The Diesel In The Desert

For three weeks in a row now, I have discussed things political. The list has included weighty matters, such as Super Tuesday, The State of The Union, and Super Tuesday results. The political Battle Royale continues, and is likely to do so for a while. Even though the process has narrowed to a candidates' Final Four, with two candidates left in both Major Parties, there is reason to believe the Primaries will take a while to unfold before the final match-ups are determined. But that is enough about that topic for this week.

Tonight, the focus shifts to the Greatest Show on Earth (in my humble opinion); professional basketball! Last week, in an unexpected development, The Miami Heat traded Shaquille O’Neal to the Phoenix Suns, prior to the NBA Trade Deadline. Shaq Diesel cleared his physical a week ago today.

Admittedly, this development causes me mixed emotions. I have always been an O’Neal fan. When the Orlando Magic traded the Big Guy to the Los Angeles Lakers, my lifetime favorite pro sports team*, not just basketball team, in 1996, I was thrilled. His pivotal role in leading them to three subsequent NBA Championships served to validate and solidify my admiration.

Obviously, when the Lakers traded O’Neal to the Miami Heat in 2004, I was a seriously unhappy camper. But I sucked it up, and grudgingly pulled for him as he teamed with Dwayne Wade to win his fourth, and Miami’s first NBA Championship in 2006. Truthfully, it was Kobe Bryant whom I harbored ill will toward, for being instrumental in breaking up a Dynasty, even if it were aging…and even though the key aging component, and frequently out of game-condition player was Shaquille. Fans do not have to be logical!

The Big Aristotle is 35-plus years old and certainly on the downside of his stellar career. The Phoenix Suns are one of the two or three most exciting and successful teams in the NBA today. They win lots of regular season basketball games. The playoffs, not so much! That’s largely because they have very little post presence, and the play-offs are much more physical than the regular season.

O’Neal should help with that if he can stay healthy enough to contribute during the Sin's play-off run. At 7’1” and over 325 pounds, he is an imposing presence on both ends of the floor, offense and defense. With the addition of Shaq Daddy, the Suns will no longer rely on pantywaists in the paint.

In fact, if O’Neal can achieve the necessary conditioning required to be consistently involved in the offense, their effectiveness in the half-court will instantly change from a significant liability to a huge asset. With a healthy, engaged, and effective O'Neal, the Suns will be a major factor in determining the Western Conference Championship, which of course establishes the Conference representative in the NBA Finals.

Therein lies the rub; the source of my mixed emotions. The Lakers are my favorite team. They also executed a recent trade that should strengthen their efforts to advance to the Conference Finals, and if successful there, to the League Championship series. During the weekend before the Suns traded for Superman, the Lakers acquired Pau Gasol from the Memphis Grizzlies.

Gasol, a Spaniard, who is 7’1”, 260 pounds, is a prototypical European post player. That means while not a banger, he is a skilled player and is effective shooting the ball long range. His addition in the Lakers' line-up replaces Kwame Brown primarily, the 2001 NBA #1 Draft Pick, and considered widely a bust. Pau will join Andrew Bynum, drafted #10 in 2005 by the Lakers. Together Gasol and Bynum are expected to rejuvenate a re-tooled Lakers' front court, and help Kobe Bryant return the vaunted franchise back into Championship contention.

In closing, Shaq is still cool with me. I will pull for him, except when his team plays the Lakers, or the Bobcats, of course. I wish The Diesel In The Desert success in his quest to re-claim the West, this time for the Suns. His efforts will definite strengthen the Suns, whose style of play I enjoy immensely. But that’s as far as it goes. When it comes to “How the West Is Won,” GO Lakers!

*The Lakers will always be my favorite team. But my goods friends and especially fellow Lakers' fans know I am a 'homer.' When the Lakers visit Charlotte, as they did a couple of nights ago, I root for the Bobcats.

I’m done; Holla!

Read my blog anytime by clicking the link: http://thesphinxofcharlotte.blogspot.com, or by Googling thesphinxofcharlotte. A new post is published each Wednesday.


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