Phoenix Suns 07-08 Official Thread

[starBUCKS]

It's kind of amusing reading some of the previous posts here. And with all due respect... how much NBA do you guys watch?

Myth 1: Shaq can't physically run with the Suns, he'll have to be subbed out "every 3 plays"?
Hmmm, in 2 games this year against the Suns Shaq went:
25/10/3 and 18/11/1 averaging 33 mins.

So, obviously he was standing hunched over holding his knees the whole game.

Myth 2: He can't play in their "run and gun" offense:

The Suns style isn't quite a "run and gun" like Golden State's. They take a Euro approach. They like to take shots within 7 seconds. Kurt Thomas and his knees were fine in this offense. We have plenty of primary shooters. I think Shaq can make it down court with in 7 seconds. He's in there mostly for his defense, rebounding and space eating, not offense. I can see him getting a lot of trailer points, put backs and dunks.

Myth 3: Shaq is out of old, slow, out of shape and hurt

O'Neal is said to be in good shape for his age (35) with his weight at 312 pounds (down from his listed 325) and his body fat at 12 percent. His hip injury is said to be so bad...that he'll probably play next week.


Myth 4: Losing Marion is huge

Shawn Marion is a solid player. He puts up stats quietly. He's an ok 3 point shooter... but, only really a third/fourth option. He caused friction with this team by demanding a trade earlier, and doesn't get along with the center piece in Amare. The Suns will not give him the money he wants, and he'd be ghost anyway after this season. Grant Hill has played better than anyone thought...and he will be our 3. Hell, we almost dealt Marion for Kirelenko, that would have been useless.


In summary, this is a team that needs to win now...not 2 years from now. Shaq still has enough fuel in his tank, as much as Grant Hill or Steve Nash. He won't be depended on to be the star, he's there for a purpose. He doesn't have to play any more than 25 mins a game, because Diaw will rotate in plenty. The old Suns style was great, but didn't get them to the finals. This is purely to match up against the Bynums, Diops, Duncans, Mings etc etc etc. He is there to rebound and defend, and not let guys like Al Jefferson abuse our interior D.This will open up Stat who is not a center, he plays well 6-10 away from the basket. In close games in the playoffs he will have to be double teamed...opening up Stat and Hill big time. Sure they will adjust their play slightly, but not that much. It's a win win deal for everyone.

[fourteenandoh]

I'm watching Shaq's presser right now and I'm very impressed. First thing he said is that he will act as Amare's big brother and he will help him become the leagues top power forward. Also, he commented that every fast break starts with a spark and he will be able to get the rebound and outlet to Steve and let them do their thing. He is also of the opinion that he will give our shooters some extra room to work. I agree. One other interesting comment was that in our society we like to assume that just becuase we've never seen anyone do something we think that means they can't. He says he can run. I'm not so sure about that, but he will make this team better.

As far as Marion is concerned, I appreciate what he's done in PHX but he has missed some key shots in the playoffs throughout the years and that's always bothered me. That's something that your top shooter can't do. What the Suns have always missed in the playoffs is someone to play down low in the half court game in the playoffs (this goes back to the early 90's). He is that missing piece IMO.

[fourteenandoh]

Originally Posted by billmac91

They definately think they need a big man for the playoffs. Only problem is, they have to adjust their style every time he is in the game. You can't play typical Suns style ball for more than 3 possesions without having to sub him out.

When you play the Spurs and Dallas and Utah they have a tendency of dictating the pace of the game. The Suns won't have to change a thing, but when they get into this type of game they will better equipped to win.

[OH10]

Shaq is the one great athlete is history that absolutely needs to be motivated by some doubt in order to be great. I think this is a great move for Phoenix. He'll prove the doubters wrong. He won't be as dominant as in past championship runs, but I bet he's a big time contributor and leader on that team.

[starBUCKS]

<H1 class=topHeadline>Shaq vows to prove critics wrong

Doug Haller
The Arizona Republic
Feb. 7, 2008 09:51 AM
In his first Phoenix news conference, Shaquille O?Neal launched the ?Amar? Stoudemire Project,? announced that he was committed to capturing a fifth career championship and said that he has special motivation for life in Phoenix.

?I look forward to making people eat their words, I really do,?? O?Neal said Thursday morning.

The trade that brought O?Neal for former Suns forward Shawn Marion and reserve guard Marcus Banks has brought national skepticism. Many around the league question how much O?Neal, who will turn 36 next month, has left in a 16-year career that has included stops in Orlando, Los Angeles and Miami.



?I?ve been hearing a lot of ?He can?t run. He can?t do this.? You?re going to be surprised,? said O?Neal, a four-time NBA champion and 13-time All-Star center. ?In traditional basketball, when a team runs, there?s always been somebody to ignite the break. When I get the rebound, I?m going to be igniting that break.?

Shaq vows to prove critics wrong</H1>

[OCBucksFan]

Originally Posted by starBUCKS

It's kind of amusing reading some of the previous posts here. And with all due respect... how much NBA do you guys watch?

Well, actually, I watch quite a bit and I am really familiar with Shaq as a player.

I won't say he can't run up and down the court but the way Phoenix moves the ball is different than say the way the Lakers did, they are pretty much constantly on a fast break. Now, I see why the Suns got shaq, and really it has little to do with his offense, they don't want teams just cutting down the middle on them, that's fine and Shaq makes a lot of sense, he's there for his defense, any offense is just gravy, but let's face it, the Suns don't really need to improve in the offensive areas.

Shaq has been injured off and on all year, he hasn't played in a month not to mention the team he's on has how many wins? Yeah, anyways, and since they won that championship how have they been? Yeah, anyways...

I don't think anyone here can say a whole lot of bad things about Shaq, but his contract is [censored]ing horrible and he's not, nor will he ever be, what he was 6-7 years ago.

It's a gamble, a huge gamble, and the members on this forum are not alone in questioning the trade, but if it pays off and the Suns win a championship, then it will be worth it, but if he gets hurt or goes "Shaq" demanding the ball more after every game then 75% of the critics will be right in what they have said.

[starBUCKS]

Originally Posted by OCBucksFan

Well, actually, I watch quite a bit and I am really familiar with Shaq as a player.

I won't say he can't run up and down the court but the way Phoenix moves the ball is different than say the way the Lakers did, they are pretty much constantly on a fast break. Now, I see why the Suns got shaq, and really it has little to do with his offense, they don't want teams just cu