Better Deal: Heat or Suns?

Phoenix Suns coach Mike D'Antoni was interviewed via phone on the Mike & Mile show for ESPN2. The Phoenix head coach spoke about the excitement of now having Shaq in their system and the doubts over Shaq's ability to play well at his current age. He stated Shaq will definitely be of help and he is anxious to play along with Nash, Stoudamire, Raja bell and others. The lingering question seems to be over Shaq's ability to contribute.

Shaq's averaged 19.6 and 9.1 boards from 2004 to present with the Heat, which are almost 10 points and 2 rebounds below his averages with LA and Orlando. Other notable centers like Hakeem, Alonzo and Dikembe continued to move from team to team late in their career. Mourning even achieved a title (in Shaq's shadow).

The question remains who got the better deal here, Phoenix or Miami? Miami is clearly going into rebuild mode. It's hard to argue that Shawn Marion and D-Wade will be able to turn this into a title team. So most likely, D-Wade is gone from Miami as soon as he gets the chance. That means Miami is not going to be a title winner. Speculations have said Wade may head to the Chicago Bulls in a year.

The Suns on the other hand have added one of the all-time best Centers in the game to their lineup. Regardless of age and physical ability, he's still a solid contributor and imposing force. To think this doesn't add at least a little to the Suns' chances against San Antonio and Dallas is crazy, because the thing lacking against those teams was inside presence. Shaq adds that easily. While Marion is a tremendous player who does it all, it's still hard to say bringing him to Miami puts them into "contender status" again.

So expect Phoenix to have a better shot at competing with the likes of the Spurs, Mavs, Lakers and rest of the West. Once again, the West may continue to be, the best.

The trade deadline is February 21st, so other names may be on the move including the likes of Jason Kidd and Ron Artest.

Shaq Headed to Phoenix?

If ya can't stand the Heat, get the Shaq out the kitchen...According to a report by Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press, Shaquille O'Neal may be on the move, heading to the Phoenix Suns:

O'Neal was planning to be in Phoenix on Wednesday, which, according to several reports, is when the Suns plan to have him take a physical - presumably the final roadblock before the deal that will send Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks to Miami gets finalized.

The Miami Herald reported earlier Tuesday that the Heat were in "serious and ongoing" trade negotiations with the Suns, and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel said the deal could occur "within 48 hours." The Arizona Republic also reported a deal could be imminent and that O'Neal had contacted some Suns players Tuesday night.

A Heat spokesman said the team had no comment, and several Suns officials didn't immediately return phone calls from the AP. The Suns did, however, push their morning shootaround practice back seven hours, perhaps because of the uncertainty over the O'Neal situation. Phoenix plays New Orleans on Wednesday night.

The deal is rumored to include at least Shawn Mario, who's made it know he wants to be traded out of Phoenix. Kobe Bryant was surprised at the news saying "Really? "I know he likes the warm weather."

Shaq's currently averaging a career low 14.2 points for a struggling Heat team. The Suns surely want to add something to get them over the hump in the playoffs so they can beat teams such as the Spurs or Mavericks. The question is, is Shaq the answer? He's definitely not young and spry like he used to be.