shaquille o'neal 2008

[cranrab]

just wanted to take a look at how miami and phoenix have fared with shaquille o'neal in 2008

shaquille o'neal was under contract with the miami heat for 50 games. during that time, the miami heat had a miserable record of 9-41 (.180)

but to be fair, shaquille o'neal only played in 33 of those 50 games. during that time, the miami heat had a less miserable (but still miserable) record of 8-25 (.242)

since the miami heat unloaded the "overweight, out of shape, lazy" shaquille o'neal, the miami heat have played 26 games. during that time, the miami heat had a miserable record of 4-22 (.154)

such as it is, the win loss record seems to indisputably prove that the miami heat was a better team with shaquille o'neal than without shaquille o'neal.

 

[cranrab]

Re: shaquille o'neal 2008 pt 2

now let's take a look at how shaquille o'neal has done since transitioning over to his new squad.

shaquille o'neal has been a phoenix sun for 25 games. during that time, the phoenix suns went 15-10 (.600)

to be fair, shaquille o'neal only played in 20 of those 25 games. during that time, the phoenix suns went 12-8 (.600)

prior to shaquille o'neal joining the phoenix suns, the team played 48 games. during that time, the phoenix suns went 34-14 (.708)

from the win loss record, it appears that the phoenix suns were more successful before acquiring shaquille o'neal.

let's see if he can redeem himself.

 

[Rollie_Fingaz]

I'm curious to see how this coincides with their schedule. I thought the Suns played an easier first half of the season than the second. His joining the team happened at a tough stretch of the season.

As a side note-I wanted to make a post about the decline of the Mavs. This can't be blamed totally on Dirks' injury or Kidds' arrival. That being said, they have not beaten a team with a winning record since he got there..

 

[cranrab]

they have not beaten a team with a winning record since he got there..

while principally true, it isn't completely accurate.

the mavericks lost a couple games before jason kidd arrived too.

watching the suns get beat down on mojo hd (nuggets up by 16 in Q3). got clippers v. mavericks on FSN too.

 

[cranrab]

I'm curious to see how this coincides with their schedule. I thought the Suns played an easier first half of the season than the second. His joining the team happened at a tough stretch of the season.

ask and ye shall receive.

the first 48 games before shaquille o'neal arrived, the phoenix suns played 22 home games and 26 road games. but that's a little deceiving. why? because of those 48 games, only 21 of those 48 games were against teams who are currently .500 or better.

 

[cranrab]

ask and ye shall receive pt 2

so how difficult has the suns schedule been with shaquille o'neal?

they've had 15 home games and 11 road games.

but again, that might be a little deceiving. why? because of those 26 games, 20 were against teams who are currently .500 or better.

 

[cranrab]

I wanted to make a post about the decline of the Mavs. This can't be blamed totally on Dirks' injury or Kidds' arrival.

dirk nowitzki's injury can not be discounted, if for no other reason than he is a full time starter.

jason kidd might be having some problems adjusting to a new team, but who wouldn't? a grace period has to be allowed, much as it did with shaquille o'neal and phoenix.

but i think the part of the equation that is not emphasized enough is the fact that dallas shipped out significant contributors. however marginal people may consider the 4 players (not counting keith van horn) that went to the nets, there is no arguing that some of them were significant parts of the rotation. one player can NOT fill all those holes, nor can he match all their various contributions.

devin harris 30+ minutes per game with dallas
desagana diop 17+ minutes per game with dallas
trenton hassell 12+ minutes per game with dallas
maurice ager (the only one who can be omitted) 6+ minutes per game

BTW, denver's lead has been cut to 5 points

 

[Rollie_Fingaz]

BTW, denver's lead has been cut to 5 points

They are down 2.

 

[RunawaySlave]

When it comes to Shaquille O'Neal, you can throw out all the numbers. Because what it really comes down to is whether Shaq is motivated to play or not. Which I don't he has been since he won that championship (which he promised to do).

Watching him play now, one can see that he is CLEARLY more motivated to perform. Maybe that's only because it's closer to playoff time, I can't call that. But once they had that miserable start, I really feel that Shaq did not give a damn whether they won or lose after awhile

Of course, I can't prove it, but he ends up on a team that doesn't need him to get to the playoffs, but DOES need him to win a title, and you can see how he's WORKING to get himself ready to play now.


Having said all that, I don't think you can access the trade by Phoenix' regular season record. They replace an integral part of their team with a player who is almost totally the opposite, so there will definitely be a period where they are off balance.

The only way to judge whether that trade was beneficial to Phoenix is when they play San Antonio in a 7 game series. If Phoenix loses 4 games to 3, then the trade did not matter one bit.

 

[xfactor]

Great win last night for the Suns.

Like I said after the trade, a healthy O'Neal playing for Phoenix made them, in my opinion, the clear cut favorite to win the title this year.

I think the playoffs will be interesting this year but I also think that the media is blowing up how "tough" the Western conference is this year.

Last I checked, the top 2 teams were in the East (along with the head and shoulders, superior team - The Celtics) and the bottom 4 of the bottom 5 teams were in the West.

 

[Rollie_Fingaz]

Another good game for Shaq. Thankfully Denver got the win.

This is going to set up a nice 3-6 matchup between the Suns and Lakers this year in the Playoffs.

 

[cranrab]

This is going to set up a nice 3-6 matchup between the Suns and Lakers this year in the Playoffs.

man, i've been secretly hoping that would shake out.

not because of the shaquille o'neal - tobe matchup, but because i relish another chapter in the phoenix suns v. fakers postseason saga.

but remember, if the suns should win the pussific division, that whole thing could fly out the window.

 

[enzo666]

no matter what he is NOT worth 40mil and past his prime. phoenix woulda been better off trading 4 eddie curry saving money and getting a (far)younger player

 

[Rollie_Fingaz]

 

[dapurpman]

i wanna see lakers vs suns in playoffs . i rep LA all day n' got memories of when kobe n' shaq were winning rings, so to see kobe vs. shaq would be some epic shit, even tho oneal ain't what he use to be.

 

[shat11]

lol