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I may be alone here, but I think the Phoenix Suns made a good move trading Shawn Marion for an aging Shaquille O’Neal.
If I’m Pat Riley and running the Miami Heat, I’d also trade Shaq for Marion. This is one of the rare trades that makes perfect sense on both sides. I think Phoenix got the better part of the deal, for the short term.
First and foremost, Marion was going to leave Phoenix anyway once he became a free agent, so getting a player like Shaq is much better than losing him entirely. The Suns’ acquisition now gives them muscle, experience and a defensive-minded philosophy. All three are attributes crucial when winning titles that are synonymous with Shaq.
Phoenix has been a high-powered run-and-gun team that gets punched in the mouth every time they get in a tough playoff series. Nobody’s gonna punch the Diesel anywhere. Sure, in the long run, this trade could hurt Phoenix because Shaq has two years left — maybe.
Those who play fantasy basketball surely know Marion will continue to be an all-star caliber player for the next six years or so. Marion’s been the top ranked fantasy hoops player three years running.
Having said that, Shaq gives Phoenix a better chance to win an NBA title this year. Shouldn’t that be the bottom line? Professional sports are about winning, and Shaq has a history of doing so.
How do you think Tim Duncan reacted when he saw Shaq was traded to Phoenix and back in the Western Conference? I’m willing to bet he dropped an “f-bomb” or two. Shaq and new teammate Amare Stoudemire will give Duncan fits if the Suns and Spurs battle in the playoffs.
With teammates such as Stoudemire, Steve Nash and Grant Hill, Shaq, for the first time in his career, won’t have to carry the load, although he probably still will.
And don’t give me that stuff about Kobe Bryant or Dwayne Wade ever carrying Shaq, because that never happened. The fact of the matter is that Shaq’s sidekicks seemed to have a knack for winning and being in nationally televised spots promoting shoes when playing next to the “Big Aristotle.” After Shaq, different story.
I remember when people were calling Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway the “next Magic Johnson.” Hardaway, Shaq’s former sidekick in Orlando, had an oblivious career after Shaq bolted to the Lakers. I bet some people don’t even remember when “Penny” was a fixture at the all-star game or doing TV commercials for Reebok.
After being traded from L.A. to Miami, Shaq won his fourth ring during his second season in South Beach while former sidekick Kobe Bryant has failed to get his team past the first round of the playoffs since winning three titles playing next to Shaq.
I’m currently seeing Dwayne Wade struggle without the Diesel, too. Funny, huh? Though battling injuries, Wade suddenly looks like just another above-average player. In terms of fantasy basketball, Wade is the 82nd ranked player overall this season. That ranking is also due to the fact that Shaq has missed 14 games with injuries.
If I were Steve Kerr, the Phoenix Suns general manager, I’d make this trade, too. It gives Phoenix a better chance of winning a championship this season. Also, Nash is in his prime and may not play at this level too much longer. Now is the time if you’re Phoenix.
Marion is a great player, but Phoenix never advanced to the NBA Finals with him. Shaq lives in the Finals and he’ll be able to defend Tim Duncan in a crucial playoff series. Phoenix has no titles to show for anything. Maybe bringing in Shaq and changing the philosophy is a good thing albeit for the short term. Plus, we might get to watch a “Shaq vs. Kobe” playoff series.
Great short term move by Phoenix.
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