GO FOR 2

The Phoenix Suns have agreed in principle today to a trade which sends Shaquille O’Neal to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The two teams have flirted with the move for months now, so today’s move really shouldn’t surprise anyone, although it will likely have some ramifications. The Suns are sending Shaq to the Cavs, who in turn are sending Sasha Pavlovic, Ben Wallace, a second round pick, and cash back to the desert. (As a side note for those who don’t know, Shaq has a reputation for becoming a reserve Sherrif’s deputy everywhere he lives, hence the killer title).

So does the move mean that the Cavaliers can contend? That depends, contend with whom? The Cavaliers posted an NBA best 66-16 record, and were bounced by the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference Finals. Now, having Shaq would have really helped nullify the inside presence of Dwight Howard, who really hurt the Cavs in that series. However, next year K.G. will be back and the Celtics are a more likely Eastern Conference foe. Shaq probably won’t help as much against the Celtics as he would against the Magic, because the Celtics tend to play more slashing and jumpshooting ball. But there’s an upside here too, Shaq may not help much in that matchup, but he shouldn’t hurt either. The Celtics are an old team (aside from Rajon Rondo), and don’t get up and down the floor nearly as quick as, say, the Lakers, so Shaq’s own age and mobility won’t be much of a hindrance there.

Now, a lot of people are going to knock this move, saying that Shaq didn’t help any in Phoenix, in fact they missed the playoffs this year. First off all, the Suns missed the playoffs because the West is stacked right now. Second, Phoenix has problems because Steve Kerr is an imbecile, not because of Shaq. Kerr messed up the Suns from top to bottom, being unable to figure out his coaching situation, dismantling the team, waffling on playing up-tempo, and bringing in a player who didn’t fit the system he was (kind of) using.

Despite all that, Shaq flourished last year. The big man played in 75 games and averaged 17.8 points and 8.4 boards a game. Consider the fact the Mo Williams played an all-star (literally and figuratively) season, and suddenly LeBron looks to have a pretty good cast around him for what could be his last title shot in Cleveland.