My first reaction was no different than anyone else’s, “what?”
We knew from the offseason that things in Phoenix were rocky, and Marion wanted out. Different packages were shopped, in deals that included Shawn Marion or Amare Stoudamire, but nothing came out of it. The timing of the deal seems the most strange because other players, with more left in the tank, were available, see Kevin Garnett, Pau Gasol (who’s 27).
But in actuality timing may be one of the biggest factors of the deal. With Gasol going to the Lakers, who already found an emerging star in Andrew Bynum this year, they are suddenly poised to make a run at the West. Shaq gives the Suns an inside presence Marion doesn’t, and puts Stoudamire at the power forward position, where he should be dominant.
A lot of people have already pointed out that Steve Nash is 34, and Grant Hill is no spring chicken either, so the Suns need to push for a championship now. Marion being young, especially when he can opt out anyway, does not make him more desirable for a team that needs to win in the postseason now. (Another reason why they probably didn’t push as hard for Gasol, KG on the other hand…)
The Suns have the best record in the West and they can coast into the playoffs with Shaq getting used to his team, getting back into shape, and getting healthy. All they have to do is say, “Hey Shaq, rest up, we’ll use you 15 minutes a game for awhile if you can go 25 in the playoffs, just get in shape” With a lot of people suggesting this was a bad move for Phoenix, I don’t think Shaq will have any lack of motivation.
Here’s the biggest thing, and it’s something no one is mentioning: Nash has 2 more years on his contract remaining after this one, same as Shaq. So in 3 seasons 31 million dollars comes off the books. Does 31 million sound like enough money to make a move for LeBron? LeBron has already stated he wants help, he’s not 100% happy in Cleveland. LeBron set up his contract for just a move like that, taking only a three year extension with a player option for the fourth. The Suns are showing him right now, they’re willing to help, and LeBron and Stoudamire would make a good pretty good 1-2 punch.
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3 comments:
I think it bears mentioning that Barbosa, Stoudemire, and Diaw is a pretty formidable trio. How can Lebron refuse joining that crew? Barbosa isn't a true point anyways, Lebron can keep running the show like he is in Cleveland. Barbosa, Stoudemire, and Diaw is a huge improvement over Hughes, Illgauskas, and Gooden.
Even if the Suns tank for the next two years, this move as a set-up to get Lebron would make the whole thing worth it.
Steve Kerr hasn't come out and said that was motivation for deal, but I'm not even sure he's allowed to. But exactly, if they're competitive for the few years and then land LeBron at the end, this move will be completely worth it.
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