In defense of Shaq to the Suns

Talk to folks around the league about the Suns trading for Shaquille O'Neal and the initial response is, "Huh?"

But if you step back from the notion that Shaq will grind Steve Nash and Co. to a halt and the money involved, there's some logic to it.

First, what have the Suns won playing their current style besides a lot of regular season games, but not enough to go beyond the conference finals? They needed to do something _ and not just because the Lakers stole Pau Gasol from Memphis (more on that to come).

Try to look at it this way.

No, Shaq isn't the player he once was, not even close. Yet, he's still averaging 14.2 points and 7.8 rebounds in 28 1/2 minutes.

Eddy Curry, meanwhile, is averaging 14.0 points and 4.9 boards in 26.6 minutes.

Shaq's production, if he maintains it or even drops off a bit, is still serviceable _ but the minutes are the thing. He's not going to play more than 20-25 minutes a night and when he does, he won't be required to run up and down the floor to keep up with Nash, Amare Stoudemire, etc.

His job will be to rebound and block shots (1.7 per game this season), plus score at times in the low post when opponents (particularly in the playoffs) grind games down to a halfcourt pace. He's an exceptional passer, too, and will find shooters on the perimeter.

Think of the Nets' old fast break the years they went to the Finals: Jason Kidd in the middle, Richard Jefferson and Kenyon Martin running the lanes on each side, with Kerry Kittles trailing for potential spot-up threes. That left whomever was the center bringing up the rear, at a walk.

In Phoenix, when he plays, that will be Shaq.

The money, of course, is the biggest issue: two more years at $20 million plus per for Shaq, while Shawn Marion, if he opted out after this season, could've given the Suns some salary-cap maneuverability.

Now Miami has it, which makes the deal a no-brainer from its standpoint. Salary-cap room plus South Beach could equal a quick retooling.

But also realize that Shaq will be motivated to win (at least) one more championship ring, so he'll buy into what's asked of him. Yes, he's become injury-prone, but this is about the playoffs, for which he's always geared up, while playing more than 70 games just once since 2000-01.

It's a roll of the dice for Phoenix, but Nash turns 34 Thursday, so the window of opportunity to hoist a banner is closing.

Look at it that way and it's not such a "huh?" move.

***

As for Gasol to the Lakers, it sure looked like a good move Tuesday in East Rutherford, but folks in Memphis who have watched his career offer some red flags: He's soft, he whines and he's Keith Van Horn-caliber defensively.

But he's also the kind of passer who should fit well in the triangle offense and gives them a paint presence they were lacking when Andrew Bynum went down with his knee injury.

He also pushes Lamar Odom to small forward, where what defense he plays will be challenged.

So let's not hand the Lakers another set of rings quite yet. But the fact that they could win on the road with Kobe Bryant scoring just six Tuesday night demonstrates they are no longer just a one-trick pony.

Now let's see how the other West contenders respond, particularly Dallas (Jason Kidd?), Denver (there are Ron Artest rumors), perhaps even Golden State (where Kidd, an Oakland native, has always wanted to play and Don Nelson isn't getting any younger in pursuit of his first championship).

Don't expect the underfinanced Hornets to do much to ruin Byron Scott's underdog chemistry and San Antonio may have already made its move by adding Damon Stoudamire. Utah might do something, too _ so the two weeks between now and the Feb. 21 trade deadline could be fun.

If not for the Knicks.

Comments

[Fernando Caravantes]

"First, what have the Suns won playing their current style besides a lot of regular season games, but not enough to even reach a conference finals? " - Do some research. Don't you remeber the Suns-Mavs in the conference finals the year the Heat won it all?