Duh, Shaq
by MTN on Jun 19, 2009 4:23 PM MDT
25 comments
Have you ever gone crazy looking for a pencil? I know I just had it... I just used it for heaven's sakes! ...It's not on the floor....hmmmm.... where...dammit.... I know I just... oh. Here it is, in my hand the whole time!
Is the answer to our championship just that obvious, and yet none of us has mentioned it here? Is there a 300 pound elephant in the room (up for a trade, that is), and nobody will say anything?
Aren't the Suns ready to trade Shaq?
And wouldn't he provide the post presence, veteran presence, and toughness so lacking in our team? Don't you think DWill would like having him around, for both professional and social reasons? Can you imagine how a roving AK would be rejuvenated with so much attention on Shaq? And how it would open up Korver? And how much trash Millsap could pick up with bodies all over Shaq? And - now that I think about it, because believe me, I've never thought about it until just now (reading in ESPN.com that Steve Kerr might want to draft Big Blair) - wouldn't Shaq fit perfectly in Sloan's half-court O? I don't mean for high pick and roll, that's what Memo can do. But for the 4-high set, he's a fine passer; for the screens on the low block and in the paint in the flex O, he'd be brutal. Granted, we are running more with DWIll, but not like Phoenix did. But the Phoenix experiment showed that there's more in his tank than anybody thought when he was on his way to Phoenix.
Now, first of all - I don't know how to figure all the numbers like many of you do. So someone will have to check that out. Also, I'm not an idiot. I know Shaq is past his prime, getting old, much less dominant. I also know that I've hated him for most of his career, even when I watched him live for an LSU game in the Superdome (but, really, I've hated the refs that allowed him to play like a giant fullback instead of like a normal basketball center his whole career - especially in the finals against Allen Iverson 10 years ago....arghh).
But I also know he's still enormous; he's still got an ego big enough to drive him to work hard and play tough; and he wouldn't be our only hope - he'd be just icing on a pretty good cake. And I don't hate him nearly as much as I hate T-Mac. In his old age, Shaq is kind of likable. I think he'd go for it (why not?), and I think he could fit in Boozer's place (Memo can play around him, as can AK, Sap). He would eat Pau Gasol like a hot pocket. He would make SLC turn all hip-hop. He would have some hilarious hijinx with Bear. He would set the Koof back a year of PT, but help him tremendously in practice.
And he would probably miss free throws Karl-style in the Finals. But at least we'd be in the finals.
I submit this idea for your consideration. Why not, I say.
(OMG! I just realized that this trade would make Collins COMPLETELY expendable! Genius! A sure thing. Go Go Go!)
All comments are the opinion of the commenter and not necessarily that of SLC Dunk or SB Nation.
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Sorry to comment on my own post, but here's an addendum
Just think what this would mean for Fesenko: motivation to not be a loser in front of his idol; one-on-one tutoring in being huge and dominating; playing straight back-up to Shaq would actually get him some real time as long as Sloan didn’t just shuffle the 4/5’s into the back-up spot, i.e., moving Memo over when Shaq sits; the dance-offs, oh the dance-offs!!!
I'll make it coach.
by MTN on Jun 19, 2009 4:29 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
i've never, ever, ever liked shaq
and he and i completely disagree on how funny he is.
but when you said dance-offs….
by moni on Jun 19, 2009 5:06 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Trading for Shaq, in my mind, would be a fantastic deal and a no brainer.
I just don’t know if the Jazz have the right pieces to make the deal work. From the Jazz’s side, the deal would have to center around Andrei Kirilenko, because we don’t have much else of worth or matching contracts. I would really hesitate in throwing in our Knick’s pick, but that could be a possibility. But a deal for AK and Korver, or AK and Harpring would work financially. The only problem is that Phoenix would have to like having Andrei Kirilenko. I would do it if I were them, because they could start shifting back to their old style of play.
A sign and trade for Boozer wouldn’t work, unless the Jazz were willing to let Millsap walk or else pay about $100 million in payroll next season.
From a basketball standpoint, AK + Korver is a better deal than Ben Wallace/ Sasha Pavlovic or Jerry Stackhouse and Erick Dampier, but if Phoenix just wants financial relief, then the Jazz’s deal isn’t as good.
But even if Shaq didn’t take our team deep into the playoffs, or even into the playoffs, it would still be a good deal, because worst case scenario, we would have an extra $17 million next season. I do agree, that Shaq would be perfect in our half court offense.
The more you try to erase me, the more that I appear.
by clarkpojo on Jun 19, 2009 6:55 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
If we have to throw in the Knicks pick
I pass.
Shaq only has a couple years left… that rookie could be one of the best players to enter the league next year.
True Blue Jazz
Bucco Ball
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RIP Nick Adenhart. 4/9/09
by UtesFan89 on Jun 19, 2009 7:18 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
absolutely agree +1000
I'll make it coach.
by MTN on Jun 19, 2009 11:17 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
p.s. ak would be crazy good in phoenix
it would hurt.
by moni on Jun 20, 2009 2:19 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
I would be happy for him
I’ve always been a fan. Bill Simmons once called him one of two or three players he’d rather watch in person than on TV (or something like that). If going somewhere else means we get to see his special talents blossom once again, I’m all for it. It’s all about basketball after all.
I'll make it coach.
by MTN on Jun 20, 2009 12:48 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
We talk about Boozer's durability.....
You think Shaq would be playing 82 games a year? No way… If we could get him cheap…then yeah but not for AK.
"You can live for Nothing or die for Something, it's your call" - John Rambo
by Matt_Grbac on Jun 19, 2009 8:52 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Starting 5
W/ Shaq
-PG: Deron
-SG: Brewer
-SF: CJ/Korver/rookie? (I like Danny Green, UNC or Terrence Williams, Louisville.. Chase Budinger also an option
-PF: Okur
-C: Shaq
-Bench: ‘Sap, SF’s that don’t start, Price?, The Koof, Fesenko
W/o Shaq
-PG: Deron
-SG: Brewer
-SF: same as above
-PF: ‘Sap
-C: Okur
-6th: The Koof, Fesenko, Price, SF’s don’t start
We’d be fine without AK if Shaq could play the majority of the games… we’d just need to (potentially) draft a SF (unless they trust what we have in CJ and maybe Korver) and we’d need to find another big.
That said, the Suns might want Brewer or CJ in a trade for Shaq. I’d give up CJ, probably not Brewer. (AK + CJ?)
True Blue Jazz
Bucco Ball
I'm on Twitter
RIP Nick Adenhart. 4/9/09
by UtesFan89 on Jun 19, 2009 9:02 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
I would never give up Brewer at this point
If he improves 50% of what he improved last year, he might just put us one piece away from the big time. Definitely wouldn’t put him in a trade.
I'll make it coach.
by MTN on Jun 19, 2009 11:19 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why would we want to make the same mistake Phoenix made?
Spend that much on the shadow of a great player? I am not a Boozer fan, but at this point, Boozer is a MUCH better player then Shaq. He is a better scorer, rebounder, fast break option, and even defender. If we could trade for someone and then turn back time (like Steve Kerr apparently thought he could), we should trade for Kareem… we could get him for a cheaper rate.
by Frank5 on Jun 20, 2009 12:18 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
100% with you
If Shaq would be the difference between a the Jazz being a playoff team, or a championship team, i would say go for it, but I don’t think he is. He has maybe one or two more years left in him, and I haven’t been that impressed with how he has played since 06…. Plus it would put Sap on the bench again…. what’s the point…
by sherbs on Jun 20, 2009 6:57 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Because otherwise
our bench sucks.
(Sorry, more thought out response coming after I wake up)
True Blue Jazz
Bucco Ball
I'm on Twitter
RIP Nick Adenhart. 4/9/09
by UtesFan89 on Jun 20, 2009 7:26 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
But you are missing the point. Phoenix added tons of salary to add Shaq. It was a bad move.
For the Jazz, they would be able to borrow Shaq for one year to see what he does for the team and then move on if it doesn’t work out. His money comes off the books and then AK isn’t around anymore and instead the Jazz have several million dollars to either sign a free agent from a huge free agent class, or else help teams shed salary by absorbing unwanted players a la Camby last season.
A Shaq trade would be the best type of trade. Best case scenario: He helps your team get wins and win in the playoffs.
Worst Case: It saves the Jazz $14 million.
The more you try to erase me, the more that I appear.
by clarkpojo on Jun 20, 2009 8:36 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Still not sold...
I guess a lot depends on what happens with Boozer, but for me, making that trade is basically giving up on next season. Yes it does get rid of a bad contract in Kirilenko, but does little else… It means another $6mil in luxury tax this season for a team that will probably not be successful. I mean, we give up (arguably) our best defender, to get a player who is no longer as good as the power forward we are going to let walk…. the team just loses way too much.
If the head office are going to give up on next season, they are better off letting guys like Boozer and Korver walk and cutting salary a year earlier to avoid the tax this year. looking towards free agency in 2010 isn’t that exciting when you see how many other more attractive teams are already out there trying to sign the big names.
I still think that a sign and trade, Boozer for Bosh, would give the team a real chance to be something special next season, but I guess we’ve already been over that ground :P
by sherbs on Jun 20, 2009 9:33 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
i agree
and also we got to realize that shaq is not going to play all 82 games. he has never done that in his career. he has only played in 70+ games 7 times. more than likely he will play for about 60 some odd games. are those 20 games he doesn’t play worth it? he will get about a million per game he doesn’t play.
and would he be motivated enough to give us his 100%? 80% shaq is still a monster, but is a BIG difference from 100% shaq. on paper and in fantasy world it would be good but i have serious questions about it.
by P_Dizzle on Jun 20, 2009 11:14 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
And you expect
to get 100% effort from Boozer? Or 82 games?
True Blue Jazz
Bucco Ball
I'm on Twitter
RIP Nick Adenhart. 4/9/09
by UtesFan89 on Jun 20, 2009 12:56 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
He doesn't need to play 82 games
We only need him to be healthy and active during the early playoff games when we hit the Lakers and Portland.
70+ games only 7 times, and only 4 rings (did I count right?) to show for it…
I’m with the best case/worst case scenario post from Clark: MAYBE MAYBE MAYBE, he plays tough and healthy enough to take us deep – 15 ppg, 8-10 rpg, and clogging up the middle and we’re looking at a 2nd or 3rd seed in the playoffs. And if not, we’re cash-heavy at the end of the experiment. Bosh is the only other player that can give us a real makeover before October, and some other discussion on the Dunk has suggested that he’s overrated, overvalued, and not a lot of help to D-up the paint. Plus, if we lock into Bosh, we can’t get out of it (see also AK’s contract!), so the one and done Shaq-job is a low risk venture with possibility for huge gains.
AS a bonafide shaq hater, I can say that I really think watching him night in and night out would make us all respect him in the twighlight of his career. I think he’d give his all.
I'll make it coach.
by MTN on Jun 20, 2009 12:57 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
The trade wouldn't really be based around Boozer. The Jazz wouldn't be trading Boozer for Shaq.
In fact we need to start treating Boozer as if he isn’t part of the team anymore, if he is going to opt out. Just like Morris Almond, we aren’t going to own him in about a week and so Boozer trades are impossible.
The more you try to erase me, the more that I appear.
by clarkpojo on Jun 20, 2009 8:31 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Boozer is not a better defender than Shaq
If Shaq stands still, he’s better than Boozer on D.
I'll make it coach.
by MTN on Jun 20, 2009 12:49 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
I should have added a poll...
I'll make it coach.
by MTN on Jun 20, 2009 12:59 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Shaq...
Spend that much on the shadow of a great player? I am not a Boozer fan, but at this point, Boozer is a MUCH better player then Shaq. He is a better scorer, rebounder, fast break option, and even defender.
First of all, Shaq is still a better defender than Booze.
Other than that… do we even know if Booze is going to come back? Greg Miller going all LHM on him can’t have helped that.
Shaq gives us a dominating presence in the middle (and it’s not like he’d have to run up-and-down the court either as much… the Jazz like their half-court sets), and helps us get out from under AK’s unfortunate contract.
Sure the Jazz will need another wing after the trade (especially if Korver opts out), but that can be addressed through the draft (Terrence Williams if he falls, Danny Green, Chase Budinger, Sam Young, James Johnson, Derrick Brown, DaJuan Summers, etc.) or potentially through free agency.
True Blue Jazz
Bucco Ball
I'm on Twitter
RIP Nick Adenhart. 4/9/09
by UtesFan89 on Jun 20, 2009 1:26 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Actually, deciding who is the better defender...
between Shaq and Boozer is like trying to decided who is the better 3pt shooter. At any rate, the point is that Shaq adds nothing to the team that Boozer doesn’t – and that isn’t getting us far enough. Not to mention, no one is going to trade a bloated one year contract for AK’s two year bloated contract. Not the Suns, not anyone. The pool of free agents next year is too good for any GM to hurt their teams chances on getting a shot at one of those players…. which is what that trade would do.
And The Koof is a better dancer.
by Frank5 on Jun 20, 2009 10:38 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
defender
hold up. shaq had 108 blocks last year boozer had 7! granted shaq played in more than double the games boozer played in, but the most blocks booze has had in a season is 55. shaq had that in the 06-07 season when he played his least amount of games.
interior defense is what we need. we need people to think twice about coming into the lane. who would intimidate you if you drove the lane, someone with 7 blocks or someone with 108 blocks?
i don’t know if shaq is our answer. i personally think we need someone else, but i would take shaq’s d any time over the matador, aka boozer.
by P_Dizzle on Jun 21, 2009 9:28 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
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