this alleged experience and depth in 06 vs Miami and 07 vs Cleveland?

Hey, I'm not saying they have Spurs level experience and depth. Just more experience and depth than Boston or anyone else in the Least.

You should turn on your tv and tune to ABC.

[Findog]

is it possible that we could see a playoffs without the Phoenix Suns?

They have the toughest schedule remaining of all the teams in the running. Any team that suffers a significant injury is going to be in trouble. They could play .500 ball the rest of the way though and that would get them around 50, 51 wins. That should be good enough. At this point of the year, teams are 2/3s done with the non-conference portion of their schedule, so now all these West teams are going to start playing each other. The wheat will be separated from the chaff.

[hater]

Barry will spread the floor more then Hill. Look at Prince guarding Hill. Hill is at the 3 point line and Prince is not even bothering to go cover him. If that was a Barry or a James Jones Prince would not be able to roam on defense.

Barry might spread the floor but he gets torched on the other end of the court.

and anyway Barry will not play more than 10 minutes per game. He is a minor contributor to any team. I don't think coach is stupid enough to play Barry more than 10 minutes... oh wait, D;antoni might

[sribb43]

Good scrimmage for Detroit today
:lol

this is great.....i dont know what game was better, watching the Lakers beat the suns the 2nd game of the season by 30+ or seeing the Pistons wax the Suns and Shaq on ABC

thank god the Suns signed Linton Johnson :lol

[Ice009]

Well this could be good as far as getting Barry back. If Brent watched this game I think he'd choose the Spurs ;).

[hater]

time to put Hermann in!!! he is a beast

[Armando]

Hey, I'm not saying they have Spurs level experience and depth. Just more experience and depth than Boston or anyone else in the Least.

You should turn on your tv and tune to ABC.

They had more experience then Miami in 06. If i remember correctly the Heat went to the Finals. Last year LeBron had his way with them. I am just saying don't be quick to punch thier ticket to the Finals. I still like Boston's big 3 in the East. Plus Boston's bench is good enough to win the East. The Finals maybe not but we shall see.

[peskypesky]

How many fast-breaks have the Suns had in this game? Anyone know?

[td4mvp21]

They have the toughest schedule remaining of all the teams in the running. Any team that suffers a significant injury is going to be in trouble. They could play .500 ball the rest of the way though and that would get them around 50, 51 wins. That should be good enough. At this point of the year, teams are 2/3s done with the non-conference portion of their schedule, so now all these West teams are going to start playing each other. The wheat will be separated from the chaff.

Scary thought. I think Portland is already out of the race, I can't see them going 17-3 again.

[sribb43]

Barry will spread the floor more then Hill. Look at Prince guarding Hill. Hill is at the 3 point line and Prince is not even bothering to go cover him. If that was a Barry or a James Jones Prince would not be able to roam on defense.

D'Antoni wont play Barry over Hill or Bell...and if he takes Diaw's minutes he will get torched on the defensive end

[sribb43]

The Marion trade looks great for Amare but for the rest of the team it remains to be seen

[Allanon]

This beatdown at home in Phoenix is even worse than the one the Lakers gave them to start the season.

Suns got taken out to the woodshed for this one.

[Deimosfobos]

time to put Hermann in!!! he is a beast

They are winning by 30 and they don't even use him... whats the deal? The guy can play... wish we had him on our bench, he's wasted on that team.

[Armando]

The Suns will figure it out. Is going to take time to get Shaq acclimated to the team. To be honest I still can't see how they beat the Celts. Thats a game they should have lost quite honestly.

[td4mvp21]

And why is D'Antonio playing Shaq?!?!?! :lmao

[sribb43]

on a side note Jeff Van Gundy is greatness

[td4mvp21]

The Suns will figure it out. Is going to take time to get Shaq acclimated to the team. To be honest I still can't see how they beat the Celts. Thats a game they should have lost quite honestly.

It's because the Celtics played their worst game of the season that game.

[Findog]

Scary thought. I think Portland is already out of the race, I can't see them going 17-3 again.

This is like 2 days old, but you get the picture. Phoenix has few cupcakes left on its schedule:

http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=87808

[Allanon]

on a side note Jeff Van Gundy is greatness

This dude's a great color man. You'd never guess it looking at him.

[Findog]

The Suns will figure it out. Is going to take time to get Shaq acclimated to the team. To be honest I still can't see how they beat the Celts. Thats a game they should have lost quite honestly.


Allen and Pierce 3-23 FGs.

[Armando]

on a side note Jeff Van Gundy is greatness


Van Gundy should call the Finals. He was the highlight of the game.

[peskypesky]

The Suns will figure it out. Is going to take a time-machine to get Shaq acclimated to the team.

fixed

[Armando]

Allen and Pierce 3-23 FGs.


True but that was not all defense. :lol More like an off night for those two.

[Armando]

Why is Amare still in the game?

[sribb43]

nice to see Shaq brought his free throw shooting to PHX

[naico]

Phoenix prefere givin' Stoudamire a nice lookin statline than winning championships..

Whats the use of him still bein' on the floor?

[Allanon]

Why is Amare still in the game?

D'Antoni doesn't like to use his bench.

[Extra Stout]

The Suns will figure it out. Is going to take time to get Shaq acclimated to the assisted-living facility.

[td4mvp21]

This is like 2 days old, but you get the picture. Phoenix has few cupcakes left on its schedule:

http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=87808

Yeah, 17 +.500 teams for the Spurs. It's going to be brutal but I think they can do it.

[Kriz-Maxima]

Why is Amare still in the game?


Because the coach is an idiot.

[nkdlunch]

They are winning by 30 and they don't even use him... whats the deal? The guy can play... wish we had him on our bench, he's wasted on that team.

Hermann is Detroit's secret weapon. They will not use him until the playoffs.

[sribb43]

Why is Amare still in the game?

Where is Marks? didnt d'antoni play 10 guys against the C's? why wouldnt he empty the bench? I guess he wants the score to be closer

[lefty]

Trade Van Gundy to TNT for Kenny Smith

[Findog]

Yeah, 17 +.500 teams for the Spurs. It's going to be brutal but I think they can do it.

Yeah, I'm thankful that we have one of the easier scheds remaining. I predict Denver won't make it because of theirs. I fully expect for there to be separation at some point and for it not to be bunched up like it is now.

[td4mvp21]

D'Antonio gives Shaq 33 minutes and Amare 35...in a 30 point blow out game. Wow

[td4mvp21]

Yeah, I'm thankful that we have one of the easier scheds remaining. I predict Denver won't make it because of theirs. I fully expect for there to be separation at some point and for it not to be bunched up like it is now.

Yep, I agree. Here's to the Spurs and Mavs rising to the top :toast

[Findog]

I turned it off. Has Mustachio still not waved the white flag and put in the scrubs?

[nkdlunch]

Why is Amare still in the game?

I give you props Armando, Suns getting living shit kicked out of them and you still posting here :clap

[nkdlunch]

Hermann!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

it's show time

[Findog]

Yep, I agree. Here's to the Spurs and Mavs rising to the top :toast

None of the pundits are giving us a chance. Van Gundy just said out of the West he likes SAS, LAL, Utah, PHX and HOU. He also said NOLA is good but too inexperienced to come out of the West this year. We're not even a blip on his radar. That suits me just fine for teams to be sleeping on us.

[peskypesky]

D'Antonio gives Shaq 33 minutes and Amare 35...in a 30 point blow out game. Wow

When do you think Kerr fires D'Antoni and replaces him with Larry Brown?

[yourcheatinheart]

fuckin' shit is all i have to say about this waste of a sunday afternoon.

[naico]

I don't know whats more pathetic: Amare askin his coach; ow pleeeeaaaasse cant i stay a bit looonger, so i can get 30 tonight or D'Antoni accepting that BS.

[peskypesky]

None of the pundits are giving us a chance. Van Gundy just said out of the West he likes SAS, LAL, Utah, PHX and HOU. He also said NOLA is good but too inexperienced to come out of the West this year. We're not even a blip on his radar. That suits me just fine for teams to be sleeping on us.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[SAGambler]

And why is D'Antonio playing Shaq?!?!?! :lmao

You're paying him 20 mil a year...might as well make him try to earn it.

Unreal...All the talk about a Defensive Juggernaut with Shaq in there, and again they have given up over 100 early in the 4th. Some juggernaut.

Any of you guys out there missing Marion yet? Looks like your Savior they brought in has forgotten how to play.

Only reason this isn't a 40 point blowout is the refs are helping Suns out now so they won't be sooooo embarrassed at home.

[peskypesky]

Shaq 1-8 from the line. Learn to love it, Phoenix! Poor bastards...

[td4mvp21]

None of the pundits are giving us a chance. Van Gundy just said out of the West he likes SAS, LAL, Utah, PHX and HOU. He also said NOLA is good but too inexperienced to come out of the West this year. We're not even a blip on his radar. That suits me just fine for teams to be sleeping on us.

They talk out of their ass so much though. It's easy for them to make predictions like that, do you think they really watch the teams play? Like follow them all? It's impossible. I think Dallas will be fine, they lost some good players but one thing people underestimate is the effect it will have on their offense. Kidd should improve it and he will run the team right. And of course the Mavs can play D. Like I've said, I think it makes them more vulnerable against the Spurs, but that doesn't mean they won't beat them or any other contender for that matter.

[SpursFanFirst]

I see Shaq is teaching the Suns how to play defense :lmao

[peskypesky]

Mavs are screwed without KVH.

[Armando]

I give you props Armando, Suns getting living shit kicked out of them and you still posting here :clap


Is just one game I feel that Suns fans in general have been too uptighnt this season. They need to relax and enjoy the ride a bit more. Yes I know last season the way it ended was a bitter pill to swallow but seriously chill out despite the loss they are still on pace to win 50 plus wins and barring a monumental collapse they are in the playoffs. If they don't win the division so what making the Finals is what they are aiming for.

[nkdlunch]

Hermann is an animal on the boards

[lefty]

Gorilla missing a dunk

Barbosa missing an easy layup

:lmao

[yourcheatinheart]

van gundy is GOLD!! "gorilla, you're better than that."

[nkdlunch]

Hermann!!!!!!!

with the rebounds, three and block

[peskypesky]

Is just one game I feel that Suns fans in general have been too uptighnt this season. They need to relax and enjoy the ride a bit more. Yes I know last season the way it ended was a bitter pill to swallow but seriously chill out despite the loss they are still on pace to win 50 plus wins and barring a monumental collapse they are in the playoffs. If they don't win the division so what making the Finals is what they are aiming for.

:lol

[peskypesky]

well, as much as i loved watching this beat-down, it is only one game. i'd love to say that this game proves the Marion-Shaq trade was a bad idea, but it's still too early to say. only time will tell...

[SAGambler]

I see Shaq is teaching the Suns how to play defense :lmao

And how to shoot free throws....Gotta make it count when you get fouled... :madrun :madrun

Who will get fired first....Kerr or O'Neal?

[RonMexico]

They blew.

[emo serb]

Hermann!!!!!!!

with the rebounds, three and block
Hermann is my favorite player. I'll be deeply upset if we don't start to play him more and keep him next year.

[velik_m]

That was pure ownage.

[BonnerDynasty]

2nd place wooohhoooo

[SAGambler]

well, as much as i loved watching this beat-down, it is only one game. i'd love to say that this game proves the Marion-Shaq trade was a bad idea, but it's still too early to say. only time will tell...

But throw in the Laker game, and that is 236 pts they have given up in two games. Shaq can't begin to make up for the Offense they lost with Marion.. I'm looking now with Suns having the toughest remaining schedule in the West, they may not even make the damn playoffs this year. Wouldn't that be a fucking hoot?

Think they just went to 5th seed....

[peskypesky]

But throw in the Laker game, and that is 236 pts they have given up in two games. Shaq can't begin to make up for the Offense they lost with Marion.. I'm looking now with Suns having the toughest remaining schedule in the West, they may not even make the damn playoffs this year. Wouldn't that be a fucking hoot?

Think they just went to 5th seed....

I hear you, but how much can you really take away from the Lakers game. That was Shaq's first game with the team. Even this one is only the third, right?

I'm not saying they're going to be able to get it together, but let's make an assessment in a month.

[Armando]

I hear you, but how much can you really take away from the Lakers game. That was Shaq's first game with the team. Even this one is only the third, right?

I'm not saying they're going to be able to get it together, but let's make an assessment in a month.


I will take it further and say you won't see Shaq's real value until the playoffs. Shaq in the regular season tends to coast.

[Kriz-Maxima]

He better not coast too much, the West is tough.

[JamStone]

Except Shaq hasn't been coasting since joining the Suns. He's clearly trying. You can tell by his efforts on the glass. But, now he can't finish near the rim, still has free throw problems, and has had some problems spacing himself in the half court sets. As mentioned on the telecast, Shaq hasn't hurt them too badly in transition. It's the half court sets where he hurts spacing and can't finish at the rim.

[hater]

Good job D'antoni, you have Suns playing like the Heat now

[td4mvp21]

I will take it further and say you won't see Shaq's real value until the playoffs. Shaq in the regular season tends to coast.

I would agree, but like JamStone said, he is clearly trying. This is probably the hardest he's worked in a while, and he's not showing much offensively or defensively, other than rebounds and a couple of blocks.

[1Parker1]

The problem with the Suns is what it's always been. Their lack of defense and their suspect supporting cast. Diaw, Hill, Barbosa, Bell is a limited group to depend on year after year outside of Steve Nash and Amare Stoudamire. Their role players don't have defined roles.

[Purple & Gold]

:clap :clap :clap Good job Pistons. Nice job bitch slapping the suns.

[peskypesky]

Except Shaq hasn't been coasting since joining the Suns. He's clearly trying. You can tell by his efforts on the glass. But, now he can't finish near the rim, still has free throw problems, and has had some problems spacing himself in the half court sets. As mentioned on the telecast, Shaq hasn't hurt them too badly in transition. It's the half court sets where he hurts spacing and can't finish at the rim.

Shaq is definitely working out there and I give him props for that. But as you said, he now has trouble finishing at the rim and he still can't hit free throws. Also he's too slow on defensive rotations, he can't help much with the fast break, and there's just no way he's going to have the production on both sides of the court that Shawn Marion gave them.

Also, how long is he going to keep up this kind of pace and this amount of minutes?

[1Parker1]

:lmao I loved the one play I think it was in the 2nd quarter where Maxill drives into the pain uncontested for a layup. Vangundy asks, Where's the trasition D for the Suns? And they replay it and Shaq and Amare are slowly coming up the court bitching to eachother about a bad previous call while the paint stays unguarded. :lmao

[ducks]

they have scores less then 90 points the last two games

[Armando]

Shaq is definitely working out there and I give him props for that. But as you said, he now has trouble finishing at the rim and he still can't hit free throws. Also he's too slow on defensive rotations, he can't help much with the fast break, and there's just no way he's going to have the production on both sides of the court that Shawn Marion gave them.

Also, how long is he going to keep up this kind of pace and this amount of minutes?


Shawn is a good player but is not like the Suns were going anywhere with him. He was always MIA in the playoffs. In fact he had a crucial turnover in Game 6 against the Spurs that could have cut the lead to 3 instead in turned into a score for Finley sending the Spurs to the WCF. I like the fact that Kerr and Sarver had the guts to make this trade that not many teams would have done. Whether it works or not we will see in the playoffs.

[Purple & Gold]

Shaq is a better fit for this team. Marion was pissed and leaving anyways. The problem is not with Shaq, and it's painfully obvious that they need a real SG now. Bell might be good defensively, but he's way below average offensively.

[Cry Havoc]

You know, even if Shaq helps the Suns in the playoffs, there is a very tight race developing in the West. The entire conference is separated by 5 games right now. If Nash or Amare get injured, or even if (any team) the Suns hit a rough patch, there isn't much gimme room. The Suns chances for a title would take a massive hit if they fell to 6th or 7th in the conference and had to wade (pun intended) through a bunch of the hardcore defensive teams. Shaq will be unable to handle that wear and tear, IMO, if he's already tired. Utah, LA, the Spurs, heck even NO all have bodies to throw up against Amare and hack-a-Shaq. I just don't see how the Suns are going to pull this out and make it work for them. If they don't play zone in the PO, just run a small ball lineup out there to face Shaq, have the fastest big you have running him all over the court and wear him down. As soon as he gets the ball in the post, make hard contact and put him on the line every time if need be, especially as the quarter winds down.

This is going to be a chaotic WC playoff run. I'm wondering how the egos on the Suns are going to handle this if they have one or two more big losses.

Meanwhile, the Spurs, Rockets, and Lakers are streaking right now, rounding into playoff shape. I just don't see the Suns being any better from this point out.

[JamStone]

Shaq is definitely working out there and I give him props for that. But as you said, he now has trouble finishing at the rim and he still can't hit free throws. Also he's too slow on defensive rotations, he can't help much with the fast break, and there's just no way he's going to have the production on both sides of the court that Shawn Marion gave them.

Also, how long is he going to keep up this kind of pace and this amount of minutes?


Also, while he hasn't really hurt their transition offense, he has hurt their transition defense. The Suns weren't good in transition defense to begin with. Now, they're slower and lazier. If a good team runs on them when they have clear advantages and makes smart passes, the Suns players don't get back at all. That allows for easy offensive putbacks. We saw that today, several times.

Suns fans probably won't like this suggestion, but a guy like Ruben Patterson, who is a versatile defender and can play up front in small ball would be the type of player the Suns should look into adding. Not Brent Barry. Suns aren't going to continue to struggle scoring like this. Shaq will find his way and the rest of the Suns will figure out where their spots will be to score with Shaq on the floor. It's the transition defense and pick-and-roll defense where they need to improve.

[Jeremy]

The Suns are the 5th seed at 1/2 game out of 1st. LOL. This is the wildest race ever.

Actually, if the Lakers lose tonight, the Suns would be the 5th seed at 0.0 games out of 1st place! :lol