15
Feb
2008
A Month to Remember
Can you remember the last time there were as many enormous sports stories as we’ve had thus far in February? I certainly cannot. You had one of the biggest upsets in Super Bowl history, the Clemens-McNamee saga, arguably the greatest center of all time traded to the best team (record wise) in the Western Conference, the Commissioner of the most popular sports league in the country called to answer questions and defend his strange actions in Washington regarding Spygate, and most recently, you have one of the top five point guards in NBA history on his way to being traded to Dallas, only to have the transaction blocked by a bench player with a clause in his contract. Not to mention the fact that the Los Angeles Lakers traded their dirt for gold, leaped to become favorites to win the Championship (according to Vegas odds makers), and now suddenly face the possibility of losing Kobe Bryant for 6-8 weeks if he opts for surgery.
Catch your breath yet? I haven’t.
Each one of these stories deserves its own write up, but in the essence of time, I will give you my take on each event, starting with Clemens.
Clemens Reputation Ruined
Well, you’ve got to admit, the guy didn’t hold back when it came to defending himself. He didn’t hide from the public, didn’t hide from 60 minutes, didn’t hide from Congress even. Maybe he should have? It’s hard to tell. The reaction would have probably been even more negative had he stayed silent. However, based on his stories and accounts which were constantly changing, one thing is clear. Roger Clemens is no saint.
I wanted to believe that he was clean, but deep down I knew that it was highly unlikely that he was. It’s hard to believe that the guy’s best friend and training partner was using HGH and he had no idea. What makes it even harder to believe is that Debbie Clemens, his wife, was using HGH and he didn’t know what the stuff even was. Come on, who are you trying to fool? This entire saga is so odd because of the lengths Clemens has gone to and the risks he has taken to clear his name of using steroids. He’s risking jail time stemming from possible perjury charges just so people believe him. But when you look at everything, and you look at how he can’t seem to keep his story straight, it’s really hard to take the guy’s word for it. Make no mistake; Brian Macnamee isn’t some credible witness who’s out there trying to do the right thing. He’s as big a joke as any. But the accounts that he has given have added up. Clemens accounts have not.
I don’t think the judicial system will push for perjury charges against him though, and I think that this was the last time we’ll have to see a baseball related Congressional hearing. The Rocket was consistently right about one thing though; No matter what he does or says, his reputation will never be restored.
Shaq to Phoenix
Everyone piled on at first saying that the Shaq trade to Phoenix was absolutely ridiculous. Then, as always, people listened to Shaq talk and bowed down to “The Big Aristotle” and changed their views. Suddenly, they went from saying “There is no way Shaq can run with that team” to “OH, uh, Shaq.. Shaq’s a great teammate and he won’t mind being the fifth option. He’ll make it work!”
Bull.
If you honestly believe that a 300lb plus, old and slow center that’s well past his prime can fit into a system run by Steve Nash, you’re lying to yourself. I’m so sick and tired of people falling in love with Shaq like he’s Jessica Alba. Look at the facts. He’s not an offensive threat anymore. He was taken out by Pat Riley to avoid getting the record for most consecutive games fouling out. He can’t play defense anywhere like he used to and teams in the West all have big guys who can play inside AND outside. Shaq can’t run the fast break.
“Well, he’s going to grab the boards and outlet.”
Umm, somehow I think that a fast break with Nash, Marion and Bell is better than Nash, Bell and Grant Hill while Shaq is back on the other end of the court eating a donut. Maybe that’s just me. Also, this absolute GARBAGE talk about how Shaq is a great teammate drives me through the roof. Every team he has left, he’s left on bad terms. Okay, Orlando was retarded to not try and resign him and he had a falling out with Penny Hardaway. Blame that one on Orlando. Okay, Kobe and Phil piled on Shaq in the media calling him fat and lazy; blame that on the Lakers. What about Miami? What about the guy Shaq was in love with? You think Dwayne Wade and Shaq were on good terms? They weren’t even speaking to each other anymore. Pat Riley and Shaq weren’t speaking either. You think it’s a coincidence that every place he leaves, it’s because of a problem with the other star player? I don’t. I think Shaq is a selfish ego maniac who gets too much credit for being a great teammate just because he gives the media good soundbites. By the way, don’t forget what Shaq said about Nash winning the MVP. He said that the MVP award has “lost its credibility”. When asked about those comments, he suddenly had amnesia and forgot ever saying it. Here’s the fact of the matter.
- You can’t have both Amare and Shaq playing inside together because they have the same, one dimensional game. Stand within 6 feet of the basket, catch the ball or rebound it, and dunk. Neither one of them can step outside and shoot worth a nickel.
- The Suns get open shots when in half court situations by running the pick and roll. They are as good as any when it comes to running it. That’s why you don’t see Bell or Barbosa dribbling around; they run through screens, catch and pop. Shaq cannot play in the pick and roll because he’s not a threat to catch and shoot a jumper.
- Shaq’s enormous body will clog the very same lanes that the Suns have thrived on running through for open looks.
- Duncan and Gasol-Bynum will abuse the Suns inside because both have the ability to step away from the basket and hit shots. Don’t forget the biggest weakness in Amare’s game is his defense.
- Speaking of defense, losing Marion takes away your best defender. Raja Bell is a stud defender when he’s not picking up a foul per 30 seconds, something Kobe and Manu have caused him to do. Marion also spreads the floor by means of being able to shoot from deep. By losing him, you take away your best defender and one of the most versatile players in the league.
Everyone who’s in favor of the Shaq deal says, “The Suns didn’t get to the championship with Marion before.” Hit rewind and think back to last year. The Suns lost to the Spurs because of the suspensions handed out to Amare and Co. because of Robert Horry and the whole incident that happened with the flagrant foul. Had that not happened, the Suns would have won that series. Anyone who argues otherwise is misinformed.
My point is, you don’t break up a team that is winning (first place when they made the trade) to pick up a slower, older, and more expensive player. It doesn’t make sense and the Suns will suffer the consequences soon enough. One last point I wanted to make; Shaq is suddenly talking about winning a championship and playing healthy the rest of the season. Doesn’t anyone find it strange that just a couple of weeks ago, he was injured and unable to play at full strength for the rest of the season? Funny how no one calls him out on that. I just did. He’s a selfish player who will limit the Suns from advancing deep into the playoffs. Take that to the bank.
(Doesn’t sound like Wade is going to miss Shaq too much, does it)
More to come on Goodell vs. Congress, Dallas Trading for Kidd, and the landscape of the NBA.