February 08, 2008
Why Shaq?
From ESPN:
PHOENIX -- Shaquille O'Neal had strong words for those who doubt he can fit in with the Phoenix Suns."I'm very upset," he said Thursday at his introduction news conference. "You just don't really want to get me upset. When I'm upset, I'm known to do certain things -- like win championships."
O'Neal, once the game's dominant big man but now slowed by a hip injury, said he is motivated by the negative talk.
"This team has always been there in the Western Conference," he said. "They just couldn't quite get over the hump. I think with my experience and my on the court-off the court leadership, I can help them get over the hump."
Get over the hump? Shaq, you are a hump, old man (i.e., I think he needs to retire soon). Maybe he sees this as his last gig? On average, he's scoring 14 points per game. I'm not sure he's worth the money.
Can someone explain what this trade was all about and why the Suns would even want Shaq? It's not like he's 25 and very expensive. I don't get it.
The trade required a significant financial commitment from budget-conscious owner Robert Sarver because O'Neal is scheduled to make $20 million this season and $20 million more each of the next two.Posted by anthony at February 8, 2008 09:07 AM | TrackBack
Easy. The Sun's GM woke up one morning and said, "You know what we need? A guy who's way past his prime."
Posted by: Jeff Kerr at February 8, 2008 09:39 AMSounds like it to me.
Posted by: Anthony at February 8, 2008 11:19 AMAbsolutely huge gamble, no question about it, but after some reading I think it could work. The Suns as it were would be an incredible regular season team, but would inevitably lose to the Duncans and Bryants in the playoffs when it counted. It's what happened the past few years, and there was no reason to expect something different this year. It wasn't a championship team, regardless of their record.
Shawn Marion was killing that locker room. He was a "me" player who was pissed off Nash and Stoudemire got all the glory on that team, and whined about everything. He's a great player, but losing him won't hurt as much as most think since it will be a little addition by subtraction.
Shaq is averaging career lows in everything, but look at his team: would you be motivated when you're on the worst team in the league? The other important factor is the Suns medical staff: when Steve Nash signed his contract four years back everyone said his fast paced style would break him down pretty quickly, but he's still the best despite iut all. Grant Hill signs a contract this year and plays more than he has over the past seven. They know what they're doing and they told management they could keep Shaq healthy.
Lastly is the coach: he signed off on the deal and he's one of the best three coaches in the league. He would have told the GM to nix the deal if he thought it would have been for the worst, but he gave his okay. That should tell us something. Massive risk, no doubt about it. But the Suns weren't going to win a championship with that formula, anyway, so something needed to give. If it works out, you might see another ring on Shaq's finger. I don't think they had so much to lose.
Posted by: Oesch at February 8, 2008 12:31 PMYou know, if Shaq can put rear ends in seats and help TV ratings, he might be worth every penny no matter how badly he might play. Whether we like it or not, a big man with a big dunk and a big smile can do that.
Hopefully he's not one of those big men whose big injuries make him a big cripple by age 40.
Posted by: Bike Bubba at February 8, 2008 04:48 PM