Quite an ironic scenario played out yesterday on Fat Tuesday. Not only was there a huge NBA trade announced but the major piece in the deal is none other than Shaquille O'Neal (aka The Daddy, Diesel). Certainly not known for his off-season workouts, Shaq has been ridiculed in recent years (like the past SIX) for being out of shape. Surprising huh? Especially considering his show, Shaq's Big Challenge is a call to action for overweight kids needing to workout. It really is not a laughing matter. But it is the definition of ironic.
What you get with Shaq (other than his HUGE contract) is a lovable big man that endears himself to the community and all its fans. There is no question his game has dropped this season (point to injuries and mileage). But you have to believe that as an owner you get more than just one of NBA's Top 50 players. You get all those intangibles. And if he can transition into the role of shot blocker/rebounder anchoring a questionable Suns Defense, then maybe this trade is NOT such a bad move. Shawn Marion wanted out of Phoenix anyways, and honestly how hard is it to find an athletic slasher type to catch money passes from Nash and dunk the ball. His numbers will decrease drastically moving to the Heat.
Much like Super Tuesday Exit Polls, the presumption that this trade is BAD for the Suns is just that; presumptuous. Yes the Suns have a great record and yes they . BUT the key statistic to remember is that the Suns want to win an NBA Title. NOT the Regular Season. They were going to have trouble getting past lots of teams in the West in a 7 game series. This trade is solely based on that fact. Will Shaq make the difference? I guess we will just have to wait and see. My money is on the big fella.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Fat Tuesday Strikes Again
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4 comments:
Shaq will help the Suns, but he won't be able to stop the Lakers. He will slow down their fast moving offense and clog up the middle.
It will be fun to see the battles between the Suns and Lakers. Makes the intensity even greater.
One thing to consider - Shaq's vengeance/retribution factor against the Lakers. I bet that he still harbors a lot of hate for Kobe and the Lakers for failing to sign him for $80M abd then trading him. Nothing tougher than a scorned fat 300+ pound Shaq.
Great comments fellas. Never underestimate the anger of a 350 pound dude scorned. I believe this trade will certainly create added flavor to the already spicy Lakers v Suns rivalry. They play each other in a couple weeks btw. Good times ahead.
I disagree with your theory that he will help the Suns be successful in the playoffs. Shaq, at 36, will not be able to run with this team. He will be the anchor that holds this racing schooner prisoner to the ocean floor. I mean, even in his heyday he was not a gazelle loping up and down the court. Now he’s just a beaten down, worn out, old, big man at the end of his career. I don’t even get the sense that he has enough resentment left in him to get fired up for the Lakers or to challenge his critics. Not only that, but he has never been a defensive presence, even when he was at the peak of his physical powers. His career high for rebounding in a season was 13.8 back in the ’92-’93 season (his rookie year). His career high average for block shots in a season was 3.5 also in ’92-’93. Considering he has not come close to those numbers since that time, except for his career year in ’99-’00, when he averaged 13.7 rpg and 3 bpg, it cannot be said that he is going to provide any substantial benefit on the defensive side of the floor. His last three years have seen a dramatic drop off in those areas: ’05-’06 = 9.2 rpg and 1.8 bpg, ’06-’07 = 7.4 and 1.4, and ’07-’08 = 7.8 and 1.7. He is well past his glory days and even then those old time numbers were not eye-popping, which is sad considering how talented and freakish the guy was in his prime. The Suns had to unload Marion who was a sad-sack in the locker-room and was going to demand a max-deal in the off-season, but they could have gotten someone better suited for their style of play and who could do all of the things they need (defense, rebounding). This deal will kill the Suns and end their stylized run to a championship. Not that I care, I hate them and their whiny ways. D’Antoni cries more than Kate when her Uncle Bob holds her, and that is saying something.
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