Shaq traded to Suns...

[Duff McCartney]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Ah_pjgTXPRSGhV_f4OWog9Q5nYcB?slug=jy-shaqdeal020508&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

No longer confident they can win a championship with their current roster, the Phoenix Suns are close to completing a blockbuster trade that will bring them Shaquille O'Neal, a source with knowledge of the negotiations said Tuesday.

O'Neal is scheduled to travel to Phoenix aboard a private plane Wednesday and undergo an MRI on his left hip, the source said. If he passes the physical, the Suns are expected to send Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks to the Miami Heat.

The Miami Herald first reported the Suns and Heat were in serious trade discussions involving O'Neal.

Frustrated by Miami's dramatic dropoff this season – the Heat own the NBA's worst record at 9-37 – O'Neal had begun telling teammates he wanted to be traded but never thought a deal would come to fruition, a Heat source said.

The trade would represent a dramatic change for the Suns, whose run-and-gun, small-ball style had revolutionized the league in recent seasons. That same style, however, has failed to bring the Suns a championship, and team officials have become increasingly skeptical about their chances of contending without giving Amare Stoudemire some help on the frontline – even though Phoenix owns the Western Conference's best record at 34-14.

While praising recent improvement in Stoudemire's defense, Suns general manager Steve Kerr said last week the team still was doing Stoudemire a "disservice" by playing him at center instead of his more natural power forward position.

While last week's loss to a San Antonio Spurs team missing Tony Parker again raised some doubts, it was the Los Angeles Lakers' acquisition of forward Pau Gasol from the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday that ultimately spurred the Suns to consider aggressively looking for another big man. League sources said the Suns also had conversations about the Charlotte Bobcats' Emeka Okafor and the Philadelphia 76ers' Samuel Dalembert in recent days, but that Miami initiated the trade talks involving O'Neal.

O'Neal, 35, still is a physical presence but seems a poor fit for Phoenix coach Mike D'Antoni's up-tempo offense. He has already missed 14 games this season and is sidelined with bursitis in his left hip. Suns coaches, however, watched film of O'Neal on Tuesday, the source said, and came away thinking O'Neal's strong passing skills from the high post would work well in their half-court schemes. The Suns also have shown increasingly more confidence in playing forward Boris Diaw next to Stoudemire and think that combination will suffice when O'Neal isn't on the floor.

Phoenix doesn't expect O'Neal to keep pace with its transition offense and plans to utilize him as an inbound and outlet passer. His greatest contributions, the Suns hope, will come on the boards and defense, two areas of Stoudemire's game that are lacking.

If completed, the trade will have huge financial ramifications for the Suns. O'Neal has two years and $40 million left on his contract after this season. Banks, who never has earned enough of D'Antoni's trust to become a regular member of the team's rotation, has three seasons and $13.7 million remaining on his deal. Marion has one more season worth $17.8 million but can opt out of the contract and become a free agent this summer.

The Suns have worked to avoid paying a hefty luxury-tax bill, going so far as to trade center Kurt Thomas, their best low-post defender, and two first-round draft picks to Seattle in July just to get Thomas' $8 million salary off their payroll. Trading for O'Neal would give the Suns a 2½-season window to challenge for a championship before the contracts of O'Neal and soon-to-be 34-year-old point guard Steve Nash both expire in the summer of 2010, removing more than $33 million from the team's salary cap.

The Suns also have wanted to address chemistry problems in their locker room. Marion long has felt he doesn't get the respect he deserves – or at least not on par with that of Nash and Stoudemire – and asked to be traded after Kerr turned down his request for a three-year, $60 million extension shortly before the season. Stoudemire also complained last month about not getting enough shots.

The trade's benefits for the Heat are obvious: With this season already lost, they get O'Neal's hefty contract off the books and the chance to free up cap room if they don't sign Marion to an extension. Banks also could become the point guard for which Miami has been searching nearly all season.

News of the pending trade sent shockwaves through a Western Conference landscape still shifting after Gasol's trade to the Lakers. League executives were stunned the Suns even would seriously contemplate such a move, let alone agree to it, given O'Neal's declining production and enormous contract.

Two of Phoenix's biggest rivals, the Spurs and Dallas Mavericks, now are adept at playing small because they had to learn how to match up with the Suns. If the trade is completed, the Suns, in a bizarre change of events, could find themselves having to match down with some of their opponents.

Said one West executive: "I truly thought this was a joke."

----------------------------------------------------------

Good for the Spurs. The Suns are done. They got nothing anymore. They aren't even a contender. The team isn't built to be a slow down half court team. They will get destroyed.

[thrEE6MAfia]

thatd be a horrible trade for the suns..shawn marion is 20xs better that shaq

[ZION]

Yup. This would have been a good trade for the Suns 5 years ago. Heat got the better deal here. Got a good played and unloaded a HUGE contract. Heat will be decent next year. Shaq will continue to get clowned in the post.

[cmurdur]

:die:

[Revenant]

good news for shaq, bad news for suns fans.

[IKickAssForTheLord]

As a spurs fan, not too sure 'bout this. Shaq has hurt me before, I just hope he is not 100%

[skybrick]

Yup the Suns are fucked.

[réÐþÁ†µ]

Not sure why everyone is proclaiming the Spurs paper champs already. If any team can oust them it will be the Mavs as long as they avoid teams like Golden State.

Far as the trade goes. It was highway robbery for Miami.

Shaq is ALL done and has been for awhile now.

[Duff McCartney]

Not sure why everyone is proclaiming the Spurs paper champs already. If any team can oust them it will be the Mavs as long as they avoid teams like Golden State.

Who is proclaiming them paper champs? I just said its good news for the Spurs in the rivalry of Spurs vs Suns. If anything everyone is proclaiming the Celtics paper champs.

[IKickAssForTheLord]

Mavs are garbage in the playoffs. I don't ever see them winnin' the Big Games.

[steelba]

I'm curious to see if Shaq adds anything to the Suns.

[Max Payne]

The Spurs are doing shit on the road, if I had to pick a champ right now, Id say the Pistons have the best shot.

But, I would definitley welcome a Boston/Laker finals, people said it was done, but Boston going into LA this year that building was rocking because there was finally a new team that wasnt SA, or PHX or Dallas to compete with, it would mean more to basketball for LA/Boston finals then any other match up possible.

As for this trade, I agree with Red, Miami gets a very good player, and they actually improve there team, they will be better next season.

PHX is numb with this trade, Shaq isnt even capible of running so forget trying, they will have to slow it up when he gets in, but I suppose its a nice change up for when he goes on the bench. This will not help them win.

[Revenant]

I'm curious to see if Shaq adds anything to the Suns.

well the teams weight average certainly shot up so he is technically adding already.

I don't see this working out for the suns at all, Shaq just doesn't really have anything in the tank and I don't see the change of scenery all of a sudden lifting him up to a higher level of play. subtraction by addition right here.

[ZION]

Shaq retired 2 years ago... From what I heard, Marion will opt out next year, and once Wade is done with his contract he wants to play for his home team 'Bulls'...I guarantee you if the Lakers didnt get 'Spanish Fly' Gasol, the Suns DONT make that deal.

[Lucio Argento]

The Suns are already selling Shaq replica jerseys.....


http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/262/shaqphxvc9.png

[ZION]

The Suns are already selling Shaq replica jerseys.....


http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/262/shaqphxvc9.png

:appl:

[IKickAssForTheLord]

hahaha thats funny.

[réÐþÁ†µ]

If anything everyone is proclaiming the Celtics paper champs.

Celtics havent proven anything yet, their not the Pats or the Sox and they havent been for a long time. Anyone who thinks the media gushes over the Celtics like they have with the Pats and Sox have it wrong IMO.

Celtics need to be healthy if their gonna do anything. Right now without KG, their a 500 team.

Spurs are a well established powerhouse, theres a difference.

[thrEE6MAfia]

pistons are winning this year

[Duff McCartney]

Celtics havent proven anything yet, their not the Pats or the Sox and they havent been for a long time. Anyone who thinks the media gushes over the Celtics like they have with the Pats and Sox have it wrong IMO.

Bullshit man. Take off the homer glasses. Nobody is proclaiming the Spurs as anything. The media is busting nuts left and right over the Celtics.

[koolmike]

KNICKS BABy!!!!!

:D

[réÐþÁ†µ]

Bullshit man. Take off the homer glasses. Nobody is proclaiming the Spurs as anything. The media is busting nuts left and right over the Celtics.

How is me saying they havent proven anything being a homer?

C'mon Duff, let go of your obvious Boston hatred and try to be alittle more objective when mentioning anything Boston related.

I said the Spurs were a powerhouse. If I was being a homer I would be saying the C's are goin all the way. Feel free to find a post NBA related stating that I said they were going all the way.

As far as my original comment goes. While I say the Spurs are powerhouse. I simply said there are matchups against teams that they can lose especially if they arent healthy come playoffs.

[Beware]

Shaq will deliver.

[steelba]

I'm curious to see his first game as a Sun.

[Driden]

I knew this was coming and what an awful trade. I have to see their first game with Shaq just to see the chemistry

[steelba]

:nod:

[skybrick]

Shaq will deliver.

Shaq will deliver many compliments to players while on the bench.

[bravenewworld1]

I did not buy the shaq to suns trade until what Kerr said and i really started thinking about it.

First off, one thing that was not mentioned in the suns trade or by any representative. Even as an older shaq, they could use this as an older lakers team.
Ala, Jabar. 4-5 plays the team runs and guns to score, then 2 plays they go for an offensive set.
This would allow for shaq to do his thing on defense with minimal energy use, and still contribute to points.

The second off, this was a good helper...


Now, while some may consider this as a simple confidence booster. I think that the medical treatment center he will be going to would like to point out otherwise.

Nash - When he went to PHX he was questioned of his ability the first year. Because of league injury. There was about maybe 2 espn authors that thought he would make it past the first year with the team. None of them predicted that he would be an all star in 2008.

Amare - Record time recovery (he is 26 years old). There is probably about 1 or 2 other big men in the history of the NBA/ABA who recovered from the injury as he did and went on to be major factors.

Grant Hill - What is to say here? He is playing with no problems and is putting up great numbers on this team then he did with Orlando last season when he scored, assisted, and rebounded less, with less of a team.

Antonio McDyess - what?
Should we think that it is more than ironic that both times he had a major injury, he was traded to the sonics until he got better, then traded back.


Third, This is exactly what this same medical staff said to shaq
"that is all thats wrong? we will have you playing like you were 20".

Of course there is the mental issue, but when you have major physical issues that is only a part of it.

[Beware]

He will ignite the fastbreak and when teams want to play half-court, get the big fella the rock and he will get you far (playoffs and beyond).

His word is solid.

[Duff McCartney]

How is me saying they havent proven anything being a homer?

C'mon Duff, let go of your obvious Boston hatred and try to be alittle more objective when mentioning anything Boston related.

I said the Spurs were a powerhouse. If I was being a homer I would be saying the C's are goin all the way. Feel free to find a post NBA related stating that I said they were going all the way.

As far as my original comment goes. While I say the Spurs are powerhouse. I simply said there are matchups against teams that they can lose especially if they arent healthy come playoffs.

It's obvious to me you are a homer. When the Colts are gushed on by ESPN and the media you bash them left and right. When the Celts are being gushed on by ESPN and the media you aren't saying shit.

Nobody said the Spurs are the paper champs. Nobody. No one in the media has been gushing over the Spurs like they have the Celtics. That's all I was saying.

[ZION]

Shaq will deliver.

Dont you mean Shaq will have pizza's delivered to him during the games??

[Max Payne]

Might as well make this the new NBA thread.

Celts beat SA today, both playing without one of their stars, but no question which one is more important or even better to there teams.

And the Celts still pulled one off, even with Manu traveling all game, and trying to draw one of the worst phantom call attempts ever, and if you ask me it looked like Pop turned to his bench to tell them, this is exactly what you dont do in this situation, only for Manu to try it again 10 seconds later, his antics are worse then Millers were and he isn't even half the player Reggie was.

Its a good win for the Celts, 16-0 against the superior conferance and it shows that there for real, cause even when they were playing good, it was they didn't play the good teams, even when they knocked LA around twice, or beat the Jazz or the Blazers when they were on there 10 plus win steak it was they havent beat the teams in Texas yet, well now they have.

I know the Celts have been "ballwashed" by the media like Duff is saying, but its well deserved, its not a fluke, they are one of the best teams in the leauge. And if its lets say, the Celts vs Spurs in the finals, you would be hard pressed to find too many people who wouldnt pick the Spurs to win that series.

Next year will be even better, when they have the cream of the crop of FA who would seriously consider Boston and thus making them a better team in the future then they are now.

[réÐþÁ†µ]

It's obvious to me you are a homer. When the Colts are gushed on by ESPN and the media you bash them left and right. When the Celts are being gushed on by ESPN and the media you aren't saying shit.


What am I supposed to say? Fuck the Celtics?


Nobody said the Spurs are the paper champs. Nobody. No one in the media has been gushing over the Spurs like they have the Celtics. That's all I was saying.

Think that title goes to the Lakers. Kobe combined with the Gasol deal has given the media more than enough reason to get on the Laker bandwagon for the rest of the season.

Boston gets talked about but once they start to cool off at some point, things will quiet down. Their injuries are there.

[Max Payne]

The Celts arent going to cool down Red, just accept it like everyone else should, they are one of the best teams in the leauge, and right now there winning without the most important player on the team, that shows that there deeper then people might want to admit.

They still have trouble playing against teams the should beat, but usually good teams are like this year in and out against the bad teams, they just dont bring the A game every night.

The Celts or Pistons are coming out of the east while the usual suspects, PHX, SA or Dallas will come out of the west, and with Paul the Lakers actually do have a legit shot at getting there.

[Detective John Kimble]

Look at all these biased balloonheads in this thread.

Spurs fanboys
Celtics fanboys
Suns fanboys

Im telling you you while you all overlook the Magic because they will fuckin pwn whoever they face in the ECF and FINALS.

Possible matchups

vs. Detroit - Magic win series 4-1
vs. Cleveland - Magic win 4-2
vs. Boston - Magic win series 4-0

vs the West in the FINALS

vs. Spurs - Magic win series 4-1 (Spurs are too old and they have gambling refs workin for them)
vs. Mavs - Magic wins series 4-3
vs. Suns - Magic win series 4-0
vs. Lakers Magic win series 4-3 (Refs will keep Kobe alive for 7 games)

[Max Payne]

lots of predictions by you

which means lots of incorrect opinions

Magic are playing well above there talent, outside of Howard there nothing special

[thrEE6MAfia]

Look at all these biased balloonheads in this thread.

Spurs fanboys
Celtics fanboys
Suns fanboys

Im telling you you while you all overlook the Magic because they will fuckin pwn whoever they face in the ECF and FINALS.

Possible matchups

vs. Detroit - Magic win series 4-1
vs. Cleveland - Magic win 4-2
vs. Boston - Magic win series 4-0

vs the West in the FINALS

vs. Spurs - Magic win series 4-1 (Spurs are too old and they have gambling refs workin for them)
vs. Mavs - Magic wins series 4-3
vs. Suns - Magic win series 4-0
vs. Lakers Magic win series 4-3 (Refs will keep Kobe alive for 7 games)
:spit:
the magic would get swept by the pistons..get serious...all they have is dwight howard, rashrd lewis would get shut down by tayshaun..jameer nelson wouldnt stand a chane matchd up agaisnt Billiups..
looks like the detective got into the evidence room and started a drug binge..again

[ZION]

Dont know if you noticed buy my Rockets are the Hottest team in the league since Jan 2, we are 15 and 4 and on a 6 game winning streak. We are also 5 wins away from the best record in the West. And there is a good chance that we might get another scorer (Mike Miller). Look out for my Rockets.

[thrEE6MAfia]

Dont know if you noticed buy my Rockets are the Hottest team in the league since Jan 2, we are 15 and 4 and on a 6 game winning streak. We are also 5 wins away from the best record in the West. And there is a good chance that we might get another scorer (Mike Miller). Look out for my Rockets.

:coolbeer:
yes, there starting to play like i knew they could..
who are they giving up to get miller?

[ZION]

:coolbeer:
yes, there starting to play like i knew they could..
who are they giving up to get miller?

Not sure but I would give them Mike James and maybe Chuck Hayes or Kirk Synder. I went to go see them last Thursday against King James and it was the first time I saw the entire team play so well. Alston had 17/9/5 , Battier 15 and 8, Scola had 10 and 12, Yao had 22 and 12 and T-Mas only had 8/7/4. We Got Portland, Sac-Town, Cav's, Heat and NO next up.

[ZION]

By the way thrEE6 check your private messages.

[thrEE6MAfia]

rockets 15-0 :nod:

[ZION]

And we are still not getting any love!!!! We NEVER do, we are tied with the Suns and 2 away from the Spurs, and we can't get any props. If I ever see Stephen A. Smith in the streets, he's a dead man. SERIOUSLY.

[réÐþÁ†µ]

Suns look pretty bad right now as many have predicted. Shaq is way too slow for the kind of game they like to play. Hes more of a fly in the ointment than any actual help for that team.

C's bringing in Sam Cassell. Not sure I like the move. Rhondo has played well on his own. Cassell could provide depth but im not completely sold on him.

[Max Payne]

Cassell will take minutes from Eddie House.

And that is only a good thing, cause unless he is hitting the 3 point shot, he is absolutely useless in anything else.

[cmurdur]

And we are still not getting any love!!!! We NEVER do, we are tied with the Suns and 2 away from the Spurs, and we can't get any props. If I ever see Stephen A. Smith in the streets, he's a dead man. SERIOUSLY.
that's cause your team can't win a playoff series for shit.

[ZION]

that's cause your team can't win a playoff series for shit.

But Boston get's respect??? For what? Winning in the 80's?? When was the last time Boston got to the playoffs AND won a series? We have won 27 out 30 games. I dont care what team you are, if you win 18 straight games in the NBA you have to get somekind of respect. People said the Rockets would lose against Dallas, Hornets, and Denver last week...they all lost by double digits. Next week is gonna be tough, Lakers, Boston, NO, Suns and Golden State.

[Max Payne]

2002, two wins from the finals for the Boston Celtics, 2003, upset the Pacers.

2004, went 7 with the Pacers in the first round.

This whole Houston isnt geting any respect is crazy talk, its all there talking about on ESPN news when its basketball talk, you do have this channel right?

There going to lose in the first round anyways, Boston had there own winning streak this year and have been dominating all year, so dont shit on another team for being more successful then your team.

[ZION]

2002, two wins from the finals for the Boston Celtics, 2003, upset the Pacers.

2004, went 7 with the Pacers in the first round.

This whole Houston isnt geting any respect is crazy talk, its all there talking about on ESPN news when its basketball talk, you do have this channel right?

There going to lose in the first round anyways, Boston had there own winning streak this year and have been dominating all year, so dont shit on another team for being more successful then your team.

Not shitting on any Team, just talking about respect. And trust me, it wasnt until THIS week that ESPN starting talking about the Rockets. I think I would know since Im the only one on the board that follows the Rockets EVERYDAY.

[IKickAssForTheLord]

C's bringing in Sam Cassell. Not sure I like the move. Rhondo has played well on his own. Cassell could provide depth but im not completely sold on him.

how could that be a bad thing? Cassell already has 2 rings and been in a BUNCH of playoff games, the guy has some good exp. I don't think he will hurt them at all.

[Max Payne]

Not shitting on any Team, just talking about respect. And trust me, it wasnt until THIS week that ESPN starting talking about the Rockets. I think I would know since Im the only one on the board that follows the Rockets EVERYDAY.

If they get past the first round, then in hindsight espn was wrong, but until then they havent earnt it.

It takes years to get espn to change the way they cover teams, as a pats fan I know that, you either need the best team or have the best player to get any kind of air time there.

[ZION]

Streak is at 20 now.

[thrEE6MAfia]

:nod:

[Beware]

streaks are useless if you can't win a playoff series...

[ZION]

streaks are useless if you can't win a playoff series...

:shakehead What does the regualr season have to do with the playoffs? Its amazing that people still give props to something that hasnt happend in decades. When the playoffs get here then we can talk playoffs until then it's still history in the making if you like it or not.

[IKickAssForTheLord]

Lets see if the streaks holds up on sunday and the next 2 games after that... so hard teams comin' up, if they win those games I will be impressed.

[ZION]

Lets see if the streaks holds up on sunday and the next 2 games after that... so hard teams comin' up, if they win those games I will be impressed.

Denver, Dallas and N.O. are no push over's. N.O. Just beat the Spurs last night by 26. Actually all next week are going to be tough. LA, Celtics, N.O., Golden State and the Suns...Gonna be a great week!!! Plus im going to that Lakers game on sunday, fisrt time I ever spent $300.00 on a ticket. But the atmosphere should all be worth it.

[IKickAssForTheLord]

Denver, Dallas and N.O. are no push over's. N.O. Just beat the Spurs last night by 26. Actually all next week are going to be tough. LA, Celtics, N.O., Golden State and the Suns...Gonna be a great week!!! Plus im going to that Lakers game on sunday, fisrt time I ever spent $300.00 on a ticket. But the atmosphere should all be worth it.

yea, Personally I don't think Dallas is that great. But N.O. is good and denver is alright. Don't get me wrong not puttin' down the Rockets cuz of those wins. But I really wanna see what they do against the Lakers and Celtics should be great games. And I think Rockets can beat GS and Suns... But should be a great lil' streak wit these teams comin' up. And ur lucky for gettin' tickets for that game, I can't wait to watch that game... And Yes I'm rootin' for the Rockets... Hate the lakers.

EDIT: Why u gotta bring up that Lost against N.O. Don't u worry 'bout my spurs :)

[ZION]

yea, Personally I don't think Dallas is that great. But N.O. is good and denver is alright. Don't get me wrong not puttin' down the Rockets cuz of those wins. But I really wanna see what they do against the Lakers and Celtics should be great games. And I think Rockets can beat GS and Suns... But should be a great lil' streak wit these teams comin' up. And ur lucky for gettin' tickets for that game, I can't wait to watch that game... And Yes I'm rootin' for the Rockets... Hate the lakers.

EDIT: Why u gotta bring up that Lost against N.O. Don't u worry 'bout my spurs :)

My bad, my bad... I honestly didnt know your a Spurs fan. What happend last night?

[Beware]

Sure the streak is unbelievable and they will be in the history books for years to come, but IF they fail to do anything less than a championship, it can't be in the same breath has the 71 Bucks. Every team with 20+ win streaks won it all that same season. If this was all for not, its still impressive, but proves nothing.

I am not some sort of hater or anything, but no one outside of Texas thinks the Rockets have any shot at winning the title. NO CHANCE.

Sure, they have to play the games...but realistically, the Rockets can't compete with the Suns, Spurs, Lakers, Hornets, or hell the Jazz.

It is was it is, a freak of nature thing. No one expected it and it will die eventually and then all the fans in Houston are left with tasting postseason defeat once again.

[skybrick]

Freak of Nature? umm no, its quite impressive actaully.

I dont think that teams have caught on the Rockets yet since Yao is gone. Its kinda confusing but for a short time period its a benenfit to the Rockets that Yao is out because it confuses teams and they dont know how to play them. Eventually though the Yao injury is going to really come back haunting them when Mutambo slows down. I like the Rockets and currently they are the best team in the NBA right now. But.... I dont think they can hold on to it much longer.

[ZION]

Sure the streak is unbelievable and they will be in the history books for years to come, but IF they fail to do anything less than a championship, it can't be in the same breath has the 71 Bucks. Every team with 20+ win streaks won it all that same season. If this was all for not, its still impressive, but proves nothing.

I am not some sort of hater or anything, but no one outside of Texas thinks the Rockets have any shot at winning the title. NO CHANCE.

Sure, they have to play the games...but realistically, the Rockets can't compete with the Suns, Spurs, Lakers, Hornets, or hell the Jazz.

It is was it is, a freak of nature thing. No one expected it and it will die eventually and then all the fans in Houston are left with tasting postseason defeat once again.

True. Tell that to the New York Giants fans. Im sure eveybody outside New York or even outside there own locker room thought they couldn't win win a title. But hay it's been a fun ride and all streaks come to a end. I would love for them to upset every team they faced in the playoffs like the way the 90's Rockets did when they went back to back.

[ZION]

21 and counting...

[Max Payne]

hope they get past LA so Boston can show why they have the respect of ESPN.

[ZION]

hope they get past LA so Boston can show why they have the respect of ESPN.

Boston showed that tonight.

[Beware]

Even one of their own said they are the worst team to have a 20+ win streak.

While it may be fun and happy times for Rockets fans, might as well enjoy it before it ends and you are waiting for next season to start up.

The West is too deep for the Rockets to get through, and that will be evident in the near future.

Plus, they have managed to beat sub 500 teams. Beat the beasts of this league and then earn my respect.

Until then, it is what it is...

The team to beat in Texas is San Antonio and my gut tells me they won't be in the thick of things when it all comes down to it...

[ZION]

Even one of their own said they are the worst team to have a 20+ win streak.

While it may be fun and happy times for Rockets fans, might as well enjoy it before it ends and you are waiting for next season to start up.

The West is too deep for the Rockets to get through, and that will be evident in the near future.

Plus, they have managed to beat sub 500 teams. Beat the beasts of this league and then earn my respect.

Until then, it is what it is...

The team to beat in Texas is San Antonio and my gut tells me they won't be in the thick of things when it all comes down to it...

:nod: Agreed. Good article... http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=hollinger_john&page=Rockets-080314

[Max Payne]

Boston showed that tonight.

Celts got up by like 30 the last time they played the Rockets.

Hope they have an opertunity to take that win streak, be sweet.

good luck my friend

[ZION]

Celts got up by like 30 the last time they played the Rockets.

Hope they have an opertunity to take that win streak, be sweet.

good luck my friend

Just fucking with you bro. Trust me, Im not a shit talker. Just let me have my 10 min. Game should be fun, tried to get tickets but the price went up to 450.00 a pop. Already spent 300.00 on Rockets tickets for this Sunday so I had to pass.

[Max Payne]

no problem man, just busting balls.

[Max Payne]

Boston just got a chance to end it.

[ZION]

22 and counting...great game, atmosphere was awesome. Im glad the game was nationaly on T.V so people can see how we are winning. It's not just T-mac, we are winning as a team. Skip had 31, Bobby Jackson had 19, Battier 14, Scola 13, and T-mac with 11 plus have 2 major pieces still missing. Being at the game I was suprised how many Laker fans where there. Cant wait for Tuesday's game vs, Boston. Here's a quote I read today...

"People who say that are the same people who say that me scoring 81 was nothing because we played against the Toronto Raptors. That's the kind of meaning that that had. It's B.S. Every team in the NBA is a tough team. Any time you go on a 21-game winning streak, that's absolutely amazing. If it was that easy, there would have been more teams that would have done it." Kobe Bryant

[cmurdur]

let's wait until the first round of the playoffs before we start jumping up and down over the Rockets.

[ZION]

let's wait until the first round of the playoffs before we start jumping up and down over the Rockets.

Again, what does the streak have to do with playoff's?

[cmurdur]

nothing, if they choke again.

[Max Payne]

Fucking Tony Parker is the king at traveling and Manu at the flop, I dont know if the Celts are gonna win this game, but being injured and coming back down from 22 this Spur team doesnt scare me.

[Max Payne]

Even though the Celts had a 24 point swing, and beat the Spurs in SA without Ray Allen, after beating them last month with out Garnet, Im sure these games still done count for some people.

Still stand by my comment that Parker traveled all night and Manu flops more then anyone since Reggie.

[réÐþÁ†µ]

It was a nice win but im not sold on anything yet because it wasnt in the playoffs.

Tommorow against Houston should be fun. Houston is without question playing the best ball right now.

[Max Payne]

It was a nice win but im not sold on anything yet because it wasnt in the playoffs.

Tommorow against Houston should be fun. Houston is without question playing the best ball right now.

Who in the eastern conf scares you in the playoffs?

No one should, drink some Celtic kool aide now cause later Ill just call you out for jumping on the banwagon.

Sorry, its just how it is.

Anything less then getting to the finals this season is a failure, going to finish with best record in the leauge, I think there 20-4 against the superior western conferance, swept the Lakers, swept the Spurs, and have the home court.

Cant believe your afraid of the playoffs in the eastern conferance.

If you cant win in the regular season, how do you expect to win in the playoffs, but this is not the case.

[skybrick]

Its not just Parker that travels dude. The King of traveling is the king himself
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hH73R9GIbXg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHGmgZkdK8A

HAHA this is the worst travel ever by only DUKE'S Josh McRoberts in its in college.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7DjZehIGvs

I think he forgot to pack his suitcase for that long travel.

[ZION]

Its not just Parker that travels dude. The King of traveling is the king himself
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hH73R9GIbXg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHGmgZkdK8A

HAHA this is the worst travel ever by only DUKE'S Josh McRoberts in its in college.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7DjZehIGvs

I think he forgot to pack his suitcase for that long travel.

I would have to say Shaq is hands down the worst NBA player who travels.

[Max Payne]

Its not just Parker that travels dude. The King of traveling is the king himself
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hH73R9GIbXg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHGmgZkdK8A

HAHA this is the worst travel ever by only DUKE'S Josh McRoberts in its in college.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7DjZehIGvs

I think he forgot to pack his suitcase for that long travel.

first off, the youtube being labled as a moonwalk on the mcroberts one made me laugh pretty good, haha.

secondly, nba is a travel leauge, everyone does it and the stars get away with it more then they should, but if there going to call it in the game like they did tonight on a cassel steal or drive and dish with pierce, they best call it on parker when he three steps to the hoop all night, manu does it too but his flops concern me more.

but ya, those are really bad, the refs are afraid to call it when its blatnly obvious like that too.

[Lucio Argento]

The Dan Majerle one is hilarious.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4D9Z1wAwQtM&NR=1

[bravenewworld1]

I would have to say Shaq is hands down the worst NBA player who travels.
Jordan did it so much that they changed the game so that he could get away with it.

[réÐþÁ†µ]

Who in the eastern conf scares you in the playoffs?

Detroit and Orlando. If they play Cleveland, you have to worry about the way the game is being called because Lebron will get alot of calls which will probably offset things. However I think they can get by Cleveland spite that.

Anything less then getting to the finals this season is a failure

It would be a shame if they didnt make it to the East Finals let alone the NBA Finals.

[Max Payne]

well i just dont agree with that, Boston is the best team and Detroit should be the only legit of them all to worry about but they proved they could beat them too.

[Max Payne]

I guess Boston is for real :nod:

[ZION]

First off prop's to Boston, there 'D' is sick. The streak was a fun ride and everybody knew it wouldnt last. im just glad we didnt end the streak against Miami for example, At least it was against the best team in the leauge. Doubt I will see another NBA team go on a stretch of 20 or more in a row and im glad to say I went to 2 games during that stretch (Lebron, Kobe). Rockets need to come out strong Wed.

[cmurdur]

Its not just Parker that travels dude. The King of traveling is the king himself
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hH73R9GIbXg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHGmgZkdK8A

HAHA this is the worst travel ever by only DUKE'S Josh McRoberts in its in college.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7DjZehIGvs

I think he forgot to pack his suitcase for that long travel.

this is the worst. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhbM6uuCt74&feature=related