It seems that the first big trade of the summer is upon us. A trade that has been rumored for months, has finally transacted.
The Phoenix Suns will send four-time champion Shaquille O'Neal to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Ben Wallace, Sasha Pavlovic, and a 2009 second round pick.
First of all for Phoenix, this is a salary dump and way to save money for the cheap owner Robert Sarver. Ben Wallace may retire, so a buyout will be in order. Amare Stoudemire might be on the move as well, so the desert may become even more barren.
Now for Cleveland. It became clear that the Cavs were a flawed team (even with the association's best record) after their humbling Eastern Conference Finals loss to Orlando. The Cavs biggest weakness against the Magic was pick and roll defense. Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Anderson Varejao were simply too slow to cover the point forwrad Hedo Turkoglu and outside shooting of Rashard Lewis. Also, Dwight Howard swallowed up whoever was guarding him.
Analysis:
The Good: Cleveland feels that Shaq might be rejuvenated after he saw his mortal enemy Kobe Bryant win his first ring without him, and watching Dwight Howard coronated as the new "Superman." Shaq is also hoping to get a contract extension, but is more importantly, playing for what could be the last good contract of his career. Playing alongside Lebron James will substantially increase his chances of making more money. Lebron can make anybody look better, and Shaq will benefit from his crisp passing.Also, the Cavs will now be able to put a body on Dwight Howard that will not back down.
The Bad: This trade does not help Cleveland guarding the pick-and-roll. Shaq was a miserable pick-and-roll defender ten years ago with the Lakers, so how is he going to be any better at age 37?
Also, the Suns physical trainers were credited by Shaquille O'Neal himself for rejuvenating his career. Without those god sends, is Shaq going to revert back to his lazy ways?
He seemed to find the fountain of youth as his points and rebounds increased for the first time, after a four year statistical decline. He averaged 17.8 ppg & 8.4 reb, but don't be fooled. These numbers revolved around a team that played virtually no defense on an uptempo team with Steve Nash.
Cleveland barely has an offense. Cavaliers coach Mike Brown wouldn't know how to develop a back screen for Shaq if Lebron drew it up for him. They rely on getting Lebron the ball and having him do all the work.
My final thoughts are that the Cavs improve by picking up Shaq, but they still need an athletic wing or big who can help out Lebron defensively.
Trevor Ariza or Lamar Odom anybody?
2 comments:
I read Steve Nash wanted Shaq off of the team. I guess they didn't like each other.
Apparently Nash told Suns GM Steve Kerr, that ether Shaq would go or he would go. They obviously chose to trade Shaq, but just as many experts predicted, the Nash-O'Neal experiment failed. Nash felt that he slowed down what was the most high powered offense in the NBA, and felt that he demanded the ball too often.
Now the Suns are shopping Amare Stoudemire as well. They are in full rebuilding mode, a sad end to the most exciting team to watch in the last decade.
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