NBA / Feb 6, 2008 / 10:23 am

Why Shaq? Here’s Why

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IMAGE DESCRIPTIONPhoto. Courtesy adidas

The two questions I’ve heard most regarding the reportedly imminent Shaq-for-Shawn Marion trade:

1. Why would the Suns do that?
2. Can Shaq even keep up with the Suns?

The answer to #2 is “Yes.” Look, it’s not like the Suns run 90 fast breaks per game. They do push the pace and Steve Nash is wired to constantly look for transition opportunities, but they don’t need five men sprinting down the court to put up the points the way they do. A lot of their system is rooted in high pick-and-rolls, which Shaq doesn’t have to be a track star to participate in. And since Amare Stoudemire is gonna be the main one running those pick-and-rolls with Nash, all Shaq has to do is get in position to rebound.

So on to #1. Why do the Suns want Shaq? Why do they want a 35-year-old who’s obviously in decline, seemingly always hurt, and might throw off their delicate chemistry if he doesn’t get the ball as many times as he’d like?

The Suns want Shaq because they need defense. More specifically, they need defense in the likely event they run across the man who’s been kryptonite for them in the postseason: Tim Duncan.

The Suns haven’t forgotten last year’s playoffs. Whine as they might about the Amare/Diaw suspensions and the Tim Donaghy game, they still got sent home. They haven’t forgotten how Duncan coldly destroyed them in Games 1-3. They haven’t forgotten that Duncan gave them 24 points, 13 boards and 9 blocks in the close-out Game Six (with Amare in the lineup). They haven’t forgotten the ’05 Western Conference Finals, either, or Duncan’s 31-point, 15-rebound effort in the close-out Game Five.

Last week, the Suns hosted a Spurs team that was as close to struggling as Spurs teams get. They’d dropped three in a row, were in the midst of a long road trip, had been starting slow every game, were playing without an injured Tony Parker, and were fresh off getting upset by an inferior Sonics squad. (The highlight of my season as a Seattle fan.) Don’t get fooled into thinking this was just some normal regular season game for the Suns — they know they might have to get through the Spurs to win a championship, and last Thursday was a test. And they failed. Phoenix was winning for most of the game and seemed to have it in hand before San Antonio went on a run in the fourth quarter. In the end, Duncan hit the game-winning bucket, and finished with 16 points, 17 boards and 7 assists.

The Suns have seen the writing on the wall: They aren’t ready to beat the Spurs in a seven-game series. By picking up Shaq, who’s averaging 1.7 blocks per game, is still a more than capable post defender, who’s historically given Duncan problems, and still has something left in the tank, they’re hoping to solve that problem.

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  • manek

    Good move for the Suns. Shaq’s gonna have another ring in Phoenix…

  • ozone

    Shaq is still Shaq, no matter how you look at it. He will occupy that space in the middle even if he is not that fast, slow or not moving at all. Give him two years to be focused and he will give the Suns what they need. Chao big fella!

  • Ballack

    i think Shaq will illuminate the Suns

  • Chuck

    I think that, in essence, this will work out. The Suns, instead of starting Shaq, start Skinner at the 5. This will help jumpstart the games and get it going quicker. Then, when some people need rests, put Shaq and Barbosa in. Also, this allows Stoudemire to play the 4, where he so amazingly thrives. This way, Stoudemire won’t pick up 4 fouls in 8 minutes trying to defend the bigger guy on the other team. But, Shaq will slow us down when he’s in. The ball will stick to his hands on the post and will slow the offense down, obviously resulting in less points.But this DOES address the achilles heel of the playoff Phoenix Suns: post defense and durability.

  • http://dimemag.com Austin Burton

    Steve Kerr at the press conference:

    “We ran when Kurt Thomas was here. He got the rebound, and everybody else ran down the court. We’re still going to run, but we feel like we’ll have a better halfcourt team.”

  • http://dimemag.com/2008/02/06/why-shaq-heres-why/ KrazyAsiankid

    This is crazy.. Shaq will probably retire next year and he will not be worth much to other teams. But y Shaq?? Y not trying for someone like Yao?? There’ye paid enough and if the trades not good enough(marion, banks) just add one more player like(strawberry, Marks) or a draft. This move is interesting but not very smart

  • Robbeke

    I’m not sure how this deal will end up for both teams, but I’m sure that the Diesel will prove he’s not done yet. I believe that he could play better and more if he, Pat Riley and the team wanted and needed it more.

    Don’t forget what acquiring O’neal meant for the Heat, they went off like a rocket and not only by O’Neal on the court, but also off the court.

    Phoenix has talent enough to beat teams, they don’t need Shaq to do this every game. Watch out, Phoenix will be better then previous years, but if that will be enough to win the championship is not sure, The Celtics and Lakers are a better team too this year.

    That said, I’m happy for Shaq but I’m really, really sad he leaves Miami (now). I live in Europe and I’m going to visit the Toronto – Miami game March 19th. I planned this because I wanted to see a NBA game and Shaq once… but I think I’ll have to stick with I saw Dwayne Wade, and just missed Big Daddy Shaq… :-(

  • Robbeke

    Shaq man, if you’re reading this… how you’re going to fix this :( ;)

  • Jones

    As crazy as this trade may seem, I think it’s going to work our for the Suns if not this year, then in the next. I think Shaq brings another dimension to their game and I think he will bring that extra “swagger” once Phoenix meets the Spurs or whoever come the playoffs.

    And what’s up with Shaq passing the physical in spite of the “hip injury”? Load of crap if you ask me.

  • http://dimemag.com Austin Burton

    I think “passing a physical” simply means that you don’t have some degenerate knee/back/hip condition, you don’t have some heart condition, and that you’re in generally good health. A temporary injury isn’t enough to make you fail a physical.

  • go

    fuch dis trde

  • go

    lol

  • Bigga

    The way I see it, the Suns had to do something. The team as it was has never been anything more than a regular season team. Come playoffs the Suns small ball doesn’t cut it. Whether Shaq can dominate or stay healthy is secondary to the one thing he does give the Suns that they greatly need… Championship experience REAL championship experience. Every team that Shaq has been on has automatically believed they can win it all (look what happened in Miami). Don’t worry Suns fans the team will be just fine.

    On the other hand Marion is the most over rated player in the NBA today. Mark my words “Marion’s stats will fall big time in Miami”. Everything he gets offensively is from fast breaks and broken plays. He will suffer in the half court slow paced game of the East because he has no fundamental skills to fall back on and he needs a good PG to spoon feed him.

    If anything I would say Miami got the raw deal.

  • mooch

    i really like the trade..im excited for both teams

  • PHOENIX BITCH

    Listen bitches Shaq may not be the best player to trade marion with but at least he is going to be a player to hesitate with when your trying to bring the ball inside the key!!! Duncan is going to not be at par with the suns neither are any other of the key players that bring it to the hole when shaq is in the pocket and honestly you already know that we have a pretty damn good lineup even without marion we honesly were always missing one big thing a core rebounder someone who can out rebound everyone else and I mean come on shaq is 7’1 325 LBS I wanna see someone try to run in on that big fella while you have nash, staudamire, bell, strawberry, barbosa, and diaw all doing their thing with all of the quick run and gun players on the other teams this is going to lock up all of the other defenses from the other teams and dominate on the defensive scoreboard!!! Now in regards to the offense ya’ll bitches know that Nash is one of the best ball handlers around with his upscale passing (that is when he’s on his game) and his ability to get past 2 defenders at once and still look for the open man!!! so now that nash doesn’t have to look to far for the 7’1 monster under the basket he won’t have a problem getting the ball to shaq which doesn’t even need to jump in order to dunk it through the hoop!!! and also in regards to his little injury he doesn’t wanna play on the heat right now cause he might as well save his stamina and give it his all for the playoffs with the suns shaq knows he’s going to a better team all around with good gameplay and a damn good coach as well so he’s going to rest his big ass up for the fights to come he’s a smart guy rather than all you bitch ass punks who think that he’s a fat old guy listen this guy has won many many championships for multiple teams Lakers, Magic, Heat he’s a mothafuckin soljer don’t mess with the veterans they have known the game for quite sometime and they know how to win. I am not saying that shaq is prime what so ever he is at the end of his days but he is not going to put up with the media stating that this was a weak trade and he is not to do a god damn thing for the suns listen he is a human being as well guys we get mad at that kinda shit I know if people were talking smack about how I played and I was sporting 4 championship rings I am going to make them remember why the hell my name is Shaq and why I own the center of the motha fuckin court you guys have to see it from a players point of view rather than your own. The ball is going to be given to Shaq much much more than you guys think!!! and what is he going to do with it yea he’s already under the basket guys all he has to do is put his arms up and lay the ball in the hoop Staudamire is going to own the inside with shaq and diaw/nash are going to own the outside hands down!!!!! we now have something that we have never had a complete solid team inside and out!!!! GO SUNS TAKE IT TO THE TOP

  • Stutz

    ESPN’s Chad Ford showed that if the Suns wanted a big man defender, they could have pursued workable trades for Jermaine O’Neal, Samuel Dalembert (76ers), or Ben Wallace, or they could have gone after a Matrix replacement like Andre Kirilenko. Any of these options would have left them younger, healthier, and stronger defensively. I think Jermaine O’Neal would have been a PERFECT fit. Was there really no better option than Shaq?

    I was just thinking how old the Suns are getting now, especially for a running team. The over-30s: Nash, Shaq, Raja Bell, Grant Hill, Erik Piatkowski, Sean Marks, and Brian Skinner. Stoudemire, Diaw, and Barbosa are the only young regulars. The two rookies have played in 20 games, starting zero. Q: What will this franchise look like in a couple years? A: Rebuilding.

    On the other side, I definitely like the Wade-Matrix combo in Miami. The Heat could get interesting again, if nothing else. It’ll be fun to see how they build around those two.

  • sunsfan007

    This is a great deal for the suns. Shawn Marion was unhappy and wanted a trade. There were rumors that he and Amare were not getting along. He had the early out option and was gone at the end of the season. He wasn’t going to lead them to a championship, Shaq still can. Every one should watch out Suns will win this year. Amare will dominate at the power forward. Shaq will rebound and pass up the court to ignite the fastbreak. He has amazing passing skills always has. He doesn’t have to be the one running down the floor full speed. They have plenty of other players for that. This was the perfect deal for what was available. Boris Diaw and Grant Hill will step up their game to cover for Marion’s loss.

    We will miss Shawn Marion he is a great player and I have alot of respect for him for how he left. No bad blood. No bad comments. I wish him great luck wherever he ends up at. He will have to work alot harder to create his shots now though. He always had great poing guards to play with ( jkidd, snash)

    Shaq is very motivated to kick ass in phoenix! He wants to prove everyone he still has it and he does. It just takes motivation. Who wants to play for the worst team in the NBA? He will do what Charles Barkley did for Phoenix except stonger and bring us a title.

    Go SuNS !!!!

  • Ian

    phoenix bitch
    which season did shaq win with the orlando magic??? i think i missed that season
    did he win with the heat or was his old ass carried by wade and the refs.

    u said u needed rebs and traded your best rebounder for shaq
    bitch please

  • MisterT

    With PHX runnin’and gunnin’, Shaq will be trailin’ late.. This will demand an attitude change from him, from what I’ve read in the news and on nba.com he seems willing to adjust his role. Runnin’ and gunnin’ won’t be his thing, true, but the half-court game will be improved.. Nash will have to big options for a pick-and-roll play, mister O’Neal has great hands. And seen the enthusiasm he has shown we will be rewarded with a lot of catch and dunks.. Further more, like O’neal said himself, double teaming him will create more open space for raja en leandro.. With O’Neal and STAT Phoenix will have the strongest inside duo, muscles like no other.. Having this duo has one consequence; foul trouble, I think boris Diaw will have to step up a little..

    Something he hasn’t done lately.. To me it looks like Diaw has been scared to take open shots, and rather tries to give an assist, even when he is in better position to take a shot..

    Giving up about 10 rpg, and getting about a (season stat) rebound er 8 in return, doesn’t seem logical, when claiming to be looking for rebounds. PHX might find an increase in blocks..
    One thing I’ve noticed aswell is that the Matrix is claimed to be a defensive hero, as far as i know, Bell has been known to be the best defender on this squad.. Anyway, I think Shaq will be able to pick up the slack on the defensive end. Maybe he will have a different aproach, more physical, but aswell effective.

    I do not have a clear image of how PHX will be with O’Neal, I do think that the coach has a vision of how it will work. Since O’Neal has been given clearence by the medical staff, I would conclude that they have seen that he fits in the system the coach has in mind.
    The medical staff pulled of a great job with Grant Hill, what should be promising for their treatmant of O’neal.

    A little trust and support will do O’Neal alot of good..
    I’m anctious to see how Phoenix will develop with the big men dominating..
    I mean; looking at Bynum and Gasol or Duncan and Oberto, O’Neal and Amare do seem impressive..

    Greetings from the Netherlands

  • http://blog.sina.com.cn/nickinthehouse nick

    Shaq is old, of course the physical problem,this is a risky game, let the game,man,keep a eye on it!

  • jlok

    The Suns gave up 130 points to the Bynum shorted Lakers on Shaq’s debut. I don’t see they can do better D with this old Shaq.

  • lou

    trade looks good! Here are possible scenarios…

    Running Game:
    Shaq gettin the rebound and making the outlet pass… STAT runnin the floor… Nash passin to a streakin Barbosa and Hill… or lobbin to STAT for an alley oop!

    Half Court Game:
    Shaq’s a great passer and still commands a double team inside, but every guy he passes to can shoot the rock!

    Defense and Rebounding:
    Inside defense and rebounding should get better with the Diesel clogging the middle with Amare. Don’t care that Marion has a higher rebounding percentage, Shaq boxing out in the middle with Amare will definitely bring more offensive and defensive rebounds!

    Marion is a great versatile player, but you have to think that Hill and Diaw are pretty versatile as well and can do most of the things the matrix brings to the court.

    Think this will also be great for Diaw as he’ll get more playin time spellin Hill, Amare and Shaq. He should get his confidence back with more PT.

    Downside to trade:
    Shaq’s health and his liability in defending high pick n’ pops, Hack-a-Shaq situations and free throw shooting.

    Suns will also need someone who can bring the hustle and perimeter defense that Marion did. We need a though minded athletic 2 or 3 who can guard guys like Kobe and Lebron (Good thinking tryin to get Quinton Ross!)

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