Everyone and their grandmother are tweeting about the recent Shaq trade. Although it seems like Durant is a little baffled. I would take this time to talk about the trade impact for LeBron and the Cavs, but it seems like everyone else beat me to the chase. Seriously though how the fuck did you guys shoot those out so fast? Anyways while everyone else is blowing their load thinking about the dream matchup of Shaq and James, there are a few guys no one is talking about, Wallace and Pavlovic. So before my body forces me to fall asleep I’m going to give you some insight on the other side of this blockbuster trade.
In return for Shaq Diesel the Suns get Ben Wallace (massive expiring contract) and Sasha Pavlovic. In all likely hood this trade marks the end of Ben Wallace’s career in the NBA after 12 years of great basketball. Ben Wallace has requested to be bought out because he has not been performing at the level that he expected from himself. It will be a shame to see the big guy go. While he might be remembered more for his amazing afro/headband combo (much to the dislike of Scott Skiles) and his massive biceps, he reported used headbands instead of armbands because his arms were so big; he will always be remembered by yours truly as the premier defensive stopper he was.
During his years in Detroit there was no one better on the glass or defending on the block than Ben Wallace. He was a throwback defensive player and the city of Detroit rallied around him. In the time before and after the ‘04 championship Wallace won 4 NBA defensive player of the year titles and was a big reason the Pistons halted the Lakers attempt at the 3-peat and claimed the ‘04 title. A short list of the great things that Wallace has done in his career:
- made the afro fashionable again.
- helped the Pistons win the ‘04 title and dominate the East for 6 years.
- was the catalyst of the now infamous “The Malice the Palace”.
- signed the most ridiculous contract ever (4 years, 60 million) and proceeded to coast on the court and count his dolla dolla bills y’all.
Goodbye Ben Wallace you will be forever missed in the NBA.
Now for Sasha Pavlovic, he is a great defender at the shooting guard position and will add depth behind Leandra Barbosa. However more than anything this trade was done to allow the Suns to get under the cap while keeping their good young players together (Amare, Barbosa). Next year won’t be pretty for the Suns. After missing the playoffs, the 9th seed in the West, the Suns chances of making it this year are slim at best. With Shaq gone their starting center will be Robin Lopez, the goofy haired twin brother of Nets future All Star Brook Lopez. They shared the womb for 9 months but, unfortunately for Phoenix fans, they do not share the same basketball skills. If Nash is still in Phoenix by next season the still have a chance, but I hope to god that Kerr does the right thing and gets Nash onto a team that actually has a shot at winning the title (while getting young talent in return obviously).
Steve Kerr now seems like the worst GM in basketball, but this trade was likely pushed through by the owner who is desperate to get under the luxury tax. I would give Kerr time to rebuild this team before we start calling for his rings back.
It is clear that the Cavs got the better end of the deal on the basketball end, Shaq and James make Cleveland an instant title front runner along with LA, but this was a great deal for Phoenix on the business side. The Suns got under the cap and have finally realized that the fun times in Arizona, when Nash was winning MVPs and D’antoni was running the most exciting offense in the NBA, are finally over. It is time for the Suns to start rebuilding this team around Amare with plans for future success. With the 14th pick in the draft tomorrow who will the Suns select to start their youth movement? (Just pray they don’t sell it for cash considerations again!)
- KC Roberts
FanSided
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