ESPN reporting that Miami is thinking about trading Shaq

Stoney · Feb 7, 2008

Pancamo said:

PCLoadLetter said:

Troy said:

The fact that the Suns actually wanted Shaquille O'Neal's 2-years/40 million left on his contract, appalls me. Steve Kerr is one of the greatest roleplayers in NBA history, but he's a mediocre GM for pulling this trigger.

Shaq has bad knees, is overweight, out of shape (adding to the overweight) and won't fit the 7-man rotation they're supposed to run! Good luck to Shaq, as he will probably come off the bench, or if not, good luck to him as he runs for 48-minutes straight as a 35-year-old/soon to be 36-in-March man.
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A few points...

He still has injury issues, obviously, but is not particularly overweight at this point -- down to about 312 and lighter than he's been in quite a while.

As for fitting the team -- D'Antoni makes the point, and I think it's a good one, that he can fit exactly the same role Kareem did during Showtime. He's not out on the fast break, but he comes up when it slows into a halfcourt offense.

As for his age -- Marion was likely opting out after this season, and that probably would have shut the window of opportunity anyway. Shaq may keep it open through next season, assuming this works. And it ain't my money.

The chemistry has been pretty bad for the Suns this year, and replacing a mopey whiner with Shaq, a generally well-liked guy, should help.

I'm not completely sold on this, but I understand why they did it and I think it might work.

By the way, already on the team shop website:

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Kareem had a weapon that nobody could block even when he could only jump about 6 inches off the floor. Kareem also could make free throws and hit a 10-12 foot set shot.

Shaq can't get above the floor and doesn't have any offensive skills other than the dunk.
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And Kareem didn't weigh 320 lbs. And the Lakers already had Kareem on the roster, they didn't trade James Worthy away for him after he was already broken down.

PCLoadLetter · Feb 8, 2008

Kareem had a weapon that nobody could block even when he could only jump about 6 inches off the floor. Kareem also could make free throws and hit a 10-12 foot set shot.

Shaq can't get above the floor and doesn't have any offensive skills other than the dunk.
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Not the point. The point is, if the Lakers were running on a fast break Kareem generally wasn't involved. He was coming up behind the play.

It's also absurd to suggest Shaq has no offensive skills other than the dunk. He has a decent short-range shot and is a pretty respectable passer for a big man. He'll still command a double-team, allowing him to kick the ball out to someone open on the perimeter. Can't shoot free throws for shit, though.

And the Lakers already had Kareem on the roster, they didn't trade James Worthy away for him after he was already broken down.
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The Suns didn't trade "James Worthy" either. Bad comparison. If you are going to compare teams Shaq is Jabbar, Amare Stoudemire is James Worthy, and Steve Nash is Magic Johnson. Shawn Marion is either AC Green or Jamaal Wilkes. Take your pick. And the Suns still have Grant Hill at small forward.

Look, bottom line, this was the last shot for the Suns and anyone who has watched them this season knows they weren't winning a title they way they were configured. If the trade is a bust, they don't win a title they weren't going to win anyway. If the trade works they've got a pretty good shot at winning it all. If I'm Steve Kerr I probably make the trade, too.

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ESPN reporting that Miami is thinking about trading Shaq

Stoney Well-Known Member

PCLoadLetter Well-Known Member

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ESPN reporting that Miami is thinking about trading Shaq

Stoney Well-Known Member

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