yamaneko

I find this very perplexing. Especially for the suns. The suns the last few years have been even more penny pinching than the clippers...trading away their first round picks for nothing just to stay away from having the guaranteed deals. But now they trade a potentially expiring, (at worst 1 more year) deal for an oft injured guy owned more than 40 million 2 years after this one? Not to mention he slows down their whole style of play.

Sure they need more defense, but adding shaq just really changes their whole offense IMO. But, they might be subscribing to what ive been talking about...they havent been to the finals with marion...didnt seem like they were any closer this year, so lets try something new...worst case scenario we still dont get to the finals which is same as usual. But still...if i had that mentality, i would have made a run at pau, or someone else who would fit better in their system.

On the other hand im going to be very curious as to marion's numbers outside of phoenix. We have long talked about how peoples numbers are inflated when they play for phoenix. Joe Johnson being perhaps the exception, but still not IMO, since with phoenix he was a role player while in atlanta he is the star of the team, so its logical his numbers would still be quite good. It almost might be the same case in miami. They are so depleted, marion still might put up good numbers. But in that offense, i dont think he does what he did in phoenix.

So lets recap the pacific. Lakers trade for an international superstar. Golden State signs a starting PF (webber) while not having to give anything up. Phoenix trades for (albeit over the hill) one of the best centers of all time. Sacramento is actively shopping artest and/or bibby to try and get better. Meanwhile the clippers are rumored to be searching for a journeyman SG to replace guillermo diaz. Ouch.

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08-09 Clippers - One more piece away from relativity