Shaquille O’Neal Acquired by the Suns
February 7, 2008 – 8:20 amPosted Under: random
It appears that the Phoenix Suns have gone from solar-powered to diesel-powered. Today the Suns traded forward Shawn Marion and guard Marcus Banks for Miami Heat center Shaquille O’Neal.
In hopes of improving their interior defense and battling against the bevy of Western Conference big men, Suns GM Steve Kerr made the move for the 7-1, 325-lb. giant. O’Neal, who is in the midst of his 15th season, returns to the Western Conference after capturing three NBA Championships with the arch-rival Los Angeles Lakers and one with the Miami Heat.
“It makes us more rounded and gives us a better opportunity to succeed in the playoffs,” Kerr said. “We were unanimous upstairs over this being the right thing to do.”
As recent as two weeks ago, Kerr told the press that he was planning on keeping the core of the team together, but when Miami approached him with the deal, he had to reconsider.
“If you would have asked me two weeks ago if we would have done anything, I would have said, ‘No,’” Kerr said. “But, I didn’t see this opportunity coming.”
O’Neal has tallied 14.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.7 blocks this season, despite being plagued by the injuries for most of the season. The 14-time All-Star has been sidelined the past two weeks with an acute left hip and quadriceps inflammation.
“I wasn’t going to do this deal unless I felt really good about it from a medical point of view,” the Suns GM said. “The reports that I got from (Head Trainer) Aaron Nelson and (Team Physician) Dr. Carter were really, really good.”
Known as one of the top medical staffs in the league, they felt that he was going to make a dramatic improvement with better care and enhanced flexibility. The training staff has already performed wonders with Steve Nash, Grant Hill and Antonio McDyess.
While Kerr sought out counsel from a medical point of view, he also wanted assurance that the coaching staff and players were on board as well. There wasn’t any doubt in Head Coach Mike D’Antoni’s mind that this was the correct move.
“I thought we were going to win the title and I think we’ve done well by becoming first in the West,” D’Antoni said. “But when the Shaq name came up, I think we just got better.
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2 Responses to “Shaquille O’Neal Acquired by the Suns”
I keep hearing everyone say this was a bad trade for the Suns. I understand why they made this trade.
Phoenix has a losing record against the Western Conference powerhouse teams due to the Suns inability to defend the painted area. As well as their inability to perform well in the half-court set which dominates the NBA playoffs.
Regardless of his age and worn-down knees, Shaq can still provide Phoenix with a low post scorer.
Plus, the Suns did not want to pay Marion $20 million dollars a year. Basically.
By don on Feb 9, 2008
A playoff ticket featuring LA Lakers (now with Pau Gasol) versus Phoenix (now with Shaq) will be HUGE.
By don on Feb 9, 2008