^I agree with all of that. I thought the Suns were somewhat coming into their own with Shaq heading into the playoffs...although it was kind of hit or miss. They beat the Spurs both times after acquiring Shaq and Boston in Phoenix. And Duncan was held to under 50% FG for the series (which would have been a lot worse if he hadn't gone bonkers in that first game). After showing some promise at the end of the regular season, Shaq definitely disappointed in the postseason.

^^And Marion guarded Ginobli land Finley last year. Bell and Nash guarded Parker.

It was almost a pick your poison with the trade. The Suns gave up a perimeter defender and versatile scorer for an inside presence. They felt that negating Duncan inside would outweigh giving up more on the perimeter. They gambled and lost when Parker went nuts and Shaq didn't have the impact he had in the last part of the regular season.

4/30/2008 5:14:21 PM