Help Wanted: explaining the Shaq trade
One day it’ll all make sense… maybe?
Twenty four hours ago, Mutoni sent an email explaining that he had the Shaq pending physical story ready to go, and could someone else just flick a switch if the trade went through. That was when it hit me that this thing wasn’t Jimmy McNulty’s fake serial killer story. This was real. There is an ancient Chinese proverb “May you live in interesting times.” Happy Chinese New Year everyone! And yeah, we are living in interesting times.
Greatest Super Bowl ever, Eli Manning on David Letterman, Super Tuesday with a woman and black man as co-front runners in a major political party, Bob Knight suddenly quitting, Tyler Hansbrough passing Michael Jordan on the UNC scoring list, Phoenix and New Orleans going to double OT hours after the trade was finalized…
INTERESTING TIMES!
The Shaq-Marion (Banks) trade for me is like they day after a new episode of LOST. I think I understand it abstractly, but I’m also more confused than ever. Shawn Marion must have been whining even more than we were allowed to know. The Suns wanted more diversity of position type, instead of having 10 guys who can drain threes and explode up and down the court. Amare wanted to go back to being a PF, since in the West he should have to match up with Duncan, Dirk, Gasol, the big-time scorers from the front court. Not Camby or Chandler or Dampier or Oberto. I don’t know if I believe what I’m writing, just trying to rationalize.
So Shaq can slide into the spot taken up by Western Conference brutes. For most of NBA history, the blueprint seemed to be to get an elite center to build around, then team him up with a rugged forward to do the dirty work. Now it’s the other way. Get a superstar PF, and have the center do the dirty work. So Amare gets to be the front court star, and Shaq is his goon. Shaq is to Amare what Horace Grant or A.C. Green was to younger Shaq. Very interesting development.
As for Shawn Marion, he makes $17 million, he can opt out at the end of the season, and he’s the bargain in the deal. Miami could save a lot of money after spending to grab a quick title. Reminds me of that other great Florida team, the Marlins. Two rings and two fire sales in less than a ten year window.
Okay, Holly will have lots to get to today if she hasn’t already. Double OT with a buzzer beater, Dirk’s triple double, the new-look Lakers losing to the Hawks!
If anyone can fill in more details and reasoning from the Phoenix side, I’d love to hear it. I watched Steve Kerr and Mike D’Antoni explain how this will motivate Shaq to get back into shape, to get healthy, to prove all the pundits wrong… I dunno man, I remember Michael Jackson once gave a speech at an awards show in the late 90’s, after History had already been out. The money quote was “You ain’t seen nothing yet.” I found that funny because he was the world’s biggest superstar for much of the past 30 years, and now he’s saying there’s more to come? Oh, there was more alright… no comment. Good luck Shaquille! Hit that gym hard. I had a veggie burger and asparagus for lunch yesterday. Highly recommended.
By the way, that Chinese Proverb might be a curse.
54 Responses to “Help Wanted: explaining the Shaq trade”
Feb.7 at 9:54 am
Tarzan Cooper says:
EARL WATSON!!!
Feb.7 at 9:55 am
DP says:
Kobe was hurt. only reason lakers lost of course. Shaq won’t play till he faces Kobe and Kobe will embrass his ass. play wit it.
Feb.7 at 9:57 am
Ryne Nelson says:
Sam, thanks for writing about this. I can see the Suns’ perspective of getting positional diversity. And I feel Kerr is trying to borrow a little flavor from his San Antonio days.
Feb.7 at 9:58 am
Tarzan Cooper says:
shaq will now start launching 3’s and trying to fly all over the court like shawn did. needless to say, shaq has one game left before retirement.
Feb.7 at 9:59 am
white hot eboy says:
Nice excuse, as usual, DP.
Feb.7 at 10:01 am
Keith says:
Honestly? I think the Laker trade panicked the Suns. I think it tipped them over the edge and made them realise that they would need to have a big man in order to escape the West.
Feb.7 at 10:03 am
white hot eboy says:
Sam, can it be as simple to say “it’s just a really risky move”, as easy as that? Kerr is putting his balls on the line. If they don’t get a ring this season or next then he rides back to TNT and Shaq rides back to Florida on the decimated plane Bodie reported on yesterday.
Feb.7 at 10:04 am
Ryne Nelson says:
The Lakers were simply outplayed last night. They’re going to have their ups and downs just as any team has. I also think Kobe wasn’t up to par after playing hella minutes on this long road trip and sustaining the finger injury a couple nights ago.
Feb.7 at 10:07 am
Ryne Nelson says:
Sam, it’s an interesting idea that Shaq has come full-circle. That now his role is to do what Horace Grant or A.C. Green once did for him?
Feb.7 at 10:09 am
white hot eboy says:
WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lebron had finger issues and sat some games and he’s a baby. Kobe plays with a finger problem and it’s “they need time, he’s played hella minutes”. Keep that sh*t quiet. “The Greatest Team Ever Assembled” should never lose a game, as long as you go by SLAMOnline logic. Like I said before, let the teams play some games before crowning them. Same with the Suns, don’t write off the move until some games are played. Anyone who doesn’t do that is an idiot.
Feb.7 at 10:12 am
Sam Rubenstein says:
One more thing about Shaq… he has proven he can add things to his game over time. He wasn’t anything special as a passer at first, but he learned and got pretty good at it. He can learn things, and this should help Amare a lot. But it was kind of strange that the “no defense” team would trade one of their few defensive players, in the name of becoming more traditional of a championship look.
Feb.7 at 10:14 am
TADOne says:
Looking at the other side of the trade, how many years does Banks have on his deal?
Feb.7 at 10:15 am
Keith says:
Like I said, the Suns panicked. Shaq would never have been traded for had the Lakers not got Gasol. Pau going to a playoff bound team instantly makes them a tougher team to face and the Suns addressed that situation accordingly. Who else could they have traded for?
Feb.7 at 10:16 am
white hot eboy says:
Sam, I think they may have thought that in the West, the top three teams have big players who are the main focus (Dirk, Robot, Bynum/Gasol0 who need to be dealt with more than any wing player in the West. Two best wing players outside of Kobe (who no one really can slow down)play in Denver and the Nuggets haven proven to be a threat and it’s doubtful the Warriors are causing nightmares for anyone besides Dallas. Losing your best wing defender in the West may not be as critical as having another big body to help against the big players that preside. Plus, doesn’t Raja get most of the assignments against the Mamba in their matchups?
Feb.7 at 10:16 am
white hot eboy says:
Tad, three years.
Feb.7 at 10:16 am
Tarzan Cooper says:
this doesnt seem like it is going to be a great trade for the suns. amare is going to average about 35 now. who is going to do what shawn did? grant?
Feb.7 at 10:20 am
Sam Rubenstein says:
that’s true, and if you want to put too much on one big game (who doesn’t!), Marion played in the game where Amare was suspended and he had a chance to be the guy in a big spot, and he didn’t rise to the occasion. I know… tough for an “off the ball” player to do that, but still, the Suns are trying something new. Very out of the box! Give them credit for that.
Feb.7 at 10:25 am
Ryne Nelson says:
@Tarzan - Amare Stoudemire is Marion’s “replacement.” However, not in the sense that he’ll be doing what Marion did. No one can do what Marion does. Shaq allows Amare to play the 4 (Marion was playing out of position there). Grant Hill (and Diaw) will play their natural 3. This allows everyone to play more suitable roles.
Feb.7 at 10:31 am
Benji James says:
This trade benefits both teams for different reasons. Shaq is still one of the most marketable players in the league. The amount of money the Suns will make from jersey sales alone is rediculous, as well as the amount of extra television viewers around the world that Shaq will attract. Maybe I see it from a different point of view because I’m English, but the NBA is, as is every other professional sport, all about money. That aside, I think the Heat will improve somewhat with Marion on the team, well they can’t do much worse! It’s yet to be seen what effect O’Neal will have on the Sun’s style of play, but regardless it’s going to bring the cash in.
Feb.7 at 10:32 am
Tarzan Cooper says:
gotdamn hymen, stop being an obvious-stating asshole!! diaw will be even more of a nonfactor will shaq taking up the paint. the suns are depending on grant being able to play at a very high level for a ton of minutes. i just dont think this is going to work well.
Feb.7 at 10:41 am
Joel O's says:
I’d like to know what the numerous Heat fans out there think of the trade. Marion and Wade are an intriguing combo, but I’m not sure how Marion will adjust to not having a transcendent PG around.
Feb.7 at 10:42 am
white hot eboy says:
F*ck Shawn Marion.
Feb.7 at 10:46 am
TADOne says:
Eboy hating the man before he even plays a game. Nice.
Feb.7 at 10:48 am
white hot eboy says:
I hate the dude since he ran his mouth like a girl in the beginning of the season. Maid Marion can ride as soon as his contract runs.
Feb.7 at 10:48 am
Tarzan Cooper says:
shawn marion played many years before steve came along, and he was an all star before steve
Feb.7 at 10:49 am
Joel O's says:
…because he’s a whiny biatch? I was quite puzzled as to how he could possibly be dissatisfied with his (major) role in the best offense in the L.
Feb.7 at 10:49 am
Tarzan Cooper says:
so who should the heat go out and get to play with wade?
Feb.7 at 10:50 am
Joel O's says:
True that, Tarzan. On the Heat now he’s clearly the number 2 option; maybe that’ll keep him happy.
Feb.7 at 10:57 am
white hot eboy says:
Bullsh*t. He’s going to be turned off to the fact that he will NEVER have the ball in his hands at critical moments. Move on, pretty boy, move on.
Feb.7 at 11:11 am
TADOne says:
When can we get a press conference with Shawn Marion talking about how well Shawn Marion will help the Heat?
Feb.7 at 11:12 am
Tarzan Cooper says:
9 win teams arent allowed to hold press conferences welcoming new players.
Feb.7 at 12:02 pm
floe says:
f*ck that! shaq’s winning a 5th.
Feb.7 at 12:19 pm
Tariq says:
The only way I can rationalize it from PHX’s point of view is like this: Kerr was probably sure that Marion would bounce for nothing. He figured he’d “break up with Shawn before Shawn breaks up with me”. But that still doesn’t make sense, because, even if Shawn bolts, wouldn’t that have included a sign-and-trade? And let’s say that Kerr is positive that Shawn is gonna sign with someone who has a ton of cap space, meaning no sign-and-trade, meaning you have to trade him now. Let’s say that was the case, couldn’t he have gotten anything better than a 47-year-old , 400-pound center who has more than the economy of Paraguay left on his contract? Couldn’t he have gotten Gasol or Richard Jefferson or something? Strange.
Feb.7 at 12:46 pm
Young Chris #3 says:
If Phoenix wins the next two championships, it WILL all make sense…
Feb.7 at 12:52 pm
Krayzie Bone says:
I think that Amare will really benefit if teams start to double Shaq. Dumpoffs and short missed shaq Shots for easy dunks.
Feb.7 at 12:58 pm
Rasheedionics says:
Tariq, Shaw Marion is making $17 million this year… I doubt any other team would’ve traded their biggest paid player or 2 good players for Marion. I don’t think Suns could’ve gotten a better deal realistically speaking.
Feb.7 at 12:59 pm
Tariq says:
Young Chris… And if Myriam Faris suddenly falls in love with me, the world as a whole will make sense. Not likely, though.
Feb.7 at 1:00 pm
Rasheedionics says:
And why people keep saying that Marion’s contract runs out at the end of this season. He got one more year left - $17 million for 2008/2009… Am I missing something?
Feb.7 at 1:00 pm
Tariq says:
Rasheed…he can opt out.
Feb.7 at 1:01 pm
Spaceship Jay says:
Phoenix panicked.
Feb.7 at 1:27 pm
Rasheedionics says:
Where do I find that information about players contracts?
Feb.7 at 1:45 pm
Kevin says:
hoopshype dot com has it i believe?
Feb.7 at 2:12 pm
Rasheedionics says:
Thats where I checked and doesn’t show that he has a player option for next year.
Feb.7 at 2:12 pm
its just alex says:
The problem is that if Grant moves to his natural 3 spot, there’s one less person to play the point. I think Barbosa is incredibly skilled, but he is not a point guard. That offense is completely stagnant when Nash goes out of the game.
Feb.7 at 2:32 pm
räuber hotzenplotz says:
the suns were at a point where they needed a change, even when their system worked out perfectly on offense they gave up too many points on the defensive end, that team would never have won a title and they knew that, especially with the lakers adding gasol and spurs’ duncan dropping xxx points on them they needed a bigman. shaq will make amare spectacular again and marion and wade will be nice to watch to. lakers, spurs and suns will be the contenders for the title in the west, dallas slept too long…
Feb.7 at 2:35 pm
what says:
The only reason the Lakers lost is because the Hawks played better.
Feb.7 at 3:28 pm
d.Y. says:
This IS like a LOST episode. Still, I’ve doubted Shaq many times, and he’s come through. Weird, Diesel finally on a team I want to root for.
Feb.7 at 4:53 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
This move is out of the box because Shaq doesn’t fit in a box.
Feb.7 at 5:06 pm
Winston says:
Don’t hate on the lakes, they got in to ATL at 4am and Kobe and Gasol were hurt. Look out Friday. Also, as a Lakers fan, I have to say this is a brilliant trade. I’m sure all western conference fans feel the same way. Well except those who live in Phoenix… As a closing shot, I would like to say that I’m looking forward to the posters Bynum makes the next time he plays PDX. GO LAKERS!
Feb.7 at 7:44 pm
Kihwan says:
I hope Suns fans like to watch the high pick an roll play run against the rest of the season. Nash and Shaq guarding the high pick and roll??? Yikes!!!!
Feb.7 at 8:42 pm
FLUXLAND says:
Benji and Tariq are on the $. The Heat ain’t making money cuz the Heat fanbase is full of Shaq…and someone has to pay that huge contract. The Heat had to move him. Plus, the Sternbot has to maintain balance in L. And now Nash and Shaq can shop for a retirement home in Arizona together… ringless and all.
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@winston.. i hope Kobe and Bynum go up for the same ball and do one of those double dunks on Shaq. And then Kobe brushes off his shoulder.
Feb.8 at 12:28 am
gdon says:
yes, if by ringless you mean 4-5. (I doubt #6, even IF shaq so badly wants to be in the ‘breathren’ with MJ and co.)
Feb.8 at 2:05 pm
Art says:
I just wonder what wade has to say about this. ShaQ won his last ring cuz of him and now he`s leaving him with a desolate team just like that? So much for loyalty.
Sep.10 at 3:59 pm
Double J says:
this is good, you guys were all shocked that the lakers lost to the ATL, but now look they took the eventual champs to 7 games, guess these guys shouldn’t be taken so lightly