For the Record

You all know by now that Shaq has been traded for Shawn Marion. You've all read the mostly negative comments that the analysts have made regarding the Suns' side of the trade. I was the first guy on that bandwagon. Within minutes of reading about the trade, I was google-chatting with a friend and compared this trade to the earlier trades of Kevin Garnett to the Celtics for Al Jefferson and change, and the trade of Pau Gasol to the Lakers for just the change. Below is a part of that chat transcript:

10:24 PM rishi: NBA execs are retarded
me: this one is beyond retarded
rishi: Wade must be ecstatic
me: the gasol and KG deals were at least somewhat defensible

So, clearly, I had a strong initial opinion on the trade, and it wasn't positive on the Suns or The Big Diesel.

Over the last couple of days though, I've heard A LOT of interviews with analysts, the Suns' coach, the Suns' GM, and, of course, I watched parts of Shaq's introductory press conference. And now, I'm singin a different tune.

For the record: Phoenix WILL win an NBA championship in the next two years.

Why? Call it a gut feeling. For anyone that follows the NBA, I obviously have no "fundamental" reason to think this was a good trade for the Suns. It can't be argued - right now, Shawn Marion is a better basketball player than Shaq. How, then, can I make such a crazy prediction?

Two words - chemistry and motivation.

Though everyone publicly denies it, there's been no doubt that Marion and Amare Stoudamire dislike/hate/don't get along with each other. Amare is gonna play like he's never played before (and will DOMINATE opposing PFs in the 20 or so minutes a game that Shaq plays). And, on motivation, well, we've seen what a hungry Shaq can do (a la, helping D-Wade lead Miami to a title just 2 years ago). Call me crazy, but I think the opportunity to prove all the critics wrong, the opportunity to maybe go against Kobe and/or arch-nemesis Tim Duncan in the playoffs - all those opportunities will motivate Shaq to stay in shape enough to at least contribute 20-25 minutes a game when it counts. Throw in a still top-flight PG in Steve Nash, a healthy, pumped-up Amare Stoudamire, and spare parts such as Leandro Barbosa, Grant Hill and Boris Diaw, and the result: your 2007-2008 (or 2008-2009) NBA Champion Phoenix Suns!

Note: If they lose to CP3 and my Hornets in the playoffs, I will be happy. My prediction will be wrong, and I'll eat the proverbial crow. But of course, I'll be happy.