I find it interesting that with Shaq going to Miami, that both Van Gundy's now have the premiere post player in the East and West. This has got to be great marquis value for the NBA. East vs West, Yao vs Shaq, JVG vs SVG. Its too bad that Riley wasn't able to keep Butler. They could have traded him to ORL and gotten Gooden and Cat. Now THAT would have been a good team. If they had moved Jones to the 3, they'd have had Shaq/Gooden/Jones/Cat/Wade, and Cat would have gone to the Finals. Now they have to come up with the 3/4 positions. But, even though that's not as strong, they'll still be contending. But, you gotta know that Riley probably wants to take back over the coaching job ... lol ... It would not shock me to hear that Stan steps aside for a couple years to be Riley's assistant. With Rudy taking over the reigns in LA, I think it will further make the Rockets/Lakers rivalry a big one in the West. Rudy, with a great team of Payton/Kobe/Butler/Odom/Grant will probably take it to us for the next year or two, until we flesh out our team. Both situations have to make the NBA front offices excited, and it should be a great ride for the Rockets. I believe these will be our two biggest rivalries for the next couple years, and even longer with LA.
If so, I think it would have to happen pretty quick. The Rockets seem to be preparing for a long run, while Miami appears to be operating in a smaller window with Shaq and all. Of course unless he can play another five years like he says he can.
JVG's brother is proving to be one heck of a coach!! Now he's gotten Shaq assuming this deal goes through. JVG is continuously being shown up by his brother. First going further in the playoffs. Now getting Shaq.
Miami's making a bad deal here - Shaq isn't good enough to win a title by himself and what's left of Miami doesn't even put them up with the top 3 in the East. I'm happy for Rudy. But this does almost seem like a petulant "brother thing". SVG: "You got T-Mac but I got Shaq." JVG: "Moron, T-Mac's 25, Yao's 23 and you're now not even the best team in Florida". SCG: "You're the frikkin' third best team in Texas. And when Yao sees Shaq next tell him to expect broken ribs and a collapsed lung." JVG: "Remember a guy named Moses? I've got him on my cell now. I just gave him your security codes and he wants to see you. You won't be able to understand a word he says. I'm now ordering flowers..." SVG: "Coward. Shorty stopped liking getting himself beaten up huh? I thought it was a sexual thing for awhile." JVG: "I'm also sending Riley a thank you note, but you should have really known his trip back to LA traumatized him. You were negligent." SVG: "Uh, Moses, who?" JVG: "That one, we Houston guys are loyal. They put something in the water, almost explains Enron". SVG: "I'm calling Dad." JVG: "I thought Dad was dead, but if he's not I think I can take him now". SVG: "I'm driving to Houston now, tell the wife and kids to leave." JVG: "I don't remeber if they're here, but I'm calling Coach Riley now. He'll always like me better. Dumbass, in the hospital you'll have plenty of time to figure this all out." SVJ: "Jeff you sick, you need help." JVG: "No sh**, I'm a bad*** muth*******." SVJ: "Don't you think Yao might tend to want to get away from a psycho-boy?" JVG: "You're forgetting the water. And the kid's got an ego and Ewing's his personal valet. You tell me when you get a HOFer for Shaq. He'll need one being on the IL for the bulk of his fleeting career." SVG: "Ok, call you tomorrow?" JVG: "Your fingers won't work tomorrow, but sure I'm here watching film. Nothing going on".
I don't think there's any question that this matchup in the finals would be the best case scenario for the NBA. Shaq/Yao is the best matchup in the league and this would be the most watched finals in years. But first things first, let's see how the Rockets fill out the roster and gell as a team before we think Finals run.
