2008: A New Look

If anyone has been checking in on this blog since the end of the playoffs last year you've noticed that I haven't updated it.

My anger, dismay, and hatred of David $tern haven't subsided, but I have decided to pick it up again.

It's amazing what can happen in just a few months. The Suns have a totally different team.

James Jones and Kurt Thomas were sold off by Robert $arver's greedy ass for some beer money.

We signed Grant Hill, who has turned out to be a great pickup.

And...

Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks were traded for Shaquille O'Neal.

I'm still having a tough time writing this last one. Shaq is now a member of the Phoenix Suns

I have always been a huge Shawn Marion fan. He is a great defender. He guards quick point guards, big centers, and everyone in between. He is one of the NBA's best rebounders, he is one of the best finishers in the league. He has one of the best all-around games in NBA history. Over the past 3+ years he's been just as important to the Suns' success as Steve Nash.

At the time of the trade the Suns had the best record in the West. They had won 70% of their games. They were on pace for a 57 win season. So is that the time to trade one of their best players for a old center with limited mobility and an injured hip? Only time will tell.

The First game after the trade really proved everything I was worried about. The Suns lost to the Fakers and their classless douchebag #24 130-124. A higher scoring game than I expected with Shaq on the floor slowing down the fast paced Suns. The defense was horrible. Pau Gasol, who many people confused with a roll of charmin during his tenure in Memphis, scored 28 points. Shawn Marion would have come in very handy in shutting down the soft Spaniard.

Our best defender of the Grim Raper, Raja Bell, went down after the Grim Raper committed an uncalled offensive foul that threw Raja's head into Shaq's elbow, knocking Bell out cold. Again, this would have been a situation where Shawn Marion would have come in handy - guarding against the Grim Raper's antics with Raja in the locker room saying "mama".

Game Two of the "Shaq Era" featured the Boston Celtics and the overrated, overhyped Kevin Garnett.
The man that earns more money than any player in the NBA, yet has only been out of the first round once in his entire career. Garnett has an annoying habit of screaming during games and crying during TV interviews so people think he has heart. However the stacks of playoff losses are more of an indication of a lack of heart in my book. In Garnett's 14 year NBA career he's won exactly 17 playoff games - or the same number won by Amare Stoudemire in his 4 year career. Heart? I think not. He's nothing but an overpaid career loser.

Anyway, back to the game...

The Suns and Boston played a boring, slow, defensive battle. The Suns came out on top 85-77. In a normal Suns game this is a 3rd quarter score, but not on this night. The Suns committed 24 turnovers, Steve Nash only had five assists.

Normally this would be a game that the Suns would lose - however the Suns outrebounded the Celtics 50-32 and forced Boston into shooting 38%. Shaq did a great defensive job, and Amare played better defense than he has played all season.

Now - what Suns team will we see for the rest of the season? Will Shaq get more comfortbale in the offense and will it flow better?

I'm anxious to see what happens. In the West we will need to win against quality teams night in and night out. There aren't many grind it out defensive teams in the Western Conference. We can't win consistantly with Steve Nash getting just 8 assists.

I hope I'm wrong, but I don't forsee this trade being a positive for the Suns.

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