Shaq on the move. Will D'Antoni drink poison?

Wasn’t that a nice little blanket of white to wake up to today? Great, more shovelling. At least I’ll have some help from Super Son since the wusses who run the Peel school board have declared today a snow day, which would be cool if it was actually, you know, snowing out. Man, I wish those softies were running school boards back in the day when I had to walk six miles to school -- uphill both ways with the sun in our eyes and the wind against us -- every day. But I digress.

Not much Raptor stuff going on but a whole lot of news to digest and giggle at. Oh, and for you mailbag regulars, just click here to send one, am a bit low today and Friday’s the regular delivery day.

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Let’s say you’re Mike D’Antoni and you’ve built an offence predicated on shooting fast and shooting early, high screen and roll and fast-break basketball.

Let’s say your general manager wants to get you a 700-pound centre who’s been hurt more often that not, who can’t play offence in the high screen and roll and who couldn’t catch Steve Nash or Grant Hill or Amare Stoudemire in a foot race if you gave him a halfcourt head start.

Would you stick pins in your eyes? Protest ‘til the cows come home about how your GM is ruining in everything you’d done?

I know there was a story out a couple weeks ago about how Mike loves Steve Kerr and vice-versa and everything’s sweetness and light around the Suns.

Wrong. Very wrong. And this trade, if it happens and here’s how Ira summed it up in the Sun-Sentinel, will only make that relationship worse.

The Suns had bad chemistry in the locker room before today and something needed to be done. Shaquille O’Neal is not the answer.

End of rant.

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Not sure if this is a good thing or what. But two dudes who spent time with the Raptors will play in the D League all-star game next weekend. Andre Barrett and Jelani McCoy. Barrett’s actually a call-up for a guy who’s been called up to the NBA and I’m not sure whether that’s a good or bad thing.

Oh, it’s Red against Blue. I like Red.

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How would you feel out there in Raptorland if Bryan Colangelo didn’t make a trade before Feb. 21?

I’m sure he’s looking at the long-term financial situation pretty closely, looking two or three years out, and he knows he’s got to lock up Jose Calderon and Carlos Delfino this summer.

Not saying he won’t make a deal – I know he’s working the phones as diligently as always – but there’s a chance he gets nothing done. Is this team good enough to win the East? To play for a conference title?

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Here’s a query for a familiar name:

Q: Do you know when the participants for the 3-point shootout will be announced? Obviously Kapono's going to be there, but I'm interested to see if AP will make the list. I think he definitely deserves to be there and it would be fun to see two teammates going at it.

Amanda F, Barrie

A: I think we might hear as early as today. It will be interesting to see if Parker gets an invite, I’m not sure the league will want two guys from the same team but his stats would make him a possibility.

I do know that if they only had to shoot threes from the corner, he’d win.

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STEVE RUSSELL/TORONTO STAR

Charles Oakley moment from 2001.

Friday. 1,000 games. Some success. But, truth be told, this franchise has been a better story than a team for about 10 of its 13 years. And it was never more zany than when Our Man Oak was around.

Two good ones you may have heard.

We’re in Cleveland and Oak’s returning from being suspended for one – I think he threw a ball at Jeff McInnis’s head during a shootaround – and we get to finally talk to him.
Drew Carey, er, Robbie MacLeod starts it off by asking Oak if he thought he let the team down by getting suspended. That’s when the fun starts.

Says Oak: “The NBA let the team down by putting it in Canada.”

From there, it disintegrates into another Oak rant against kids and hype and marketing and softness, yadda, yadda, yadda, all stuff we’d heard before. Until, that is, this pops out:

"Pimpin’ ain’t easy, pimpin’ ain’t dead, the ho’s are just scared.”

Looking somewhat aghast, Media Relations King Jim LaBumbard claps his hands, says, ‘thanks for coming, we’re here all week’ and we go scurrying back to the press room to find out how to spell ho’s.

And there’s the night we’re in Jersey and a bunch of us are standing around Oak and he’s going on off on kids and hype and marketing and softness, yadda, yadda, yadda, all stuff we’ve heard before so we wander away to talk to someone else.

Well, one dude stays, it seems. We get up the next morning to pick up the NY Post (required reading for all the latest zany NBA rumours) and there on the back page is Oak’s contention that 60 per cent of the players in the league smoke dope and some of ‘em play high.

We never left him alone for a minute after that.’

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I take a break from Super Tuesday (well, a two-hour break, actually) to watch Cleveland-Boston and it’s not a bad game. Then the final minutes come and if you’re a Celtic fan, here’s why you worry:

In the last three minutes of a nip-and-tuck game, Rajon Rondo has three turnovers driving into traffic and they don’t even have him on the floor for the final 16 seconds of a one-possession game.

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Pau Gasol: 24 points, 12 rebounds. I hope Michael Heisley’s getting sized for a championship ring.

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Back to the mailbag

Q: Hey Doug, can you explain to us how some bad contracts come to be signed? How does Brian Cardinal go from being waived in '03, to getting inked on a 6 year, 36M$ contract in '04?? I mean seriously, me and my bro could take on Cardinal and ANY other Grizzly 2 on 2 he's that bad!!

Raptors Related: How much better do you think the Raptors are now that Ford is back, and in what ways? Myself I think it will help bring up their tempo, increase points-in-paint, and give the second unit a big shot in the arm (by having Ford or Calderon QB them, instead of *shudder* Whistlin' Dixie.

Alex L, Sudbury

A: Bad contracts? Easy. Timing is everything. Brian Cardinal has a pretty good year in Detroit and gets a big deal; Yogi Stewart has a good season in Sacramento and, presto!, six years, $24 million. Brian Scalabrine, same thing. It’s all about timing. And, it’s also all about not giving contracts to guys who put up good numbers on bad teams.

How much better? Exponentially (which I’m told means a lot). The second unit should thrive and that was a strength of the team. I expect Jason Kapono to tithe some his salary back to whichever guard he’s playing with now.

Comments

[Doug's biggest fan]

Sam said it best on the FAN590 this morning. LA has Bynum and Gasol, Dallas has Dirk and Dampier, Spurs have Duncan; Stoudamire and Marion couldn't cut it, but Shaq will miraculously be cured since he's got another shot at a ring and the Suns wont have too much of an issue.

And if you quote Jalen from last year saying that guys on the Suns can get 30-40 points without dribbling the basketball, I don't see it being a problem. Shaq will be rested and Shaq will get in shape if it means that himself, Nash and Grant Hill have a chance at a Ring.

I think it might work.

[Doug's biggest fan]

Any comments on that last post Doug? Interested on what you have to say, looking at it from that perspective.

Blogger's note: I think Shaq's old and out of shape and, even if he doesn't break down, the Suns are going to have to so radically change the way they play that it's not worth it. And I'm not even thinking about the $40 million they've got to pay him over the next two years.
The Suns big advantage, their only one I think, was to make teams try to catch them, it'll be much easier now and their fast-break offence is now four men, instead of five.
I still think the Lakers are the team to beat in the West.

[leigh]

re: Doug's biggest fan, no Shaq for Shawn won't work for Phoenix, and Marion to Miami won't turn them into contenders either....Marion is an athletic freak but his offensive game is alot of tip ins, fastbreaks and wide open shots created from Steve Nash. The only plausible explanation for this trade is that Pat Riley has some incriminating photo's of Steve Kerr(and as nice a guy as Steve is, those photo's wouldn't be very nice). Shaq has, without doubt been, one of the greatest players ever, but he can barely get out of bed these days without a) committing a foul and b) injuring himself.

[Dan]

I think this trade could work for sure. Shaq is on the decline, but the Heat suck this year because they lack talent. Wade was out to start the season and is not 100%. Shaq will have alot more options when he is doubled teamed. That's even if he get's double teamed with the players the Suns have. Nash alone will make things way easier for him. Marion teamed with Wade will be a pretty good wing combination. This is for sure though a big gamble. This is pretty much a win it all this year or nothing if they do this.

[Unce Zeke]

It will be the popular opinion to call Phoenix crazy and jump on the Shaq is done bandwagon. Not even close to reality. Everyone was playing the same tune when Shaq left LA for Miami- result was of course a title. There is nothing more dangerous than a motivated Shaq with something to prove. Phoenix was not going to win a title with Marion at the 4. Especially when the game slows up in the playoffs. Plus the fact that he would be opting out after this season leaving Phoenix with nothing. Shaq's game is purpose built for the playoffs. He can be the defensive anchor and space clogger allowing Amare to play off-the-ball on defence. If they want to play small, Boris Diaw has shown that he be can effective playing minutes at the 5 spot. Sure Phoenix might not play as much fast attacking style but that (and smallball) will never win an NBA title. Great move by Steve Kerr.

[CARLoS M.]

Just wanted to point out that when you add the link to the 'mail bag' it makes it easier for people to send you questions - that's probably why you get so many when you ask...

Unfortunately it isn't always easy to find that link (as mentioned by an earlier reader) they were referring to the mailbag not the 'Post a Comment' link.

Hopefully you've got somebody working on it. They can just add it under the 'Subscribe to this blog's feed' below your picture.

Blogger's note: I'll point it out to the web people with brains.

[brass monk]

Phoenix is the last place in the NBA where Shaq's game (what's left of it) fits. The Suns are a first place team in the West. Whatever locker room chemistry issues they had with Marion obviously hadn't translated onto the court. All I can say about this trade is to borrow my own favourite line from the Oak:

"If it ain't broke - don't break it."

Blogger's note: Dang, you just took away one of my Oak moments for tomorrow. Thanks

[Andrew R]

If I play the role of the optimist I can picture Shaq playing for the Suns and coming alive in the playoffs. I can picture the Phoenix Suns with Nash, Hill, Shaq and Stoudamire vs the Boston Celtics with Garnett, Pierce and Allen. This would possibly be the best NBA finals we have ever seen.

[Pedro Silva]

Shaq is finished! Stick a fork in him he's done. There is no way in hell the Suns get better if they make this trade. The fact that this trade is even being talked about goes to show everyone how incompetent Steve Kerr may be. He almost had a trade set up for Garnett in the off season, but got scared and didn't make a trade and that's why the Celtics have the best record in the league.

[Ryan]

How relieved is Miami right now? Could they possibly be any happier not having to deal with Shaq's contract now?

[Doug's biggest fan]

Thanks for the insight Doug.

Seems there's mixed reaction and only time will tell. Of course if Shaq fails this pending physical you'll be completely right.

But...what if? What if he can run with them (somewhat) sometimes? What if he get's a bit of his dominance back? What if they find a way to use him effectively? Can Phoenix compete? Thoughts; Doug and emailers?

[Jason Ohashi]

I can see it working. The problem is what everyone else is saying, Shaq may be done. If he came off the bench, or use him as a starter when appropriate, that's the only way I can see this working properly. Would be a very expensive bench player if they were to do that though.

[Lavi]

Doug,
Looks like your blog made it to nba.com. Congrats.
http://my.nba.com/thread.jspa?threadID=300022910

[CM]

Best comment on the Shaq topic: He's going to be a goalie (sorry about the hockey refrence)

Blogger's note: Goalies don't have to play both ends of the ice.

[joao magalhaes]

i dont get it, a 50 year old fat big guy that cant run anymore, in exchange of marion and banks?? OMG mike d'antoine is not gonna have any more chance to win the playoffs....

they should trade banks, bell and diaw for wade ^^ that would be good :P

[lennoxc]

i have an odd feeling that shaq will be reborn. i think it will work in phx. they may not win a ring this year, but they will make it a lot more exciting. remember, d'antoni adjusted his offense for the us olympic team which featured dwight howard in the post. it will work for shaq. the west is way too deep. the east needs help.

[Jim K]

What is wrong with you people?! Must we always jump to the extremes when anything significant happens? (cough cough the Boston win loss prediction).

D'Antoni is a smart man. He isn't going to play Shaq the 35+ minutes Marion plays. This now gives Diaw more time on the court (which when Amare was out, Diaw was pretty darn good). Not to mention you're forgetting how good Steve Nash really is.

Phoenix with Shaq and Diaw in a greater role is a better team then Marion and Diaw in a lesser role.

These playoffs are going to be great this year!

[Jim K]

Not interested in a Raptors trade this year (unless it makes us that much incredibly better). There are too many great teams in the league this year, so a trade won't necessarily translate to playoff wins (especially with Boston, Detroit and Lebron to go through in the playoffs).

Keep developing, give Bargs his minutes, and lets pick our spots. Right now is not our time.

[Kevin]

As some of the readers have mentioned Shaq will need to be used wisely. If anything, I think Phoenix becomes more aggressive on the break. Knowing they are playing 4 on 5 will cause them to push harder.
The one thing that Shaq will add at the offensive end is more foul trouble for opponents. That's not significant with his shooting but it certainly sends a good free throw shooting team to the line more.
As for Marion, I think he is going to start looking very ordinary, very soon. I think he has too much ego to go back to Phoenix next year for less money.

[chris]

The trade is genius. The suns are still built to run and gun, and I don't think they will change that. Marion leaving puts Shaq in the line-up, but you still have Diaw and Barbosa coming off the bench with Diaw being the big beneficiary of the trade. Even if Shaq can't make it down the floor half the time, he'll still make it down the other half.
A slow guy named Kurt Thomas became the unsung hero of the Suns last year because of the interior defense he provided. Shaq is still big enough to push duncan around in the Western Finals while Stoudemire can relax covering Oberto, and focus more on the offensive end.
I think Stoudemire, Barbosa and Diaw will all see their ppg go up to help compensate for O'Neal not score as much as Marion.
The Suns don't have a long term when you are speaking of competing for a championship. They are going to go down when Nash does. He has 3 years. Marion didn't want to be in Pheonix and was likely to either want a max long term deal or he'd walk. In 2010/2011 Pheonix is only going to have 18 million commited to 3 people, Diaw, Barbosa and Tucker and are going to be in a position of re-upping Stoudemire, or being major players on the free agent market, or any number of things as the contracts expiring are mostly those belonging to older players.
Short term, Pheonix now has a 3 year window, with it closing a little bit each year. But they are even set up well long term too, and will probably be okay.

[Kara]

I hope the Raps do keep Calderon and Delfino, but I don't feel as certain about pretty Delf as I do about 'I came out of nowhere to almost make the damn all-star team' Jose.

Given the depth in the SF position, why not deal him for someone with more bulk on the glass who can rebound consistently?

[GM]

I guess it's kind of pointless to talk about what Shaq will or won't do in Phoenix. We can just wait to actually see for ourselves what he does. But I'm with Doug. Shaq really is a shadow of his former self. He can push Duncan around, sure, but he's too slow and will just pick up fouls. He really is a liability now. I think these people who think he can still play at any reasonable level probably all think Magloire can contribute somewhere.

[Uncle Zeke]

Just read your article this morning on the Shaq trade. You sure changed your tune pretty fast on that one. You're known for flip-flopping but even that has to be record time for you...

Blogger's note: I didn't change my tune at all, the news story you read represented the views of Jason Kapono and Sam Mitchell, not me. It's the craft, you don't interject your opinions into news stories, you save them for places like here.
But I'm glad you read both so thoroughly.

[Alex]

Doug what does that guy's sign in the picture mean? "Hey Tyrone at the Bank of Oak we charge 100% interest" I must be missing something cuz on its own that makes no sense!

Blogger's note: Too long a story from here, am just finishing up day's blog submission, I'll explain it over there and have it up in a wee bit.

[Jacob L]

No one mentioned the biggest fall-out from the shaq deal! What's Luuuuuke going to do now? Come on back to the raps Luke!