NBA 2008-09 Season

**SabresRule** · 02-13-2009 02:45 PM

Well, Salsa- you got to admit, Marion could not have gone out in more spectacular fashion- a walk-off dunk.

**Paul Wozniak** · 02-13-2009 02:48 PM

Originally Posted by HD MM

I don't see how this is a good trade for either team. Both O'Neal and Marion have been career underachievers.

How so for Marion. Personally I can't figure out how he's scored so much with that shooting style of his. Looks like something out of the fifties.

**salsadancer7** · 02-13-2009 02:50 PM

Originally Posted by Paul Wozniak

Is this a good trade for your Heat?

ABSOLUTELY!! And in every sense too. They fill a void in the middle, they put Adonis Haslem at his natural position at PF, they FINALLY put Michael Beasley to start at his natural postion of SF...O'Neal's salary does NOT count against the salary cap, his contract expires at the end of THIS season and you got rid of the the point guard they got in the Marion trade. SO, all those they got for Shaq, are now gone. A DEFINATELY win for the HEAT.

**HD MM** · 02-13-2009 02:52 PM

Originally Posted by Paul Wozniak

How so for Marion. Personally I can't figure out how he's scored so much with that shooting style of his. Looks like something out of the fifties.

Both players had career years in 2005. Since then, their numbers have been steadily declining. Even when both of these players were traded to another team, this trend continued.

**HD MM** · 02-13-2009 02:54 PM

Originally Posted by salsadancer7

ABSOLUTELY!! And in every sense too. They fill a void in the middle, they put Adonis Haslem at his natural position at PF, they FINALLY put Michael Beasley to start at his natural postion of SF...O'Neal's salary does NOT count against the salary cap, his contract expires at the end of THIS season and you got rid of the the point guard they got in the Marion trade. SO, all those they got for Shaq, are now gone. A DEFINATELY win for the HEAT.

Yeah, strictly from a standpoint of trading a forward for a center, it's a good trade.

You guys were in need of a true center and had a bevy of forwards. I can see why this makes sense. Talent wise though, O'Neal and Marion are a wash.

**Paul Wozniak** · 02-13-2009 02:57 PM

Originally Posted by salsadancer7

ABSOLUTELY!! And in every sense too. They fill a void in the middle, they put Adonis Haslem at his natural position at PF, they FINALLY put Michael Beasley to start at his natural postion of SF...O'Neal's salary does NOT count against the salary cap, his contract expires at the end of THIS season and you got rid of the the point guard they got in the Marion trade. SO, all those they got for Shaq, are now gone. A DEFINATELY win for the HEAT.

Nice analysis. We need more of that around here.

**salsadancer7** · 02-13-2009 03:01 PM

Originally Posted by HD MM

Yeah, strictly from a standpoint of trading a forward for a center, it's a good trade.

You guys were in need of a true center and had a bevy of forwards. I can see why this makes sense. Talent wise though, O'Neal and Marion are a wash.

LOL!! I could never understand when people say that? ESPECIALLY when the players are traded to other teams where their role can be COMPLETELY different or when they stay on their respective teams, but management has decided to take a different approach to the future of their team.

With Marion, he went from being the NUMBER ONE scoring option, to the 3rd option. How is your production NOT GONNA DROP when you get less touches of the ball? He still has the same skills. Same apllies to O'Neal. He was THE #1 option for a very long time....then he became #3 in Toronto. Less touches, less production. And the argument that they are getting the same minutes does NOT apply because you can play the same amount of minutes, but less plays still run through you.

**HD MM** · 02-13-2009 03:04 PM

Originally Posted by salsadancer7

LOL!! I could never understand when people say that? ESPECIALLY when the players are traded to other teams where their role can be COMPLETELY different or when they stay on their respective teams, but management has decided to take a different approach to the future of their team.

With Marion, he went from being the NUMBER ONE scoring option, to the 3rd option. How is your production NOT GONNA DROP when you get less touches of the ball? He still has the same skills. Same apllies to O'Neal. He was THE #1 option for a very long time....then he became #3 in Toronto. Less touches, less production. And the argument that they are getting the same minutes does NOT apply because you can play the same amount of minutes, but less plays still run through you.

Fair enough, but just so you know, both players stats starting diminishing BEFORE they were traded to the Heat and Raptors from the Suns and Pacers.

But again, I approve of this trade since it fills a position in need for your Heat. Good job buddy!

**salsadancer7** · 02-13-2009 03:04 PM

Originally Posted by Paul Wozniak

Nice analysis. We need more of that around here.

Now MAYBE, if they get in the playoffs...they MAY get by the 1st round.

**salsadancer7** · 02-13-2009 03:11 PM

Originally Posted by HD MM

Fair enough, but just so you know, both players stats starting diminishing BEFORE they were traded to the Heat and Raptors from the Suns and Pacers.

LOL!! Ok...I guess..... Hell, I wish I was smart enough to make this up, but I actually heard this from Bernie Bickerstaff and from Hubie Brown on the local sports radio show a couple fo times.