Head West Young Man! - Shaquille O'Neal is Traded to Phoenix

Shaquille O'Neal definitely likes the warm climates. First Orlando, then Los Angeles and Miami, now Phoenix. After a physical, Shaq will suit up for at least the rest of this year (and 2008-2009 most likely) for the Suns. Why would Shaq leave Miami and a young superstar like Dwayne Wade? Simple, Miami is clearly in a rebuilding phase after depending on old veterans when they won the NBA title (isn't that a distant memory?). Wade is still a stud, but it takes more than two to tango in the NBA.

Phoenix has been close to breaking through the deep Western conference for a few seasons now but has never had an inside presence. Amare Stoudamire is a natural strong forward, not the quasi-center Phoenix has had to use him as with their run-and-gun style. Now with Shaquille O'Neal in town, Stoudamire can return to his natural position, helping him on both sides of the floor. Phoenix will be far better in the playoffs where fast breaks are harder to come by - O'Neal can score on the inside and give wide-open looks to Phoenix's stable of outside shooters. O'Neal also gives Phoenix an answer defensively for players like Tim Duncan and Yao Ming come playoff time. The Suns and O'Neal are fortunate because Shaq can get healthy before he's really needed on the floor for major minutes. The Suns are a lock to make the playoffs and Shaq's body needs to get closer to 85-90% to perform well on the court. Shawn Marion was a great #3 weapon in Phoenix, but will hardly be missed or affect their season outcome in a negative way this year. The only question I have is will Shaquille O'Neal be able to run with Nash and company when he isn't in the post receiving the rock? I think he may make it to half-court when Stoudamire is flushing one home before returning to the defensive end on many occasions.

Miami had nothing to lose from dumping O'Neal other than a few season tickets. Wade and Marion form a good, young tandem that can grow and being to compete next season. Maybe with O'Neal they will open up their offense and become a Phoenix-like attack in the Eastern conference? Well, that might be stretching it a little bit. Miami definitely needed to get faster and younger - mission accomplished.

Shaquille O'Neal has a chance to transform yet another team from a good team to a great, championship-level one. O'Neal was a force in Orlando, won 3 rings in LA, put Miami on the map and now has the chance to put Phoenix over the top. Will he get the ring for the thumb in 2008? Shaquille O'Neal definitely has a better chance in Phoenix than Miami.