Phoenix Suns interrested in Lamar Odom? posted by Ryan Greyslak

accoding to the LA times ( http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-lakers-kobe-bryant1-2009jul01,0,5024600.story )

 The Phoenix Suns and San Antonio Spurs are among the teams interrested in signing free agent Lamar Odom.

Lamar Odom is apparently in high demand by several teams. He is a versatile power forward that can guard multiple positions and passes and handles the ball extremely well for a forward. Lamar is known for being an inconsistant player but when he shows up, he can be the X factor for a team's chances of winning.

Phoenix Suns top free agent prospect … Grant Hill posted by Ryan Greyslak

Steve Kerr is in Orlando today meeting with Grant Hill hoping to secure him on the team and convince him to finish his career as a Phoenix Sun. Grant Hill has stated he is interested in returning to the Suns but realizes this is his last chance at an NBA contract and is hoping for a 2 year deal. The Suns have used Hill’s services at a discounted rate the last two years at a little less than a combined $4 million.

In Phoenix, Hill has resurrected his career due to the amazing Suns medical training staff. Hill suffered from multiple injuries before his time in Phoenix. Last year he put up his best numbers in the past few years and was actually healthy enough to play all 82 games. Hill averaged 12.0 points, 4.9 rebounds and shot 52.3% from the field for the Phoenix Suns.

There are several teams interested in acquiring Grant Hill. Most of them are championship contending teams unlike the Suns and can also offer Hill more money. Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets are rumored to be pursuing him along with Kerr and the Suns.

Grant Hill has shown exceptional leadership qualities with the Suns over the past two years. Even through all the team turmoil he was not one of the players who gave up. Especially last year, he played his heart out for a failing team and always tried to pull his teammates together for the win. It is obvious that his best years are behind him but he still has the ability to put up good numbers for any team. He was arguably the most consistent player for the Suns last year. He was the best defender as he guarded multiple positions throughout the season trying to make up for the rest of the teams defensive inconsistencies.

Phoenix Suns pick up team option on Louis Amundson posted by Ryan Greyslak

The Suns officially confirmed today that they were going to pick up the player option on Louis Amundson for $855,189. His numbers are a bit deceiving as to his performance last season especially after Amare Stoudemire went down for the season.

Louis quickly became a fan favorite due to his high energy up tempo dive for every loose ball mentality on the court. When he entered the game he immediately brought immediate energy to the Phoenix Suns lineup. He was a strong rebounder and defender but needed work on his jump shot.

Amundson has worked hard this off-season trying to develop a jump shot so we could see more to him next year. Either way for only $855,189 he is a very inexpensive role player the Suns definitely need to hang onto.

Phoenix Suns 2009 draft results posted by Ryan Greyslak

The Phoenix Suns drafted Earl Clark with the 14th selection in this year’s draft. His size, speed, and athleticism will be a great fit in Phoenix. They are interested in replacing Marion’s defensive skill that they lost in the Shaq trade and this could be that piece.

The Suns second round pick got them Taylor Griffin. The older brother of the number one overall pick Black Griffin.

THE SHAQ EFFECT posted by Andy Natalie

     IF this was 1997 the people of Cleveland should start saving money for playoff tickets and at least a NBA EAST Finals series. Yes IF it were somewhere between 1995 and 2003.

There is no question that Cleveland has needed a big man of consequence ever since LeBron became a Cavalier. Yes the services of Zyldrunis Ilgauskis has been greatly appreciated and he has had some memorable seasons. However his days of solid and sometime All Star performances are long gone. No disrespect but his age has rendered him mediocre at best. Additionally his skills have always been displayed away from the basket. These are 2 major reasons that Ilgauskis has not provided LeBron with a second tier star to compliment him.

The Cavaliers in an effort to fix this dilemma brought in Ben Wallace in the middle of 2007 - 2008 after his dominance in Detroit and a regression of his skills in Chicago. Although it was in Chicago that he last averaged double digit rebounds. But since he has been in Cleveland he has clearly been done, as in he should retire already. Now he his a Phoenix Sun. Maybe Amare Stoudamire can help him have a role. Although Big Ben reportedly wants a buyout so he can retire, which as I mentioned is probably his best move. Amare is also said to be on the trading block.

It is obvious also that Cleveland's 6'11" Anderson Varejao is a back up Center. He is still a young man and may improve. Thus that opened the door for the trade.

Most ridiculous trade rumor of the day! Amare and Barbosa to Houston? posted by Ryan Greyslak

In what I hope is the most absolutley ridiculous trade rumor from an extremely credible source ( to Peter Vecsey of the New York Post) the Suns are discussing a potential deal with the Houston Rockets. The proposed deal would send Amare Stoudemire and Leandro Barbosa to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Tracy McGrady, Carl Landry, and Aaron Brooks. This would be an absolute steal for Houston and would lead to inevitable demise of the Phoenix Suns franchise. Thankfully the salaries do not match with Houston giving up almost 27 million and Phoenix trading about 23 million. Continue reading "Most ridiculous trade rumor of the ..."

Shaq and LeBroan Cavs championship? posted by john howard

The Cleveland Cavaliers sent Sasha Pavlovic and Ben Wallace to Phoenix for Shaquille O'Neal.  The trade vastly improves the Cavs interior without losing anything.  The two combined for 41 minutes and 7 points a game.  And, neither played over 70 games.  Shaq averaged over 17 points and 8 rebounds.  With Ilgauskas averaging 27 minutes a game, it won't be that much different with Shaq there.  Both are older centers that have had a hard time staying healthy.  With the two together, it will help both of them out.  Signing Anderson Varejo is the next step. 

For the Suns, it has been a series of bad moves.  First, not keeping their coach, trading the Matrix, and now trading Shaq for two players just to dump salary.  That's what this trade amounts to.  Grant Hill is a free agent and likely will go else where.  They still have Steve Nash, Leonardo Barbosa, Jason Richardson, and Amarie Stoudamire.  Matt Barnes is a free agent and averaged 10 points and  5 rebounds.  He should be resigned.  Robin Lopez is in his second year.  Last year he averaged 10 minutes a game.  So, if Ben Wallace doesn't retire, expect his minutes and Pavlovic's to both go up. This team will still compete.  Right now, they just don't have the depth.

Shaquille O'Neal traded to Cleveland Cavaliers ... Steve Kerr you lied to us! posted by Ryan Greyslak

In a blockbuster deal for the Cleveland Cavaliers they have acquired future hall of fame center Shaquille O’Neal from the Phoenix Suns. The Suns have agreed to send Shaq to the Cavaliers for Ben Wallace ($14 million dollar expiring contract, potential buyout), Sasha Pavlovich ($4,950,000 non guaranteed expiring contract), the Cavs second round pick, and $500,000.

Shaquille O’Neal played about a season and a half with the Suns and completely re-vitalized his career. He put up his best numbers in years and stayed healthier than he has been able to the few previous seasons due to the magical medical staff of the Suns. However this only looked good from the outside. He sat most double header games out except for one last season and constantly in interviews referred to his touches and what he could do for the team if they work the offense through him. 

The first day when he was here in Phoenix and announced locally in the arena at the Suns game he stood up and pointed to his ring finger insinuating that he was bring a title to AZ. Because after all, that is what Shaq says he does, wins titles. Just not here in Phoenix. Shaq has burned many bridges with every team he has left from Orlando, LA, Miami, and now the Phoenix Suns possibly? How will fans feel about his quick departure and lack of wins or a championship to show for it?

Many fans were very bitter about the original trade that brought in Shaq for Shawn Marion two seasons ago. Marion was a fan favorite and crucial piece to the Suns success due to his defensive ability and athleticism.  The Suns franchise hoped that the Shaq trade would bring in the missing piece and finally allow them to get past the San Antonio Spurs and compete for a title. As we all know this deal did not work out exactly the way the team had hoped and instead put an end to an exciting style of play called the “run and gun”. It brought the offense to a stand still and did nothing but clog up the middle for Steve Nash and Amare. It actually made the Suns worse defensively because of Shaq’s slow speed, he is completely unable to guard the pick and roll not to mention the hack-a-Shaq routine where he would repeatedly go to the free throw line and miss his shots. This created many changes of possession for the Suns that really hurt them down the stretch.

Shaquille O'neal traded to Cleveland Cavaliers posted by Ryan Greyslak

According to Paul Coro of the AZ Republic

 The Suns have completed a trade for Shaquille O'Neal to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Ben Wallace, Sasha Pavlovich, a second round pick, and $500,000

 So in the first step of the rebuilding process, the Suns have traded Shaq away for financial reasons instead of making the team better. If this is any indication as to the decisons the Suns will make this offseason, I'm very worried as a Suns fan.

Is Shaq really headed to Cleveland Cavaliers this time... posted by Ryan Greyslak

According to Adrian Wojnarowki of Yahoo Sports; Shaq to cleveland is back on

 The on and off again supposed rumored deal that would land Shaquille O'Neal with the Cleveland Cavaliers is back on again. The supposed deal would send the Suns Ben Wallace (possible buy out or retiring) and expiring contact of Sash Pavlovic.

I know that the Suns are interrested in making some major moves but how does this really benefit the team? Unless there is a free agent that they are heavily interrested in acquirring with the expiring money it might make more sense to allow Shaq to expire next year in the big free agent market.

Luckily it is rumored that this deal will only go through if another team get's involved. The Suns are rumored to not want to give Shaq up for nothing.

Shaq proclaims he'll help Cavs win title (AP)

Shaquille O'Neal has one purpose in Cleveland: bring an NBA title to LeBron James and the Cavaliers. "My motto is very simple," the 15-time All-Star center said Thursday. "Win a ring for the King." Acquired in a trade last week with the Phoenix Suns, O'Neal was introduced Thursday by the Cavaliers, who believe he can be their missing piece. [read full article]

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Bulls G Gordon in talks with Pistons (AP)

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O'Neal trade proves Suns in transition (AP)

By unloading 325-pound Shaquille O'Neal and his equally massive contract, the Phoenix Suns made it clear they are no longer tweaking. They're overhauling -- and more dramatic moves could be coming. "We're in transition, and I think that transition has been a little awkward the last year," general manager Steve Kerr said Friday after the club introduced first-round draft pick... [read full article]

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Cavaliers acquire C O'Neal from Suns (AP)

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Cavs close to acquiring O'Neal from Suns (AP)

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