First, I think it is not worth giving up two promising young players in Odom and Butler for Shaq. It took them years to get here, and they give it away overnight. Shaq+Wade will not win a title, period. But the reason I said Pat Riley is dumb is not so much about the deal, but how he negotiate the deal. Clearly Lakers are desperate to trade Shaq so that they can convince Kobe to stay. Shaq said he may take a surgery next year and opted out next summer, and if he stays, he want extension contract at $30M for 3 years. All these things Shaq said scared away teams. And then Shaq clicked with Riley. Heat was in the similar situation with Shaq as we were with Tmac. And they had more advantage as they will be fine if they don't do this trade but we had enough with SF already. Heat had the control of this game, but let Lakers got everything they wanted. From #1 to Caron to Caron AND #1. Isn't that dumb or what?
this deal would be great if Miami vaults right up there in contention for the NBA title. But do we really think they can do it? I sure as hell don't. With that in mind, I think that's the reason why I and some others think that this deal for Miami blows. You get short term value but the goal is the same whether it's short term or long term--to win the championship. Will this team be up there? It's hard to answer seeing how a team field with Shaq and Kobe couldn't even get it done against the Pistons....so what makes people think that a team with Shaq and Wade can do it?
I wouldnt say that this puts miami as championship contenders, yea the addition of shaq might take them farther into the playoffs, but flame all you want, in a 7 game series, id say the orlando magic would win, who else is there to help shaq out on offense besides wade...and besides that, im looking forward to seeing yao and shaq go at it in the all star game
In caron, lakers get a valuable trade asset to fill the holes at either PF or C. This is all because of dumb Riley.
One last thing... WADE is not all that! I can't believe all this crap that is out there about Wade being an "untouchable". He is not that good!
I think Shaq in Miami will work I don't think the heat stop with this I would suspect them made a move mid season if not right before I think young talent can be found . . .. . Lakers did get a win here though all they need a some big guys Rocket River funny. . the shaqless team is a Phil Jackson type team
I thought they were in the process of rebuilding just a year ago and obviously just these past 2 months that had some positive signs going their way. The good thing is that they got rid of B. Grant with the horrible contract for 3 years but now they have Shaq for 2. BTW, how long does Eddie Jones have till his contract is up? The Heat are now fielding a pretty horrible lineup with Shaq declining and Wade, imo, still kinda unproven.
From a fantasy perspective: Brian Grant was horrible last year. As was Caron Butler. I've used Grant a lot in the past and he's just steadily been declining. Last year was the first for Butler on my team and he had a solid year before that...but man...he really feel off. Miami made this big 2nd half run. Good. But after all was said and done, they were a .500 team regular season that made the 2nd round of the playoffs. Hasleem is getting better as Grant is getting worse. Shaq will dominate the East. Wade will get better. Miami is not ready to win it all yet, but they ARE better than last year, but they do need more pieces. As for LA. Grant can bang and as seen with Yao, Grant can hold his own defensively (but then again, Najera did the same thing...dammit Yao get some muscle!). Odom is a solid talent with all around skills. He had some SICK rebounding numbers last year including 18 plus boards vs the Mavs, Kings, Nets, and Pacers. The dude has the height to play the 4 and the skills to play the 3. No doubt he will be outmatched in size many nights in the West, but damn....he rebounded like 10 a game last year. Caron Butler is an X factor...has talent, but an off year last year. We'll see.
yes, definitely! maybe? debatable??? if the deal was odom, grant, #1...i would of said riley is a genius.... but now that they also givin away butler.... i think possibly this is a better deal for LA. miami could have dictated this trade...#1 shaq wants out, #2 shaq limited only 5 teams he willing to play for, #3 noone is willing to give up TOO MUCH for shaq (besides miami i guess), #4 LA are willing to trade shaq immediately to sign kobe!!!!!!!!!!!! kobe is their PRIORITY..... i dunno riley... i think u screwed up.
