I thought that the Suns put themselves into a hole ever since they traded for Shaq. Not only is he on a steep decline in his career, but he doesn't have a lot of Diesel Gas left in the tank. The Suns high-tempo style of play is just too much for Shaq to handle. His career average of 25.4 points a game has dropped to 10.9 for the Suns. In his last year at Los Angeles, he averaged 36.8 minutes a game. This season for the Suns, he is only averaging 27.5 minutes.
The good thing, though is that for the last three seasons, he has averaged 9.2, 7.4, and 7.8 rebounds per game, respectively. This year, however, he is averaging 10.2 for the Suns. That's about all of the good that I found.
While they are currently on a 4 game winning streak, it doesn't impress me much. Beating the Spurs by 7 was impressive. He scored 14 points in that game. When they whooped Memphis, though, Shaq only shot once. Beating Golden State by 8 was okay, but Shaq only shot 5 times, and had no offensive rebounds. I am also not stunned by them beating the below .500 Kings. Although Shaq was 6-6 with 8 rebounds, it WAS the Kings.
Since acquiring Shaq, the Suns are 10-8. That is much worse than what they previously had, which was 34-13. The Heat, however, didn't do much to support their future, by getting 29 year-old Shawn Marion, who is only younger than 3 other Heat players. But that's a whole different column.
The Suns average age per player is now about 29.57, whereas Western Conference leader Los Angeles Lakers average age is 25.92. The Suns need to win it all fast, and the Shaq trade may have ruined their chances for that.
Please Comment
--Brandon Heshee
comments (20) write a comment »
write a new comment
6 months ago
nothing to comment on. On a scale from 1 to 10 your understanding of the game is a zero. What do you think we can possible benefit from in reading this article.
from 6 months ago
What the heck are you talking about!?!? You must be a Suns' fan. Your comment made no sense! P.S. 0 is not in between 1 and 10 you moron!!! What do you mean "What do you think we can possible benefit from in reading this article?" The same thing that you benefit from ANY article, information from somebody that isn't an idiot, like you.
from 6 months ago
You know what, I'll keep posting back here as the Suns get better and better with each game to remind you of this article. Maybe some day you will understand what we are talking about. You are exposing your understanding of this great game with every word you publish to the world. So please get some help or better yet stop writing basketball articles.
6 months ago
This article was writen today? Have you even been watching the Suns play lately?
6 months ago
Obviously he has if he mentioned there last game agains the kings, who happen to be well under .500
6 months ago
This writer is a scrub. In fact I can tell a few things about this writer:
1) He doesn't play hoops himself, if at all. And if he does, he isn't very good because he doesn't understand the concept of what an athletic big man can do for your team.
2) He really doesn't follow Phoenix and can't understand what Shaq brings to the Suns.
3) He doesn't understand that the way the Suns won the last 4 games was MORE IMPORTANT than the fact that they won the 4 games.
4) He's one of those ESPN sheep that keeps thinking Shaq doesn't have much gas in the tank, .blah blah blah. Yet he constantly runs up and down the court with no problem.
5) He's already written off the Suns after a 4 game winning streak, in which two of those teams were playoff bound?
Don't quit your day job, kid. You better do your homework tomorrow.
6 months ago
While you're at it, you mind as well have a new headline on this article since you said there is a "failure in Phoenix" - try these headlines out:
* Stock market ON AN INCREDIBLE TEAR UPWARD.
* REAL ESTATE MARKET STILL RISING
6 months ago
I think your writing rocks for being 13. You need a TON of practice, but you will devlop. Keep practicing!
6 months ago
I think your writing rocks for being 13. You need a TON of practice, but you will devlop. Keep practicing!
6 months ago
develop. oops. :)
from 6 months ago
NOW who needs to develop.
from 6 months ago
Really kid? If you want people to take you seriously, you need to grown up. Your response to my kudos proves that! I am the only one nice to you and you diss me. Get real.
from 6 months ago
Dang. I didn't even see that you weren't event the kid that wrote this...seriously Joe...wow! You have got to get a life man... I think it is nice of you to stand up for Brandon, but respond to the people who are rude to him, not me! First rule of life- pick your battles. Trust me...I am not the one you need to battle.
6 months ago
I agree with you all. This writer has no insight into the understanding of what benefits a big man brings to the table other than scoring which in his mind is all it takes to be a big man from the article points. He said rebounding is the only improvement. However, I have not seen anyone on the Suns guard Tim Duncan as effectively as Shaq did. That in itself makes the trade effective. Not to mention the motivating words of encouragement and leadership the guy brings. I think that is terribly under estimated because that is all sports is CONFIDENCE.
Corey
6 months ago
Shaq had a 16 pt, 15 reb game tonight, his best yet as a Suns. The Suns are now on a 5 game streak,the current longest in the league along with Orlando. They are just one game out of first in the conference and division. They are now outrebounding their opponents while holding them to an average in the low 40's in FG% while the Suns are shooting close to 53% during their streak. There have been some amazing bright spots including 29-2 run against Kings and seeing surges similar to that in nearly every game in the streak. The intagibles include reclaiming their swagger, happiness in the locker room and jelling as a team. No one person is looking to claim all the glory or ticked off because they "aren't getting" theirs. Amare is WC player of the week for the 2nd time this season.
I wouldn't worry your pretty little head over the Suns. It would be a waste of time. Spurs could use some of your sympathy, though. As a Suns fan, how fun was it to see Horry miss the potential game winning shot against Boston. Like that Master Card commercial .... Ticket to game - $55, beer and hot dog - $15. Watching Robert "hip check" Horry jack up a wreckless 3 point potential game winning buzzer beater and missing? PRICELESS!
6 months ago
This writer a complete moron!!! have you watched any of the 5 game winning streak? Shaq is giving the suns everything they need!! Great interior defense, rebounding, and a attitude that we can win it all! I have been a suns fan since 1988. I have seen great Phx teams come and go but the one problem has always remained true. We have had no center... until now! I loved Shawn Marion but I knew that he would not help us win a championship. Shaq has that capability. Just you losers wait and see. Oh by the way we are 1 game behind the lakers and Houston for first place in a dynamic Western conference. That doesn't really sound like a failure in Phoenix to me... Moron!!! Jump on the Lakers bandwagon and sit in the stands with Pau Gasol!
from 3 months ago
Look who is stupid know, moron!!! The Lakers actually made it to the finals in a "dynamic" western conference. Guess who didn't??? The freakin sucky suns!!!! Eat that stupid!!!
3 months ago
1
3 months ago
2
3 months ago
3
write a new comment