By Craig Kwasniewski
So the most far-fetched trade rumor of the season looks like it's a reality, Shaquille O'Neal has been traded to Phoenix for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks.
CAN YOU DIG IT!
Actually, I think the Heat, Spurs, Mavs, Jazz and Lakers all dig it!
So instead of breaking down the trade and predicting the obvious ("Trail... trail... trail!!!!! Yo Steve... I'm always open on the trail!"), let's try to peak into the minds of the Slugs Suns front office. Here are a few reasons why Phoenix traded for Shaq:
1. The NBA Finals Fact: Every year since the 1999 season, either Shaquille O'Neal or Tim Duncan have played in the NBA Finals. With the Spurs incapable of ever going back-to-back, the Suns must be thinking that it's Shaq's turn to make it there.
2. Steve Kerr pulling a McHale: What better way to reward your former team and former head coaches that to eliminate one of their stiffest competitors. With the Suns fastbreak, fullcourt, open style of play virtually dead (along with their playoff chances), both the Spurs (Kerr won 2 titles there) and the Lakers (Kerr won 3 titles with Phil Jackson) obviously benefit with this deal.
3. Suns Owner is Trying to Expand on the Suns-Lakers Rivalry: If you ever read "7 Seconds" (or the upcoming sequel "23 Seconds") you'd read just how much the Suns owner Robert Sarver despises the Lakers and Kobe Bryant. What better way to stick it to them than by acquiring Shaq! The only problem is Shaq's clearly on the downside of his once illustrious career. In fact, his divorce is really all that's keeping him from retiring these days.
4. Ship Marion shipped to the worst team and the worst coach in the NBA: Here's one to consider... so Marion's been bitching about respect and wanting to be traded all season? Fine... the we'll send you to Pat Riley's ego, Ricky Davis's stat-hawking, no-playoff having, no-fanbase having, broken D-Wade playing Miami Heat. Even if Shaq's not playing much this year, the Suns can move Boris Diaw to Marion's spot on the floor and run its way to 55 wins. But Shawn Marion will be stuck in lottery hell with Pat Riley blaming everyone but himself.
5. Wait till next year: And lastly, maybe the Suns have written off this year as title contenders and are hoping Shaq can go on one last revenge tour (remember how much in shape he was in 2004-05?). So shut down the big fella and put him on one huge training and diet regimen for the 2008-09 season for one last hurrah. Nash is at the end of his prime, but mix him with a healthy and motivated Shaq with a full season ahead of him and you never know. Maybe there's still one last run in him and maybe next year is the year.
At least that's what the Suns are thinking... Until then,
CAN YOU DIG MY SUITS!!!!!!!!!
LOL!! U nailed it Craig. THERE GONNA BE ANOTHER BANNER HANGING HERE IN LA SOON! Just give it 2 us now and save yrselfs some embarassment!
SPURS- old and busted
SUNS- suck, always have
WARRIORS- a joke team with fake fans
CLIPPERS- LOLL!
LAKERS- the greatest EVER
KObe- GREATEST NBA PLAYER EVER, no question
GASOLL- greatest big man in LAKER HISTORY!!!
WE GOT THIS SUCKER LocCKED up suck it all the rest!!
U RULE CRAIG! FInally a blogger that gets it!!@!
Posted by: Marcus | February 06, 2008 at 10:00 AM