So the 2 fastest tempo teams in the NBA are getting middle aged centers who can't run?

There must be something to this 4-man fast break concept.

I'm curious to see it in action.

I love Joe D. I love his refusal to make trades, just to make trades. This makes Phx a do or die team. Amare will be available soon. Seems as if mgmt only cares about winning for Nash, who aint getting any younger. You're now starting Hill, Nash and Shaq???? All Phx had to do was hold onto Kurt Thomas- for cheap, now you go get the "Big Always Injured"

Steve Kerr has to be the dumbest man alive.

How did Riley pull this off?

Looked at the recent trades by other teams and I must say I'm so proud of the Pistons, so happy to have Joe D. here. Go Pistons.

The more i think about this deal, the more i see the upside for the Suns.

Marion is making 17 mil, and can opt out and they basically get nothing, or he could force a trade.

He's become from what i'm hearing a locker room drama queen, and not making the all-star team instensified that. Also, if you watch the Suns play this year, it's obvious the chemistry is shot.

The previous team will not beat the Spurs or the Lakers so really they were stagnant. Shaq is kinda make or break at this point, but i could see how they think if he's motivated and healthy he might be a difference maker for them, and he will be surrounded by shooters.

And the fans were incensed about the KT move and failure to pay the lux tax, this kills the doubt that winning isn't a priority.

And Shaq is an expiring next year (?). That's a huge contract. And if they can exchange picks w/ MIA, the deal becomes a really good idea.

edited to add;

Also in terms of the Pistons, they're not in the West. Otherwise i think they would be forced to make some kind of move. It's not hard to stay competitive in the East.

Shaq is not expiring next year, he's owed something like 20 or 25 million dollars per year through 2010.

If Shaq was expiring this year, Miami would have been able to trade him easily.

Given the current market for players I don't think Marion would want to opt out, it doesn't seem likely another team would sign him (for more than that) especially since his stats are inflated due to playing in Phoenix's system with Nash.

Anyway I guess what I'm trying to say is this trade is HILARIOUS. I'm soooo happy I'm not a Suns fan, what a terrible front office.

It is unique, that's for sure. Maybe Marion is more of a problem than we know or has told them that he will opt out, and is forcing a move now. Hard to explain otherwise.

Though it still seems like Shaq would be pretty far down the list of ideal players to join the suns. Marion would get you Ben Wallace and Luol Deng from Chicago. Ben's contract is longer than Shaq's, but he could bring a toughness the Suns sorely need, and Deng would fit right in.

However, if Joe D could sucker Riley into taking shaq for some useless contracts and draft picks (CBA?) we'd be a lock for this year's title, Dolphin or not.

Right. Shaq's contract is for 20 mil per through the end of the 2009-2010 season. If getting him will really improve the Suns and get them at least to the finals, then it could arguably be worth it for Phoenix, but I don't see that happening. If they were determined to move Marion, OK, but why Shaq, for crying out loud? Like dba said, how about finding a better deal?

Well the good news is we don't have to put up with shaq or marion tonight so I hope we can get the zoo crew some good pt.