Shaq Traded to the Phoenix Suns!

February 7, 2008

As early as Tuesday, February 5, there have been rumors that Shaquille O’Neal is on the trading mill; possibly with the Phoenix Suns for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks. I did not believe it and dismiss it as just pure hearsay taking note of what Pat Riley said that he will never trade Shaq even if the Miami Heat has currently lost 19 of its last 20 games, has the NBA’s worst record and is on the verge of missing the playoffs just 2 years after its championship run.

 

It was this morning when I browsed NBA’s website when I was totally shocked! I did not really expect that Shaq would be traded! I mean, even if he is still recovering from injury, he is expected to be back to the Miami Heat’s lineup after the All-Star break and help the team make its final push to make the playoffs. But then again, I realized that Pat Riley is in dire need to make his team better. Obviously, he thinks Big Daddy is a huge liability to the team and he has to unload the BIG man along with his BIG $40 million contract and get something in return. (He did get Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks).

 

Shaq is always proud. With his Hall of Fame career nearing its end, he doesn’t want to bow down low. He wants to exit with grace and head up high. He has always been the “Center  of Attention” in the NBA ever since he entered the league in 1992.

 

O’Neal entered this season talking about how he wanted to win at least one more title, saying his “legacy” wouldn’t be complete unless he left the game with at least five rings. He can’t get that with the dysfunctional Heat! I think even if he stayed until 2010 where his contract ends. This year with the Suns is his best chance to do that!

 

After all, the Suns entered Tuesday with a 1 1/2-game lead over New Orleans and Dallas in the race for the best record in the Western Conference. The team is a lock to enter the playoffs and it is by that time that Shaq’s worth will be truly appreciated. Diesel might finally be the final piece of the puzzle that the Suns is looking for. Even if he is not healthy enough to play all of the remaining games in the season, he will surely contribute in the postseason. The front line of Shaq at center and Amare Stoudemire at power forward will be a matchup nightmare for the Suns’ possible Western Conference enemies, Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs and Utah Jazz.

 

Shaq thrives when he is doubted. After the initial shock of being traded, I think he will consider this as a big challenge. Many dubbed the trade as being ridiculous and questioned the Big Aristotle’s impact to the Phoenix Suns what with his injury and aging body and declining skills and all showing clearly this season. After seeing a TV poll that showed that 71 percent of the country thought that the Suns were mistaken in acquiring him, O’Neal told the Suns front office he was angered by the criticism. Then he followed it up by saying:

 

But I play my best when I am angry.

 

He knows that this could be his last hurrah. His last chance to stick it to everyone who thinks the trade is a terrible idea and he is just a hulking shell of his former dominant self.

 

 

In today’s Suns game against the New Orleans Hornets (which they lost BTW), O’Neal watched from a suite at US Airways Center. When he was introduced on the big screen to a loud standing ovation, he smiled, stood up and pointed to his championship ring, then gave a thumbs up. The crowd went crazy.

 

Phoenix Suns Head Coach Mike D’Antoni said:

 

A lot of you guys (media) don’t think he has enough gas in the tank. But I think you’re wrong.

 

Phoenix Suns point guard, two-time MVP Steve Nash said:

 

I know there are a lot of varying opinions and a lot of people’s perception of Shaq may not be where it should, but if you look at all of the areas we are not good in, he adds a lot to those areas.

 

He’s an experienced champion, he’s got the size we always lacked, he can defend the post, he can rebound and he can block some shots. He fills those holes for us and it’s a great opportunity for us to have a type of player we’ve never had.

 

I say:

 

Go big man! Show them that you still have what it takes to win!

 

(I think I’m really a die-hard fan. Yes, I’m now a Phoenix Suns fan as well.

 Note: Shaq, Big Daddy, Diesel and Big Aristotle all pertain to Shaquille O’Neal).

 

 

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