The Big Defibrilator

I am in shock. News came out last night that the Suns were thinking of trading Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks for Shaq. I laughed out loud when I saw it. While it sounds fine for Miami, that's possibly the dumbest trade I've ever heard of for the Suns. Shawn Marion looked like he was created by God to play Phoenix Suns basketball. He's an athletic 3 who could defend anyone and put up 20-10 without having a play called for him. He also ran like a gazelle for 40-45 minutes a night and could finish a break as well as anyone.

Then there's Shaq. He's a 7'1'' 35 year old ex-all-star who couldn't run out the door if the building were on fire. He clogs the lane, eliminating the pick and roll for Nash and Amare and makes spacing more difficult for Nash's dribble penetration. Plus, he STILL can't hit more than 65% of his free throws. I just can't imagine a worse fit for Phoenix.

Which means that the Suns are going to have to adjust and adjust big if they want to go deep in the playoffs this year. Shaq isn't a complete bust - he's a big body that can defend the Tim Duncans and Andrew Bynums of the world, and he's a career 60% field goal shooter. Nash should be able to get him a lot of looks where he wants them and do something with them. Plus, this lets Amare finally move to the 4 for significant minutes where he's always really wanted to be instead of pretending to be a real center. It may also help with his foul troubles.

So Mike D'Antoni has got a huge project in front of him. He's going to have to find a way to make his brand of basketball work with an aging behemoth on the court and without one of the huge keys to our prior style of run and gun basketball. There is a very small chance that this works out well for us. If Shaq can get motivated and get in shape for another run at a title, he might provide a spark in the rough 'em up playoffs. Nash should be able to find someone to finish a break with Shaq inbounding the ball and bringing up the rear. Grant Hill may be able to provide some of the defense and athleticism that will be missing with Shawn gone and Boris may get more minutes and find more of a groove for himself. Maybe this move improves some of the chemistry issues that have been plaguing the team this year.

That's a whole lot of maybes. And dammit I liked the way the Suns played. It was fun to watch and fun to be a part of a basketball renovation. Even if Shaq is absolutely Shaqtastic and turns out well here, it's not going to be the same Suns team. That saddens me.