The Matrix is covered with Diesel

ARGH!

As you may have heard, the Suns have reached an agreement (pending physicals) with the Heat to send Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks for Shaquille O'Neal. Now, Shaq would be a fine addition if we weren't giving up one the best all-round players in the NBA.

Money:
Marion and Banks have big contracts. That's why they were ideal to be traded. Too bad Shaq's is bigger and longer at 20 million for 2 years. This is stupid.

Play:
Not even close. Sure, having a true center is good. But giving up the most athletic player on the team for one that will be the slowest is not good for a fast-paced team like the Suns. Shaq will be mainly used as a low-post defender, which the team desperately needs. But it's not worth it.

Could this be Steve Kerr getting his way over D'Antoni? If so, go to h***, Kerr. I really hope that the team likes D'Antoni more and will "make sure" that Shaq fails the physical. I don't care that the Mavs might get Kidd and the Lakers got Gasol. If the team really wants a big man, trade Marion for Camby, or something, some one who is actually good.

UPDATE:
The deal was accepted and Shaq passed the physical. NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! Steve Kerr stinks. 1. Doesn't save money 2. Doesn't work well with team 3. Stabs D'Antoni in the back 4. Makes team worse 5. Makes team worse 6. Makes team worse 7. Makes team, well you get the point.

Captain Morgan and Suns

I'm back, for now.

In Yankee Land, Johan is now with the Mets. I'll say this much, it's better than giving up Hughes, Wang, Chamberlain, Kennedy or letting him get to the Mets. Other than a total steal of a trade, this might have been the best-case scenario (now out of the league).

Morgan Ensberg has been signed to what is likely a minor-league deal with an out clause if he doesn't make the big league roster (like Ron Villone). He'll play third base, DH, and first base. There's no risk, with some upside, so I like this trade. He hit .230, with 12 homers, 47 runs, and 39 RBI, last year for the Astros and Padres. His best year came in 2005, when he was an All-Star, Silver Slugger, and 4th-place MVP finisher, hitting .283, 36 home runs, 86 runs, and 101 RBI.


SUNS:
Rumor has it that Damon Stoudamire (a target for backup point guard) will instead sign with the Spurs - who happen to be the Suns opponent tonight.
Suns are still "not in rhythm" yet, but with the second-best record in the NBA, at 33-13, they seem good enough to me.

Preview:
The Suns won last game to the tune of 100-95. Big performances came from Tim Duncan (36 points, 17 rebounds) and Grant Hill (22 points, 7 rebounds). Tony Parker was injured last game, but is injured this game as well.

Tonight's 10:30 game will be a mix of Spurs defense and Suns offense.
Predictions:

Suns win 106-79.

Duncan is held to "only" 21 points and 12 rebounds.
Michael Finley will be his biggest "help" with 14 points.

Amare will run wild with 34 points, 16 rebounds, and 4 blocks - 2 on Duncan.
Nash and Marion will post 15-15 double-doubles in the obvious categories.
Grant Hill will be tried out in Manu's role (starter playing off the bench) and will produce Manu-like numbers - 25 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists. Why?
Boris Diaw is a new starter - 23 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists.

GO SUNS.

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Sorry

I've had an extremely busy week with mid-term exams and music concerts. I'll be back to regular posting within a week. If it means anything to you I got a 100 on my math midterm. The next highest in the class was 88.

Suns/Bucks Recap

The Suns bounce back from a dreadful loss to Utah with a 122-114 win over the Bucks. Interestingly enough, it's the longest active win streak against one team. Even though they were trailing by 7at the half, they pulled out a patented 3rd quarter blowout to get the win, scoring 17 more than the Bucks. It was a much-needed win and showed just how important Steve Nash is.

Player Performances:
Suns-

• Alando Tucker did have a big game, too bad it was in the D-League for the Albuquerque Thunderbirds, not in the NBA with the Phoenix Suns. He scored 33 points with 10 rebounds. He's torn up the D-League this season, averaging over 28 points and 7 rebounds.
• Marion kind of stunk. I guess his shoulder/elbow is still hurting. The 9 rebounds and 2 blocks were good, but the mere 5 points weren't.
  
• Barbosa had 12 points, 2 treys (threes), and a block.
• Raja was better with 13 points, 3 treys, 3 steals, and 4 blocks. He also had a game-high +19 +/- rating. Great defense. I've noticed that Grant Hill and Raja have consistently been to top +/- players. They're true winners. (?)
  
• Amare was great, especially in the first half, totaling 31 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks.
• D.J. didn't play and Skinner didn't shoot, but he did collect 3 rebounds.
• Diaw was the breakout player of the game with 21 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, and a block and a steal. And I recently dropped from my fantasy team. Maybe I should drop Grant Hill just for the heck of it. But Hill's ranked 30th in my league and Diaw wasn't top 150, so I think I'll keep him/
• Anyway, Steve Nash was the game MVP with a big night back from the stomach flu (as I so brilliantly predicted). His line was 35 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 for 4 foul shooting.

Bucks-

• Some Bucks were solid, too.
• Michael Redd put up 18 points.
• Villanueva, Bell, and Simmons each put up double digit points (10, 18, and 17, respectively).
• The loser's MVP was Andrew Bogut who (like every other decent center) played well with Amare "guarding" him. His final stats were 29 points and 11 rebounds.
  

Yankee News / Preview Suns and Bucks

No more Mike Cameron. He's apparently agreed to a deal for 1-year and less than $7 million with the Brewers. Melky's just fine.

The Cardinals and Blue Jays are nearing a swap of their third basemen Scott Rolen and Troy Glaus. The Blue Jays now get a great defensive third baseman who could rebound with the bat. A-Rod's better!

And more Santana stuff. Now the Yankees are out. Guess we'll never know until he's traded. But then, if he's traded somewhere else, maybe the Yankees are going to chase him there. Or if the Yankees get him, they just want to swing him away for more. Jeez.

Preview:
Bucks suck. Suns are fun? Not after two nights ago when the Suns got killed with three starters. The Bucks lost, too, but only by five to the Lakers. They have not played yet this season, but the Suns beat them twice last season. This time, the Suns will probably have Nash and Marion, but definitely not Hill. A Suns win 119-102.

Player Predictions -

• Nash will have big nights after sitting the Jazz game. Nash - 26 points, 14 assists - and Marion - 35 points, 18 rebounds, 4 blocks, 3 steals.
• Amare's as good as always with 27 points, 13 rebounds, and 3 blocks.
• 17 points for Bell and Barbosa, each with 2 threes.
• Strawberry again sets a career-high in points with 11, 2 steals, 4 assists, and 2 threes.
• Tucker gets extra time and produces with 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists.
• Skinner has a kind of weird line with 6 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 blocks.

And the Bucks -

• Redd shoots like crazy with 38 points.
• Bogut is pretty solid as well with 18 points and 12 rebounds.
• Mo Williams get 13 points and 8 assists.
  

Minor Moves and Recap

Yankees did indeed sign Jason Lane to a minor league deal. Ah well. There's no harm. He primarily played outfield, but did get in a few games at first base. By the way, I was incorrect in a previous post. While, Lane did play for the Astros last year, his most recent team was the Padres. Last year, he hit .175 with 8 home runs and a .599 OPS. Ouch.
His best year was 2005 when he hit .267 with 26 home runs and a .815 OPS.

The Yankees also have some interest in 35-year old former Gold Glove CF Mike Cameron, who was suspended for 25 games next year for amphetamines. A-Rod supports this decision. Does this mean Melky will be traded? If so, Cameron would be the best choice. He is still a very good fielder and a better hitter (for now) than Melky.
If Melky is traded, I don't want it for Santana. My interest in him wanes each day. Next year, Sabathia (who I like more) is a free agent, and there's the rumors of a Yu Darvish posting. Maybe Melky to Pittsburgh for Damaso Marte? That wouldn't be too bad; Marte is a great bullpen lefty. If we can add an extra prospect for Matt Capps, that would be sweet. But the Pirates already have a bunch of young outfielders and top prospect Andrew McCutchen.

I don't even want to go into the Suns/Jazz game very much. The Suns lost 108-86 without Grant Hill, Shawn Marion, and Steve Nash. I guess it kind of makes a difference when you lose two of your top 3 starting defenders (Marion and Hill, the other is Bell) and you offensive captain (Nash).

Performances:

• Barbosa scored 25 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals to take the loser's MVP.
  
• Amare got 21 points, 14 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block.
• D.J. Strawberry got to play scoring 8 points (3 of 6) with a trey (three-pointer) and the only positive +/- rating on the team (+4).
• As for Jazz:
• Kirilenko didn't play.
• Boozer had a below average game with 18 points, but only 1 rebound.
• Deron Williams had 17 points and 11 assists.
• Ronnie Brewer was solid with 21 points, 6 rebounds, and a game-high +24 +/- rating.
• The game MVP was Mehmet Okur with 22 points, 17 rebounds, and a block.

Absolutely disgusting.