suns rumors

[mark at 10thumbs.org]

I too am starting to warm to this idea, and not just b/c i don't want
Steve to hyperventilate.

While it sounds like Gasol might still be an option (reports have him
intimating he may renew his request to be moved) -- and IMO a better one
if for no other reason than he's 3 years younger than Marion -- I'm
starting to agree that Marion would be a good addition to this team.  I'd
sure as hell like to keep West and Allen though. Call me sentimental but
i've grown attached to #13 and #42.

some things to consider if a move for Marion was made:

-- if Marion plays the 3, can Pierce play the 2 consistently? esp. on the
defensive end?  or does Marion draw the harder of the 2/3 assignments?

-- if Marion played the 4 can Jefferson handle the 5 consistently? would
Doc be savy enough to tailor lineups based on matchups? (i.e. Perk against
the likes of Shaq and Oden, Big Al against most other 5's?)

-- could/would Wally be able to handle being a 6th man? I'd most like to
see a Rondo/Pierce/Marion/Jefferson/perkins lineup with West, Wally, Gomes
and Allen off the bench.


(the other) mark -- coming around.

---------------
Must ... not ... hyperventilate ...

So basically, anyone that any team would want to trade to us must be
damaged goods because his team is looking to "jettison" him?  The Suns
don't want to go over the luxury tax, and understandably they prefer to
keep Nash and Stoudamire.

I guess it must be the 29-year-old, four-time all-star who is being
overrated. The guy who has been in the top ten in rebounding AND steals
for six years running. The one averaging 18.6 ppg, despite almost never
having a play run for him, who shoots over 50 percent from the field, 80
percent from the line.

I don't pretend to understand all of the advanced metrics, but Marion's
been in the top five of Player Wins four of the last five years, top five
in Defensive Win Shares four of the last five years, and in the Top 50 all
time in Player Efficiency.

I must be nuts for not seeing how Corey Brewer is better.

I honestly don't understand. A month ago, it was Oden/Durant or ... oh
crap. Now, suddenly, the fifth pick in the draft has become a treasure of
unspeakable value. Is this some kind of defense mechanism that hasn't
kicked in for me?

Sorry for being cranky.

Steve O