Megadeal that sent Shaq Daddy to the Valley of the Sun could be a big success

SCOTT JACOBS

I get the critics. And the crickets that are all coming out following Phoenix’s stunning blockbuster trade that landed the old, out of shape, and out of gas Diesel for the young, quick, fresh legged Shawn Marion and a point guard in Marcus Banks that was a disaster from the get go. I get that. I was one of them, mortified at the idea of the Suns trading in their high wire circus act for a lumbering 7 foot, size 23 mammoth.

But I’ve warmed up to the idea, giving it considerable thought after sifting through tons, and I mean tons of articles and columns, not to mention videos on the trade and what it all means. My reaction after keeping an open mind to what originally seemed like a terrible deal: I get it. I do. Hide the kids from the computer screen, cause I’m going in and taking on a world of doubters who see no logic in this deal whatsoever. But like Phoenix’s core, my opinion has the right to change to. And I’m not running for President so I can change my mind as many times as I want and not end up on CNN or Fox News.

But back to the story that is Shaq to the Suns. Planet Orange just acquired it’s biggest citizen and potentially the last piece of the puzzle to that championship dream that has plagued the Suns for over 40 years. Shaq is old, injury prone (already missed 14 games this year), and his bank shot (well, have you seen it lately?) isn’t exactly going to end up in the Smithsonian. But here’s the thing: this isn’t about that.

After listening carefully to Mike D’Antoni and Steve Kerr, along with many other basketball minds, this trade isn’t about that. They’re bringing in Shaq for toughness. As an avid Suns fan, who has followed the team passionately for years (even before the Nash Era) I’ve seen that this team always comes so close, yet so far.

In 2005 when they had the best record in the NBA Joe Johnson’s eye got messed up in the Western Finals, and so were Phoenix’s chances. They lost 4 games to 1. In 2006 the Suns got all the way to the Western Conference Finals again, this time coming up a sliver short without Amare Stoudemire. In 2007, they lost that epic series to the Spurs 4 games to 2, but never really had their fair shot because of suspensions that had nothing to do with the game. I’m not making excuses, merely pointing out that maybe the Suns felt cursed.

Every time it looked like they were good to go some freak injury or whacky suspension (see Steve Nash’s bizarre broken nose in game 1 against the Spurs last year) curtailed their season. Every time they got close they couldn’t grab that crucial board or go man to man with some of the top big guys in the west. The Suns played small ball better then anyone (still probably do, even after this trade), but what they saw in Shaq was someone who could be a temporary solution.

Shaq is not an all world defender by any means, but he can clog some of those massive holes that Tony Parker, Deron Williams, and other western superstars drove right through. Now, Tim Duncan doesn’t just land on free parking every time he gets the ball down low. He will have someone there to contest him.

Like the trade or not, it doesn’t mean a change in strategy per say. It really means Phoenix can play both ways. Last week when they lost to the Spurs in a defensive struggle they could not get rebounds to save their life. Every playoff series the last 3 years the Suns were eaten alive on the boards and that took its toll. The Suns were unable to initiate their fast breaks to the same sort of success and then their reliance on the 3 pointer would go in and out.

Shaq is no savior. I’m not proclaiming that. But I do get this trade. And then there’s this. How do you make a player better? Surround him with shooters and a wizard at the point guard position. Slot him across from a freakishly good athlete in Amare and let things fall as they may.

What people continue to see is Shaq can’t run the break. No, he can’t. But he can initiate it. And in the half court set, he can either post up and turn to the basket or dish it out to his three point dynamos. In Miami he disappeared (along with the rest of that team) because they had no shooters. None. Jason Kapono left for Toronto, James Posey saw Boston as his choice, and Eddie Jones left for Dallas.

With the Suns, Shaq has Nash, Raja Bell, Leandro Barbosa, even Grant Hill to dump it off to for a killer three. As for Amare, think about all the open looks he should be getting. Shaq is a good passer and Amare is good at finding the basketball. Yeah, the pick and roll may look like blob and roll at first, but Phoenix will have it’s shot to get it right. And D’Antoni is a brilliant offensive mind who will put the pieces together and find the right fit.

And here’s another thing: One for the thumb. Shaq was in the pits of basketball nation with Miami this year. But now he’s got another shot to grab a fifth title. Phoenix trainers have worked the miracle that is Amare back to stardom even after micro-fracture knee surgery, so I’ve got a hunch they can come up with something for Shaq.

This is all prevalent on Shaq’s health, which I think will be there come playoff time. Yes, he lost a step or two, but he also lost his fight and his motivation with Miami. After he won them a title things only faded from there. So there’s that.

And there’s also this. Phoenix finally got rid of Banks contract. A huge flop with the Suns Banks now his chance to spread his wings elsewhere.

As Steve Kerr said, “I’m either a genius or a moron.”

At first I thought he was a moron. Now, well now I’m ready to just wait and see. This can work. Phoenix can win the west. Yes they’re old and brittle, but its now or never with Nash now 34 years young. This is that final push. The high flying Suns aren’t done, they’re simply revamped and reloaded, and there’s a new sheriff in town.

His name is Shaquille, and he CAN help bring a ring to Planet Orange. Whether he will or not, well that’s a great reason to stay tuned. The NBA just got a whole lot more interesting.

Pass the popcorn.

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