Greg Popovich
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[SIZE=+2]Buck Harvey: He waddles back, but he's still Shaq
[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]Web Posted: 02/07/2008 12:04 AM CST
[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]
San Antonio Express-News[/SIZE] The Suns once scored, as a book title defined the system, in "seven seconds or less." Shaquille O'Neal can't stop burping after lunch in seven seconds or less. That's why most in America are confused today. Did David Stern, ever trying to punish Phoenix, force the Suns to make this trade?
But tell that to Tim Duncan when Shaq elbows him in the neck in April. If Shaq can get his hip in shape — and that's a big if and a big hip — then the Suns have a chance to be something this spring besides adorable losers.
That's what Steve Kerr was thinking and, for him, it's a remarkable role change. He'd spent his playing career as the reasonable voice in the back of winning locker rooms, and he retired to become a glib announcer on TNT.
He's been diplomatic and funny his entire life without having to take a stand. And yet there he was, just a half-year into his job, gambling with both the best record and the most fun style in the Western Conference.
Spurs 85, Wizards 77• Third victory in a row not easy for Spurs
• Notebook: Popovich says Spurs won't be pressured into a trade
• Box: Spurs 85, Wizards 77
• Your turn: Talk about the gameShaquille O'Neal trade• Heat trade Shaq to Suns
• Buck Harvey: He waddles back, but he's still Shaq
• Mike Monroe's instant analysis
• Your turn: Talk about the tradeSpurs MailbagGot a question about the Spurs? Use the form below and fire away!*Your name
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"I'm well aware that I'm on the line," Kerr said Wednesday, and he should be aware few of his peers would have made this trade. New general managers become unemployed ones over such boldness.
Still, other GMs know some of the details even as they question Kerr's sanity, and this begins with Shawn Marion. Somehow, the guy felt unappreciated, an unusual stand since he was also the highest paid Sun.
Marion earned his money with an efficient and well-rounded game. He's a better rebounder and defender than Shaq is now, and last week, he showed the same. Then, he finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds against the Spurs.
But the Suns lost that game as they have every vital playoff series this decade, and one game likely didn't change Kerr's mind. In tough moments against the Spurs, Marion has rarely looked like the superstar both his paycheck and ego say he should be.
Marion had become a whiney irritant, and in his place comes a man who literally fills up a room. Shaq will make the Suns tougher, as well as more relaxed.
He can pass, too, which never hurts any offense. Shaq will also be the recipient, since he has never played with a point guard such as Steve Nash. When the Suns spread the floor, and defenders have no choice but to fly at 3-point shooters, Shaq will have space he hasn't seen since Los Angeles.
The Suns can run even if Shaq doesn't, since it's the rare fast break that uses five players. And if Shaq plays only 24 minutes, then that means the Suns can be their old selves for half a game.
Amare Stoudemire will be better next to Shaq, too. He was never going to be the post defender the Suns wanted him to be, and he showed that again last week when the Spurs beat the Suns.
That game restored belief in the Spurs, and it likely convinced Kerr he needed to do something. There was a sense that night the Spurs were deep into the heads of the Suns and that this wasn't going to change.
Knowing Kerr, he kept coming back to that. He could always win 55 games and keep his job, but would the Suns ever win a title this way?
Now his possibilities get better in the reloaded West. Shaq and Stoudemire will match up with Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum, as well as with Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas centers.
The Spurs will keep their edge, since they aren't remaking themselves in midseason. Still, as they've tried to get smaller these last few years, their rivals have gotten bigger.
The Suns have gotten 375 pounds bigger, and, for Duncan, this is familiar bulk. Over the years, no opponent has been as intertwined in his career as Shaq has been.
One or the other has won eight of the past nine titles, and they've done this as opposites. While Duncan stayed in San Antonio in relative peace, Shaq kept flying to get away from something or someone — going from Florida to Los Angeles to Florida.
Now he comes back to the west. And if his health allows it, he will be pushing his way into the lane by spring, and his shiny head will be beaded with sweat, and his team will have a chance.
Make no mistake. Shaq isn't the same anymore.
And neither are the Suns.
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