Shaq traded to Cavs

[PosImpos]

If Shaq were about 5 years younger, I'd say this were equivalent to the Gasol trade.  But it is pretty awful.  The Suns really must be desperate to give up Shaq and get so little in return.

You're probably right about the media thing, too.  Nobody will learn from basically crowning the Cavs as NBA Champs before the playoffs even began and will say that Shaq makes the Cavs the favorites to win it all.  I'm not sure if they will be as attractive to FA as you say, since they won't really have a starting gig to offer anyone (unlike SA which I think could be a more likely destination for someone like 'Sheed or Dyce), but they'll definitely be a media darling once again.

[LarBrd33]

i think it's a bigger deal than people on this forum seem to be making it out to be.

Shaq isn't an MVP candidate anymore, but he is still solid.

When given the minutes last year he proved he could still be a 20, 10 and 2 guy.

For the season he averaged 17.8 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in only 30 minutes... with 61% FG...

One thing that was extremely clear in these playoffs was that Dwight HOward was dominant, but a limited offensive player.  When matched up with a guy his own size (Perk) he was unable to do anything. He basically was shut down by Perk, because he couldn't back down Perk and he had no moves to do anything against Perk.   I don't know of any specific head-to-head stats of Shaq vs Dwight, but I'd expect the same.  Dwight made a fool of the Cavs big men... I don't think Dwight would have done that if Shaq was defending him.
 

[PosImpos]

I think what we have here is the Cavs building their team to try to beat Orlando.  I think the Celtics are going to meet the Cavs in the ECF, not Orlando. 

I think Perk will be able to handle Shaq just fine and our perimeter threats will be too much for the Cavs.  They still don't have anyone who can guard a healthy Garnett.

[LarBrd33]

well it cost them nothing basically... and isn't it expiring contracts for expiring contracts?

[pumpfake]

i definitely wouldn't want shaq, but i'm real sad that the cavs got him.

[celtsrp33]

Maybe they can spend all the money they'll have in 2011 to resign Shaq, because they won't be resigning LBJ...  Hopefully Shaq has nagging injuries all year.  Stupid Phoenix - they could've done better than that.

[Drucci]

I'm disgusted for Phoenix and for Shaq himself. This trade makes no sense at all for Phoenix, they basically gave away one of the greatest center ever, still in good shape, for two useless players and their expiring contract probably to buy them out... Ridiculous, where are the Suns going? Nowhere since they should have one more year before starting to rebuild, now they are competing AND preparing the future, that makes no sense. Nash should leave the team, they do everything to keep him on their roster but they don't bring anybody to help him win a championship...

As for Shaq I find it shameful that a future hall of famer like him gets traded so often, like a "piece of meat".

I'm not sure it will help LeBron's ego if he wins a championship because everybody will say "He won it thanks to Shaq". Still I don't think that this trade makes the Cavs better. They probably would beat the Magic thanks to Shaq but the Celtics, if healthy, will have Perkins to contain him, if Shaq isn't nagged by injuries. Because you must not forget that medical staff in Phoenix did a great job of containing Shaq in shape, and I'm not sure that he will look so great in Cleveland...

[Gomesfan]

Bout time LBJ got something, even if he is old fat and now unleaded!

[Roy Hobbs]

i think it's a bigger deal than people on this forum seem to be making it out to be.

Shaq isn't an MVP candidate anymore, but he is still solid.

I agree.  Also, this trade was a salary dump, pure and simple.  Most teams weren't going to give up anything of value for a 37 year old center making $21 million.  This deal saves the Suns a ton of money, and could get them below the luxury tax.

This is a lot different than the Gasol trade.  There, Memphis dumped a star in his prime for what looked like very little return.  Here, the Suns are trading a near-retirement star who is playing on an unworkable contract.  Apples and oranges.

[Moranis]

i think it's a bigger deal than people on this forum seem to be making it out to be.

Shaq isn't an MVP candidate anymore, but he is still solid.

I agree.  Also, this trade was a salary dump, pure and simple.  Most teams weren't going to give up anything of value for a 37 year old center making $21 million.  This deal saves the Suns a ton of money, and could get them below the luxury tax.

This is a lot different than the Gasol trade.  There, Memphis dumped a star in his prime for what looked like very little return.  Here, the Suns are trading a near-retirement star who is playing on an unworkable contract.  Apples and oranges.

and yet that very little in return turned out to be essentially three first round picks and a starting center that put up close to a double double.

[xmuscularghandix]

Shaq's a punk.

 

[Brickowski]

So, would you rather have Shaq or Ray Allen?  IMHO Ainge should have made that offer, and Phoenix should have thrown in a pick as a sweetner.

Now Shaq, who can still push people around and give you 25 good minutes a night is playing for one of Boston's biggest EC rivals.  Perkins and Garnett will have their hands full covering Shaq and Ilgauskas, that's for sure.

Just think of LeBron coming off one of Shaq's picks at the top of the key.

[nickagneta]

So..as of right now the Cavs frontcourt consists of Shaq playing center, Ilgauskas playing PF and JJ Hickson coming of the bench with absolutely no other center or power forward on the roster.

And people are worried?

Even if they bring back AV and Joe Smith, I think that's a laughable bunch of big men to go into the playoffs with. Shaq is old and can be moved around by people 100 lbs lighter than him. Z hates playing in the post and is not a power forward. Hickson is a second year player that has shown only Bill Walker type flashes and isn't near ready for real minutes. AV can't spell offense never mind play any and Joe Smith is older and his game is more decrepit than Shaq's.

If Cleveland doesn't sign McDyess, Wallace or Drew Gooden they are in for a world of hurt this year playing with that front line.

[hankfinkel]

So, would you rather have Shaq or Ray Allen?  IMHO Ainge should have made that offer, and Phoenix should have thrown in a pick as a sweetner.

Now Shaq, who can still push people around and give you 25 good minutes a night is playing for one of Boston's biggest EC rivals.  Perkins and Garnett will have their hands full covering Shaq and Ilgauskas, that's for sure.

Just think of LeBron coming off one of Shaq's picks at the top of the key.

But how does that RA deal benefit the Suns more than the Cavs deal, especially if they have to throw in a pick?  The Suns just want expiring deals back, they don't care about player value.  They got a second round pick out of it which works nicely for them because it's a rookie minimum deal which is as little financial outlay as you can get.  Unless they flip RA to someone else that deal for more expiring money and draft picks it is worse for them than the Cavs deal.  Ainge could have offered it, the Suns would not have bitten.

No doubt this makes the Cavs more dangerous if Shaq stays healthy.  Still like a healthy Cs team against them though, assuming Ainge improves the bench some.

[Bankshot]

We really have to re-sign Baby now.  He's the only one besides Perk that can hold his own against Shaq and push him further away from the paint.