Trade done: Shaq to the Suns

[JamStone]

Not that the Suns are going to win the championship or anything, but just interesting to read some of the initial reactions to the Shaq trade by fans...

[JMarkJohns]

I'll admit that I was flabbergasted at the news of the trade. I thought he'd help as much as he hurt. In some cases such is the case, like vs. pic-n-roll teams, but he's helped vs. the majority of teams, largely because of his ability to defend a Duncan for the majority of Duncan's minutes, and because he's a legit box-out rebounder with size and athleticism, albeit declining.

There's still serious issues, but he helps. Like you I'm not convinced it's enough to win the le without some serious luck, but they weren't going to do any better with Marion.

[Allanon]

Annnnnd.....who guards Manu? Plus would DJ get enough minutes to guard Parker? Seems like Grant Hill would be starting now in place of Marion, which means he'll wear out faster.

Apparently, having Shaq in the middle is enough to guard Manu, Parker and Duncan all at the same time.

http://www.nba.com/games/20080409/PHXSAS/recap.html

[BillsCarnage]

There's still serious issues, but he helps. Like you I'm not convinced it's enough to win the le without some serious luck, but they weren't going to do any better with Marion.

JM, any team in the west is going to need some luck based on how compe ive it is. But, the initial doom and gloom appears to be for not.

Since they started clicking they've only had two bad game - to me - and those were games they burped up in the 4th Q; Utah and Dallas. They had healthy leads after 3 and some how managed to go all E*trade baby in the 4th Q.

That's the one thing that concerns me still is their 4th Q defense. Zone D generally doesn't work in the NBA, but maybe for the Suns it does w/ Shaq in the middle.

[Findog]

With all of the focus on the West, and it will probably take 18-21 games to come out of the West, Boston or Detroit will cruise into the Finals only needing about 14-16 games to get there. I expect the East team to win the le this year.

[BillsCarnage]

With all of the focus on the West, and it will probably take 18-21 games to come out of the West, Boston or Detroit will cruise into the Finals only needing about 14-16 games to get there. I expect the East team to win the le this year.

Don't count out Detroit. And, if Boston were to meet up with the Wizards that series could go 7 games. The east will have a much easier path in the 1st round, but after that it could get tougher.