Two observations: I am really going to miss Shareef. He came on my radio show not once, but twice and he was a complete gentleman. He's a pillar of the community and a fine human being. I hated that he was unable to turn around things in ATL, but I figured that he would be best as a second banana, ala Scottie or Kevin McHale or James Worthy. He always played hard (when I watched him), but his salary cap numbers were this side of awful. Sheed is a certifiable idiot and will be gone at the end of the season. If only it would have been that easy for the Hawks to do that with Isiah, the very start of their downfall into their present morass. It's a sad state of affairs when our beloved Rox and other teams will line up to get their hands on a lazy, egotistical jerk like Sheed. This guy is up there with Derrick Coleman as one of the greatest wastes of talent in NBA history. I think the trade will be good for ATL to clear salary as a sign and trade destination. But Portland will take on a monster salary in Shareef's, which does not bode well for their future when franchise cornerstone Zach Randolph's deal ends. ATL does several drawing cards. First of all, it has a very interesting nightlife, with everything from strip joints (ask Patrick Ewing, there is sex in the champagne room at the defunct Gold Club!!!!) to great techno clubs. You have everything you could want in a city, only a few hours from the mountains or a longer drive to the beach.
How is Shareef on the defensive end? I've heard he's not a very good defender, and so I haven't been in favor of acquiring him because I really think we need a good defender at PF.
