Shaq in the Sun

Well I haven't blogged since arguing against the notion of trading Shawn Marion.

When I heard that the Suns had traded Shawn and Marcus Banks for Shaq, I was stunned as I think many Suns fans were. My original reaction was based on how valuable I think Shawn is as a player (as pointed out in my previous post), and how ineffective I thought Shaq was at this stage of his career.

I have been playing in a NBA fantasy league this season and I have seen Shaq's value greatly reduced from past seasons. I had also known that he had been hurt this season a couple of times.

As I continued to read the reaction from pundits around the league and statements from the Suns, I began to see the potential.

Here is a list of the positives from the trade, in no particular order:

• Shawn Marion can opt out of his contract after this season. I suspect that he would have, and would have left the Suns anyway with no compensation for the Suns.
• The trade will re-energize the Suns for this season. Despite having the best record in the West, they seem to be covered by a ho-hum cloud. My theory is that beyond any potential locker-room friction, they have come to realize that the real season doesn't start until the playoffs. For the previous 3 seasons they had strong reasons to be motivated during the regular season:
  
• 04-05 was Nash's first season and coming off a losing season,
  
• 05-06 they lost Amare with the knee surgery and the conclusion was that the Suns would have a poor year,
  
• 06-07 they finally had everyone together and it was their year to win it all.
• Shaq has also been in the league long enough to know that the season is just another pre-season. Shaq knows when to bring the intensity, and should be motivated in the playoffs (especially against the arch-rival Lakers).
• We were more loaded at the position that Shawn plays, than at the Center position that Shaq plays.
  
• Shaq will allow the Suns to not have to double team nearly as much defensively. This will allow the other Suns to come from the weak side for more blocks (especially Amare).
• Shaq will give the Suns an additional offensive weapon to keep it rolling. With Shaq we now have a legit post-up threat. Marion is brilliant in playing without the basketball, on defense, rebounding, and moving without the ball but it does not seem that he is able to generate his own offense.
• A lineup of Shaq, Amare, Hill, Bell, and Nash seems formidable on paper, with a bench of LB and Diaw. With this line up, you have 2 of the most intimidating post players in the league. In Hill you have a solid small forward on both offense and defense. In Bell you have as good as 3pt threat and defender as you will find at the SG position. In Nash you have the 2 time MVP and one of the best PG to ever play the game. In LB you have one of the most exciting players and reigning 6th man. In Diaw, you have a remarkable potential who may yet make his mark on the league (who can guard Diaw?).
• Shaq will be especially motivated to prove all his doubters and naysayers wrong. Look out...
• Who can back Shaq down in the lane? When Amare was playing at the center, opposing post players would routinely put him at a disadvantage posting him too close to the basket to prevent an easy score. As good of a defender as Marion and Diaw are, they likewise would get physically out matched. I don't think there will be anyone to physically out match Shaq. The best the opposing team will be able to do is to try to outrun him to the basket (which the Suns would like to keep the tempo up) or try to get him in foul trouble.
• The Suns have a tremendous medical/training staff who have helped a lot of players with their medical problems. This suggests that Shaq's health issues may not end up being nearly as bad as many expect.
• It doesn't take 5 people to run a fast break, but it usually takes a good rebound to do it. Like Kurt Thomas last year, Shaq should help in getting rebounds or blocking the opposing team from getting the rebound. At that point, the rest of the Suns can continue to streak down the court for easy baskets. It may be that Shaq will be able to rest more playing that way then always having to hustle down the court to work a post up play.
• Shaq waiting in the paint protecting the basket will help the overall team defense.
  

To be fair, the negatives are those that many have pointed out, namely, that Shaq is on the downside of his career, Shaq is a terrible free throw shooter, we also had to give up Banks (has is certainly skilled enough to play in this league) and that Shawn Marion is an incredible versatile player. The Suns will miss Shawn's energy on the both the defensive and offensive glass. The will also miss his ability to lock down the opponents best player. This will be mitigated at least some by Shaq's ability to protect the basket and force the other team to beat their man and Shaq to get an easy basket.

How will it turn out? Only God knows.

If Shaq remains healthy and everyone stays motivated to make this work, I suspect the Suns may have just helped themselves to a championship.

Still I will miss Shawn, unconventional shot and all.