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Shaq Switches to Suns

UPDATED ON:
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 07, 2008
1:09 MECCA TIME, 22:09 GMT

The trade that brought O'Neal to Phoenix is one of
the most unexpected in NBA history, a blockbuster
deal that sent Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks to Miami
and came together in just a few days under first-year
Phoenix general manager Steve Kerr.

The criticism has been widespread from fans to talk
radio hosts to newspaper columnists.

All claimed that Phoenix had acquired a once-great
big man far past his prime, a 2.16 metre, 147 kilo
Goliath who would stifle the Suns' trademark ultra-up
tempo game.

And the Suns were taking on a contract that pays
O'Neal $20 million each of the next two seasons.

Yet coach Mike D'Antoni and the Suns players said
they were elated, that they believe O'Neal will be
reinvigorated by the move and become a crucial
component of their title run.

"We feel like our players are giddy with the
possibilities,'' D'Antoni said.

"He's ready and focused. It's up to the coaching
staff to do the tweaks without changing everything,
and I don't think we have to.''



Steve Nash admitted he was "shocked'' by the trade,

"If you look at what happened the last 24 hours it
was incredible,'' he said.

"You go through a whole bunch of emotions. It was
very unexpected, but at the same time to get a chance
to play with Shaquille O'Neal is pretty exciting.''

O'Neal has been out for two weeks with a hip injury
and underwent an MRI exam in Miami on Tuesday.

He flew to Phoenix on Wednesday for the physical,
and the Suns believe whatever ails the big guy
can be cured by their doctors and training staff.

"It's a matter of flexibility in the joints and
different things,'' Kerr said.

"They're very progressive with their rehabilitation
and they felt very strongly that he's going to be
more mobile and explosive than what he has been.''

A champion...and a risk

Kerr said he, D'Antoni and owner Robert Sarver 
spoke with O'Neal.

"He wants to be here. He's dying to be here,'' Kerr
said.

"Shaquille is a winner, he's a champion and he was
not happy playing in Miami for a team that's
rebuilding. It was not a good situation.''

The Suns' Amare Stoudemire is a friend of O'Neal
and talked to him about his new team.

"He says he's ready to roll,'' Stoudemire said.

"Whatever he needs to do he's going to be down for
it, and he wants to win a championship, so we're on
the same page.''

O'Neal will turn 36 next month.

"There's doubts and a risk to everything,'' Nash
said.

"I know that's going to be a favourite talking point
for all the media, but for us the talking point is
we've got an incredible, huge, talented, charismatic
player in our locker room now. ... This sounds like
it's going to be a lot of fun.''

O'Neal has averaged 25.6 points and 11.5 rebounds
in 16 seasons in the NBA.



This season, plagued by injuries and going through
a divorce, he's averaging 14.2 points.

His 14-year streak as an All-Star choice came to an
end this year.

He missed much of the 2006-07 season with a knee
injury and finished that season with career lows in
games (40), scoring (17.3 points), rebounds (7.4),
minutes (28.4) and free-throw percentage (.422).

"It was a very, very hard decision for me. When Shaq
came to the team four years ago, I always felt it was
forever. We won a championship with him. We wish 
him nothing but the best,'' Heat coach Pat Riley said.

"We have to move on with our team. We're rebuilding.
This is not the most desirable place to be right
now.''

He denied that there was any lingering rift with
O'Neal.

"I loved Shaq when I got him and I love him today,"
Riley said.

"I've been coaching 25 years and there wasn't
anything that went on between Shaq and I that caused
this. We simply looked at the big picture, where we
are today, and we need to build around Dwyane
(Wade).''

--

 


The history lineup in mind, ever.
 

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