Lakers get Gasol...

[loborick]

Major trade. Lakers were floundering with Brown playing center after Bynum got hurt. Gasol will be a major improvement and the Lakers will be a player in the West again.

[Garishwolf]

GOTTA LIKE THE NAME,,,,,,,,freehole roket power...LOL

[zaglaw]

Major trade. Lakers were floundering with Brown playing center after Bynum got hurt. Gasol will be a major improvement and the Lakers will be a player in the West again.

I agree. When Bynum comes back Gasol moves to the four and will fit into the triangle. I like their chances over the next few years, assuming Kobe doesn't opt out after next year.

[loborick]

I agree. When Bynum comes back Gasol moves to the four and will fit into the triangle. I like their chances over the next few years, assuming Kobe doesn't opt out after next year.


Witht this talent, Kobe is in the best position he could be in. The Lakers have really set themselves up for the future. What a starting lineup...Bynum, Gasol, Odom, Bryant and Fisher. Yeow! And on the bench, Turiaf, Rad, Ariza, Farmar, Walton. Other team's fans are even complimenting the trade.

[zaglaw]

Witht this talent, Kobe is in the best position he could be in. The Lakers have really set themselves up for the future. What a starting lineup...Bynum, Gasol, Odom, Bryant and Fisher. Yeow! And on the bench, Turiaf, Rad, Ariza, Farmar, Walton. Other team's fans are even complimenting the trade.

On paper they are very deep. The question will be whether they have enough time once Bynum comes back to develope some chemistry prior to the playoff's. As a Laker fan I hope so.

[loborick]

On paper they are very deep. The question will be whether they have enough time once Bynum comes back to develope some chemistry prior to the playoff's. As a Laker fan I hope so.

I don't know if they can get it together this season. But next season, watch out!

[Pause The Noose]

thanks lakerrick

[RedPitSea]

championship!

[loborick]

thanks lakerrick

LOL! I've been a Laker fan since the Chamberlain, West and Goodrich days. When SF first got cable, we got the LA stations, KTLA, KCOP, etc. So I grew up watching the Dodgers, the Lakers and the Rams. So I became a fan of them all. One of the highlights of my life was catching a Western Conference Championship a few years ago at Staples. Was in LA for a conference and was browsing the paper in the morning and saw tickets for sale. Paid $80 for a nosebleed seat, but it was worth it. Lakers skunked the Queens and Shaq had something like 40 points and 20 rebounds. Young guys sitting around me couldn't believe I had seen Coop play in college.

[Pause The Noose]

I'm a Laker fan as well. My pops is a Laker fan, so if you weren't a Steeler, Laker or Reds fans, you weren't going to get watch many games in that household.

I get goosebumps just thinking of that starting line up..

C Bynum
PF Gasol
SF Odom
SG Bryant
PG Fisher/ Farmar

[Yakkacat25]

championship!


http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/0205shaqonline.html

Marion-for-Shaq deal close

Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
Feb. 5, 2008 06:24 PM

The Big Saguaro?

The Suns are deep into trade talks that would bring Miami center Shaquille O'Neal, "The Big Aristotle," to the Western Conference's first-place team for nine-year Suns star forward Shawn Marion and reserve guard Marcus Banks.

Several NBA sources said a deal could be imminent, but everything from the Suns' long-term finances to O'Neal's health have to be weighed before agreeing to the blockbuster move.

O'Neal contacted some Suns players on Tuesday night. O'Neal is scheduled to fly to the Valley today for a physical.

O'Neal would bring a championship pedigree with his four titles and give the Suns a legitimate center, allowing Amaré Stoudemire to slide to power forward. Because he turns 36 on March 6 and is 7 feet 1 and 325 pounds, O'Neal does not seem compatible with the Suns' offense.

But he would be considered a more viable defensive post answer to possible playoff foes such as San Antonio's Tim Duncan, the Los Angeles Lakers' Andrew Bynum, Utah's Carlos Boozer and New Orleans' Tyson Chandler. As is, the Suns often double-team the post, which leaves open shooters.

O'Neal is out because of a hip injury and underwent an exam Tuesday, bringing further concern that the slow-moving "Diesel" could keep up with Phoenix any better than if he plays against the Suns. However, he simply could play the role of rebounder and inbounder to start the fast break, like Kurt Thomas did last season. O'Neal would not need to be a scoring threat but still attracts attention to free shooters.

O'Neal is owed $20 million for each of the 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons. Marion, who made a summer trade demand, has a $17.2 million player option for next season. Banks will make more than $13 million over the next three seasons.

The Suns' payroll would slightly increase for next season, but the greater financial hit would come in 2009-10, when Marion would have been cleared from the books and O'Neal will make $20 million.

Suns Managing Partner Robert Sarver said on Jan. 19 that Marion was one of the core players who "flat-out was not getting traded," but O'Neal's availability was unexpected. Miami initiated the trade talk.

A league source said the Suns have been talking with Miami for two days but Marion was unaware.

Marion, 29, has his lowest scoring average (15.8) since his rookie season and was not picked as an All-Star for the first time since 2004. Often in trade talk, Marion has been an essential piece to the Suns' system. His versatility helps on defense, especially in defending top point guards, and his athleticism fits a fast offense.

O'Neal broke an All-Star streak of 14 years. He is averaging a career-low 14.2 points per game when he has not been hurt. He has played four games since Dec. 27 for a team out of contention with the league's worst record (9-37).

The Suns chemistry issues have often been cited in recent years and O'Neal could be seen as the type of personality to bridge locker room gaps. O'Neal was Stoudemire's childhood idol and would likely increase his energy. O'Neal is a friend of fellow future Hall of Famer Steve Nash, although the 2000 NBA MVP has questioned the legitimacy of Nash's MVP awards. This could be a move that shows the urgency to strike while Nash is in his prime and react to the Lakers' recent acquisition of Pau Gasol.

With O'Neal playing only 28 minutes per game, Boris Diaw's role would be expanded.

Banks has been in and out of the rotation for Phoenix and is averaging 5.2 points. The Suns have been seeking a trade for Banks for months with Miami showing past interest.

Suns General Manager Steve Kerr would not comment. Coach Mike D'Antoni said no deal was close on his KTAR-AM show Tuesday.

"It would mean a lot," D'Antoni said of an O'Neal acquisition. "That's a big question that's got to be thought over and pondered."

The Suns were competing with a Dallas bid that included Josh Howard to acquire O'Neal.



:bow

[Garishwolf]

He looked great in the game last night, only watch a bit, but he looked strong. guud adition forsure.

[loborick]

Gasol has 24 points, Kobe has 6 and Lakers win. I like!

Phoenix trading for Shaq is not a good move IMO. Shaq has lost a lot and is nowhere near the dominant player he once was. Didn't even make the All-Star team this year.

[Yakkacat25]

Gasol has 24 points, Kobe has 6 and Lakers win. I like!

Phoenix trading for Shaq is not a good move IMO. Shaq has lost a lot and is nowhere near the dominant player he once was. Didn't even make the All-Star team this year.

PHX has the best Trainer in the NBA in Aaron Nelson. Grant Hill is in the best shape of his life and gives props to Aaron Nelson for helping improve his stamina. It's really too early to say if the trade is bad or not RIck. The trade will either be a hit or miss. I'm not concerned with Shaq not making the All-Star team. The voting is a joke. Shaq has lost a lot but is still one of the best big-men. Actually listening to the SUNS commentators say that Shaq has lost a lot of weight he's been training hard to get that weight off. The Suns physican says Shaq is down to 312 from 354.

[VWolf]

This was one of the most lopsided trades in the history of the NBA. Did Jerry West obtain incriminating photos of the Grizzlies owner when he was GM or something?

The Lakers are instantly a force to be reckoned with and maybe even this season (if Kobe's pinkie holds up).

The WC playoffs are going to be a blast.

[VWolf]

PHX has the best Trainer in the NBA in Aaron Nelson. Grant Hill is in the best shape of his life and gives props to Aaron Nelson for helping improve his stamina. It's really too early to say if the trade is bad or not RIck. The trade will either be a hit or miss. I'm not concerned with Shaq not making the All-Star team. The voting is a joke. Shaq has lost a lot but is still one of the best big-men. Actually listening to the SUNS commentators say that Shaq has lost a lot of weight he's been training hard to get that weight off. The Suns physican says Shaq is down to 312 from 354.


As a Spurs fan, I don't find the Shaq aquisition to be much of a threat. The Suns will have to change their whole identity to deal with the lumbering Shaq. No amount of training and weightloss can make up for the lost quickness due to aging. Shaq has not been dominant for quite some time (even 2 years ago when Wade helped him to his last ring).

Still though, Kerr had some stones to pull this one off, and it is only a 2 year experiment. Marion was becoming a cancer, and as I recall he wasn't that outstanding in the playoffs anyway. They got Hill for free (and he is healthy due to the magical waters from Sedona ;-), and they have the versatile Diaw so losing Marion was not that huge. If worse comes to worst they can just bench Shaq and remain almost as productive pre-trade.

[Yakkacat25]

As a Spurs fan, I don't find the Shaq aquisition to be much of a threat. The Suns will have to change their whole identity to deal with the lumbering Shaq. No amount of training and weightloss can make up for the lost quickness due to aging. Shaq has not been dominant for quite some time (even 2 years ago when Wade helped him to his last ring).

Still though, Kerr had some stones to pull this one off, and it is only a 2 year experiment. Marion was becoming a cancer, and as I recall he wasn't that outstanding in the playoffs anyway. They got Hill for free (and he is healthy due to the magical waters from Sedona ;-), and they have the versatile Diaw so losing Marion was not that huge. If worse comes to worst they can just bench Shaq and remain almost as productive pre-trade.

Only time will tell VWolf. It's easy to say he's not a threat now. What Shaq will do is clog the middle of the paint. Shaq will suprise his doubters. The Suns won't have to change much. D'Antoni is good at adjusting. Kurt Thomas did just fine. Shaq will be an outlet passer. Like K-Love is for UCLA. Shaq doesn't have to be dominant to be effective.

This trade either works or it blows up in the Suns face. The Suns had to get something for Marion...because he would've opted out and the Suns would've gone away empty handed. This trade benefits Boris the most. He's much better suited to play without looking over his shoulder. It's too early to start speculating on how this trade will work. Grant is a lot different than Marion. Marion is young and the Magic made a huge mistake in not re-signing Grant.

[Loboexpat]

Lakers keep on rolling. I was skeptical but they look very impressive so far.

[VWolf]

A Lakers/Spurs WCF appears imminent.

[loborick]

A Lakers/Spurs WCF appears imminent.

I agree, VWolf. Dallas adding Kidd wasn't that big a deal and PHX has a losing record with Shaq and are fading fast. Houston is hot but will slow down now with Yao out. New Orleans is a team to watch out for.

They're saying Bynum may not be back until the playoffs. He's still having a lot of swelling. Ariza had his walking boot taken off and he's probably four weeks away still. With these two playing right now, they would be crazy good.