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When I first kept looking at the trade I kept thinking, ‘No Way, what the heck are you thinking Steve Kerr?’  But after watching how Shaq reacted today during his introductory news conference I got the feeling that Shaq isn’t going to be a negative to this team.  He might not be the same Shaq of old, but he could definitely be a person that makes his teammates better.  No matter what you say about Shaq, on every single level and every single team, he’s made the players around him better.  No way that Miami team wins a championship (even with Dwade’s amazing playoff success) without the Diesel there.

The Suns have had this team for a couple of seasons now.  What exactly is it that’s holding them back?  One thing I believe is chemistry.  Another is someone who the Suns could turn to for leadership and support.  The thing is no one on that roster is a champion.  Shaq changes that.  The experience of being a champion cannot be underrated and the confidence that gives to these Suns is huge.

There’s a lot to be said about a team playing loose and carefree with believe and trust in each other.  For all of Matrix’s skills, his psyche was so fragile and there were times he just seemed to miss having “it”.  “It” can be qualified as many things: confidence, assurance, and fearlessness.  Shaq for all his troubles has “it”.

Now, will that make a difference in making the Suns a championship contender?  I don’t know about that.  I think it remains to be seen just what kind of impact Shaq can make.  But I started thinking: What if?  In the playoffs you don’t play every day.  With an every other day schedule, what kind of impact could Shaq make?  They don’t need 35-min Shaq Attack, they just need 25-min Shaq contributor and I think it can be a very big help.

I don’t think the Suns are better, but I do think they’re more unpredictable and interesting now.  I think they are becoming more adjustable in being able to play fast and slow.  And I think the biggest asset will be the improved chemistry on the team (i.e. just look at the Giants after Barber left and Shockey got hurt).

Prediction: 55 Wins, knocked out of the Western Finals in 6 games.

Knicks’ Watch: This team is looking like it’s going nowhere as usual.  Why is David Lee NOT a starter?  Marbury who?  Can they stop winning 30 games and just tank so they get a lottery pick?  Knicks’ only hope is through the draft, our biggest tradable asset is David Lee and if he were ever traded that really would be the axe for Isaiah (then again our dumb owner loves him so much I think even this outrage won’t matter).  Why.  The.  Heck.  Is.  Isaiah.  Still.  Coach?!

Peace out, I wish your teams a lot better luck than the dysfunction filled Knicks.  And Heat Fans, your future looks a lot brighter today than the Knicks.

-jho