Diesel Powered Suns?
I’m going to tell you why this is actually a great idea.
The trade, barring the Diesel passing the league’s version of E-Check is going to send Superman complete with his Kryptonian knees and the like to Phoenix for the Matrix and Marcus Banks. You’re bound to go anywhere and read how Phoenix is utterly stupid for doing this deal. But understand something that I’m sure most of them know as they are ardently against this, but won’t say until May when the Suns figure to be long gone. They were not going to win it all with this unit as is. Or as “was”. Don’t get me wrong, the trio of MV3 Nash, “S.T.A.T.” and Matrix were really good together. They’ve won a lot of games together, for sure, but you don’t get trophies for winning regular season games. This isn’t the NHL, having the league’s best record doesn’t guarantee you the President’s Cup and a pat on the back from the commissioner. Now to quote a famous rap artist, let’s kick the logistics here.
A) Shawn Marion is a small forward. Not a power, but SMALL FORWARD. A 3 for those of you keeping score at home. Conversely…
B) Amare is NOT a center. He’s a power forward who’s playing center. You can get away with this sort of thing in college, more than 80-85% of the big schools do so every year. But doing this in the pros will have you pounded into the pavement by a team that has a legitimate big man every time, all the time.
Now looking at this unit, there’s only one man on this roster who stands at over seven feet and his only contribution of worthwhile status is a blog. Yes, a BLOG. If you really think the Suns didn’t need to make this deal, in spite of leading the West at the moment, you’re kidding yourself, delusional or both. With the emergence of Bynum into what no one outside of Kupchak’s office thought he could be, Yao and oh yeah, the Big Franchise in San Antonio, the Suns were speed boating up creek without a rudder. They needed an answer and contrary to what most think, they don’t need Shaq to be an offensive threat. He’s not coming here for that. He’s being brought here to give them what they have none of at the moment. DEFENSE.
Okay, so if that’s the case, why Shaq? You could make the argument that he hasn’t really played since the Heat’s title run a few years back. Well, when properly motivated as I’m sure this SHOULD since he hasn’t really played with a point guard the likes of the MV3 aka Steve Nash…Shaq should be it. Because in reality, the Miami Project has run its course ladies and gents. With Marion and Wade, I think for at least the remainder of Wade’s contract, we’ll see if Marion ends up with the same remorse all get who think the grass is greener without Nash mowing the lawn. Ask Joe Johnson. But back to the point at hand. The purpose behind any trade is to be better off than you were before you made it. Miami, comes out of this with a viable second option to Flash and will probably be the most exciting lottery team to watch this side of…well, any West team that doesn’t crack the top 8.
Ultimately, I think the Suns recognize they’ve got a SERIOUSLY short window of opportunity to get over the hump. The Diesel’s not coming in and being expected to run with the fleet of Porsches that are there. He’s simply there to smash anyone or thing that impedes their progress towards victory lane. Still, there are many flaws with Phoenix that I see as potential problems as they try to maintain and get homecourt locked up. Their lack of bench depth is a MAJOR one. So while this trade gives them an interior presence they haven’t had in…ever, I still think the Lakers are better than them because they have the best frontcourt this side of Detroit and their bench is quietly better than we think. They’re still not better than the Spurs because well, they’re the Spurs. If you’re a Heat fan, well, I don’t know what to tell you. Marion might walk unless Riles can sell him that A) Wade will be around for a while and B) he’ll make sure they’re in a position to compete for another title. So kudos to GM Kerr for attempting to get the Suns some much needed help…even if it is a vintage Diesel with a ton of miles on it and not much go left in the tank.
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