Shaquille O'Neal: Diesel in the Desert

The big man has come to Phoenix with a mission: to prove naysayers wrong and build on the already impressive legacy that is the Diesel.

With people all over the country questioning the Suns’ move and how it will affect the Heat in years to come, one thing is for certain: 

It's going to be sink or swim for both teams.

Both had interesting games on the eve of the biggest trade of the year.

Miami was competitive for the first time in over a month, against the Pistons of all teams.  They were down one with as little as three minutes left in the game, and the Heat ran the ball up and down the floor—mirroring the game about to start on the West Coast.  

Wade was just being Wade with 30 points and 12 assists, and Ricky Davis, whom Heat fan's have yet to see reach full potential, had 20 points on a night he shot over 60 percent from inside and outside the arc.

The Suns played in one of the most exciting games of the year.  Even without Shawn Marion, Stoudemire had 26 points and 20 boards to go along with Steve Nash's 32.  

It was a double overtime loss that could have gone either way, but for one unresolved factor: the Hornets out-rebounded the Suns 15-8 on the offensive boards.  Enter Shaq.

So how will these trades affect both teams in the future?

Miami obviously gets the 330-pound weight of $20 million a year off their back, while still getting a great player in Shawn Marion.  The second half of the season should be a trial period for Marion to see how he fits into Pat Riley’s "my way or the highway" system.  It’s quite probable that the Heat’s tenacious defense and hard work on and off the court will work well with Marion’s skills.  

Another factor no one has been speaking about at all is the acquisition of point guard Marcus Banks, who could replace the Heats overpaid, under-producing Jason Williams.  Don't be surprised to see the Heat go to a run and shoot two PF line up with Udonis Hasslem and Marion.  Both these large, physical PF can guard almost anyone.  

A lineup with D-Wade, Ricky Davis, Marion, a healthy Udonis Haslem, and their choice of point guards will be a great defensive team.

Everyone knows what the Suns get: the Diesel.  The former one-man show who used to break down rims was only portrayed better in NBA Jam.  He has the ability to demand two defenders and open things up for a great shooting Suns team. He gives them the piece they need to compete with the machine of Duncan, Ming, and Gasol.  

The flip side is that Shaq has averaged only 28 minutes a game over the last two seasons, and Phoenix gave up a large power forward that was giving them a solid 38 a night.  To make it work, Phoenix is going to have to learn to play two different games: when Shaq is on the floor, and when he is off.

But here’s a better question: Who benefits more from the trade now, and who benefits more from the trade one year from now?