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Sports InsiderBig Daddy Shaq Joins His Suns
February 7th 2008 01:14
Maybe you read the post on this site in December called Heat Could Be On Miami To Trade Shaq. One, odd at the time, suggestion was that Miami trade Shaquille O'Neal for Shawn Marion. Surprisingly it has happened. Miami finally figured out that they are in trouble and needed to make a big change, and the Suns decided that they have to do everything they can to win a title.
To Phoenix: Shaquille O'Neal
To Miami: Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks
Why Phoenix did it: If you look at the players they have had in the middle over the years the Suns have always been a bit short. Alvan Adams, Larry Nance, Amare Stoudemire, Oliver Miller, none of them were tall centers, although Miller brought the beef. The Suns in the past have talked, and talked, about trading for someone like Dikembe Mutombo but they never went through with it. They have finally acquired a franchise center, and that is a good thing. The Suns never had a chance in the playoffs because they were playing small-ball while the other teams, and their big centers, were built for playoff basketball. That has changed now, and with Shaq at center and Amare at power forward the Suns are now the big boys.
A lot of places are saying that Shaq doesn't fit with what the Suns do, but that is the reason why the trade is great for Phoenix. What the Suns were doing wasn't winning them titles, and they now bring in Shaq who has won a bunch of titles. In the past, as soon as Amare had a couple of fouls he had to go to the bench and all of Phoenix's inside offense went with him. With Shaq added, not only will Phoenix have a scorer in the paint on the floor all the time but they will be causing a lot of foul trouble for the teams that have to defend the two power dunkers.
Marion is not a big loss, as they have Hill and Diaw who can do a lot of the things that he did. Marion also wanted more money so the Suns were either going to overpay him again or watch him walk as a free agent. The Suns had previously signed Banks to a large free agent deal, they get away from that contract now too.
The Lakers added Gasol, so Phoenix went out and found someone bigger and nastier. Those two teams will battle to win their division, and Shaq will give the Suns the advantage and he will also scare a few people on the Lakers. When the Lakers traded away Shaq they sent him as far away as they could, now Shaq is back.
Why Miami did it: They are in last position, so things had to be changed around. Marion will either join Wade in a new, faster Miami team or he could be moved after the season, with a sign-and-trade or just as a free agent leaving and opening up cap-space for Miami.
Miami could undergo a very quick rebuild if Marion does leave as a free agent. The only big contracts they would have are Wade, Haslem and Blount. Jason Williams, Ricky Davis and Alonzo Mourning all have expiring contracts. The Heat next season could have Wade, Elton Brand and Roy Hibbert, or Wade, Gilbert Arenas and Michael Beasley.
Fantasy NBA Analysis:
In Miami, Blount is now their starting center and has some skills for fantasy leagues. Marion might start at small forward, with Haslem at power forward, but Marion will also play a bit of power forward too. This could be important as Marion's rebounding numbers seem to be better when he is at power forward. Not that it really matters because he will always bring in a variety of stats. The other Heat players might also improve their stats if the Heat decide to run all the time. Scoring 110 points, while giving up 120 points, would entertain the fans a bit as they play for the number 1 pick in the draft.
Things may not slow down a lot with Shaq in Phoenix, one part of starting the fast break is getting the defensive rebound and Shaq will help there. Shaq also can open up opportunities for outside shooters, so Nash, Bell and Barbosa will continue to accumulate 3-pointers.
To Phoenix: Shaquille O'Neal
To Miami: Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks
Why Phoenix did it: If you look at the players they have had in the middle over the years the Suns have always been a bit short. Alvan Adams, Larry Nance, Amare Stoudemire, Oliver Miller, none of them were tall centers, although Miller brought the beef. The Suns in the past have talked, and talked, about trading for someone like Dikembe Mutombo but they never went through with it. They have finally acquired a franchise center, and that is a good thing. The Suns never had a chance in the playoffs because they were playing small-ball while the other teams, and their big centers, were built for playoff basketball. That has changed now, and with Shaq at center and Amare at power forward the Suns are now the big boys.
A lot of places are saying that Shaq doesn't fit with what the Suns do, but that is the reason why the trade is great for Phoenix. What the Suns were doing wasn't winning them titles, and they now bring in Shaq who has won a bunch of titles. In the past, as soon as Amare had a couple of fouls he had to go to the bench and all of Phoenix's inside offense went with him. With Shaq added, not only will Phoenix have a scorer in the paint on the floor all the time but they will be causing a lot of foul trouble for the teams that have to defend the two power dunkers.
Marion is not a big loss, as they have Hill and Diaw who can do a lot of the things that he did. Marion also wanted more money so the Suns were either going to overpay him again or watch him walk as a free agent. The Suns had previously signed Banks to a large free agent deal, they get away from that contract now too.
The Lakers added Gasol, so Phoenix went out and found someone bigger and nastier. Those two teams will battle to win their division, and Shaq will give the Suns the advantage and he will also scare a few people on the Lakers. When the Lakers traded away Shaq they sent him as far away as they could, now Shaq is back.
Why Miami did it: They are in last position, so things had to be changed around. Marion will either join Wade in a new, faster Miami team or he could be moved after the season, with a sign-and-trade or just as a free agent leaving and opening up cap-space for Miami.
Miami could undergo a very quick rebuild if Marion does leave as a free agent. The only big contracts they would have are Wade, Haslem and Blount. Jason Williams, Ricky Davis and Alonzo Mourning all have expiring contracts. The Heat next season could have Wade, Elton Brand and Roy Hibbert, or Wade, Gilbert Arenas and Michael Beasley.
Fantasy NBA Analysis:
In Miami, Blount is now their starting center and has some skills for fantasy leagues. Marion might start at small forward, with Haslem at power forward, but Marion will also play a bit of power forward too. This could be important as Marion's rebounding numbers seem to be better when he is at power forward. Not that it really matters because he will always bring in a variety of stats. The other Heat players might also improve their stats if the Heat decide to run all the time. Scoring 110 points, while giving up 120 points, would entertain the fans a bit as they play for the number 1 pick in the draft.
Things may not slow down a lot with Shaq in Phoenix, one part of starting the fast break is getting the defensive rebound and Shaq will help there. Shaq also can open up opportunities for outside shooters, so Nash, Bell and Barbosa will continue to accumulate 3-pointers.
With Shaq, Phoenix will get what they wish for.
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