Gotta love ad agencies. People from all walks of life show up. Especially after Draft Lotteries. So, I spoke today with a VERY HIGH UP exec who just gave me his opinions and what he heard. I also talked to a very important sports figure later on at the sports radio station by sheer luck when I called to get the media buy numbers for the quarter. He confirmed not only that the rumor is TRUE. But will most likely happen. Now, let me tell you the circumstances on how I got this comment. We were in a private meeting today talking about commercial billing and the rates we are going to charge for NBA commercials. This exec who I can't name since I am bound by my contract at work and can't risk it, sat down across the table from us. During a break, I asked him what he thought about the NBA playoffs. He was sad because he thought his team would be able to contend for the last spot. (hint ) Here is where we come in. I told him that I hear rumors about maybe Mc Grady being a Rocket next year and that I really would hate to lose Francis but I guess you make that trade for Mc Grady. Here is what he said. Not exact words: That he is hearing very strong rumors and that he thinks that they have alot to them. He says that Mc Grady and Shaq are very good friends. He told me that the relationship Shaq has with Phil Jackson is very strong. But Jackson might be leaving. He told me that Phil and Kobe respect each other profession, but don't like each other off the court. We all know about Kobe and Shaq. So, seems like LA has made a decision already. They will keep Kobe since he is younger and try and trade Shaq to Orlando for any combination of Hill, whatever and DEFINITELY the number one pick who will then be used to pick Ameka Okafur. If Phil leaves, Byron Scott will most likely coach the team and that will work with Kobe since he and Scott are tight. Supposedly, Shaq has kidded to Mc Grady about coming to LA since Kobe might OPT out of the contract and go free agency. But Shaq has reportedly told T-Mac that he wouldn't have to come to LA that he will go back to Orlando. So, to summarize, the Rocks would have to beat the offer the Lakers are giving Orlando if all this crap is true. Again, people know that I wouldn't post crap just for saying crap. So, I called the radio station and happen to get the number one talk show host and he is hearing the same exact rumors. Take it for what its worth. If someone posted it before, then it looks like its the real deal around the rumor mill.
So the Magic are going to get Shaq for just a number 1 draft pick and some dead weight/garbage. I didn't know Oneal could be had for so little. Okafur is good, but is LA going to bet that he's good enough to replace shaq? I doubt it. Also, what if Jackson stays? And I thought Magic fans didn't like shaq after him bailing on them for LA, now he wants to go back? The whole thing doesn't make sense, but thanks for the info.
Thanks, Almu. Any inside scoop is really appreciated, and this is a good one. The Rocks would have a tough nut to crack, for sure. Geez, if LA and Orlando did that deal it'd be an NBA earthquake of epic proportions!
If true, this is like the real life scenario that you talk about with your friends: Would you trade 1 championship for having your team suck for the next ten years after that title?
Dark, I don't know the exact combo. But O'Neil and the 1st pick will be trading places if the rumor is true. Byron Scott signing is something totally different and has ramifications on Kobe staying or going since it looks like Phil might be leaving. I don't know the exact players. But I do know that Shaq in Orlando for the number One and whatever else goes is what these people are saying. I am just the Finance guy.
So the Lakers are going to trade one of the top 3 most dominant players in NBA history for garbage contracts and the first pick in a draft with no sure thing (Lebron/Duncan). They may be discussing this Almu, but if you're LA, you can get so so so much more for O'Neal. Draft picks+entire rosters of some Eastern Conference teams. I can't see the Lakers getting screwed like this just to do Shaq a favor.
Yeah, but you've got to consider how much Shaq has left in the tank. A 1st overall for, what, 2-3 years left...I know it's not a great draft ( IMO, Howard is a better pick than A OK, but whatever)...
Tell them to put the pipe down and quit thinking Oneal could be had for just a #1 pick and some garbage. It sounds like they're just trying to get a rumor started.
Shaq and Yao have great effect on each other. Shaq is declining, Yao is improving and is already 2nd best center in the nba and is seen as the next dominant player. Look out the Lakers will try to dump Shaq for Yao. Historically they've always had great centers.
Cabbage, I wouldn't do this deal ever ever ever. But think about this. Shaq is not like he was back in the day. He is hurt alot. And even when he has no center to contain him like he does against the Wolves, he doesn't even crack 25 anymore. Remember how he ripped the Pacers for 40 and 25 in 2000 Finals? He probably is not the same player anymore. And Okafur is considered by many Olajuwon light. Why pay all that money for Shaq when you don't even know if he is gonna break down or not. PLUS, Kobe wants to go if Shaq is there. It might take 3 teams. I dont know. Its just a rumor anyways that I heard from some important NBA guy and got all giddy about it. I feel all important and shiznet.
I should of said Mc Grady Will Be very difficult to get IF the rumor has any validity to it. The Rocks couldn't compete with an offer like that.
Would the fans of the Magic accep Shaq back? I mean the guy busted out of Orlando for the money and fame won some titles now he is just on the decline. He defintely would have won Orlando a championship somewhere in those 8 years. I'm not so sure that they would accept him back. If Yao leaves us for the Lakers wins a handful of titles than comes crawing back towards the end of his career I'd boo him every time he touches the ball.
I am picturing the NBA Exec looking at me while he was talking and I just think where there is smoke there is fire. He looked pretty serious. And the phone call confirming it didn't make me doubt either. One thing that seems for sure, T-Mac is heavily being looked at by tons of teams. And seems like they gonna blow up the Lakers keeping Kobe and going from there. I just don't want the Rocks to be left out.
There are going to be tons of teams looking at T-Mac and a lot of them will have better offers than us. Like DD, seeing Shaq go to the East would be nice, not as nice as T-Mac on the Rox though. Getting T-Mac was a long shot in the first place, but there are a ton of ways to improve this team w/o blowing it up.
