The Main Problem with the JSun RichardSUN Trade -- Shaq

by JSun on Dec 18, 2008 8:45 AM MST Comment 10 comments

Just as I had feared, Shaq may screw up a good thing. He's talking about getting a "Shaq-like" amount of touches.

In related news, the Bell Tower is wandering in their proverbial desert.

From The Big Mouth:

You want me to be Shaq? Then I've got to get the Shaq touches and Shaq opportunities. I just can't be taking five shots . . . and then you look at me like I'm old. I could average 27 and 10 until I'm 50.

He's not here to average 27 points. I'd much rather see him averaging 27 rebounds and 10 points. Occassionally, he'll win the team a game or two -- against teams like the Bucks.

What the Suns really need him to do is keep Tim Duncan from getting good post position, keep the huge Lakers' front line off the glass, clog the lane when CP3 penetrates, go toe-to-toe with Yao and give the Jazz a taste of their own medicine. On the other coast, he's got to control KG and make life in the lane difficult for LeBron James. His bloated paycheck is making him think he's more than he is.

There was some saving grace, though, and maybe I'm overreacting:

Guys talk about running so run, get out and run. But when it's a slowdown game, I would like to touch it so I can do what I do or get everybody involved or let STAT (Amaré Stoudemire) touch it and let him do what we do.

Shaq taking shots from JSun RichardSUN is my biggest fear. Let's see what happens against the good teams on the Suns' schedule this week.

[Update]

I was just listening to Paul Coro on 910 and he said something like (I don't remember the exact quote), "It's easy to get Shaq talking about more touches. I ask him about his Christmas shopping and he starts talking about his touches."

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Comments

I'm really not sure where the ball is going to go

Who is going to decide where it goes? Will Porter give the orders, and will they be followed? Will Nash be given free rein? Will our volume scorers become too trigger happy?

Unfortunately, Shaq is right about one thing. He is pretty effective in the post, and he deserves a share of the offense. Not the 25 FGA chunk his ego believes, but 10-15, depending on the opponents and opportunities, would be fair.

The same argument will, can, and should be made for the other players. LB is a quickfire scorer who doesn’t do much else, he needs shots. Nash needs the ball to work and is likely the best shooter in the league. Amare needs the ball to accumulate his stats. I could see J-Rich being reduced to a 3 point/rim-finisher as opposed to an isolation player, but the numbers don’t add up. Simply put, too many scorers, not enough ball.

by felixthm on Dec 18, 2008 9:21 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

True story

A balance must be struck at some point. We have quite the scoring potential on this team with JSun here, we might even have more scoring potential that some of our better Suns squads.

How things will balance out remains to be seen, but I think that despite the problem with touches that we are in a far better position than we were before the trade.

"Yeah I could have been king, but maybe I already am king. Hail to the king baby." Ash from Army of Darkness

by Turambar on Dec 18, 2008 9:33 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

That's what I was thinking about JRich

That he could sort of be reduced to Michael Finley in the latter part of his career – A nice spot up shooter with an occasional drive.

by KJ7 on Dec 18, 2008 9:56 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I think

we’ll use him heavier than that, he’s just too good not to. As far as right now though, yea he might be reduced to that. Eventually they’ll figure out how to use him properly, it’s just going to take a few weeks.

"Yeah I could have been king, but maybe I already am king. Hail to the king baby." Ash from Army of Darkness

by Turambar on Dec 18, 2008 10:22 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Agree

I actually am very excited about what he brings. We’ve only seen some flashes so far but:

1) Crashing the boards – this is an obvious plus and needs no planning. JRich does it. Bell didn’t
2) When Shaq is being fronted in the low post and Amare pulled his man to the high elbow the lane will be open for JRich to drive from the arc. Shaq and Amare can screen the other teams big men and JRich can go 1:1 on his man. Wait for it. It will happen.
3) When Nash is off the floor JRich and Hill can take share the load
4) Amare can focus more on offensive glass when Shaq is off the floor

I am sure there are a bunch of other things that will come

Blogging Suns Basketball

by Seth Pollack on Dec 18, 2008 11:12 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Amen

"Yeah I could have been king, but maybe I already am king. Hail to the king baby." Ash from Army of Darkness

by Turambar on Dec 18, 2008 11:19 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Not too worried

Shaq is being Shaq. Which means he’s tooting his horn like he always does, but in this case it mostly means that he’s being defensive from all the talk about him being too old or too slow. That how I read it.

Think about it. For the last couple years almost everyone has been saying that Shaq is done. Well so far this season he is looking much much much better. Is he looking like he did in his prime? No, but he sure is getting the job done now.

So do i worry about Shaq wanting more touches? A little bit, only because I worry how it will affect STAT. Overall though I think Shaq will be happy when the ball comes to him when things are slowing down and more than happy to have STAT do his thing when things arev speeding up. Just as Shaq said.

Finding a balance on offense is key and we are getting closer.

There is potential for some problems to crop up from wounded egos but overall this team is still trying to find a balance and thus those issues will remain on the backburner for now.

"Yeah I could have been king, but maybe I already am king. Hail to the king baby." Ash from Army of Darkness

by Turambar on Dec 18, 2008 9:22 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

Shaq is right

He and Amare should get their touches in the half court slow down game. All he is saying is you young un’s go run and have fun but when that doesn’t work give me and Amare the ball.

That’s good basketball. That’s something this team has that teams like Dallas don’t. We would be crazy not to use it.

Also – I am working on getting the audio of this. What’s writen isn’t always what’s said or at least the context is sometimes changed. I find that hearing the player say it versus reading it provides much better insight into their meaning.

Blogging Suns Basketball

by Seth Pollack on Dec 18, 2008 9:40 AM MST reply actions 0 recs