This probably wasn't what Steve Kerr (or Nash for that matter) had in mind. Their big acquisition diving into the stands and causing quite the lawsuit after killing everyone he landed on. Fortunately, only the diving portion happened. Miraculously, no lives were lost.
Late in the third period, Shaq felt the need to chase after a Steve Nash miss he had no chance of corralling and to avoid two young boys in the front row, leaped over them into the next several rows. Only injury was a cut lip on an older man. Still checking on Kerr's heart.
Oh, and by the way, the Suns beat the Spurs 94-87 behind 14 points and 16 rebounds from O'Neal and 19 points, 14 assists from Steve Nash. Phoenix will be OK people, can't build a title contender overnight.
Update: Here's some YouTubbage of Superman Shaq as well:
I mean, for a man his size, the dude's extremely athletic. I'm still perplexed how no one was seriously injured. 7'0 330 > fans.
Those two kids will be talking about this one for years and my guess is in about 10 years ESPN will do a follow up story because one of them will probably be playing college ball!! Great Video footage!
The Suns match up with one team. I guess its the right team since it'll be the one they'll be playing in the 1st round, but they're still done. You can't build a contender overnight, but you can kill one.
(Edited 03/09/08 9:53PM by CriticalFanatic) kantwistaye wrote:
The Suns match up with one team. I guess its the right team since it'll be the one they'll be playing in the 1st round, but they're still done. You can't build a contender overnight, but you can kill one.
This game was indicative of the playoff style of play. Come April and May, I think we'll see the Suns advancing far. I was impressed.
This game was indicative of the playoff style of play. Come April and May, I think we'll see the Suns advancing far. I was impressed.
I agree that the Spurs will advance far, if not all the way. The Suns however, won't. Shaq is still done. He'll have a game every once in a while that looks pretty good, because he is a HOFer after all, but he's still done. Luckily for the Suns he had one today. In the half-court offense Shaq is useless and completely clogs up the Suns offense. On most days, Shaq's defender can just sit in the lane and play the pick n' roll that Suns have usually destroyed teams with. Shaq hasn't made anyone better offensively on that team (even Amare is shooting worse with Shaq) and even in his prime Shaq never would've improved any team's defense. Teams don't downgrade in talent and completely change their type of basketball midseason and get results.
I agree that the Spurs will advance far, if not all the way. The Suns however, won't. Shaq is still done. He'll have a game every once in a while that looks pretty good, because he is a HOFer after all, but he's still done. Luckily for the Suns he had one today. In the half-court offense Shaq is useless and completely clogs up the Suns offense. On most days, Shaq's defender can just sit in the lane and play the pick n' roll that Suns have usually destroyed teams with. Shaq hasn't made anyone better offensively on that team (even Amare is shooting worse with Shaq) and even in his prime Shaq never would've improved any team's defense. Teams don't downgrade in talent and completely change their type of basketball midseason and get results.
Freudian slip, maybe. I had meant the Suns.
Here's what I see -- with each game the Suns use Shaq more and he's been playing better and better. Today, he had some very good defensive stops on Duncan, which in my opinion, was the difference in the game.
The key to watch right now is that the Suns get more and more comfortable. Sure they lost some games, but with the margin for error so small in the west that was predictable. They are going to be fine. Only way the Suns don't advance far is if O'Neal gets injured.
Here's what I see -- with each game the Suns use Shaq more and he's been playing better and better. Today, he had some very good defensive stops on Duncan, which in my opinion, was the difference in the game.
The key to watch right now is that the Suns get more and more comfortable. Sure they lost some games, but with the margin for error so small in the west that was predictable. They are going to be fine. Only way the Suns don't advance far is if O'Neal gets injured.
If the Suns can beat the Spurs when the Spurs aren't shooting 35%, I'll believe in them. Duncan going 6-19 had little to do with Shaq, Ginobili going 7-19 had nothing to do with Shaq, as did Finley going 0-6. The Suns are still pretty talented. They'll beat any team that shoots bad against them, but when the Spurs are clicking there's no way the Suns beat them... but we'll just have to wait and see how it all unfolds.
If the Suns can beat the Spurs when the Spurs aren't shooting 35%, I'll believe in them. Duncan going 6-19 had little to do with Shaq, Ginobili going 7-19 had nothing to do with Shaq, as did Finley going 0-6. The Suns are still pretty talented. They'll beat any team that shoots bad against them, but when the Spurs are clicking there's no way the Suns beat them... but we'll just have to wait and see how it all unfolds.
I like how the Suns are getting zero credit for playing solid defense today. At least, solid defense for them.
I like how the Suns are getting zero credit for playing solid defense today. At least, solid defense for them.
If they can make teams shoot poorly consistently I'll believe it. Its hard to believe that a questionable defensive team could trade their best defensive player and one of the best in the league for a very bad defensive player and get better.
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