The BAD: the heat will be a title contender for another 2 years because shaq only has 3 productive years left, if that! 19-9 can turn into 15-5 very fast. for two or three years they will have a backup center being paid $25 million. The GOOD: in 5 years shaq's ginormous expiring contract can be traded for 2 max players! or at least by that time with contracts inflating, one and a half. a team looking for instant cap space (or to cut half thier salary) would gladly give up the equivalent of baron davis and jamaal magloir. The BEST for us: in 5 seasons from now shaq will be a nice backup to yao who should be playing about 40 MPG at that point. shaq is allways looking to add more rings, and this would be the place to go. i'm sure we would sign him to the min if he was still able to play 8-10 minutes per game.
Too much, but only because the length of the contract. More power to him for getting paid that much, but I believe the Heat are foolish for making that deal.
Remember, under the new CBA teams are allowed one salary related cut so maybe that is the answer to the seemingly excessive length of the deal. If he wins you a ring but breaks down in year four or five, you reward him for the previous ring(s) by buying out his contract but not having the deal count towards your cap,; now all they gotta do is win the ring(s).
stupid question here.. How does Shaq's contract work under the labor agreement? I thought that there was a max contract rule. thx!
Look, as much as people would like to blame it on Kobe, this is exactly why the Lakers traded Shaq. They weren't willing to give him this type of contract extension, and rightfully so. I think that Shaq has entered a stage of rapid decline in his career. He barely averaged 20 and 10 in the regular season last year and didn't even do that in the playoffs. He is no longer the best player in the league and may not even be the best center for long. This extension will come back and hurt Miami in a couple of years.
I agree with you, last year Shaq was in the best shape of his life, I doubt he'll be nearly as motivated this year and add another year of wear and tear on him, won't be good, too be honest I would be surprised if plays all five years.
Good post macfan.From a revenue standpoint it's a no brainer,and on the floor,I feel the Big Aristotle and Miami will be contenders for the length of the contract.Big Man has more left in the tank than most think,besides Miami plays in the weak East....and he DOES transcend sports.I mean we are talking historically about a guy that ranks with Wilt,Dream,Kareem,and Russell.And Shaq has mad game off the court to boot in this media driven age.
Just how weak is the East? Pistons, Pacers and the improved Cavs may have something to say about it. The gap between the EC & WC has closed a lot so I don't think the "weak East" idea applies any more. One perspective to this contract: Shaq had a $30MM option for this year, so actually he is getting $70MM for 4 additional years, which comes to $17.5MM per year. The additional salary almost seems in line when you think of it that way. You can still put me in the corner with those who say Shaq only has 2-3 very good years left. Let's see what Heat fans say about him if he doesn't dedicate himself to stay in shape like last year.
L.A. won Shaq is not getting better, he's breaking down at the end of every season. Remember he came into last season in unbelievable shape? He still broke down. Do you think he's going to be as motivated one year removed from the L.A. divorce? Shaq has NO complete seasons in him. That's the problem, he'll put up good numbers per game, but he will not finish the season.
True it has improved,but what about most of the top 4's and 5's...A majority of the quality big men reside in the Western Conference,giving Miami a built in advantage.I mean,the only Eastern Conference team that actually has a chance of beating a Western Conference foe in the Finals is the Heat. On the Pistons,I really respect what they've done for basketball,and noone can doubt their talent,but I see a dropoff here w/Brown leaving.As good as they are,Detroit is susceptible to great interior play,a forte of numerous WC teams(and now Miami's frontline).Look at the Lakers when they played Detroit.If their role players weren't old and injured,that series wouldn't have gone down like that. Also there is the Miami series....Wade and Shaq were much less than 100%. I know it sounds like I'm disrespecting Detroit.I'm not meaning to do that,just pointing out their vulnerability.Those guys play tight defense and a brand of team basketball,Dr. Naismith would be proud of.I guess I just see anybody other than Miami as fodder for the West still. Of course much has been made of Artest,and the Pacers return,but return to what?They will strengthen the confrence,but come playoff time should fold just like always...good regular season...knocked out in the playoffs.Again,the lack of quality size at the 5 will kill them. Cleveland though is indeed a scary situation.They've really stocked that team,but the Cavs seem to me to be a couple of years away.Lebron should grow into the best player on the planet,but will Big Z ever be able to stay healthy? Your right,the East is stronger,but it's still vulnerable to the best in the West....because of size.
I agree.. Shaq felt it would be better to prolonge his career by moving East. Less banging on his body would allow him to lengthen his career by a few years. 2 or 3 years tops will he be big dog.. but I can see him concede more and more to DWade and whatever young talent Miami brings in. years 4 -5 I wouldnt be suprised if he is a 15 / 8 player still a good players just no longer dominating. J
