Miami agrees to trade Shaq to Phoenix

Shaquille O'Neal's career isn't done just yet, because if he passes a physical he will be heading to team with the best record in the Western Conference in the Phoenix Suns. The Suns will send disgruntled forward Shawn Marion with Marcus Banks to the Miami Heat in return for The Big Aristotle.

This appears to be a move for the postseason for the Suns. They obviously don't need Shaq to possibly win home-court advantage in the West. In fact, if he plays too many minutes it may deter their quest for the best record. Their run and gun style doesn't seem to fit Shaq Daddy who is aging and has had bum knees this season. I don't see him playing much more than 25-30 minutes a game when this trade becomes official. The Suns won't push him with his injuries this year and save his gas for the postseason.

In the playoffs, when the Suns play a defensive powerhouse like San Antonio, Shaq will help them out a lot. Shaq will also help them out if they come across a team like the LA Lakers with Pau Gasol now manning their inside game. (How sweet would a Kobe-Shaq, Lakers-Suns reunion be in the playoffs!) I would expect him to be motivated and healthy come playoff time. It will allow them to move Amare Stoudemire to power forward, and give the Suns two big bodies down low to bounce around Tim Duncan or a Kevin Garnett in the NBA Finals. They might actually play some defense come playoff time. Their run and gun style works well in the regular season, but they need someone like Shaq when points are at a premium come April-June.

This is also a good move for the Heat. They needed to get rid of an aging Shaq and get younger off this terrible year so far. They get a fantastic player in Shawn Marion. Hopefully he re-signs there, and they can build their team around Dwyane Wade and Marion. Not often do you see a trade that can really help both teams. The Diesel needs to be in a place he can win now cause he won't be around much longer, and gives the Suns a defensive threat in the playoffs and on the right night perhaps a big offensive threat. Marion is one of the best forwards in the NBA so the Heat got great value for The Man of Steel as well.

Pat Morgan

P.S. Shaq is also nicknamed Superman for those who are wondering if I could add another one to the post.

Pat Morgan's Stone Cold, Lead Pipe, Giant Lock NBA Picks

Tonight marks the beginning of the new NBA season. The Spurs will raise their fourth championship banner vs. the Oden-less Trail Blazers (scheduling people stabbing themselves). Then at 10:30, the still Kobe lead Lakers will host the Rockies, and the Warriors will host the Jazz in a Western Conference Semifinal rematch. I doubt I will get into the NBA til after the Super Bowl, but I love giving predictions (using my lunch break to do it). Here you go!

Eastern Conference
Atlantic- Boston (2)
Central- Chicago (1)
Southeast- Miami (5)
Playoff Teams- Detroit (3), Cleveland (4), New Jersey (6), Milwaukee (7), New York (8)
Lottery- Toronto (9), Washington (10), Orlando (11), Atlanta (12), Charlotte (13), Indiana (14), Philadelphia (15)

Western Conference
Northwest-Denver (4)
Pacific-Phoenix (1)
Southwest-Dallas (2)
Playoff Teams-San Antonio (3), Golden State (5), Houston (6), Utah (7), New Orleans (8)
Lottery-LA Lakers (9), Memphis (10), LA Clippers (11) Seattle (12), Sacramento (13), Portland (14), Minnesota (15)

Biggest Sleeper: Milwaukee Bucks; They have a three headed monster inside with Andrew Bogut, Yi Jianlian, and Charlie Villanueva, to go with Michael Redd on the outside. After the top 5 or 6 teams in the East, the 7 and 8 spots are up for grabs. You can make a case for anyone in the East to get those spots, so why not Milwaukee with some size, which is rare in the conference.

Biggest Bust: Los Angeles Lakers; With all the Kobe distraction, I wonder if this team will win 30 games this year. Kobe will still win a bunch by himself, but when does the divorce finally become final?

Eastern Quarterfinals
(1) Chicago 4, (8) Washington 2
(4) Cleveland 4, (5) Miami 3
(3) Detroit 4, (6) New Jersey 0
(2) Boston 4, (7) Milwaukee 2

Western Quarterfinals
(1) Phoenix 4, (8) New Orleans 0
(5) Golden State 4, (4) Denver 3
(3) San Antonio 4, (6) Houston 2
(2) Dallas 4, (7) Utah 1

Eastern Semifinals
(1) Chicago 4, (4) Cleveland 2
(3) Detroit 4, (2) Boston 3

Western Semifinals
(1) Phoenix 4, (5) Golden State 1
(2) Dallas 4, (3) San Antonio 3

Eastern Finals
(3) Detroit 4, (1) Chicago 2
(2) Dallas 4, (1) Phoenix 2

NBA Finals
(W2) Dallas 4, (E3) Detroit 1

San Antonio is the most popular pick, and with good reason being the NBA champions and keeper of the best player in basketball in Tim Duncan. However, they have never won back-to-back titles in their run of four championships. The Dallas Mavericks have been stewing over the stunning upset to Golden State for months, and I think they will be highly motivated to win that elusive championship. They seem too good to me to not have won a title yet, so I think this will be their year. Look for them to back off from winning 67+ games again, and prepare everything for the postseason.

I think Chicago will win the best record in the East, but the Detroit Pistons play best in the playoffs when they are forgotten about. The last two years they have been the best team in the eastern regular season by far. They have the deepest, most experienced team in the league. Plus, Flip Saunders is on the ropes. They need to make the finals this year, as it could be their last stand as Chicago, Cleveland, and Boston are getting better by the day.

MVP: Kevin Garnett, Boston

Rookie of the Year: Kevin Durant, Seattle

Coach of the Year: Larry Krystkowiak, Milwaukee

Sixth Man of the Year: Leandro Barbosa, Phoenix

Most Improved Player: Shaquille O'Neal, Miami

Defensive Player of the Year: Tim Duncan, San Antonio

Pat Morgan