[GH0STrider]

Originally Posted by Azyiu

I think Lamar is an easy fall guy, but I am also glad most non-Lakers fans think he sucks. He will be a "surprise" to most people comes playoffs time. Honestly, although I don't think we will see the kind of plays from his Heat days, he is really not that bad. In fact, he is a very smart player, with his size, speed and passing skills, he actually fits very well in the triangle. One of the main reasons why he was mentioned in almost every trade scenario is due to the size of his contract.

His contract wouldn't be an issue if he lived up to that price tag.

Originally Posted by Azyiu

You pretty much ignored what I said in my original post. I too think Suns' starting five is as good as anyone out west, but I see their problem in their bench or the lack of it. Then again, except for Amare, all of the Suns' main guys are over 33 of age... they might be slightly better this year, but I still would take the Lakers long term any day.You pretty much ignored what I said.

I named at least 7 guys. Last I checked there is a reason they call it a "starting 5". they have at least 2 guys who can come off the bench and contribute big. I mean c'mon, barbosa averages almost 20 a game off the bench! That's from one guy.

Originally Posted by Azyiu

Shaq played for the Lakers for 8 years, so you think I don't know? Seriously, let's not just look at stats here. Of course, his size and speed alone are good defensive capitals, but IMHO his speed is slowly decreasing (if not already have). Plus, except for the 1999 - 2000 season, Shaq never really seriously commited to playing great D. I mean, sure, once in a while he get a steal down low then lead a fast break as a point-center, but just how often do we see that? Still, even though he might not be as good as one-on-one defender like Sheed, he will improve the Suns down low for sure!

You don't get named to the all nba defensive team for sucking at d. He is a solid defender. The difference is that he knows what games matter and what games don't. He understands if you burn yourself out during the season there isn't much left for the playoffs. Especially at his age and size. Shaq has really held his own in the post season as far as I'm concerned. He will greatly improve the suns defense.

Originally Posted by Azyiu

This statement alone tells me you really don't know Pau. Either that, or you basically ignored anything he had done in the last two Euro Championships. He was pretty much the sole reason why Spain was so successful in the Euro Championship in 2006 before breaking his foot, and his teammates picked up the slack and won it all. Last year they made it back to the championship game before losing to the surprising Russian team. Sure, it is easy to blame one guy for a loss and all, blame him. Oh, while you are blaming him for his soft D, please also call out guys like Tony Parker, Boris Diaw (they didn't even make it far last year), Nowitzki etc! While we are at it, like I said in my last post, you think Pau is not as good as A.C.Green, Horace Grant or even Sumaki "Are You Kidding Me" Walker on D?

Dude, fuck the Euro championships. This is the NBA, that fiba shit doesn't mean dick here. The bottom line is he sucks bad on d in the league that matters. I never said pau was better or worse than any of the formentioned players. Horace would have beat his ass for sure, I will tell you that. I don't blame pau for any loss. Wake up and face the facts. The dude is soft, and it is not just me saying that. Nba players, scouts, and coaches have made the same claim. That Euro league garbage (where everyone seems to play soft) has really fucked up his nba game. There is a reason why dirk, parker, and diaws teams suck- they are the only players on their respective teams that can actually play. Don't fool yourself. If it comes down to d- your lakers are in some trouble. Especially if they drive the lane on pau. I can see it now- the game is tied. game 7 of the western conference finals. Nash to shaq- shaq faces up Pau. Wow! did you see that! Posterized! And the Suns win! Dude- watch him play. He falls asleep in the defensive end and all the sudden wakes up when it comes time for offense. I was scared shitless that if he did get traded with the Bulls skiles would just bench his ass. He used to sit eddy curry for long strechs for that very thing. Sure that is pretty much 70 percent of the nba... but c'mon. Pau seriously needs to toughen up. He has to much potential for crtics to bash him for lackluster effort on the defensive end.

[Azyiu]

Originally Posted by GH0STrider

His contract wouldn't be an issue if he lived up to that price tag.

This is a yes and no thing. Some LA fans are weird, and they never satisfied, that's all I can say.

Originally Posted by GH0STrider

I named at least 7 guys. Last I checked there is a reason they call it a "starting 5". they have at least 2 guys who can come off the bench and contribute big. I mean c'mon, barbosa averages almost 20 a game off the bench! That's from one guy.

You don't get named to the all nba defensive team for sucking at d. He is a solid defender. The difference is that he knows what games matter and what games don't. He understands if you burn yourself out during the season there isn't much left for the playoffs. Especially at his age and size. Shaq has really held his own in the post season as far as I'm concerned. He will greatly improve the suns defense.

I don't disagree with you on Barbosa. Then at the same time even you know one shouldn't burn himself out during the long season, as you mentioned; but with a very short 7-men rotation for the Suns, they are doing just that! And like I said before, whether Shaq is still a great defender or not, his present WILL improve the Suns' overall D.

Originally Posted by GH0STrider

Dude, fuck the Euro championships. This is the NBA, that fiba shit doesn't mean dick here.

I hate to say this, but this is exactly the kind of attitude and reason why the US basketball program is so unsuccessful in the past 8 years or so. If that FIBA shit doesn't mean shit at all, why don't you guys win the gold in 2004? What about the FIBA World Championship (the basketball World Cup, so to speak) in 2002 and 2006? Maybe you need to wake up and look beyond the NBA sometimes, huh?

Originally Posted by GH0STrider

The bottom line is he sucks bad on d in the league that matters. I never said pau was better or worse than any of the formentioned players. Horace would have beat his ass for sure, I will tell you that. I don't blame pau for any loss. Wake up and face the facts. The dude is soft, and it is not just me saying that. Nba players, scouts, and coaches have made the same claim. That Euro league garbage (where everyone seems to play soft) has really fucked up his nba game. There is a reason why dirk, parker, and diaws teams suck- they are the only players on their respective teams that can actually play. Don't fool yourself. If it comes down to d- your lakers are in some trouble. Especially if they drive the lane on pau. I can see it now- the game is tied. game 7 of the western conference finals. Nash to shaq- shaq faces up Pau. Wow! did you see that! Posterized! And the Suns win! Dude- watch him play. He falls asleep in the defensive end and all the sudden wakes up when it comes time for offense. I was scared shitless that if he did get traded with the Bulls skiles would just bench his ass. He used to sit eddy curry for long strechs for that very thing. Sure that is pretty much 70 percent of the nba... but c'mon. Pau seriously needs to toughen up. He has to much potential for crtics to bash him for lackluster effort on the defensive end.

Sure sure, I know what the writers and critics have said and all. But you know what? Sometimes I really don't give a rat ass at all. The bottom line is they ain't coaching the team or the player. I am damn sure Phil will find a way to use Pau or get him "Lakerized", per se. Sometimes players don't get proper coaching in their old teams and people automatically assume they can't do jack shit. I like to think otherwise. Same thing goes for Shaq and the Suns. Maybe this trade will work for them perfectly or not, we can only wait and see.

[GH0STrider]

Originally Posted by Azyiu

I hate to say this, but this is exactly the kind of attitude and reason why the US basketball program is so unsuccessful in the past 8 years or so. If that FIBA shit doesn't mean shit at all, why don't you guys win the gold in 2004? What about the FIBA World Championship (the basketball World Cup, so to speak) in 2002 and 2006? Maybe you need to wake up and look beyond the NBA sometimes, huh?


.

Your missing the point. I am not saying that the fiba championships don't matter. I am saying that what pau does there doesn't mean anything when it comes to the nba. It means nothing. Just like the nba means nothing to the fiba game. It's 2 different leagues. I don't give a rats ass what Pau, dirk , parker, ect. do in the fiba game. It means nothing to what they do in the nba game. And last I checked we brought home gold this past summer. I think our attitude is just fine.

[Azyiu]

Originally Posted by GH0STrider

Your missing the point. I am not saying that the fiba championships don't matter. I am saying that what pau does there doesn't mean anything when it comes to the nba. It means nothing. Just like the nba means nothing to the fiba game. It's 2 different leagues. I don't give a rats ass what Pau, dirk , parker, ect. do in the fiba game. It means nothing to what they do in the nba game.

Well, I knew what you meant, dude. I am just saying while they are two different things between the Euro FIBA Championship and the NBA, you need to know how and what these players do in their own "backyard", so to speak. If they play well there, that means they maybe not that bad after all. Perhaps some proper coaching would help them a long way back here in the NBA. That's why I earlier said I am not too concerned about Pau's "softness", and I know Phil will get him "Lakerized" soon enough. Oh, remember your 97-98 Bulls and the addition of the late-Brian Williams? People were saying he wouldn't or couldn't play D and all, but hey, he was the reason why Karl Malone couldn't do shit in the Finals.

Originally Posted by GH0STrider

And last I checked we brought home gold this past summer. I think our attitude is just fine.

Err... right... that was the Olympics qualifier for the Americas, dude. Who did you beat, really? Canada? You guys barely beat Argentina in the championship game while the ONLY "big name" player they have was Scola. Hell, he was even named the MVP in that tourney, and not anyone of the American player, go figure that out.

[GH0STrider]

I'm pretty sure we rocked china. that is all.

[Azyiu]

Originally Posted by GH0STrider

I'm pretty sure we rocked china. that is all.

That's true... but then, I don't really root for China at all, ha!

Off topic: The damn 2K8 "cheated" me last night! I was playing against the Clippers and was down by 2 pts with less than 10 seconds to go... so after a time out I called a play for Kobe. He made that shot and the game should've gone to OT, but the game said I released the shot too late! So I checked the replay no less than 3 times, and I am damn positive the ball was released with 0.2 seconds left!!!

[GH0STrider]

You should have ran that play with Derik Fisher. It would have counted then.

[heavyjeffd]

[Azyiu]

Originally Posted by GH0STrider

You should have ran that play with Derik Fisher. It would have counted then.

True, but I will save that play for the Spurs in the playoffs!

EDIT: This is kind of funny... ESPN Page 2 - Page 2: Tour of Phoenix for Shaq

[Azyiu]

Hey Mr. Blackcock, where the hell are you? Man, I've some new bitching about the 2K8, man... come back soon and we will talk! Of course, we need to discuss all the trades took place in the last few dayz as well!