The Phoenix Shaq-speriment
February 7, 2008 – 3:08 pmWhen I first heard the Phoenix Suns were making a bid for Shaquille O’Neal, I dismissed it as crazy speculation. It turns out the rumored deal was as official as a referee with a whistle, and the trade went through: Shaq to the Suns with Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks switching to a swanky new Miami zip code. On paper, it looks like the run-and-gun Suns significantly slowed themselves down by adding a diesel 18-wheeler to their nimble, sports car mix. Will their experiment pay off?
Part of me wonders whether the Suns saw the shrewd pick up of Pau Gasol the Los Angeles Basketball Lakers made earlier this week and thought, “Suns, we should really make a blockbuster trade to shake things up like the Lake Show just did. Let’s get Shaq Daddy.” Logically, they must be thinking that their big-man match-up problems with teams like the San Antonio Spurs and the Lakers are their biggest problem. If not, why make a move to change the entire dynamic of a team, that as of early February, has the best record in the Western Conference?
I think he just ate a whole box of Sour Jacks at once. No big deal.
Here’s the real question. What percentage of the possessions will Shaq get a defensive board, outlet to Steve Nash, and then just stand there watching the fast break? I’m going to take a conservative guess and say 88%. So, the big fella will probably get a lot of rest even when he’s in the game. Which is good for his future because he’s been more broken down than Britney’s music career lately. Maybe a little rest is all he needs.
My prediction? If Suns coach Mike D’Antoni can maximize Shaq’s strengths (low-post offense and defense) while minimizing his detraction from their current “let’s get a shot off in seven seconds or less” offensive system, he’ll look like a genius. Shaq will definitely help them match up better with guys like Tim Duncan and Andrew Bynum, but at what expense? I think that over the next two seasons, the Phoenix fans will look back on this acquisition with disdain. Who knows, maybe Nash and Co. will get hot in the playoffs and prove me wrong. How do you think things will turn out in Arizona?
– Note: Image courtesy of the Internet –
Tags: basketball, i wonder how many houses shaq has, lakers, shaq, suns
3 Responses to “The Phoenix Shaq-speriment”
I am not a Shawn Marion fan; I think that he is really overrated. However, Shaq has slowed down and broken down quite a bit; he also is in the twilight of his career. I think that if this deal doesn’t help them win a championship this year or perhaps next, it was a bad deal for Phoenix.
One the flip side, I think that it was a good deal for Miami. Even though they won a championship a couple years ago, they are obviously in a time of rebuilding. Unloading an old, slow, and often injured Shaq was a smart move.
By Naf on Feb 19, 2008
NAF, I’m with ya. Marion was made way better by the White Chocolate that is Steve Nash. He’s a crazy athlete, but just watch him take a jump shot. Seriously, he looks like a cross between a fourth grade girl and a two-handed Olympic shot putter. In case you were wondering, that was not a compliment.
That being said, I think it was a good deal for Miami as well. If they can make some good moves this summer in the free agent market and draft, they’ll be poised to rise back to the top of the crap pile that is the Eastern Conference.
By Chuck on Feb 19, 2008