So the Big Fella got me, I’m still a ring short

But I’m the one that’s still gettin it done on the court

See I still got time, cuz I’m 29

But for the Big Has-Been it’s the end of the line

He big, he’s slow, he’s dumb and 36

And his last two rings came with the help of a fix

And we also all know what Shaq can’t do

See, Shaq can’t win without a Hall of Fame 2

That’s right, Shaq can’t win without a Hall of Fame 2

 

 

 

Last time I checked, I was the league MVP

While Shaq was watching me on his flat-screen TV

See, I led my team to a #1 seed

While Shaq led his to the worst mark in the league

But he couldn’t be a man and share the blame

So he trashed his own team and put ‘em all to shame

And once again he proved what he can’t do

That’s right, Shaq can’t win without a Hall-of-Fame 2

Shaq can’t win without a Hall-of-Fame 2

 

 

 

And so Shaq bailed and let the bad aura linger,

While pledging to the Suns to put a ring on their finger

But instead he went out meekly in round number one

And just like that, his promise was done

So join me now in raising a glass

And raise right up the fat ####’s ####

Because we all know what Shaq can’t do

Shaq can’t win without a Hall-of-Fame 2

That’s right Shaq can’t win without a Hall-of-Fame 2

Whew. It’s been a whirlwind trade year and it’s been exciting for the fans. Some of the trades looked good, some looked ok and some were just head-scratchers. Here’s my view on all of this year’s major trades…

  

Trevor Ariza to the Lakers

Maurice Evans, Brian Cook to the Magic

A pretty good trade for both sides. Lakers got rid of Brian Cook who was wearing out his welcome with his passive defense and one-dimensional offense. Hey, they already have Vladamir Radmonovic to do that. They had to give up Maurice Evans who was well liked and a decent contributor, but they got back a young, athletic, defensive minded swingman to fill the 3 spot, which they desperately needed. His age (21) was a huge factor as he fit in the plan to have Bynum (20), Farmar (20), Vujacic (23), and Turiaf (24) all develop together. Meanwhile, the Magic needed veteran presences, and Mo Evans is a great teammate as well as a good, athletic, rebounding guard. Cook spreads the floor for Howard to operate. Ariza couldn’t get time behind Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis, so it was better to trade him.

Lakers: A

Magic: A-

 

Nazr Mohammed to the Bobcats

Primoz Brezec, Walter Herrmann to the Pistons

I didn’t really get this trade from the Pistons’ perspective. Brezec and Herrmann aren’t the kind of guys they generally like to play. I like Herrmann and think he can do well, but my doubts as to whether he would actually see time on the court has been confirmed. I liked this trade a lot more for the Bobcats. I’ve always felt Mohammed was a little underrated. Yeah, he can be spacey and yeah his defense needs work. But he’s an above-average big man, and those are difficult to find. Consider yourselves lucky Bobcats.

Bobcats: B+

Detroit: C-

 

Kyle Korver to the Jazz

Gordon Giricek to the 76ers

This is one of the few trades that totally made sense for BOTH sides. 76ers get the cap space they want and rid themselves of Korver’s large contract. I think the 76ers are actually doing things right this time around. Meanwhile, the Jazz get the outside shooter they desperately needed and then proceed to rip off 17 wins in 20 games. They would have sealed the deal for me if they could have somehow stolen an athletic shot-blocking big man, but those are hard to come by, so you can’t blame them. Regardless, I think the Jazz are WAY overlooked right now.

Jazz: A+

76ers: A

 

Pau Gasol and a second rounder to the Lakers

Javaris Crittenton, Kwame Brown and 2 Future First-Rounders to the Grizzlies

The most laughable of all the trades. L.A. was flooded for a day because all Lakers fans collectively pissed themselves when they heard about this trade. Don’t get me wrong – Javaris is supposed to be a very good prospect, one of whom the coaching staff (especially Tex Winters) thought highly and hated to see go. And Kwame’s $9 mil coming off the books is huge. But they already have 2 young point guards and those draft picks are going to be in the 26-30 range. Meanwhile, the Lakers 2nd rounder is probably going to be in the 31-35 range overall. There’s barely a difference except the Lakers don’t need to guarantee the second rounder’s contract. In the meantime, Pau and his new buddies rip of 7 wins in 8 games (7 on the road), including one over the Suns. Just laughable. Unless you're the rest of the league.

Lakers: A+

Grizzlies: D- 

 

Stromile Swift to the Nets

Jason Collins to the Grizzlies

Eh, who cares? It doesn’t make either team significantly better or worse.

Nets: C

Grizzlies: C

 

Shaquille O’Neal to the Suns

Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks to the Heat

I absolutely HATED this trade for the Suns at first, but it’s growing on me. I think they did need to make this gamble. Don’t get me wrong; it’s a gamble all right. But if Shaq can give them the kind of game he showed last night against the Lakers every night, they’re going to be better than they were. Of course, that’s assuming his energy level is always going to be that high and that his 36 year-old body won’t #### out at any minute, but still, it’s not as galactically stupid as I thought it was at the outset. Still, his individual defense is seriously suspect and the Suns are about to see a stream of pick and rolls until the cows come home. Plus, Marion was kind of their glue guy. As for the Heat, this trade was an absolute coup. I never thought they could get someone to take Shaq off their hands. They got rid o####uy who was not motivated to do anything but sit and collect his checks and rid themselves of his hefty salary. They also get the ever-underrated Shawn Marion and also underrated Marcus Banks. I think Marcus Banks might be able to shine a little more in Miami. Of course, they might lose Marion after this season or the next, but Shaq was never going to do for the Heat what he might be willing to do for the Suns, so they needed him to go.

Suns: INC. (Their final exam counts for 90% of their grade meaning it could be an A or an F by season’s end.)

Heat: A

Mike Bibby to the Hawks

Tyronne Lue, Anthony Johnson, Shelden Williams, Lorenzen Wright to the Kings

I honestly didn’t really like this trade for either side. I think Atlanta did better because the Kings should have gotten more than the package they got: 2 below-average point guards, a below-average undersized center and a bust. But at the same time, Bibby just isn’t the same guy he was 3 or 4 seasons ago. The Kings just traded him too late. I still think Bibby does address some needs that the Hawks have, notably, outside shooting and a steady hand at the PG position. But I’m not convinced he’s the right piece to put them over the hump. Yeah, he’s a veteran, but he’s hardly a leader.

Hawks: C

Kings: D

 

Jason Kidd, Malik Allen, Antoine Wright to the Mavs

Devin Harris, DeSanga Diop, Maurice Ager, Keith van Horn and Trenton Hassell to the Nets

Thank God this trade finally went through, because if it didn’t, it was going to be awkward for both teams the rest of the season. I still think it was a stupid deal on the Mavs part. Kidd is overrated right now. The fact that he gets triple-doubles (12-10-11 triple doubles at that, not 30-14-12 triple doubles like LeBron) overshadows the fact that he’s become a turnover machine and is shooting 36% from the field. Furthermore, Devin Harris is a blossoming star. His +/- rating was the best on the team and the Mavs were clearly better with him on the court. When he got injured, the Mavs played poorly. Ironically, they traded away the guy they needed most. Furthermore, in the beefed up Western Conference one needs MORE size, not less. Trading Sanga leaves them with Dampier as their only option at C. Good luck with that, guys. The good news is that Malik Allen and Antoine Wright are good role players, and that Kidd, for what he has lost over the years on the court, he has gained over the years in the locker room. The Mavs definitely needed a guy with balls. At least they have that now. The Nets, on the other hand, weren’t going anywhere as they were constructed. In the end, they get rid of Kidd’s monstrous contract and in return get a young star, expiring contracts, and a good backup center. You can’t ask for much more (are you taking notes Sonics?)

Nets: A

Mavs: C-

 

Kurt Thomas to the Spurs

Brent Barry, Francisco Elson, cash, 1st round pick to the Sonics

I simply cannot for the life of me understand this trade for the Sonics. All these wink-wink, behind-the-scenes, ball-washing deals are getting ridiculous. Presti and Carlisimo, old buddies of Buford and Popovich, should be ashamed of themselves. As a Lakers fan, this was the one trade that made me say, “@$*%!” because this is a ridiculous steal for the Spurs. Just when you think you’ve gotten a leg up on the champs, they get a guy like Kurt Thomas who is PERFECT for their team. The Sonics basically received a low first round pick. That’s it. Yeah, Barry and Elson are expiring contracts. BUT SO IS KURT THOMAS!! And he can actually play! Geez, this one just made me want to slap someone.

Spurs: A+

Sonics: F-

 

Gerald Green to the Rockets

Kirk Snyder, 2nd Round pick to the T-Wolves

Has Gerald Green’s stock really fallen this far? Yikes. I think this was a good pickup for the Rockets. He may never pan out, but if all you’re sacrificing is Kirk Snyder and a 2nd rounder, it’s totally worth it. Meanwhile, the T-Wolves dive further into cost-cutting mode.

Rockets: B+

T-Wolves: C 

 

Bobby Jackson, Adam Haluska to the Rockets

Mike James, Bonzi Wells to the Hornets

Yeah, I know this was a three team trade, but essentially it was these two teams. I think it was an decent trade from both sides. Bonzi Wells I think has the best chance to make the biggest impact. He also has the best chance to do something totally stupid. But he ate the Spurs for breakfast, lunch and dinner in the playoffs only 2 years ago (figuratively speaking). But looking at his frame, he may have wanted to do it literally as well. But he and Mike James aren’t just talented; they’re head cases as well. I mean, if Adelman couldn’t Bonzi’s best, who can? Anyway, the Hornets at least shored up their pathetic bench and gave Chris Paul more guys to hit for open shots. As for the Rockets, Bobby Jackson might actually be able to provide the occasional spark. Not bad all around.

Hornets: B

Rockets: B- 

 

Ben Wallace, Joe Smith, Wally Szczerbiak, Delonte West to the Cavs

Larry Hughes, Drew Gooden, Shannon Brown, Cedric Simmons to the Bulls

Ira Newble, Donyell Marshall, Adrian Griffin to the Sonics

Wow, lots to discuss here. I like this trade best for the Bulls. The contracts of Ben Wallace and Larry Hughes effectively cancel each other out, but I think the Bulls are getting the better player. Hughes has really shown signs of life lately, even erupting for 41 points recently. I also think getting Drew Gooden is a good pickup. He doesn’t play defense, but he rebounds and is a decent low-post scorer, which they’ve been dying for now for years. Plus, Joakim Noah is doing what Wallace does, only better and for a fraction of the price. They’ve been better with Noah on the floor. Shannon Brown and Cedric Simmons are insignificant fillers. What the Cavs got from the Bulls I’m not too wild about. Wallace is totally washed up. He’s hardly recognizable on the defensive end, although you could recognize him on the offensive end because he’s just as bad as he’s always been. These have been career low numbers for him, and unfortunately, that’s not a fluke. His numbers have been declining for years now. Luckily, the rest of the trade looks promising for the Cavs. Joe Smith, I’ve felt, has always been underrated, only because people have looked at him as a bad #1 pick, not as a good player. He’s had a good season, although he’s tapered off a bit as of late. What the Cavs really should be happy about is what they got from the Sonics. Szczerbiak could hit jumpers falling out of bed. He won’t give you great defense, but he’ll give you good effort and good efficiency and that’ll be huge for LeBron. Delonte West is highly underrated. He’s not your classic point guard. In fact, he’s kind of a miniature combo guard. But he’s a good one. I think these two guys will complement LeBron nicely. As for the Sonics, well, what can you say? I guess if your only goal is cutting cost, then they’ve achieved it. But they didn’t receive one draft pick in all of that? How did that happen?

Bulls: A-

Cavs: B+

Sonics: C-

 

Juan Dixon to the Pistons

Primoz Brezec to the Raptors

Poor Brezec. Traded twice in two months. Tough luck dude. The Raptors needed more size and they got it. Brezec was a pretty good player as recently as 3 seasons ago. Too bad his injury has set him back so badly. The Raptors are gambling that he’ll can recover his form, but it’s a good gamble. Juan Dixon is a shoot first, shoot second and shoot third kind of guy. But when he’s hot, he’s hot. He can be a useful guy off the pine when the Pistons are struggling to put the ball in the hoop. Good trade all around.

Pistons: A-

Raptors: B+

 

Whew. Are there more to come? Trade announcements always trickle in past the deadline so there might be more surprises to come. As if we haven’t been spoiled enough already…

I knew the Pau Gasol trade caused ripples throughout the NBA, but I did not foresee it scaring the bejeezus out of teams as it apparently has done to the Suns. As rumor has it, Shaq is going to Phoenix for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks. I'm still trying to wrap my brain around this.

As far as the Suns front office goes, I can understand why they think they'd need to do this on the surface. But for every seemingly valid reason, I can't help but doubt it in the end.

1) Nash is 34 (as of tomorrow) and his window is closing.
     Yes, Nash is getting older and his back is some reason for concern. However, his output would seem to indicate otherwise. His PER almost identical to the last three years, two of which he won the MVP. If you look at the overall picture, he's actually IMPROVED with age. His window seems to still be wide open.
2) Amare isn't a center and getting a true center will save him the fouls he gets at the C position.
    Maybe. But I'm not sure. I think the logic is good, but the player is wrong. Shaq is a foul machine himself (1 foul every 7 minutes). If anything, I wonder if Amare will have to not only make up for Shaq's defensive limitations to come over to block shots, but also recover for whoever Shawn Marion would have been guarding. Marion is an overrated defender, but he's still better than Grant Hill and Boris Diaw. Shaq has always been susceptible to the pick and roll, and teams know this. Getting Shaq out top fully defeats the purpose of acquiring him to plug up the lane. If they got him to counter Bynum, good luck. Bynum's most effective rolling hard and quick to the cup - exactly what Shaq is not. If they got him to counter Duncan, frankly, Timmy has owned Amare AND Shaq in the post. Shaq's just not the defensive presence he used to be and I don't see him helping Amare that much. Instead, now they're below average defensively at 4 of the 5 positions (only Raja is above average and he's replaced by Barbosa, who, as a 1 on 1 defender is average at best). This will have to be a gambling team, hoping to create turnovers off of steals. Those kinds of teams don't generally make it far in the playoffs.
3) The playoffs are a halfcourt style game, where the game slows down and big men are a premium. Thus as currently constructed, a title is out of reach so the risk is worth it.
    So, the system that has made you so successful is going to be abandoned? This team won 60+ games the last two years, is on pace for another 60(ish), and made the Western Conference finals two of the last 3 years, and probably should have been in the finals last year (ahem, Robert Horry). I've heard it argued that Shaq will be the inbounder and you don't need 5 guys to run a break. Ok, well, first I find it amusing that it's automatically assumed they'll be INBOUNDING the ball and not REBOUNDING the ball. Anyway, Marion was the best guy on the team besides Amare for finishing those breaks. He fit the system perfectly and the system was working. Traditionally, teams keep their core intact and build towards a championship after several years of failure. If this crew couldn't do it this year, I could understand the move, but right now, it just doesn't seem to be worth the risk.
4) Shaq will be rejuvenated by his return to contender status.
    This is probably true. For a short while. But all reports show he's still not recovered from his injury. The safe bet is, he'll be injured again. Even in his prime, injuries were constant concern. All the rejuvenation in the world doesn't heal old and creaky, and Shaq is only getting older and creakier.
5) Financially, this is better because Marion doesn't have to be extended.
    Well, Marion didn't have to be extended anyway and his contract ends in 2009. Shaq's goes to 2010, by which time you're almost guaranteed he'll be a huge albatross around the team's neck, whereas Marion would at least still be young and spry.
6) Shaq helps match up with the big Western Conference teams.
    True. But they also now match up better with you. Your biggest advantage - quickness, speed and athleticism - is diminished. I think Marion is a better fit.
7) Marion is a malcontent and a cancer who needs to be traded.
    Malcontent, yes. But he's always been that way. He's never felt like he got his due. But it never affected his play on the court. An pouting Marion is still better than a happy yet creaky Shaq (who will, inevitably, become a pouting and creakier Shaq).

In the end, I could be very wrong about all of this. Maybe the frontline of Shaq, Amare and Hill is big enough to match up with Odom, Gasol and Bynum. Maybe Shaq, now motivated, has his ailments suddenly disappear and he works himself frantically to get in better shape. Maybe Nash can get Shaq the ball in positions where he can be effective again. Yes, maybe. I just have my doubts.