Shaq a Sun...

[McLovin]

The Phoenix Suns acquired Shaquille O'Neal in a stunning, blockbuster deal that sent four-time All-Star Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks to the Miami Heat. The improbable pairing of the speedy Suns and the slow but once-mighty O'Neal became official when he cleared a physical exam Wednesday.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_y...0ZO8vLYF?slug=ap-shaq-trade&prov=ap&type=lgns

His new jersey is also on sale as of now. Looks really good tbh...

http://bp2.blogger.com/_RSvosCqCQZ4/R6pMdVr971I/AAAAAAAAATU/XlzxdknKqb8/s1600-h/shaqphxvc9.png

 

[The Colonel]

If they are trying to compete up front with Tim Duncan and Pau Gasol then a 36 year old O'Neal is the wrong man now...... maybe five or six years ago. Very strange move....

 

[Choppies]

Worst trade in recent history. The Suns play a very up-tempo game and Shaq will not be able to keep up with the pace of the game the Suns play. Miami got the better of this deal by a long way.

 

[Dr Crane]

Weird.

 

[El Coconuto]

Makes sense to me. Marion and Amare weren't getting along. Shaq pushes Amare back to his preferred position @ power forward. Shaq's contract is only $3m more than Marion's and it has less years, giving them cap space in the future. Couldn't risk Shaq going to Dallas. Does that mean I would've made the trade? No. But if you're going to break up the team soon anyways (which the Suns were going to), why not roll the dice with Shaq? Ballsy move by the Suns, but not the worst.

 

[Jono Russell]

wow Miami got a great deal here. Marion will be great for them.

 

[Ridders]

its a gamble that the suns really had to make. They were most likely going to lose Marion anyway as he wanted to move away from Phoenix, at least they got something for him. Plus there aren't too many players they could have got that would have been able to match Marion's salary. the heat would be celebrating at the deal as they've found a nice compliment to Wade, will be interesting to see how they work together.

this could potentially be a brilliant trade for the phoenix, depending on how Shaq can pull himself together. if we could see even a remote resurgence to the Shaq of old, it'll give the suns a good low-post option as well as add to their half-court play, should the run'n gun not be effective, as it normally is against teams like SA.

 

[Ridders]

to me the trade is interesting in term's of understanding Shaq's mindset. I thought for all money that Shaq was done and that he would retire this seasons, i suppose this trade means that he will most likely full-fill the last two years of his contract. If Shaq continues to continue in his general decline, the end could turn out to be painful for The diesel.

 

[Panthers_God]

Weird trade but I think its a good move.

Marion wanted out --> Suns really lacked an inside presence other than Amare

Still a very storng line up at Phenoix even without Marion. I think Shaq will obviously play limited minutes given his age and injuries. But Diaw has proven him self of late that given the minutes he can step up.

Nash, Bell, Hill, Amare, Shaq
+Diaw, Barbosa, Skinner etc.

 

[Special K]

First of all its great to see teams are making ballsy moves this year as opposed to last year when nobody wanted to try anything. I think a very under rated trade which shook things up was Korver to the Jazz as he provided them with something different and made them stronger. The teams in the west have been very active since then in making moves.

I love the suns for making such a move. I don't agree with it but I can't wait to see how it pans out! Im guessing they are going to try and run with 4 and have Shaq waddle around and when things are slowed down hit him down low? Should be interesting.

The heat got a steal. Banks is a major upgrade on smush and Matrix is a awesome yet old player to put next to Wade. Wade, Matrix and a top 5 pick should see the heat back in the play offs mix next season provided everyones healthy. I don't think Marion will opt out and even if he does I doubt the heat would let him just walk without a fight. Wright, Marion, Wade and Haslem isn't that bad to build around.

I think Shaq will work his arse off THIS season for the Suns and be a far better player then he has been for the heat this year but I expect that to end at the end of the season and he'll be a major pain for them with his cash. Nash feeding him will be nice to watch also...

bring on the play offs! its nice to be looking forward to the play offs rather then the lottery this year..

 

[edabomb]

I think this is a great trade for the Suns. Lets face it, smallball doesn't work in the playoffs. By making this trade they at least give themselves a chance of challenging San Antonio, Dallas, Utah etc.. in the halfcourt. Shaq isn't going to be the dominant force he was obviously, but he will still plug the lane a heck of a lot better than the Amare/Marion combo did. This trade at least gives them a chance of coming out of the West IMO.

I also think it's cool they can play a halfcourt offense for 25-30mins a night and then freewheel the rest of the time. It'll all come down to whether they can control the tempo consistently or not.

 

[RHYTHM AND STEALTH]

Fantastic move by the Suns. Shaq will be a roll player and rebounder. Dont think he will ever score 20+ points again but will provide space and options for Nash. Good move

 

[Collingwood Storm]

Shaq's Suns debut is about to start on ESPN vs Kobe and the Lakers

 

[El Coconuto]

And what a great game it was. Shaq looked revived. Did his job. Lets see if he maintains it. Way to go Kobe! Woot woot.

 

[Ridders]

the atmosphere in the stadium was intense, how funny was it when shaq got the bucket via the goal tend from kobe and then sprinted down the other end.

What a god send Gasol has been to the lakers, takes the pressue of kobe in the scoring department, and allows odom to play his natural game, if it wasn't for kobe's dodgy pinky i'd put money on them to win the title