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Written by MSUJSCHOOL04
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Thursday, 07 February 2008 |
Nobody saw this coming.
Former Los Angeles Laker Shaquille O'Neal was supposed to ride out the
back end of his career when he was dealt to the Miami Heat following
the Lakers' loss to the Detroit Pistons in the 2004 NBA Finals.
But it happened.
O'Neal on Wednesday passed a physical that makes him a member of the
team L.A. has faced, and failed to beat, in the last two playoffs - the
Suns. Phoenix shipped disgruntled forward Shawn Marion and
disappointing point guard Marcus Banks to Miami in the deal.
It's a deal that works for both teams in the short- and long-term.
Although it's a but puzzling since Phoenix has been known to dump
contracts and it's taking on the remaining two years and $40 million on
O'Neal's deal.
Even so, Phoenix gets someone it can play alongside Amare Stoudamire
come playoff time, freeing S.T.A.T. up to guard,  and be guarded by, the
opposition's second-best post player. The move also gives Phoenix
something it hasn't had since coach Marc D'Antoni took over - a
legitimate post defender.
Stoudamire has performed admirably in the last few postseasons,
including putting in about 37 points a night against San Antonio in the
2005 Western Conference Finals. But leaving him to guard the likes of
Tim Duncan has presented some problems - most notably, Stoudamire
having to spend time on the bench because of foul trouble. Sure, Kurt
Thomas provided solid defense during his time in Phoenix, but he
doesn't bring to the table was O'Neal does.
Shaq turns 36 next month. He missed his last six games as a member of
the Miami Heat with a hip injury that will keep him sidelined until
later this month. And, he's averaging career 14.2 ppg and 7.8 rpg,
marking the fourth-straight years his stats have taken a dip.
But he's still Shaq. Shaq Diesel. His weight has come down somewhat -
he's at 312 pounds - and he doesn't have to be The Man like he has been
for the majority of his 15-year career. O'Neal will be the third option
in Phoenix, behind Stoudamire and point guard Steve Nash. He'll most
likely be asked to play no more than 25-28 minutes a night. He'll get
the ball in good spots to score, as Nash will be the best point guard
Shaq has ever played with.
And on the question of will he slow down the Phoenix break: everything
slows down in the playoffs, which will give Phoenix ample opportunity
to use Shaq in its half court sets. It may hurt their playoff seed, but
Phoenix could use the remainder of the regular season to work Shaq in
and see just how different, if at all, the team's offense will be come
spring. Plus, the way Phoenix's "Seven Seconds or Less" offense runs,
all O'Neal has to do is rebound and throw outlet passes to Nash. 
For the Heat, this could set them up long term.
This is already a lost season for Miami, as Wednedsday's loss to
Detroit dropped the team to 9-38 and was the Heat's 20th loss in 21
contests.
It's been said that Marion was upset with being the third option in
Phoenix. Maybe he'll be more receptive to being a No. 2, since Dwayne
Wade will occupy the top spot as long as he's in South Beach. Marion
will get his shots, it just won't be as east without Nash. If The
Matrix wants to be The Man, he can opt out this summer, as he has the
early termination option in his contract.
Sadly, Miami is only 10 games out of the last playoff spot in the East
with 35 games to play. But let's say Miami keeps its snail's pace and
finishes with the worst record in the League. The Heat could go into
next season with Memphis freshman Derrick Rose as their starting point
guard, or Kansas State freshman Michael Beasley at small forward.
This year's free agent class is plentiful, as well. Miami could
possibly lure a number of solid players from their current teams who
could serve as running mates for Wade.
The Heat could draw Luol Deng away from Chicago, Emeka Okafor from
Charlotte, Elton Brand from the Clippers or Andre Iguodala from the
Sixers. Gilbert Arenas is a possibility, as well, but Agent Zero wants
a max deal, which could hamper any potential deal to Miami.
O'Neal accomplished what he wanted to do with the Heat. He brought the
team a title in his second season in Miami. Now he wants to do the same
in Phoenix. It's almost like Shaq has become a hired gun who's brought
in for a title run and then sent on his way.
For Phoenix's sake, I hope Shaq still has some bullets in the chamber.
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