Feb.6 at 10:01 am

Dan says:
Oh my god!

Feb.6 at 10:02 am

Keith says:
The key part is…can Shaq pass a physical? I don’t hink he can. Not unless the physical entails walking up and down the court twice, sweating everywhere and then sitting down for two quarters. Shaq isn’t going anywhere.

Feb.6 at 10:04 am

Ryne Nelson says:
There’s a story in the Miami Herald that says the deal is absolutely final. However, I can’t find anything else to back it up.

Feb.6 at 10:05 am

Ryan Jones says:
Love it. LOVE IT.

Feb.6 at 10:06 am

TADOne says:
Keith: That is a question I asked in the other thread. With all of his hip problems, I don’t Shaq could “realistically” pass a physical. But it’s all up to the Suns training staff to pass or fail him. I’m pretty sure, if Kerr wants Shaq bad enough, they will pass him.

Feb.6 at 10:06 am

Ryne Nelson says:
The East Valley also backs it up (Marecel, thanks for the link). The fact the Suns postponed their morning shootaround today seems like it’s a matter of hours (minutes?) before it’s official.

Feb.6 at 10:07 am

Ryne Nelson says:
Jones, Category 2!

Feb.6 at 10:09 am

white hot eboy says:
I think Mr. Bynum better heal real quick, so the Lakers can win the divison and not have to face them in the first two rounds.

Feb.6 at 10:13 am

Michael Tillery says:
This seasons playoffs are going to be the most anticipated post season in any sport in a long time.

Feb.6 at 10:13 am

Dan says:
For the sake of Bynum avoiding flying elbows, right Eboy?

Feb.6 at 10:13 am

Sam Rubenstein says:
holy crap indeed Mutoni. Well said.

Feb.6 at 10:13 am

floe says:
go phoenix!

Feb.6 at 10:15 am

white hot eboy says:
This is going to be funny hearing the Lakers/Suns fans go back and forth until April about who’s trade is going to be more successful while the Spurs will just be laying in the grass waiting.

Feb.6 at 10:18 am

TADOne says:
While this was going on, Duncan was updating his software.

Feb.6 at 10:19 am

Kevin says:
omg

Feb.6 at 10:19 am

Kevin says:
Spurs vs Pistons in the finals.

Feb.6 at 10:20 am

white hot eboy says:
And now the bigger question, which team is going to make a move next? TAD, are the Pistons in the mix to make a deal. They might need to get bigger to compete with the West’s best (Lakers, Suns, Spurs) now.

Feb.6 at 10:20 am

peteb80 says:
Pretty cool having these trades come out of nowhere. Better than the usual two week media discussion and then nothing is happening.

Feb.6 at 10:21 am

Miguel Ferreira says:
This sucks, if Shaq’s goin’ back to the west, then Miami has absolutely no chances of comin’ back!

Feb.6 at 10:22 am

Dan says:
I wonder how long ago Stern sent out the “let’s pick-up the ratings” memo?

Feb.6 at 10:23 am

Dan says:
HAHA! Miguel, was that sarcasm? Boy, I hope that was sarcasm. . .

Feb.6 at 10:23 am

Kevin says:
this makes Miami a pretty good squad in the future IF Marion and Wade re-sign.. i think Banks will pick it up when he gets regular playing time.. so imagine Banks, Wade, Marion, Beasley, and Haslem. not bad eh?

Feb.6 at 10:23 am

Kevin says:
^ that is a friggin athletic squad.

Feb.6 at 10:23 am

Ryne Nelson says:
@Michael - I definitely agree. If this deal goes through and the Suns meet the Lakers in the playoffs, it will be getting numbers like Yi/Yao in China!

Feb.6 at 10:24 am

BETCATS says:
Phoneix will now be title contenders

Feb.6 at 10:24 am

peteb80 says:
As a Mavs fan I feel I’m not frightened. Phoenix was more dangerous with the uptempo style. Now if only Golden State can be avoided…

Feb.6 at 10:24 am

white hot eboy says:
Is the Heat’s pick in play? That’s all I’m worried about.

Feb.6 at 10:25 am

Kevin says:
for the Suns sake, i hope so.. jesus, these are my 2 favourite teams, wtf!?>!?!!?!

Feb.6 at 10:26 am

white hot eboy says:
pete, you are funny if you think the Mavs are competing against Phoenix, LA or SA. You better hope they are the next big trade player and get JKidd. No wonder you are such a boob when it comes to the Heat.

Feb.6 at 10:26 am

maio says:
Are you sure Marion is part of that deal? Marcus Banks would suffice.

Feb.6 at 10:26 am

Kevin says:
Phoenix will be.. Nash, Bell, Hill, Stoudemire with Diaw or Shaq rotating starts based on Shaq’s health.. hmmmm, doesn’t sound too bad but if the Suns prob all this time was giving up penetration to guards & not having interior defense, how does this trade help them?!

Feb.6 at 10:27 am

Keith says:
I love the fact that everyone said Phoenix should get a centre and needed a bigman in order to contend and then, once they get one, everyone says it was the wrong move. Priceless. Damned if you do, damned if you don’t. Someone, somewhere, must deem this to be a great move..

Feb.6 at 10:28 am

Kevin says:
i hope all you f*ckers are jus blowing up a rumour thats untrue.. gahhhh, gonna go hide under a rock for a while now.

Feb.6 at 10:28 am

Dan says:
Shawn Marion and Dwayne Wade, to me, are similar players at different positions. That is, high flying, all-around players, but each of their respective sizes suggest that they would be better suited for the smaller of their two positions, yet they pull it off. It will be like a mirror image at the forward and guard positions, assuming that Marion would play the power forward position.

Feb.6 at 10:29 am

Kevin says:
Keith - SHAQ CAN’T MOVE NO MORE!!! he used to be awesome, but “used-to” doesn’t get us anywhere.. i’d prefer Samuel Dalembert or Sean Williams (two bigs who can move on D and actually block shots) to Shaq at this point.

Feb.6 at 10:30 am

Dan says:
Kevin, the truth is, Shaq is still blocking shots, despite his numbers being down elsewhere.

Feb.6 at 10:31 am

peteb80 says:
Eboy, in all seriousness: I’m a funny dude. I don’t know about the Lakers yet, but SA has not been a problem the last couple of years and if the Suns have to slow down with Shaq they shouldn’t be either. We’ll see.

Feb.6 at 10:32 am

riggs says:
if there is a god in heaven, please make this nightmare stop.

Feb.6 at 10:33 am

white hot eboy says:
Kevin is kind of dense. But that’s ok. If he’s truly a Suns fan, he’ll see the benefits of the deal within a month.

Feb.6 at 10:34 am

Ryne Nelson says:
The Heat are really lucky if they get this deal. If they make it without having to give up a draft pick, they’re so golden.

Feb.6 at 10:34 am

TADOne says:
Detroit is not looking to make any moves Eboy. The only one that is probable is trading away Flip Murray. But that will be insignificant, really.

Feb.6 at 10:36 am

Kevin says:
in EVERY Heat game that i’ve watched this year (maybe 4-5), Shaq’s been in foul trouble and has been completely helpless on offense compared to what he used to be able to do.. i’ve seen so many drop steps turn into travels, and i’ve seen him pivot and get bumped off and force up an off-balance uglyass hook.. that is not Shaq. last year i saw a lot of that too, so i can’t write off this year as an anomaly, i simply don’t think Shaq has much in the tank anymore.. and this is not a knock on him at all, i still think he’s the most dominant player i’ve ever seen play. i jus think that at 35+ with all of his injuries, its about time to call it quits.

Feb.6 at 10:36 am

Ryne Nelson says:
Benefits, Eboy? Where? Are they hiding somewhere?

Feb.6 at 10:36 am

white hot eboy says:
I really don’t think anyone is taking the deal in as it really is. Shaq is not the centerpiece for the Suns, probably the 3rd or 4th most important player on the squad. He is not going to be the sole focus. Nash still drives the train, STAT is the head car and Shaq will play the role of space eater. It will help them.

Feb.6 at 10:37 am

Dan says:
Seriously, Eboy. I am disappointed in his poor observations of the matter. Yes, Phoenix slows down, but they also get a terror in the lane who can stop penetration with the mere thought of going up against his 325-plus pound frame.

Feb.6 at 10:37 am

Keith says:
I don’t think Shaq has ever had to play on a sub .500 team before and maybe his enthusiasm left him. I don’t know, but I can see that if this move comes off (based on passing a physical - good luck with THAT!) he’ll get some numbers. And let’s not kid ourselves, the Suns never play defense anyway, so who cares if Marion is missing.

Feb.6 at 10:39 am

Dan says:
See, Eboy’s got it!

Feb.6 at 10:39 am

Kevin says:
^ i really hope you’re right Eboy.. i tried picturing Nash slicing through the lane to feed Shaq for easy dunks and putbacks, and then in my mind’s eye i saw Shaq not being able to elevate and missing off-balance layups. :/

Feb.6 at 10:40 am

Dan says:
The other thing that is being overlooked is the fact that Marion’s numbers are down this season, too. So, what’s the problem with shaking things up and removing a disgruntled player?

Feb.6 at 10:41 am

H to the izzo says:
Shaq is big,the Suns don’t have any bigs,the Suns want to win,Shawn”Why aren’t you noticing me?”Marion is more concerned with stats and exposure.So let’s recap Suns+BIG-Lockeroom cancer=GOOD.
Plus now Amare can actually play in the right position.

Feb.6 at 10:41 am

white hot eboy says:
Rynocerous, don’t question me. I also said on this site, right before you started posting daily, that Shaq would be dealt by the trade deadline. I, of course, was scoffed at. And I of course now laugh at the idiots who now nothing as usual. BELIEVE ME, this move will help, not hurt the Suns. Shaq’s game relies on post postion passing because of his age and his lack of mobility than when he was 25-30. Nash is th most creative passer in the game, so I’m positive Shaq will make the doubters seem silly.

Feb.6 at 10:42 am

TADOne says:
How much is Shaq going to be asked to do in PHX with Hill back in the mix? Like Eboy said, he will be the 3rd or 4th option most nights. Nash isn’t getting younger. Hill isn’t either. PHX is throwing all their chips into the middle of the table and saying let’s gamble.

Feb.6 at 10:42 am

Kevin says:
with the Suns, i always though Marion was the perfect complement.. he exerts most of his energy on D helping out and using his long arms in every play he can, while on O he spreads the floor by standing in the corner and he helps free up STAT by occasionally going back-door for the lob or cuttin to the basket for a floater.. i think Marion brings the intangibles that Suns team needs, and if this trade goes through, my only conclusion would have to be that the Suns management KNEW Marion was gone after this year and wanted to get something back, even if that something back was a definite 1-2 yr window at trying to make this squad work (Hill, Nash and Shaq’ll all be gone in 2 yrs i’m assuming)

Feb.6 at 10:43 am

Dan says:
As hard as this is for me to say, Eboy and I actually agree on something!

Feb.6 at 10:46 am

white hot eboy says:
Dan, the quicker you start doing that on the regular, you will gain an infinite amount of knowledge not seen by the likes of man, ever.

Feb.6 at 10:48 am

Dan says:
Good to know, Ebostradamus.

Feb.6 at 10:49 am

Dan says:
The REAL white hot Ebostradamus, sorry.

Feb.6 at 10:49 am

white hot eboy says:
I should change my screen name to that.

Feb.6 at 10:50 am

Dan says:
I would be down to see that.

Feb.6 at 10:50 am

white hot eboy says:
You know, I hate the move for the Heat though, cause I can’t stand Marion. Banks, whatever, but if Riley sends away the pick and they start winning some bulls*it games, I’m burning Miami down.

Feb.6 at 10:52 am

white hot eboy says:
Eboy-strodomus. Has a ring to it. Hmmm……

Feb.6 at 10:52 am

peteb80 says:
Eboy, didn’t you also say that Shaq would be bought out? (When you weren’t saying he would retire.) But you were right that he wouldn’t be with the Heat next year, I’ll admit that.

Feb.6 at 10:53 am

Holly MacKenzie says:
I wonder what D’Antoni and Nash think about this? While I don’t think it is as disastrous as everyone has been saying, it definitely does change their offense…Damn. this is just…crazy!

Feb.6 at 10:55 am

white hot eboy says:
I said, I think, that he would be moved, bought out or would retire at the end of the season if he was still with the Heat. I now doubt he retire/s because the Suns can still be competitve for the next 2 seasons and getting away from Miami and his marital troubles are going to pay off for him.

Feb.6 at 10:56 am

white hot eboy says:
I don’t think Holly has wrapped her pretty little fingers around the idea that the Lakers don’t have a cakewalk to the divison title now.

Feb.6 at 10:58 am

nick says:
Holy sh!t. I wish this were young shaq though. damn. the west is fun this year.

Feb.6 at 10:58 am

BETCATS says:
eboy= happy camper

Feb.6 at 10:58 am

Ryne Nelson says:
This is pure desperation on the Suns’ part. Shaq can’t dominate any longer. He’s a shell of his former self on the offensive end of the floor and a liability defensively.

Feb.6 at 10:59 am

BETCATS says:
Nash to Shaq will be great. Stodomire at PF, Diaw Starting it is nuts

Feb.6 at 11:01 am

white hot eboy says:
Rynocerous is showing his age deficiency. BET, I’m really not thrilled with the move. I’d have rather them have made a move for Kidd if they were going contract for contrac.

Feb.6 at 11:01 am

Ryne Nelson says:
Grant Hill is 35
Steve Nash turns 34 Thursday
Shaq is 35 and $40 million
Um…..this team better win this year.

Feb.6 at 11:05 am

TADOne says:
Ryne: PHX recognizes that and is basically gambling on a run right now. We all know the key Suns players, other than Amare and Barbosa, and nearing the end of their careers. Marion didn’t want to be there any longer. Why is this trade such a shock??

Feb.6 at 11:06 am

TADOne says:
*are nearing the end

Feb.6 at 11:06 am

Keith says:
Completely right Ryne…but that was always going to be the case. The Suns have addressed their ‘big man’ problems, whilst hsipping out their ‘Shawn Marion’ problem. The Suns are getting what they want. I’m pretty sure that Tim Duncan will not be looking forward quite as much to facing the Suns as he was.

Feb.6 at 11:06 am

white hot eboy says:
That’s why they made the move, Rynocerous.

Feb.6 at 11:07 am

BETCATS says:
Kidd wouldnt fit in miami. Give Chris Quinn 2 years and he is your star PG

Feb.6 at 11:07 am

BETCATS says:
and eboy whatever happened to Wayne Simen?

Feb.6 at 11:08 am

Keith says:
And just to make everyone aware..Shawn Marion deserves this. I hope he stays on a sub .300 team for the next few years. That’ll teach him to whine about his situation.

Feb.6 at 11:09 am

white hot eboy says:
Wayne Simien has been released since the end of training camp. Chris Quinn can be a star backup, nothing more.

Feb.6 at 11:09 am

white hot eboy says:
Keith, the Heat won’t be that bad next year.

Feb.6 at 11:10 am

BETCATS says:
you guys should’ve kept Gerald Fitch and Earl Barron.

Feb.6 at 11:10 am

ericmontross says:
I don’t think this makes the Suns better. They like to get shots up early in the shot clock. Shaq will be about half court as the ball is going through the basket. Marion usually defends the power forward which will be STAT’s duty now. Do you think in the playoffs with the game on the line you can trust STAT to come up with a stop on Duncan, Dirk, or even Gasol? This only ends up good for the Suns if Shaq stays out of foul trouble and healthy which is something he hasn’t done this year. Bad trade

Feb.6 at 11:12 am

TADOne says:
ericmontross: The Suns play D?

Feb.6 at 11:12 am

BETCATS says:
still, this makes the Suns- Lakers rivalry even stronger and crazier

Feb.6 at 11:13 am

white hot eboy says:
BET, Earl Barron still wears a uniform for them.

Feb.6 at 11:15 am

j says:
Done deal http://cbs.sportsline.com/nba/story/10623600

Feb.6 at 11:16 am

BETCATS says:
he does??? Well then you need to play him. Youth are the future for the Heat.

Feb.6 at 11:17 am

BETCATS says:
But Gerald Fitch was strait up nasty. Hitting lots of 3’s and contested shots. Or Keyon Dottling

Feb.6 at 11:18 am

Ryne Nelson says:
@Bet - Haha. Simien’s on the Wolves. He was part of the Ricky Davis trade!

Feb.6 at 11:18 am

white hot eboy says:
Earl Barron is horrible, BET. Fitch was nice. Keyon is missed, too.

Feb.6 at 11:18 am

15AM says:
i am more than against that trade, but if the suns opt for inclusion of the heat’s draft pick this summer after putting the results of the physical on the table they may convince me.

Feb.6 at 11:20 am

BETCATS says:
Eboy- do not hate what you dont understand.
Ryne Bread- I just was wondering his wearabouts thats all. The Ricky trade was less than memorable.

Feb.6 at 11:20 am

Keith says:
Ha, I know the Suns won’t be that bad. I think Marion will improve them. But my pint was that he deserves to play on a struggling team for a while, just so he can then appreicate how good he had it.

Feb.6 at 11:23 am

ericmontross says:
The small amount of d they played was done by Marion/Bell and now Marion is gone. Trust me there are going to be alot of shots of Shaq and STAT on the bench because they will both be in foul trouble. Why do fast paced teams want to get slow? That is the one major advantage the Warriors and Suns had and they are trying to give it up. Atleast GS didn’t give up anything for Webber.

Feb.6 at 11:24 am

Marvin says:
watch out if shaq finds his motivation again.pistons champs 2008

Feb.6 at 11:24 am

TADOne says:
Marion WANTED to leave!

Feb.6 at 11:25 am

TADOne says:
Thanks for that Marvin.

Feb.6 at 11:25 am

BETCATS says:
ericmontross needs to go back to UNC

Feb.6 at 11:25 am

namik says:
Steve Kerr either knows something none of us do or he has lost his damn mind. I’m leaning the favor of the latter. Unless Nash finds some Lazarus pits or something, I really don’t see how this works. Oh well…go Lakers!

Feb.6 at 11:26 am

BETCATS says:
Starvin Marvin: why say something that crazy Bobcats Champions 08

Feb.6 at 11:32 am

Sesa says:
and that’s how the West is getting better

Feb.6 at 11:34 am

BETCATS says:
and older

Feb.6 at 11:38 am

H to the izzo says:
Has Marion requested a trade from Miami yet?

Feb.6 at 11:38 am

RV says:
I think it all will depend on how fast shaq can gel with those guys. I think Kerr looked at the west, teams like the Lakers, Spurs, Houston, Utah and New Orleans, and they all have solid guys in the post and in the backcourt, they have inside-outside games. Only the mavs and GS dont, but Yao has shown they both have trouble guarding big centers. “if you can’t beat them, join them”, Kerr decided to model the team like the other elite teams instead of keeping the small, run and gun style (which hasnt worked consistently in the playoffs)

Feb.6 at 11:45 am

Krayzie Bone says:
What’s the over-under on Shaq killing Nash in Practice, after being told to do some more wind-sprints?

Feb.6 at 11:46 am

TADOne says:
Shaq just got tired of being the only legit center in the East (other than Howard).

Feb.6 at 11:50 am

BETCATS says:
izzo how many times have you typed that? and they say im the machine…

Feb.6 at 11:54 am

H to the izzo says:
BET:Once

Feb.6 at 12:03 pm

Holly MacKenzie says:
not sure if it has been mentioned, but what happens with the game protest in Atlanta now? The one that will be replayed?

Feb.6 at 12:06 pm

Krayzie Bone says:
im sure they don’t turn back the clock on the rosters, even though it was his fouling out that changed the game. Then again, replaying the last few seconds seems quite odd, even if that was the time affected.

Feb.6 at 12:08 pm

Myles Brown says:
I woke up and started laughing at this all over again…

Feb.6 at 12:13 pm

the Birdman says:
Shawn Marion is upset we’re not talking more about him than Shaq.

Feb.6 at 12:14 pm

the Birdman says:
Shawn Marion is upset he wasn’t traded for Dwight Howard

Feb.6 at 12:17 pm

the Birdman says:
Shawn Marion is upset there aren’t any plans in the works for him to ride into Miami on a 18 wheeler.

Feb.6 at 12:25 pm

JE SMITH says:
how will shaq get up and down the court with the speed of the suns offense?

Feb.6 at 12:26 pm

ciolkstar says:
If Shaq can get to whwere he plays 25+ minutes per night, when matchups dictate, the Suns will be tougher. However, I’m not sure that shaq is gonna have the stamina/durability to play significant minutes consistently in the west.

Feb.6 at 12:29 pm

jbn74sb says:
For the Heat, this move is fine. In reality, who cares what they got in return, although I may have gone for some picks. Most importantly, they got rid of the Big Albatross.
For the Suns, this is a joke. You get rid of a guy who gets a double double, plays great D, and yuo don’t have to run any plays for. Yuo pick up Shaq, supposedly for his defense, which is an absolute joke. When Shaq is in the game, the Suns will be playing 4 on 5 on offense, while Shaq huffs his way to half court. You open yourself up to Hack-A-Shaq as a way to slow down your break. And you’re going to pay him $40,000,000 over the next 2 years. Wouldn’t it have made more sense to keep Kurt Thomas, has does play D, and has a jump shot, and keep your picks? While there is a small chance it will work, what an idiotic move. Looking at matchups, who guards Odom? Go big with Skinner? Boris Diaw? Are you kidding me? Arizona should make Kerr give his degree back.

Feb.6 at 12:29 pm

ciolkstar says:
Even when diesel was at his prime I always felt like he was just fast enough to not get called for an offensive foul everytime he makes a move towards the basket. Now he just cant get his shoulder past the defender to seal them off. If his hip doesnt heal or he gets another little injury this year, the Suns will have bought a $20 million paperweight. Spurs in 08! (?)

Feb.6 at 12:30 pm

DP says:
The fat bastard won’t last long. I know in my heart D-Wade is happy as hell that his ass is gone. Now the team can FINALLY REBUILD and Marion is a bad way to start. But I can’t wait to see Shaq on Court TV. play wit it.

Feb.6 at 12:31 pm

JE SMITH says:
i don’t understand this move from the Sun’s standpoint either

Feb.6 at 12:33 pm

Kadavour says:
lmao at bodie: Arizona should make Kerr give his degree back. too funny

Feb.6 at 12:34 pm

Bryant Reeves says:
Nutty

Feb.6 at 12:34 pm

JE SMITH says:
adding shaq for marion is like firing a young energetic productive manager and hiring an old one who will always be behind on his paperwork

Feb.6 at 12:35 pm

eYi says:
i was watching ESPN and they stated the trade is final. this will be interesting

Feb.6 at 12:38 pm

Allenp says:
I don’t understand the point of this trade at all. Everything Bodie said is right. WTF. How does Shaq help the Suns on defense? He never helped the Heat on defense. Plus, the Suns have been worried about the luxury tax and all that, but they take on Shaq huge contract for the next two years? It’s weird. Is Steve Kerr smoking crack?

Feb.6 at 12:39 pm

Kadavour says:
The Suns are spending WAYY too much money on this guy. Everyone always looked at Robert Horry like the luckiest sum’mabitch in the world for picking championship teams so well, but if Phx can get past L.A., then Shaq would be the real Keyzer Soze of the league.

Feb.6 at 12:42 pm

Dan says:
Are you serious, Allen? The thing is, Shaq is still an intimidator, and, as discussed earlier, with a true point, Shaq doesn’t really need to be the offensive-creator he once was.

Feb.6 at 12:43 pm

Froggiestyle says:
Nucca please. The Suns (formerly known as run and gun) now the Shriners club. Just wait till Amare’s knee weakens again and you got a bunch of denture wearing men on that team hobbling around. WEB we love you and all but please. Let’s be real for a min eh? When Shaq and the Heat won, the whole series was shady and if Stern didn’t have a hard-on against Cubes, those fictitious Wade calls would not have been there when so sorely needed. I’m the first one to say I love Shaq the man, but right now Shaq the player should retire his body and his rep before they’re both irrevocably ruined. If the Suns get out of the first round everyone will be shocked.

Feb.6 at 12:44 pm

Holly MacKenzie says:
wonder what the phx fans are saying?

Feb.6 at 12:45 pm

thesubwayconnection says:
If Shaq passes this physical, then I think this takes Phoenix out of the contention. Shaq doesn’t seem motivated to me, and I know Miami’s been playing up his hip, but he and Amare together don’t do amazing things for me. If I’m any dominant team in the West, I let Shaq get good looks in single coverage over Amare. He might beat you 1 game out of 7. And I agree, it screws the Suns over for the next few years.

Feb.6 at 12:49 pm

JE SMITH says:
shaq seems unfocused. i wonder if his divorce has something to do with this?

Feb.6 at 12:50 pm

Myles Brown says:
And thats whats really funny about this “trade” if you can even call it that. Shaq doesnt fit either style of play. He cant run and he certainly isnt thinking about just playing defense. Besides he couldnt play both sides of the court at full tilt even if he wanted to. Playing him in the half court completely squanders the talents of the rest of the team . Why does anyone think that after three years of running that the Suns can just turn on a dime into a grind it out/half court team? Does D’Antoni even know how to coach that kind of game? Doesnt Barbosa almost become completely ineffective? His whole game is predicated on speed. Wont Nashs defensive deficiencies get exposed even more in the half court? And Im about as scared of a STAT/Shaq front line on defense as I am of a Bobby Brown comeback. Ive watched STAT get exposed twice this year by Al Jeff, whats he gonna do in the playoffs against Duncan? And we all saw how Bynum gave him trouble. But oh, thats right Shaq is here to save the day. The same guy who almost broke the record for consecutive disqualifications this season. That combo would foul out of more than half of their games. Especially with that weak a** perimeter defense theyd have with no Marion. Kobe, AI, Ginobli, etc. would fly around any one of their defenders and create opps for their teammates. I really want to see this. Its gonna be the biggest, most expensive disaster since Travolta in Battlefield Earth…

Feb.6 at 12:50 pm

DIO says:
Where dropped charges against Glen Rice happens…

Feb.6 at 12:52 pm

its just alex says:
This is perplexing.

Feb.6 at 12:53 pm

Froggiestyle says:
The only thing that makes even a bit of sense, is that this is phase one of PHX master trade plan - right?

Feb.6 at 12:56 pm

jbn74sb says:
And what if we just play Gasol at 5 and make Shaq guard him, and then hack him on the other end? For the Suns, this has about a 1% chance of working. I wouldn’t be surprised if they end up missing the playoffs. At least Kerr will end up back in the booth for TNT within a couple of years.

Feb.6 at 12:59 pm

Dan says:
I don’t see how people are blown away by this trade. That is, yeah, it’s not perfect, but it will work. Marion would have walked, leaving the Suns with nothing, so they get a big man, which they needed, who gives then two years and then walks. What’s the problem there? Everyone keeps bringing up the luxury tax thing, but it was unavoidable anyhow. No team wants to be over the threshold, but it happens. At least they will clear up a lot once Shaq bounces. Idiots.

Feb.6 at 1:01 pm

jbn74sb says:
Dan - If Marion walks, the Suns are left with over $16,000,000 in cap space this summer. Now they have to wait another year after that, when Nash will be running on fumes. Those fumes now will be the fumes of Shaq’s corpse.

Feb.6 at 1:02 pm

Co Co says:
Okay my comment disappeared. Once again, I agree with Myles and I guess my Hawks don’t have to replay those 51.9 seconds anymore.

Feb.6 at 1:05 pm

Dan says:
So, JB, you think that is worth Marion-type talent?

Feb.6 at 1:07 pm

Krackakidd says:
Shaq is going to play point guard right?

Feb.6 at 1:08 pm

TADOne says:
They don’t Co Co?

Feb.6 at 1:11 pm

Dan says:
I’m pretty sure they still will have to re-play that 51.9.

Feb.6 at 1:14 pm

Dizzle says:
Maybe this is all just a giant (giant b/c Shaq is involved) conspiracy. He probably gave all the owners a call before the season started and said “Hey, do me a favor and go nuts this year with trades and comments even if they don’t make any sense. I need people to forget about this past summer”

Feb.6 at 1:15 pm

Dizzle says:
“He” being David Stern

Feb.6 at 1:16 pm

Stewie Griffin says:
Shaq isn’t what he used to be and never will be, but if the trade takes place, I bet he can be a 18-10 guy. I think his performances this year may be more due to the lack of perspective to win a chip than to his injuries.

Feb.6 at 1:20 pm

Co Co says:
The whole reason they have to replay it is because Shaq fouled out one foul too early and the Heat were at a competitive disadvantage, well if he isn’t there then…..

Feb.6 at 1:22 pm

Dan says:
Oh, true. . . My bad, Co Co.

Feb.6 at 1:22 pm

Hisham says:
Are Holly and Mutoni competing for comments?

Feb.6 at 1:24 pm

jbn74sb says:
Stewie stewie stewie. When was the last time Shaq averaged 18 and 10? And didn’t Russ make the moronic prediction that Shaq would average 18 and 10 this year?

Feb.6 at 1:31 pm

Marcel Mutoni says:
i sincerely hope this happens. only to see shaq involved in some kind of fast break/car wreck. (also: lakers are in phoenix on feb.20th. giggity giggity, and so forth.)

Feb.6 at 1:32 pm

Jukai says:
Well, I’m not sure what to say. Kerr is going to go down as either one of the best or one of the worst GMs in NBA history.

Feb.6 at 1:34 pm

Jukai says:
I feel like I’m missing something. I just don’t get it. I think I’m 100% becoming a Cleveland fan. This is ridic.

Feb.6 at 1:36 pm

Jukai says:
This really doesn’t make sense. I’m praying he doesn’t pass his physical.

Feb.6 at 1:36 pm

Dan says:
JB, did you forget your brain on the bus today? The season isn’t over yet, and I am prety sure that Shaq could go for a few more points and the few more rebounds to round out the season.

Feb.6 at 1:36 pm

Hisham says:
Jukai! thank god you’re alive, i thought you’d comitted suicide

Feb.6 at 1:37 pm

jbn74sb says:
Answer the question, Dan. When was the last time Shaq averaged 18 and 10?

Feb.6 at 1:37 pm

Co Co says:
I thought I remembered watching a Suns game last season and they put up a stat about how the Suns are worse when Marion is out as opposed to when Nash is out over the past couple of years. Anyone know anything about this? I can’t be making this up.

Feb.6 at 1:38 pm

Jukai says:
Call me Britney, Hisham, cause for the next 48 hours I’m gonna be on suicide watch.

Feb.6 at 1:41 pm

Jukai says:
I’m logically trying to deal with this through all the pros I can think of. Of course, none of those pros involve Shaq being on the team.

Feb.6 at 1:42 pm

Dan says:
Well, JB, to get technical, he never did average 18 and 10 in the NBA, but if you want to play your game, I believe it was ‘05.

Feb.6 at 1:42 pm

Jukai says:
You know, with Marion gone, now Amare and Barbosa wont have to worry about taking his shots and they’re going to go CRAZY. Storm the league. And you know what they say, big spenders leave a big impact, and the Suns are going to be paying an extra 7 million and DAMNIT WHAT THE HELL I need a drink

Feb.6 at 1:55 pm

jbn74sb says:
The lead story on CNN concerns a massive military operation currently underway in south Florida. As it turns out, Shaq was able to board the 757 bound for Phoenix, but devoured every bag of peanuts on board before departure. As a result, the plane was unable to reach sufficient speed required for lift off. He is currently being extracted from the plane with the jaws of life, and a military level transport plane is being readied for his flight to Phoenix. Unbelievably, the Heat, overjoyed at being out from underneath his contract, as well as his belly, are paying for the costs associated with the entire operation. It is believed to be the most expensive extraction since the last time all of the bullsh-t was removed from eboy back in summer of ‘99.

Feb.6 at 2:32 pm

Cheryl says:
I know I’m late to the party, but I really don’t get this. Is Steve Kerr competing with McHale for the Mitch Kupchak award? But, really, I like this for us. We didn’t even have to give up a pick for Shawn “Give Me More Love” Marion?

Feb.6 at 2:33 pm

jbn74sb says:
Cheryl - I think it’s “G G G Give Me More L L L Love”

Feb.6 at 2:35 pm

Cheryl says:
Bodie, you’re terrible! Hey, I think I’ll go to the Laker game on Sunday. You going E?

Feb.6 at 2:41 pm

jbn74sb says:
No, Cheryl, The Big Sheep is terrible.

Feb.6 at 2:43 pm

Holly MacKenzie says:
ohh Cheryl.. SO JEALOUS. Wish I was making my way to Miami..

Feb.6 at 2:47 pm

d.Y. says:
I’m either in the middle of an aneurysm, or inside Davie Harrison’s bong. WHAT?! I mean f**king WHAT?

Feb.6 at 2:53 pm

Jake says:
Isn’t the saying “Go West YOUNG Man”?Phoenix screwed themselves over big time with this one.No more running and gunning with Shaq on the floor

Feb.6 at 2:55 pm

Cheryl says:
Holly, you need to come on down. The weather is beautiful and that will be a fun game to watch. Both teams will be trying to mesh new players.

Feb.6 at 2:56 pm

Cheryl says:
BTW, I CAN NOT WAIT, for the the big guy’s on-the-record response to this. Lang, you have to get the interview.

Feb.6 at 2:57 pm

Cheryl says:
Now, can Pat swing a JKidd for Eboy and Davis deal? I’m kidding, but really, after today, who knows what’s up the slick one’s sleeve?

Feb.6 at 2:58 pm

Holly MacKenzie says:
I’m beyond anxious for all of the interviews too, Cheryl. Damn…Enjoy the game and my boys, it is an exciting time in LA. The ball movement and tri-offense is looking slick!

Feb.6 at 3:03 pm

white hot eboy says:
Cheryl, I am on boycot status until they are guareented at least a high lottery pick.

Feb.6 at 3:09 pm

Cheryl says:
I hear you, Eboy. I was too, until this trade and the Laker’s get with Gasol. Now, I think that’s the one game I’ll give up a Sunday afternoon to check out. Curious to see how Marion and Wade click. But, you’re right, they better not try to win too many games. That Rose kid would look good in a Heat uni.

Feb.6 at 3:19 pm

d.Y. says:
This is exactly how Vince McMahon would’ve scripted the LA/PHX rivalry (best rivalry in the NBA these days).

Feb.6 at 3:20 pm

B. Long says:
Lakers, Suns series is gonna be straight bannanas! Please let mamba get a shot at these guys with Spanish Fly and baby face back we will have a gangsta squad!

Feb.6 at 3:20 pm

white hot eboy says:
Hey, if they can pull Rose, Mayo or Beasley (especially) I think we’ll be straight with our new found cap space.

Feb.6 at 3:26 pm

Cheryl says:
What about Elton Brand? Oops, gotta go!

Feb.6 at 3:29 pm

white hot eboy says:
Elton……hmmmmm……..let me ponder that…..

Feb.6 at 3:39 pm

Cheryl says:
I’m back. Sorry. I was just thinking that if there’s cap space, that Pat tried to get Elton once before, when he decided to extend with the Clips. Isn’t he a free agent this summer? Maybe he’d like to come to South Beach after all. Am I crazy?

Feb.6 at 3:40 pm

TADOne says:
Probably, but I think Elton has 2 years left anyway.

Feb.6 at 3:42 pm

white hot eboy says:
Cheryl, I’d prefer someone without a history of injuries, if it’s possible.

Feb.6 at 3:44 pm

Russ Bengtson says:
Elton can opt out this summer, I believe.

Feb.6 at 3:45 pm

Cheryl says:
Okay, the achilles, but what other injury? I’m blanking on that right now. But he would give us a power player big enough (no disrespect to UD) to battle in the East. Plus, isn’t he a 20/10 guy?

Feb.6 at 3:46 pm

TADOne says:
I can see Marion opting out, but Elton?

Feb.6 at 3:52 pm

Holly MacKenzie says:
On the Heat, in the East and with all of their missed shots, imagine how many rebounds Marion could grab nightly?!

Feb.6 at 3:54 pm

Cheryl says:
Marion would be foolish to opt out of 17mil. No one else will give him that kind of dollars. He should give the Heat the full year to see what kind of team they have. If they (Wade and Marion) click, then Pat may give him the multiple years he’s seeking.

Feb.6 at 3:55 pm

d.Y. says:
Screw rebounds, Marion is currently dreaming about all the plays he’s gonna get called for him.

Feb.6 at 4:01 pm

Darksaber says:
Holy Crap + infinity. What the heck is the NBA up to? The lakers GM basically robbed the Grizzlies at gunpoint, same goes for D-Ainge and Minnetonka a while back, and NOW Shaq is heading to the valley of the sun? I live in europe, a’ight? Not much B-Ball love here (though there’s been a spark since Thabo started playing in Chicago)but even HERE, in the bloody alps, people were asking me if it’s true if the “little warrior” was being traded. Big plus for me? Grant Hill and Shaq on the same team, some of my alltime favorite 90’s Nba Stars. The downside? you hurt your thigh-knee-leg-hip the last 2+ Seasons in Miami Shaq, don’t expect things to go uphill from now on. Not with D’Antoni at the controls of that racecar.

Feb.6 at 4:06 pm

Fredo says:
If Phoenix was desperate for a major move, why not trade for Elton Brand? Or Brad Miller and Ron-Ron? Or JO? Or pick up the Bulls pieces? Or go to a dealership and trade Matrix for a new Bentley? ANY of those moves is far better than picking up a Shaq Truck that’s high on miles, has low threads on the tires and constantly breaks down.

Feb.6 at 4:09 pm

sjeezy says:
iono, you can look at this both ways, did the suns really make a great move, we can look on paper and say, oh my god, shaq and amare as a front line, can this be reality, but if u dig the deeper into this story, u can see this mite not have been such a good trade, shaq, who is in his most declining year of his career, and not to mention his hip injury, and does shaq even fit this style of play, u can say watever marcel,ryan, and all u others, the suns are going to miss marion, a guy like him, u only know his worth when he’s gone, all u suns fans, who leaks out and gets the alleyoop from nash, im tellin u bell, hell no, shaq, maybe if we had a time machine, amare, no, barbosa, if he is in with nash, suns, this deal didnt help u nor hurt u. heat GREAT JOB. EVEN THOUGH I LOVE THE SUNS, ONLY TIME WILL TELL IF THIS GOES WELL. GOOD LUCK PHOENIX.

Feb.6 at 4:19 pm

Jukai says:
STILL praying Shaq doesn’t pass the physical.

Feb.6 at 4:27 pm

Marcel Mutoni says:
physical is apparently set for 4pm est. i’ll have a post go up as soon as we know anything.

Feb.6 at 4:30 pm

TADOne says:
Why the hell is Mutoni’s name not in orange?! Imposter!

Feb.6 at 4:36 pm

Marcel Mutoni says:
haha, no it’s me. i’m just logged into the site’s software.

Feb.6 at 4:37 pm

Holly MacKenzie says:
marcel, apparently shaq is weighing in at 312 these days?????

Feb.6 at 4:38 pm

Ravi says:
I think I’m going to throw up. Why, Kerr, WHY?!?!?!

Feb.6 at 4:39 pm

TADOne says:
Shaq must have had some colon cleanser on the flight from Miami.

Feb.6 at 4:41 pm

Marcel Mutoni says:
312 of pure fat, baby.

Feb.6 at 4:46 pm

Westy says:
I’m having trouble dealing with the idea of Shaq in one of those bright orange alternate PHX uniforms. A sight for sore eyes, no doubt.

Feb.6 at 4:49 pm

Krayzie Bone says:
no, there’s some ornery in there to go with the fat.

Feb.6 at 4:52 pm

JP says:
Whats with those 51,9 seconds against the hawks?
Must he come back for that game?

Feb.6 at 4:53 pm

Cheryl says:
we’re all gonna eat our words when the suns win the chip this year or next.

Feb.6 at 4:57 pm

white hot eboy says:
I won’t be surprised, Cheryl.

Feb.6 at 5:02 pm

Cheryl says:
Me either, E.

Feb.6 at 5:05 pm

white hot eboy says:
That’s why you are viewed as genuisette? What would be the word?

Feb.6 at 5:07 pm

Krayzie Bone says:
Je Ne Sais Quois may be what you’re looking for Eboy

Feb.6 at 5:13 pm

Cheryl says:
ooooh, don’t know what it means, Krayzie, but it sounds good!

Feb.6 at 5:17 pm

white hot eboy says:
Krazie Bone, you turned my imaginary word into a French compliment, nice. I knew you were smart, but damn.

Feb.6 at 5:28 pm

SLAM ONLINE | » Three Point Shootout: Nash vs Kobe says:
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Feb.6 at 5:28 pm

tt says:
all this hype about the west, gonna laugh if the east wins the championship. I am however a laker fan so i am hoping the lakers win it all.

Feb.6 at 5:32 pm

Krayzie Bone says:
Well, we all have to take french in Canada for at least 5 years. Je ne sais quois means I don’t know now what or I cannot say. Its usually used when someone wants to sound really upper crust, so you put something they can’t put there finger on in food for instance and they say it has a certain Je ne sais quoi. The reason I put that is because it phoenetically looked like what you put.

Feb.6 at 5:40 pm

white hot eboy says:
I actually was just looking for the female version of genius (or my own made up one), but do your thing wordmaster!

Feb.6 at 5:47 pm

Krayzie Bone says:
lol, I see. I think genius is a gender neutral term. Think of someone some smart female, and call her that. Like Cheryl is your grace hopper or something: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grace_Hopper

Feb.6 at 5:51 pm

white hot eboy says:
Ah So, Grace Hopper.

Feb.6 at 6:03 pm

d.Y. says:
Great idea Krayzie. It’s like Steve Kerr is Riles’ Lindsay Lohan.

Feb.6 at 6:09 pm

jay says:
i coulda sworn it was just a rumor, but this is for real. oh wells, how about marion and banks to the bulls for wallace & thomas????

Feb.6 at 6:19 pm

Cameron says:
what are they gonna do about that 51.9 seconds hawks-heats rematch? the whole reason they set the rematch is becuz they gave shaq a foul that shouldnt have been placed on him which caused to foul out but now with shaq gone are they still going to do the rematch?

Feb.6 at 6:39 pm

Bubba Chuck says:
Not fair

Feb.6 at 7:03 pm

Krayzie Bone says:
Why’s that, cause he must have been drunk to give it up to riles like that?

Feb.6 at 7:42 pm

Steve Nash says:
i feel like crap now

Feb.6 at 7:44 pm

Steve Nash says:
sweet

Feb.6 at 7:45 pm

Steve Nash says:
o noooooooooooooo

Feb.6 at 7:46 pm

Steve Nash says:
i love pie

Feb.7 at 11:15 am

Wali Bashir says:
The Suns had to make a move since the Lakers seem to have their number so far! Should they meet this year in let’s say the Western Conference Finals it should be interesting for 6 or 7 games. The only question I have is does Shaq have enough left in the tank for another run at the chip?