It’s an audacious deal, one which has been lambasted by everyone from Mitch Lawrence of the New York Daily News, to the bouncer of the local Phoenix night-club (who's just jealous of the big fella’s bench press figures).

Yes, Shaquille O’Neal has been traded from the Miami Heat to the Phoenix Suns, and a lot of people are dipping their poison pens in anticipation of the team going to pieces.

He’s too slow for this run and gun team . . .  he’s not the player he was four years ago . . . his injuries make him a passenger. Just some of the thoughts being bandied around about the trade. There are also lots of theories around Shaq and Heat coach Pat Riley’s supposed souring relationship. Conjecture runs roughshod over everything in these circumstances – especially if there is some insinuation of behind the scenes bust-ups.

'What counts just as much in the big guy's favour are his leadership qualities. Here’s a man whose reputation and experience tower above his own, swarthy frame'


And hey, at least one of those statements has more than a hint of truth in it. Shaq is NOT the player he was four years ago. He’s not going to average the phenomenal numbers he once did, and he will not be the most dominant player come play-offs that he once was.

But he doesn’t have to be. In the 2006 finals, the man who took the Heat over the edge to a championship was Dwyane Wade. But the guy who helped get them there was an ageing, injury-plagued Shaq.

He is constantly double-teamed, which gives a lot of opportunity to those around him for a good look. This year the Heat’s shooting stats have been abysmal to say the least. But you look at the Phoenix shooters - especially from the three point line where the Heat have usually struggled - and you know these boys will make those open looks count. Shaq can set them up, there’s no disputing that fact.

What counts just as much in the big guy's favour are his leadership qualities. Here’s a man whose reputation and experience tower above his own, swarthy frame. O'Neal is well aware of this fact and uses it to motivate his team-mates and intimidate the opposition. It obviously wasn’t enough to help out the Heat in 2008, but with a team that have it all bar such a powerful presence, it just might be. You look beyond the stats, and you start to see a much larger picture of what is necessary to go all the way.

The Suns have been an almost, but not quite team. From the antics of an often entertaining Charles Barkley, to the less mouthy, but superior skill-set of Steve Nash, these guys haven’t quite been enough. Shaq offers a chance that could have been, and should have been taken. How long do we keep on saying these guys are almost there, how long do we keep offering excuses?

Life is about taking a chance to achieve something better than you have now. And regardless of what others might say, I tip my hat to the Suns for doing so.

I guess we will all have to wait and see if it comes off.

Can Shaq give the Suns that extra quality to win the NBA title? Post your comments below or submit an article to Sportingo.