- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 359,297
- Reaction score
- 40
What an interesting time for Kevin Garnett and his “Men in Green” to show up in Phoenix.
Brownie Points: Shaqs Suns debut vs. Lakers turned out to be a television ratings bonanza
Read Jerry Brown's blog, 'Rim Shots'
With Shaquille O’Neal now setting up shop in the Valley, many fans who gave a thumbs down to the Feb. 6 deal cited the fact that the Suns were just trying to rebound from a missed opportunity last summer — the chance to lure “The Big Ticket” away from Minnesota so he could do for Phoenix what he has done for the Boston Celtics: Make them an odds-on favorite to reach the NBA finals.
It sure has worked out for Boston. Even after back-to-back losses in Denver and Golden State and with Garnett still struggling to rebound from a painful abdominal injury, the Celtics have gone from doormat to the best record in the NBA (41-11) by three full games and have a cushy 12-game lead over Toronto in the Atlantic Division.
The acquisitions of Garnett and Ray Allen, coupled with holdover All-Star Paul Pierce, have given the Celtics a 1-2-3 punch that many teams have spent the last few months trying to match.
“Mr. Garnett is the most energetic player in the league, and he brings a lot,” said O’Neal, offering a sign of respect that he gives to those whom he sees as the league’s elite big men. “Then you have a fabulous shooter in Ray Allen and Paul has been hungry for years. Those three guys are a dangerous mix.”
Last June, the Suns took their shot at bringing Garnett to Phoenix, offering Shawn Marion as the centerpiece of a package similar to what ultimately brought O’Neal to the Suns. But as with many NBA teams looking to rebuild, the T-Wolves were more interested in rising stars, expiring contracts and draft picks than another big salaried star — whether that was Marion or Amaré Stoudemire.
Boston had the assets Minnesota coveted, and a big leg up since Celtics GM Danny Ainge and T-Wolves GM Kevin McHale were former teammates and friends.
Five players — including rising star Al Jefferson ($2.4 million this year, an average of $13 million for the next five) and Theo Ratliff’s $11.6 million expiring contract — two first-round draft picks and cash considerations later, the Celtics were reborn and the Suns went back to the drawing board.
“We certainly had interest in (Garnett) and we tried to do everything we could within reason, but nothing ever got close,” Suns general manager Steve Kerr said. “There was always the underlying feeling that Kevin knew what deal he wanted and that we weren’t it.”
There are no indications that Stoudemire’s name was ever on the table. But if he had gone in a Minnesota swap, would Garnett’s monstrous contract ($23.75 million this year, $24.75 next year) and trade kicker have forced the Suns to part with Marion as well to fit him in?
What if Garnett had been available last month — after Pau Gasol had joined the Lakers — instead of last summer? It’s all irrelevant now. Garnett is in Phoenix, but just for one night. And the Suns have hitched their star to Stoudemire and the 35-year-old O’Neal, hoping that along with Steve Nash their three stars will hold up against Boston and the rest.
More...
Brownie Points: Shaqs Suns debut vs. Lakers turned out to be a television ratings bonanza
Read Jerry Brown's blog, 'Rim Shots'
With Shaquille O’Neal now setting up shop in the Valley, many fans who gave a thumbs down to the Feb. 6 deal cited the fact that the Suns were just trying to rebound from a missed opportunity last summer — the chance to lure “The Big Ticket” away from Minnesota so he could do for Phoenix what he has done for the Boston Celtics: Make them an odds-on favorite to reach the NBA finals.
It sure has worked out for Boston. Even after back-to-back losses in Denver and Golden State and with Garnett still struggling to rebound from a painful abdominal injury, the Celtics have gone from doormat to the best record in the NBA (41-11) by three full games and have a cushy 12-game lead over Toronto in the Atlantic Division.
The acquisitions of Garnett and Ray Allen, coupled with holdover All-Star Paul Pierce, have given the Celtics a 1-2-3 punch that many teams have spent the last few months trying to match.
“Mr. Garnett is the most energetic player in the league, and he brings a lot,” said O’Neal, offering a sign of respect that he gives to those whom he sees as the league’s elite big men. “Then you have a fabulous shooter in Ray Allen and Paul has been hungry for years. Those three guys are a dangerous mix.”
Last June, the Suns took their shot at bringing Garnett to Phoenix, offering Shawn Marion as the centerpiece of a package similar to what ultimately brought O’Neal to the Suns. But as with many NBA teams looking to rebuild, the T-Wolves were more interested in rising stars, expiring contracts and draft picks than another big salaried star — whether that was Marion or Amaré Stoudemire.
Boston had the assets Minnesota coveted, and a big leg up since Celtics GM Danny Ainge and T-Wolves GM Kevin McHale were former teammates and friends.
Five players — including rising star Al Jefferson ($2.4 million this year, an average of $13 million for the next five) and Theo Ratliff’s $11.6 million expiring contract — two first-round draft picks and cash considerations later, the Celtics were reborn and the Suns went back to the drawing board.
“We certainly had interest in (Garnett) and we tried to do everything we could within reason, but nothing ever got close,” Suns general manager Steve Kerr said. “There was always the underlying feeling that Kevin knew what deal he wanted and that we weren’t it.”
There are no indications that Stoudemire’s name was ever on the table. But if he had gone in a Minnesota swap, would Garnett’s monstrous contract ($23.75 million this year, $24.75 next year) and trade kicker have forced the Suns to part with Marion as well to fit him in?
What if Garnett had been available last month — after Pau Gasol had joined the Lakers — instead of last summer? It’s all irrelevant now. Garnett is in Phoenix, but just for one night. And the Suns have hitched their star to Stoudemire and the 35-year-old O’Neal, hoping that along with Steve Nash their three stars will hold up against Boston and the rest.
More...
