At some point on Wednesday afternoon, Phoenix Suns fans heard the news.
It must've spread through the Valley of the Sun like a rampant STD: Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks were being sent to the Miami Heat for Shaquille O’Neal. And I’m sure when the Suns faithful heard about the Daddy’s imminent arrival, they all threw up in their mouths a little bit.
You know, just enough to feel their esophagi burn.
Steve Kerr held a press conference, said some things, and explained the move...
But I didn’t hear anything that convinced me that this was a good idea for a team that aspires to play in the NBA Finals. If I learn later that some crazed fan had a room full of hostages and demanded the Suns pull the trigger on this deal; then all is forgiven.
But short of that, anyone who occupies a desk in the Suns’ front office should be run out of town for being a part of something so blatantly absurd.
The Phoenix Suns did not get better on Wednesday afternoon. They did not improve the chances of making the finals. They didn’t even get the better end of the players’ contracts.
What they did was admit to everyone that despite their place at the top of the Western Conference, they didn’t believe in the team they had, the offense they were running, or their chances at post-season greatness.
So they got older. And heavier. And slower.
They acquired an over-the-hill center with a bad hip. No word yet on whether or not Grandpa Shaq is going to need to get that thing replaced in the off-season. But if he does, I hear titanium is the way to go.
The Big Hip is not going to fit into the Suns run-and-gun style of play. And he’s not going to get up and down the floor. He couldn’t if he wanted to.
What he can do it clog the lane and make it much more difficult for two-time MVP Steve Nash to drive and dish and run the offense that the rest of the team was built around. And what's he going to do when he doesn't get enough touches to satisfy his Shaq-sized ego?
The Big Immobile is not going to provide a defensive presence and he’s not going to rebound. Not as well as they need him to anyway. How can he? He’s immobile.
Oh, don’t get me wrong, he’ll get in people’s way. But those people are athletic enough to go around him. And come playoff time, will Shaq significantly slow down Yao Ming, Tim Duncan, or even Andrew Bynum? It’s highly unlikely.
The Big Doormat is not going to be the cagey, old veteran who leads the Suns. Shaq only leads when his leadership is unquestioned and his authority absolute. He needs it to be “his” team. Just ask Penny and Kobe.
And this isn’t his team. It’s clearly Nash’s team and that’s the way it’s going to stay.
Without question, O’Neal’s a shoo-in, first-ballot Hall-of-Famer and one of the greatest centers to ever play the game. But his days are numbered. Superman can no longer leap tall centers in a single bound. Time is his kryptonite and it’s already devastated this superhero.
Over the years, Shaquille O’Neal has given himself hundreds of nicknames that start with the word “big.” But unfortunately, when it’s all said and done, the fans in Phoenix may grant him one more:
The Big Mistake.
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8 months ago
So what are you trying to say Dave? lol
The Suns could have accomplished the same thing with a lot less money committed and certainly less risk. Makes no sense. Had to be a knee jerk reaction to the Spurs loss and Pau going to Lakers.
One article, FoxSports, has D'antoni having to convince his players it will be a good deal.
Last night, Nash said this is 'just what we need'. What you didn't see, was the man off camera, pointing the gun at Nash as he read the cue card. ala, the old Soviet Union days.
Insightful and funny article as usual Dave.
8 months ago
I don't know if I necessarily agree. Marion has wanted out of Phoenix for years. They've been on the verge for a long time, and this could be the inside defensive presence they've been looking for to stop Duncan. They brought in a proven vet who's won it all for two different teams, and subtracted a whiney selfish street baller who's only in it for himself. The team that hurts is Miami, because Marion will most certainly opt out, and maybe I'm wrong, but Dwayne can opt out after this year as well, and with Shaq gone, there really is no promise of making it back to the promised land any time soon for the Heat.
from 8 months ago
Miami made out. They were a team going nowhere. They're still going nowhere, but at least they're out from under the $40 million they would've been paying Shaq to be fat.
from 8 months ago
That's Shaq from yesteryear. I have the NBA Pass and have seen Miami play. Seldom is Shaq playing, only 4 times since Dec 27. When he does, its not a pretty site. The same hip issue, will keep Shaq from playing for 1-2 weeks with PHX.
For what the Suns needed, they have way overextended themselves in a very high risk situation.
Phil Jackson said, "Shaq will be good to take the ball out of bounds and wait for the other team to bring the ball back." Implying rather strongly, that Shaq won't be able to stop players from scoring, which is the stated purpose to trade for him.
Jackson talked about players in decline at 36 and how they breakdown. Shaq started breaking down 2 years ago. Why would it be any different with the Suns and his history? Unless the Christ as their trainer, it won't happen.
This is a Big Time Risk, of that we all agree, except for the looney bin guy Nobles.
8 months ago
My first thought was that two months had past without my knowledge and this was an april fools joke. Shaq, the biggest, slowest, least mobile player in the world on the fastest, most run-and-gun team in years? Marions stats this year are way better than shaqs, theres huge doubts about if he will EVEN PLAY, not to mention one of Phoenixs great playoff weapons was there was no player with significant minutes who shot under 75% ft. In close games he could ruin them. Shaq is just a liability, even when he plays. I think I speak for everyone here in LA when I say "Thank you, phoenix".
8 months ago
[Taken from another Blog. Thought this was pretty good]
Shaq’s jersey is now on sale at suns.com…….
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p252/kneedragger714/shaq.png
I’ve got to get one of those….ha..ha..ha
8 months ago
The point I was trying to make was that the Heat seem to be making no attempt at wooing Wade into staying in Miami. Shaq took Dwayne under his wing and won them a championship. Now they have no presence in the middle and no reason for number 3 to stay. This is a move that will show its true colors come playoff time. Shaq at the very least brings defensive presence to the paint, one that will compete with the likes of Duncan, Yao, Bynum, something Amare, though quicker and more explosive, has not been able to do. The Suns lost a versitile shooter (one that doesn't play a lick of defense, but nonetheless can still take it to the paint when he has the ball), but that's the luxury of having a deep bench. Nash will quickly connect with his new aquisition, and we will once again see shades of one of the greatest centers in history, one that dominated the league for over a decade.
from 8 months ago
Against the Mavs in the Finals a couple years back, Shaq was often on the bench in the 4th quarter in favor of Zo. Why? Because Z was a better defensive player than Shaq. I don't believe Shaq's defensive is good enough to justify the "they're getting him for defense" angle on this trade. But I could be wrong.
8 months ago
This trade really doesn't look like it makes much sense from the outside looking in. Everyone I have heard speak on Kerr's behalf talks very highly of him and urge ppl to give him the benefit of doubt. Lets just say it should be interesting. Maybe Shaq getting moved will give him the motivation he needs to be a force again. Not to mention Shaq and Staudamire might be one hell of a force to reckon with down low. Honestly,Im a Cavs fan so I really don't care,but it def will be interesting to see how the move turns out.
8 months ago
I wrote a similar article on this a few hours ago, haha. Nice write-up.
8 months ago
I read that Marion was a chemistry problem...that would make a lot more sense as to why they made this trade...maybe Shaq will show up re-energized like he did whe he first got to Miami....it could happen
7 months ago
SHAQ IS A MISTAKE ..... So it was written ........so it shall be done GO SHAQUILLE and GO to the resting place for all old , has been , beaten' up centers . If you were an NFL player you would be an Oakland Raider.......where all Beaten' Up Used Up F*#@&! Up players wind up. That being said ...the window closed last year when Horry knocked Nash into the stands It's a shame ......so close
5 months ago
Not a mistake, he will show in time what hes worth.
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