Gasol to LA Lakers:
The Lakers received an All-Star calibre player for hardly anything and this now makes them a formidable opponent for most teams. Will this mean they are a favourite for the title? I personally do not think it will happen this year but next season could be very interesting.
This is a massive boost for the Lakers as they will now comprise 1 perennial All-Star (in Kobe Bryant), 1 All-Star who played for a team that sucked (Gasol), 1 guy who used to be an All-Star and could return to that level (Lamar Odom) and a youngster who could be an All Star (Andrew Bynum). Plus you cannot discount the successful man limping on the sidelines and the triangle offence.
Regarding Andrew Bynum, this trade helps him a lot. With the ability of Gasol to play close to the basket, teams will not be able to double up on him - making it easier to score. He also has the length and atheleticm of Gasol to assist him on defence.
Overall, a good move by the Lakers and one that will benefit them in the coming years.
Phoenix land the Big Aristotle
This deal caused greater shockwaves throughout the basketball community as it saw one of the most dominant players to play in the NBA being traded to a team that just was not right.
The Phoenix Suns are a team that loves to run and score. Shaq is a player on the wrong side of his game, he is nearing 36 and has been slowed by injuries the last two seasons. Shaq won a title in 2006 but his game is based on banging and posting, rather than run and gun these days. so people think that this will destroy the chemistry and style of the team.
But I like this move, it will change things around for the better.
First, Steve Nash is the soul of this club, he literally makes them run. Yet he is nearing his mid 30's and has a few more seasons of playing at this level. They have tried winning with Marion, Amare Stoudamire, Boris Diaw et al. but they have come up short.
Secondly, people forget that at Miami, opponents could double team Shaq because apart from Dwayne Wade, there was no one else they had to guard. At Phoenix, there is another behemoth in the block so team can not double team Shaq all the time. Plus people forget how good Shaq is at passing to the open man, so the Suns 3-pont shooters will find extra time and more looks becuse of the big fella.
On defence, Amare will handle the teams best big man, allowing Shaq to patrol the outside of the laneway.
Lastly, with all the negative talk about Shaq being past his best and the trade being lopsided favopuring the Miami Heat, I am sure the big guy will be fired to prove the doubters wrong. He will run and he will get up and down. He will rebound and ignite the Suns running game.
Shaq could deliver the title to Phoenix this season or over the next year or two, and make Steve Kerr look like a genuius, make Mike D'Antonio a champion coach and elevate Steve Nash to the pantheon of great players.
Lets not forgetMiami - with Shawn Marion playing for them, they have suddenly gotten quicker on the wings. Add a draft pick (as they seem likely to get this year), and a few moves and the Heat could be contenders for years to come.
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