HoopWatch

The Phoenix Suns are once again on top of the Western Conference. They share the pinnacle spot with the surprising New Orleans Hornets. Just a week ago, the Suns traded whining Shawn Marion and an ineffective Marcus Banks to the Miami Heat for the Big Aristotle, Shaquille O’Neal.

Many skeptics sighed heavily on the season’s most shocking and biggest trade. Experts believed that O’Neal does not have anything left in his tank. But O’Neal promised that he would want the fifth, and even a sixth, championship ring circling his fingers. And Steve Nash and the rest of Phoenix would want nothing but the Larry O’Brien landing on their laps by the end of the season.

They were robbed-off of a championship last season with the scandal surrounding Tim Donaghue. Hopefully, this season, there’ll no repeat of that misfortune. But most of the other teams in the West have bolstered their line-ups with reliable veterans. The Los Angeles Lakers added Pau Gasol, and the Lakers have won five of their last six. The Spurs added veteran guard Damon Stoudamire into their fold. He is better back-up than Jackie Vaughn. And the Dallas Mavericks are looking forward to add Jason Kidd.

But certainly, Steve Kerr and the Suns took the biggest gamble by taking in a 100-million dollar, aging and ailing big man. They will definitely miss Marion’s versatility, but Shaq could certainly help them inside the paint which is their weakness. They have been giving-up offensive rebounds to opponents. That may all change with the hulking O’Neal in the middle. Could this be the year? I believe so because the last time I remembered, the Diesel, Shaq, has always kept his promise. (photo courtesy of yahoonba.com)