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I Just Don't Get The Shaq Trade
I must be missing something. I can’t believe Phoenix Suns general manager Steve Kerr has risked so much trading for Shaquille O’Neal. I don’t understand how Shaq is the missing part that is going to put the Suns over the top.
Shaq was a great player - with emphasis on "was." He is a shadow of his old self. He doesn’t run the floor well at all anymore. Seems like he would slow down the Suns’ run and gun, freewheeling offense more than help it.
I know Shawn Marion is eligible for free agency, but he is a premier player in his own right - and has been a very important part of the Suns.
Shaq, right now, is more of a great name than a great player. I understand playoff basketball can become a grind, but what are the Suns going to do, honestly? Slow it down and get into set offenses? Then toss the ball into Shaq and watch him miss free throws? That would be playing into the hands of the opposition. I can’t help but think this trade will hurt the Suns more than help them.
Random Thoughts
- I guess I should be really interested in the Rogers Clemens’ saga. But I’m not. This has become a farce.
I understand. There were steroids in baseball. Can’t do anything about it now. If Clemens lied, punish him and move on. If Bonds lied, punish him and move on. Test for performance enhancing drugs the best you can, and move on. I’m sick of the steroids issue, to be honest. I just want to see a baseball game, to be truthful.
- Love Hockey Day in Canada. Seems to me like it is Super Bowl Sunday for Canadians. They love their sports in Canada. Boxing Day. Hockey Day. What about Curling Day?
- A question: Who will have the highest batting average on the Tigers this season? Obviously, the leading candidates are Miguel Cabrera, Placido Polanco and Magglio Ordonez. I think it will be Cabrera because he will benefit from all the terrific hitters surrounding him in the Tigers’ lineup.
A darkhorse to lead it: Carlos Guillen. He is almost the forgotten Tiger, but he is capable of posting a very high batting average.
Shaq was a great player - with emphasis on "was." He is a shadow of his old self. He doesn’t run the floor well at all anymore. Seems like he would slow down the Suns’ run and gun, freewheeling offense more than help it.
I know Shawn Marion is eligible for free agency, but he is a premier player in his own right - and has been a very important part of the Suns.
Shaq, right now, is more of a great name than a great player. I understand playoff basketball can become a grind, but what are the Suns going to do, honestly? Slow it down and get into set offenses? Then toss the ball into Shaq and watch him miss free throws? That would be playing into the hands of the opposition. I can’t help but think this trade will hurt the Suns more than help them.
Random Thoughts
- I guess I should be really interested in the Rogers Clemens’ saga. But I’m not. This has become a farce.
I understand. There were steroids in baseball. Can’t do anything about it now. If Clemens lied, punish him and move on. If Bonds lied, punish him and move on. Test for performance enhancing drugs the best you can, and move on. I’m sick of the steroids issue, to be honest. I just want to see a baseball game, to be truthful.
- Love Hockey Day in Canada. Seems to me like it is Super Bowl Sunday for Canadians. They love their sports in Canada. Boxing Day. Hockey Day. What about Curling Day?
- A question: Who will have the highest batting average on the Tigers this season? Obviously, the leading candidates are Miguel Cabrera, Placido Polanco and Magglio Ordonez. I think it will be Cabrera because he will benefit from all the terrific hitters surrounding him in the Tigers’ lineup.
A darkhorse to lead it: Carlos Guillen. He is almost the forgotten Tiger, but he is capable of posting a very high batting average.
posted by Pat Caputo at
10:35 AM
12 Comments:
I agree on the Shaq trade. I would rather have Marion. Kerr is a definate nutt bag. I think he could of got a lot more. THe Heat have a nice core to build around now with Wade and Marion. THey are probably going to get a top 5 pick. Even if Marion leaves they will have freed up enough cap space to get just about anyone they want on the market. As far as Diesel goes. I just don't see it. Personally I still think San Antonio is the team to beat. They are like Lions waiting in the grass(regular season) ready to attack in their zone(the playoffs). You can see why they are so good then. You look at there games the top players on that team avg. 27 to 30 minutes a game. They still ahve one of the best records in the league. And they are generalyl extremely fresh for the playoffs. We all know the outcome the past few years.
The Rumors that really got me ticked are the Lions and Roy Williams Rumors. The one draft pick that some what actually worked out you want to dump like a turd. Roy for Reggie Brown and a 4th Rd pick. OK what are the lions last 10 3rd and 4th round picks? Only way I'd trade Roy is if you can some how get a Clinton Portis for Champ Bailey type deal. Meaning a player of need and who has significant proven talent. Otherwise I'd Keep Roy even beyond thisy ear.
I am extremely excited about the Tigers and can't wait to get to the games to the octane and jungle juice station. haha. that lineup man. Its hard to see who will benefit the most. I can see Guillen. The guy though I really like to continue his success is Ordonez. You aren't going to pitch to Cabrera to get to Mags. you aren't going to walk Mags to pitch to Sheffield. I think they all benefit. Personally though I can see Maggs having a very similar season. With the 7-8-9 guys reaping the rewards. Cause with all the guys in front of them there will be lots of runs to bat in and runs to score. So I can see a guy like Pudge or even jaque jones have really good years. THe biggest thing I am worried about this team and am not as confident as everyone else is the Pitching staff. I think we'd have to be crazy if we were 100 percent confident in it.
Book – I agree bang on with you about Shaq – you said it right. I don’t see how they will make Nash and the Suns wait for Shaq. I guess it’s about putting butts in seats – and I guess Shaq will draw a crowd.
Hell, Shaq is a crowd.
Pass on the Clemens thing – it’s sad and means nothing – except disgrace for the Rocket. Sad – he didn’t deserve to end like this.
You didn’t have Sheffield in your list of contenders for highest BA? Understandable – but …If his shoulder is still an issue, you might see a Sheff who just puts a bat on the ball – he might have to re-invent himself. That is only if his shoulder’s still bad.
The theme music to Hockey Night in Canada is like God Bless America on your side of the river – it’s a second national anthem!
I’m wearing Coaches Corner boxers right now – too much info? – sorry man. But the CBC takes hockey coverage to a level of dignity missing on US networks.
It’s the best TV we Canuks can call our own.
Hey Pat: Good question who will be the Tigers best hitter, I will go with Cabrera. Isn't it amazing though, Maggs hit over 400 against lefties. This has to be the Tigers best line-up ever. If your a lefty, you would want to call in sick. I guess is not a big deal if Granderson plays against the average lefties with such firepower from the right side. I do not understand why teams are not interested in Thames as a power bat against lefties? Thames is just as good as Mench and Wilson as the Yanks and Mets are supposedly after.
Book,
I was wondering what your thoughts are on National Signing Day. I really think Rich Rod has put the program in a bad place regarding his first QB. As Michael Rosenberg wrote in the Free Press, he could have kept Mallett in the fold but it seemed he wanted to get rid of him and get Pryor. I don't think Michigan is the leader right now for Pryor, they've put all their eggs in one basket and it looks like it will burn them at this point. They're bringing in some really good football players, Cissoko, McGuffie, Stonum, O'Neill, Martin, etc. which is definitely impressive for a transition year class but overall I wouldn't consider this an elite class.
Michigan State's class is disappointing in my opinion. They filled a lot of needs position wise which is always important but I just don't think they got enough top tier recruits except for Fred Smith, the WR out of Detroit Southwestern. After his first full year, I would have thought Dantonio would capitalize on the recruiting momentum and finish better than a rivals.com ranked 7th best class in the Big Ten. I don't think Valenti's prediction of a Michigan State BCS appearance in the next 4-5 years with Dantonio will happen with classes like these.
It's hard to imagine a school having a better recruiting class than Notre Dame. While that team was awful last year and Weis made a number of coaching mistakes it looks like he definitely has the program moving in the right direction. He has studs coming in at every position. No one can question how hard that guy works and how well he recruits...now he needs to show he can build a team with his players and turn high school standouts into college standouts. His hiring of former Georgia Tech DC Jon Tenuta as LB coach could also be the best assistant coaching hire in the country this year.
-John
Pat,
For the first time that I know of, Hockey Day in Canada triple header will feature games with American teams - Detroit vs. Toronto, and Colorado vs. Vancouver. I'm not sure why they're doing that but I'm glad. Every chance I get to see Detroit vs. original 6 (especially the Leafs) is welcome. It's a thrill to watch.
Thanks,
Tim
Pat wrote: I just want to see a baseball game, to be truthful.
Amen, Pat.
Cheers,
Danny
Maddodg52,
San Antonio remains the team to beat. The Spurs are solid and have the best coach. Trading Roy Williams would make no sense to me unless the Lions were to get at least as good a player back in return - and those type of trades just don't happen in the NFL anymore.
Caputo
Fred Brill,
I like Sheffield, too, but see him more as a power guy than a high average hitter. I mean the hitter leading the Tigers this season will have to have at least .340 average - or so it seems. That is amazing to me. I couldn't agree with you more about Hockey Night in Canada. It is my all-time favorite TV program - by far.
Caputo
Barry,
I still see Granderson striking out too much to hit for one of those sky-high averages. But you can never count that kid out of anything. He just keeps getting better.
Caputo
John,
I thought Michigan did very well. Rodriguez did an excellent job of keeping the recruits Michigan already had - and adding a couple more. Pryor is the big prize, but it's almost a joke at this point. U-M will survive if they don't get him. Notre Dame proved they are still Notre Dame. They have playing time early to sell kids, and all that tradition and exposure. The recruits bought it. I agree with you about Tenuta. A big upgrade.
Caputo
Tim,
I love Hockey Day in Canada. I really respect the way Canada loves the sport. It's special.
Caputo
Danny,
...And it won't be long.
Caputo
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