[JBC77]

I don't understand. Shaq is old man, whats he going to do for the Suns?

[brock]

I cant see shaq running up and down the court with this Suns team

[JBC77]

The guy has a busted hip. I always had the impression Kerr was intelligent.

[JBC77]

Maybe he just wants to shake things up, Suns can't seem to go the distance. Maybe he just said f!@# it.....try something new.

[buztah]

Horrible move. Shaq is done and can't run.

[JBC77]

PHOENIX - The Phoenix Suns have acquired Shaquille O'Neal in a stunning, blockbuster deal that sends four-time All-Star Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks to the Miami Heat. The improbable pairing of the speedy Suns and the slow but once-mighty O'Neal

The trade, a dramatic move by first-year Phoenix general manager Steve Kerr, signals an unexpected change in philosophy for the Suns, adding a 7-foot-1, 325-pound center who has won four NBA championships but has been plagued by injuries in recent years and turns 36 next month. O'Neal has been out with a hip injury and underwent an MRI exam in Miami on Tuesday. He flew to Phoenix on Wednesday for the physical.

"I'm well aware that I'm on the line," Kerr told The Associated Press. "That's my job. That's why I'm sitting in this seat. I'm comfortable with the decision. I think it gives us a better chance to win, and a better chance to win in the playoffs."

O'Neal has averaged 25.6 points and 11.5 rebounds in his 14-plus NBA seasons.

This season, plagued by injuries and going through a divorce, he's averaging 14.2 points. His 14-year streak as an All-Star choice came to an end this year.

He missed much of the 2006-07 season with a knee injury and finished that year with career-lows in games (40), scoring (17.3 points), rebounds (7.4), minutes (28.4) and free-throw percentage (.422).

Phoenix gambled he will be healthy and more motivated when he moves to the desert.

For the three-plus seasons since Steve Nash came to town, the speedy Suns have been darlings of NBA fans grown weary of the slow style that has prevailed for years. But the Suns have fallen short in the playoffs, never making it to the finals.

The addition of O'Neal doesn't necessarily put the brakes on the running game, Kerr said.

"We ran when Kurt Thomas was here. He got the rebound, and everybody else ran down the court," Kerr said. "We're still going to run, but we feel like we'll have a better halfcourt team."

Marion, weary of being third fiddle to Nash and Amare Stoudemire, asked to be traded before the season began. He didn't get his wish and, although he refused to talk publicly about it, remained unhappy with his role.

Still, his talents fit well with the fast-paced style that coach Mike D'Antoni wanted, especially with his ability to finish on a fastbreak. He also was the team's best defender, guarding everyone from Tony Parker to Yao Ming. Marion, who has spent all of his 8 1/2 NBA season with Phoenix, made the All-Star team five times, including the last three seasons.

This year, though, he failed to make it, while Nash and Stoudemire did. Marion has an NBA career averages of 18.4 points and 10 rebounds per game. This season he's averaging 15.8 points and 9.9 boards.

The Suns have the best record in the West (34-14) but have not played up to their own expectations. Their interior defense is among the NBA's worst. Kerr apparently felt that without a large presence inside, Phoenix could not combat the big men, such as Andrew Bynum and Tim Duncan, in the playoffs.

With O'Neal on the court, Stoudemire can play his more natural power forward position.

O'Neal's move west adds fuel to the already intense rivalry between the Suns, the Lakers and his old teammate Kobe Bryant.

The trade required a significant financial commitment from the budget-conscious owner Robert Sarver because O'Neal is scheduled to make $20 million this season and $20 million more each of the next two.

Marion makes $16.4 million this year and could opt out of the $17 million final year of his contract after this season. Banks has been in and out of the Suns' rotation the past two seasons.

O'Neal entered this season talking about how he wanted to win at least one more title, saying his "legacy" wouldn't be complete unless he left the game with at least five rings.

The Heat, though, have lost 19 of their last 20 games and have the NBA's worst record at 9-37.

[pavyracer]

All the running of the Suns will shed the pounds quickly.

[RageWizard]

The suns are going to have a shaq plant down by the basket in the paint for defense, because by the time he carts his 87 year old body down the floor, the play is already coming back the other way

[charlie64]

Don't be surprised if you see the old man come to life a little bit.I mean yea he played like hell with Miami this year,but he was sandbagging it because he didn't want to be there.Besides they don't expect him to run up and down the court.They will just use him for a very limited half court game,and to help some on defense.Shaq for the first time in his life will be a role player.He will definately not be playing 40 minutes a game.I doubt very seriously if he plays 20 mins. a game.

[thebigguy]

Shaq is a spent force.

[INVEGA MAN]

They know they can't win running up and down the court. Defense and the big man under the basket won't hurt.

[rugbybdyb]

They know they can't win running up and down the court. Defense and the big man under the basket won't hurt.

I dont care how out of shape and old he is, getting through that beast of a man is still very hard and I think that he wont be a huge minutes getting but he will make a difference when he is in the game.

[jackpot269]

I dont care how out of shape and old he is, getting through that beast of a man is still very hard and I think that he wont be a huge minutes getting but he will make a difference when he is in the game.

As long as he able to get on the court!

[katstale]

He still has something most of the new breed does not have--pride. May not be this year, but he wants that 5th ring bad. Plus, he hears what everyone is saying. Not saying he will get that 5th ring--but I am saying he makes it to the finals one more time.

[thebigguy]

Shaq is a spent force.

Age slows down even the greats.

Just look at JJ.

[thebigguy]

Ha Ha!

[Dark Horse]

Shaq just called himself: The Amare Stoudemire Project.

That was one great press conference, introducing him as a Sun.

I'm on board. Suns win the whole thing now.

[The HG]

I read that Shaq was having problems with Riley, and that Marion was asking to be traded, so that probably had a lot to do with it. I read that it was Miami who contacted Phoenix about the deal.