Shaquille O'Neal boarded a flight to Phoenix on Wednesday morning to meet with team officials to complete his trade to the Suns for Shawn Marion. O'Neal was informed of the pending trade Tuesday night, and after some initial shock, he prepared to move on to complete his Hall of Fame career with the Suns, two of his associates said Wednesday morning.
First reported by The Miami Herald on Tuesday afternoon, the deal to send O'Neal to the Suns for Marion and guard Marcus Banks was completed Wednesday afternoon.
But Heat players were skeptical Wednesday morning.
Considered one of the most improbable trades in NBA history, the Heat would unload the final two seasons and $40 million remaining on O'Neal's contract and acquire a four-time All-Star in Marion, who this summer could opt out of the final season of a contract that would pay him $17.2 million next season.
Let’s face it, the Suns won’t miss Marion’s scoring, they are a team filled with offensive talent, and Shaq is obviously not being brought in for his scoring prowess. For the record, Shaq has averaged 25.6 points and 11.5 rebounds in his 16 seasons in the NBA.
Marion has NBA career averages of 18.4 points and 10 rebounds.
So is it Shaq’s defensive skills the Suns require? For the season Shaq is averaging 7.8 rebounds, .59 of a steal and 1.66 blocks per contest.
Marion is averaging 9.9 rebounds, 2.02 steals and 1.49 blocks. Clearly the Matrix is the better all around player at this point.
Nope, the Big Aristotle was brought in for one reason, and one reason only; because the Suns brass feel he can get their team over the hump in the playoffs.
Already with the best record in the West, and currently hitting on all cylinders night in and night out, the Suns are throwing the dice with this move.
Miami is now truly what their record indicates - the worst team in the league. Will Riley ever admit that they have to rebuild? Actually, that's what they have already started. And you know what? It was time for Shaq to go because there are no Centers dominating the game anymore! It is now guards and athletic forwards, both of which Miami got in the trade for the old man who has lost his edge along with his wife. Sorry Shaq!
Miami has a record of 9-39 and are 17-30-1 ATS.
The Suns are currently sitting with a 34-15 record, and are 22-25-2 ATS this season. It will be interesting to see if the Suns ATS record improves for the final half of the year with Shaq in the lineup.
NBA fans across the nation can only hope that the Suns and Lakers meet in the playoffs again!
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