Shaq's over the hill but will help Suns
By petebaja
@petebaja (516)
Mexico
February 10, 2008 12:41am CST
The recent blockbuster trade which brought Shaq ONeal from Miami to Phoenix stirred a lot of controversy. Most people say that Shawn Marion is at his prime and Shaq is over the hill. They also say that Phoenix got a raw deal while Miami made out like a bandit.
Although there are some truths to those statements, there are also some pitfalls. Shaq may have past his prime, but he will still be a presence in the post for Phoenix. Fact of the matter is Phoenix has failed to reach the pinnacle of the NBA because they could not hang with opposing teams' big men. This is basketball and big men still rule the game. It doesn't matter how much older, slower or hurt Shaq is, he is still the Diesel. He is still 7 feet tall and is over 350 pounds. Now that's a force to deal with in the paint. Something the Suns haven't had during their last few post season campaigns.
If the Suns have failed to make the championships with the same core players for the past few years, why not shake it up? And who better to shake it up than the biggest Diesel money can buy. The Suns are gonna miss Marion's versatility, that's for sure. But if they couldn't win the big one with him, why not try a future hall of famer and a 4-time champion?
3 responses
@petebaja (516)
• Mexico
14 Feb 08
Well, they couldn't win one with Shawn Marion! That team relies too much on offense. While it's true that offense makes the game exciting, defense wins championships. Marion was a great player, great defender and, you're right, underrated. But he was no franchise player. He could not carry any team to the championships. Shaq has! Not once, not twice, but four times!
I agree with you that he is aged and slower, but, he is still a presence in the post and will give them some kind of defensive lift. Besides, the change of pace might do the Suns some good.
Also I heard that he will do for Amare what Jabbar is doing for Bynum of the Lakers. Mentor him. That may make this trade worthwhile in the long run.
@rggrace (12)
• United States
10 Feb 08
This is an interesting trade. Will Phoenix's game change, will Shaq make it past midcourt or will he play at the defensive end only? You are right Shaq is still a force in the paint and he is a change. As a Mavs fan I hope Donny will make a similar trade
@petebaja (516)
• Mexico
10 Feb 08
Phoenix will continue to be a run and shoot team. All Shaq is gonna do is get rebounds, block some shots and pass to start the fast break. And on those possessions when the game slows down to a half court offense, he is still an option for a high percentage field goal in the paint. If anything else, he could get double-teamed opening up another player for an uncontested jump shot or 3-pointer. That's got to be a plus for the Suns. Now they have 2 players in the post who merit a double team - Shaq and Amare. Those two are a nightmare to defend in the paint.
While Marion is a great player, he was never a go-to-guy in the post. He always picked up offensive rebounds and got easy shots, was good on the fast break and great perimeter shooter. He's a great defender and was always the type of shooter you'd set up. But on the post, he wasn't the opposing team coach's worst nightmare. Shaq and Amare will be.
As for the Mavericks (this suggestion might upset you), I think they should make a blockbuster trade involving Nowitzki. Before you lose your breakfast, listen up. They've had him for all these years and they've gotten within just a whisker from the championships. Yet they haven't won the big one. He hasn't been the second coming of the Messiah as Dallas hoped. His is the franchise player and has been adorned by some all stars. You can't complain, like Kobe did the last couple of years, that he was a lone star amongst mediocre players. He had Nash, Antoine Walker, Antwan Jamison, Nick Van Exel, Keith Van Horn and couldn't get there. He's got Josh Howard, Stackhouse, Devin Harris, Jason Terry, Eric Dampier, Diop and still couldn't finish.
If the Mavs can't win with him, they'll continue choking in the big games. Maybe a change of scenery for both will do the trick.
@zenmachado (1617)
• United States
10 Feb 08
Shaq is going to have a difficult time gaining his goals, if its true that he is so injured. I have no doubt that he can improve himself at least to the point where he can function ok with the team this season. But beyond the present, I dont believe he will be able to sustain his playing abilities. After this seasons the suns will begin to understand how bad a trade this truly was. They will be paying him 20 mil a year, to be a mediocre center... if he is able to continue playing at all.
If anything the brining in of shaq will at the very least liven up the franchise. It will increase sells and improve locker room moral. If there is one thing that Oneal still has in full force, is the ability to keep the humor at a high level.
@petebaja (516)
• Mexico
10 Feb 08
Shaq is definitely over the hill, he's got a million injuries and is mediocre now compared to 5 years ago. But you touched on some key points. He will increase the team's morale, confidence and belief in themselves. He will sell tickets - in the millions of dollars. All these facts alone, despite his possible weak performance, are worth the 20 mill his contract requires.
Like Jerry McGwire said, "Show me the Money!!!!"
