Last night I watched the Miami play Chicago to get an idea of Shawn Marion's new reality in the Heat's lineup. It was a little sad to see a career player of the Phoenix Suns in a new uniform surrounded by new players.
He's still the same dominant player on the both defense and offense, tipping the ball in his team's favor with every tick of the game clock. But after watching four quarters, it became clear that Shawn is unequipped for victory without his Band of Brothers in Phoenix. Until Miami can find more talent, it's Marion and Wade against the world.
On the other side of the country, Shaq inherits Marion's old reality: sellout games, all-star teammates, and a city of Suns fanatics. I know this because everywhere I go, people are talking at the big trade. When my plane first touched down at Sky Harbor shortly after the trade news broke, I overheard 3 cell phone conversations about the Suns before I even got to the baggage claim.
You expect sports fans to run their mouths at the bars and at the water cooler, but a move this big invites everyone into the conversation. The baristas at my favorite coffee shop are excited to have something new to talk about with the espresso sippers. The UPS people have something in common with the FedEx people. And the Realtors are speculating where the big man will buy a house. (For the record, most Realtors agree he'll buy a house on my street. I broke the news to my neighbor Bill, and we agreed to campaign for Shaq to be HOA president.)
I knew that Shaq Fever had taken over the city yesterday when I was at the library reading the New York Times. The trademark tranquility of the reading room was disrupted by a rowdy discussion about what Shaq will bring to the Suns. Listen, I like the Suns as much as anyone else, but you don't yell about it in the library. I lowered the paper to see who was disturbing the peace. Who was it? Two librarians.
In the Arizona Republic this morning, Bob Young wrote that the Suns going into the All-Star break are "like kids on Christmas who have a present under the Christmas tree that they can't open...a 7-foot-1, 321 present." This is a loaded analogy because we all know what it's like to get a Christmas present that's not as cool as we thought it would be. Only time will tell. This was a trade to make help the Suns bring home an NBA Championship. I just hope I can be patient through February, March, and April.
It's just good to have a shot of energy on the team and around town. Now, the real question is this: What are we going to call Shaq? Marion was the Matrix. Diaw is 3D. Barbosa is the Brazilian Blur. Stoudamire is STAT (or Hellboy if you ask Barkley.) And Steve Nash is, um, Steve Nash.
What will be the nickname for the new-and-improved Shaquille O'Neal? Someone mentioned Shaqtus (like cactus) but I thought that was too Sun City West. A friend of min came up with Bio-Diesel, which is slightly clever, but says nothing about the epic story of Shaq in Phoenix. I prefer Shaq2.0 but I don't know if it will stick. Any ideas?
Comments
Robert S - Heber,Az...Trinidad Co.
Shaq 2.0 will work!!! He will find that competitor within and rise to the challenge and help his new high caliber team through the playoffs!!!!
oldskool - San Antonio, Texas
I like the nick-name, "The Big Saguaro". I like it much beter than Saqtus. "Saguaro Grande" or "Saguaro Daddy" work as well. Or simplified versions, "Grande" or "Saguaro." Whatever nick-name the big fella will be given, I'm just glad he is a Sun now!!
Koondog88 - Gilbert,AZ
How about "shaq-inator" or just plain MOVE IT!!! we got a ring to get GO Suns !!!!!!!!
Ernesto Rojas -
Shaq O'neil are you gonna team up with Amare
Stoudemire to give strengh to suns basketball
maybe shaq can create some blocks in fact the whole team needs to create blocks so the opponent team does not easily score the points. Also suns need to increase more oportunity for rebounds
create less oportunity for opponent to score.
It's call defense.
-
shaq O deal
RISHI - AZ
GO SHAQ
Paul - Prescott
I'm for "Saguaro", simple and straight forward!
I have a idea what new look will be also, preview at prescottstyle.blogspot.com
luke azzopardi - malta
i have a nickname for shaq: solar powered shaq or the shaq phenom.
Chris Baeza - Big Bad Phoenix, AZ
I doesn't really matter what shaq is called; just as long as he is doing what phoenix expects him to do. That is play hard, win games, and ultimately win the title.
tamurai - tempe
Great blog Matt.
He's a tough guy to nickname, and when I think of melding Shaq and Arizona, I've only got a couple silly ones.
Shaqiberto
Sheriff Shaq.
The Shaq Canyon.
Damn-Its-Hot-Here-Shaq.
Dry-Heat-Shaq.
pure silliness.
Edwin - Brooklyn, NY
Yes Shaq is going to do great this is my team now because Shaq is there and i've never thought Shaq and Nash would hook up.
brian - ottawa
shaq rocks
Kobelover - ottawa
the big cactus period.
Bobcat - Sedona
As coached in recnt years, the Suns taught the NBA how to floor a winning team: speed. This year has been tough because other teams caught on and increased speed, big time. This, while the Suns went back to a "brick wall" defense, with a tank. Enjoy today's game? If so, good, that's wat's in store. This was predictable. Very poor trading judgement. Surely there was no Harvard MBA managemtne influence on this, was there?
Bobcat - Sedona
As coached in recnt years, the Suns taught the NBA how to floor a winning team: speed. This year has been tough because other teams caught on and increased speed, big time. This, while the Suns went back to a "brick wall" defense, with a tank. Enjoy today's game? If so, good, that's wat's in store. This was predictable. Very poor trading judgement. Surely there was no Harvard MBA managemtne influence on this, was there?
Dave - LA
Good luck! I hope Shaq doesn't get injured, lazy, tired on the second day of back-to-backs, miss 50% of his free throws, or become totally un-motivated unless its the play-offs.... if they go very far, that is.
Joe - Okoboji IA
Shaq is bringing defense and thats all they need because they ve shown their offense can keep up with the best of em.
Joe - Okoboji, IA
Shaq is bringing defense and thats all they need because they ve shown their offense can keep up with the best of em.
Rob - Los Angeles, Ca.
Shaq's new nickname- The Big Has Been.....
Tandang - Surabaya, Indonesia
Some people say that the older the rum the better it tastes. I am hoping that Shaq can be the 'rum' for the Suns. Go prove to the world Shaq that you can show the young centers that you still ROCKS.....
manman - Philippines
shaq will rock the world!!!!
luis - mexico
Wath happen with shaq, before it reached the team have a good record but with shaq the team goes from bad to worse, at the beginning i lke Shaq to play with the suns but science this in the team de team have a negative record however with grant hill the team adapt to the way he play but the Shaq i doubt that suit in my opinion it is money that goes to the crash.
How to play in the team is quick to Shaq and only i find one use to the Shaq and this use is the rebounds
STEVE - LAS VEGAS
the suns look very bad with shaq and are 2and4
mannix phoenix - chandler
supershaq the superman of phoenix
Katie - California
Can we get a refund on shaq please?
I want Marion back!!!
Hapadog - hawaii
Already the sun's defense has improved, the other teams are having a hard time coming down the middle when shaq is in. They have to score from the outside or find a way around or behind him. He just clogs up the middle.
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