July 11, 200422 yr Link to Article well the long awaited deal is done. completed just a while ago. dissapointingly it involves odom,caron,grant, and a future first rounder. well there goes our core and a future pick. way to go riles :thumbup this is the only thing that prevents this deal from happening. and lets pray it happens LINK to our savior
July 11, 200422 yr I aint praying for this not to happen it better happen cause no team that needs Lamar Odom to take 15-20 shots a game is ever going to win a conference title let alone an NBA championship think about it. Riley supposedly coveted Odom for years and now he's willing to trade him after only having him for 1 year what does that tell you??????
July 11, 200422 yr Author I aint praying for this not to happen it better happen cause no team that needs Lamar Odom to take 15-20 shots a game is ever going to win a conference title let alone an NBA championship think about it. Riley supposedly coveted Odom for years and now he's willing to trade him after only having him for 1 year what does that tell you?????? 452318[/snapback] it tells me that they cant win without a big man and riley saw that after a crap start to the offseason and missing out on Blount,Foyle and all the other affordable big men that the season would be a waste without a bigman. so he got desperate and wants to win now instead of playing hard now and in 2 years sign a big time name big man when we lose grant and eddie
July 11, 200422 yr Eh, I'm happy. We give away a lot but this is the most dominating player in NBA history. And we have Wade, Jones, Haslem, and Rasual. Dorrell Wright was gonna replace Caron in the future anyway. And Caron was eventually gonna be traded. Grant too. Shaq not only changed a game with the way he plays, but him just being there is a huge factor. Draw 3 defenders, rebound, dunk on all of them. He's also an excellent passer. I can't wait to play NBA Live. ^________________^
July 11, 200422 yr I dont like giving up Butler as much as the next person, but I think people are letting last season's run cloud their judgement. This is a deal that the Heat had to do. You only get one opportunity to make this trade and I admire Riley for having the guts to pull it off. What some people call being desperate, I think is being realistic. For as great as the second half of last season was, this was still a team that struggled on the road against good teams (in fact 0-for the year) and wasn't quite as close to Detroit level as people think. We'll see how it goes, but you've got to be excited if you're a Heat fan.
July 11, 200422 yr ESPNNews is still reportin that the Details of the trade are still being worked on but that the deal is done. and Still Its not official Yet untill Tuesday (If Im correct).
July 11, 200422 yr I would rather lose Wright than Caron, but whatever. Having a dominating center like Shaq playing along side Dwayne Wade is going to be fun to watch!! :thumbup
July 11, 200422 yr Ya they said that the Lakers might take Wright instead of Butler. I would rather have butler because we already know he can play. Wright would take about 3 years to develop into a good player. Being in the worst division in the NBA with the best player in the NBA makes us almost a lock for atleast the 3rd seed. Plus we will probably sell out every game next year.
July 11, 200422 yr Ya they said that the Lakers might take Wright instead of Butler. I would rather have butler because we already know he can play. Wright would take about 3 years to develop into a good player. Being in the worst division in the NBA with the best player in the NBA makes us almost a lock for atleast the 3rd seed. Plus we will probably sell out every game next year. 452386[/snapback] :thumbdown :thumbdown Wright has potential to be great.Wright salary is lower than Butler so I don't see how its Wright over Butler.
July 11, 200422 yr i have mixed feelings about this because of all that we gave up and shaq's age and shape (his round shape) but at the same time its Shaq. i dont really know what to say. i dont know how this will all workout. if this was a few years ago though i would have a massive erection.
July 11, 200422 yr The Lakers are stealing from the Heat and all the Lakers have to give up is the locker room cancer, (you'll see), often injured, can't play against now legal zone defense Shaq. I'm glad that I won't have to hear Shaq's constant complaints and interviews in Shaq's barely audible voice anymore. Yea to the Lakers. :hat :hat :thumbup
July 11, 200422 yr le batard sounds like his keyboard might be sticky right now. makes feel a little better about the deal but we're gonna have to wait till the upcoming season to see what happens. Posted on Sun, Jul. 11, 2004 IN MY OPINION dlebatard@herald.com For the Heat, this is a super-sized bargain DAN LE BATARD The Miami Heat just pulled off the biggest trade in South Florida sports history. Shaquille O'Steal. This is staggering, unfathomable, your-mouth-should-hangopen-all-day-today news. The only way to be quite as shocked is if you walk into a party today and the people yelling ''Surprise!'' are Elvis, Jimmy Hoffa, Abraham Lincoln and Shrek. Miami got the most dominant basketball player in decades (plural) without even giving up the best and most promising player (Dwyane Wade) on a 42-40 team. This news is so big that the third- or fourth-most interesting question it poses is this: Is Pat Riley going to come back to coach him? If Riley was willing to interview with the Lakers for a chance at coaching O'Neal last month, as he did, why wouldn't he push loyal disciple Stan Van Gundy aside now to coach him here? It would be greedy, selfish, egomaniacal, power hungry and crazy. But, man, wouldn't it be great? Miami didn't trade too much for O'Neal. Miami didn't give him too much money or security or too many contract years. What Miami just did is somehow land what might be the biggest superstar in all of sports without even giving up an All-Star. Who in sports is more famous and recognizable than a 7-1, 340-pound-plus man who owns every room he ever enters? Maybe Tiger Woods. Maybe. Maybe David Beckham if you poll the rest of the world. Maybe. And that, friends, is the beginning and end of your list. O'Neal brings buzz, hope, hype and filled seats, but this is what he does most of all: He makes Miami better. Much. And he makes this Heat franchise matter as it never has. BOON FOR HEAT Yes, Miami had to give three-fifths of its starting lineup to get him. Yes, Miami had to blow up its young blueprint to get him. So? This team was 42-40 with that lineup last season. This team didn't win a single game, not one, against a winning team on the road last season. This team wouldn't have made the playoffs in the Western Conference last season. Miami gave us a very nice run last season but was still eight games worse than the Memphis Grizzlies. Miami was all of three games better than the Golden State Warriors. Miami had exactly the same record as the no-playoffs Utah Jazz. Miami might not have made it out of the first playoff round in a dreadful conference if Baron Davis hadn't been injured. That team wasn't close, in other words. But it most assuredly is now. With the new realignment, Miami is not only in the NBA's weakest division but is pitting Shaq up against centers like Andrew DeClercq. O'Neal uses things the size of Andrew DeClercq as keychains. Heck, the Heat's former center (Brian Grant) was something O'Neal used to lick and stick on the corner of envelopes. NOT LOSING TOO MUCH There will be those who think Miami gave up too much for an aging, injury-prone player, but here's what Miami gave up: A player not even the L.A. Clippers wanted last season, a player who has never had an All-Star season, a player who is even more prone to injury than O'Neal (Lamar Odom). An overpaid player who the Lakers are doing the Heat a favor by taking, a player whose contract is so large that Miami has been trying to trade it without success for years (Brian Grant). A player who is coming off his worst season (Caron Butler). And a future first-round pick that will be very, very low if O'Neal does anything close to the 27 points and 12 rebounds he has averaged for more than a decade. Odom is a growing player who is impossible to guard, and Butler has a future, but you have to give up something for the most dominant basketball player in decades, don't you? Shaq ruins everything if he gets hurt, but that's a risk with any team in the diluted salary-cap age. If Tim Duncan gets hurt, the Spurs are done. If Kevin Garnett gets hurt, the Timberwolves are done. The Heat would have been done last season if either Odom or Wade had gotten hurt. You don't avoid this kind of trade because you are afraid of one of O'Neal's toes. You make this kind of trade because you so badly want and need the rest of him. Here's one way of looking at this: O'Neal is coming off his worst season. But his worst season is a lot better than the best season of all the players Miami just traded for him. The Pistons just beat his dysfunctional team, but they certainly didn't stop him. Game 1: 34 points, 11 rebounds. Game 2: 29 points, seven rebounds. Game 3: 14 points, eight rebounds. Game 4: 36 points, 20 rebounds. Game 5: 20 points, eight rebounds. You don't get 36 and 20 against the league's best defensive team and Ben Wallace, the league's best defensive player, if you are past your prime. AGE OVERBLOWN Shaq just turned 32, people, not 42. He is nine years younger than Roger Clemens, eight years younger than Randy Johnson, seven years younger than Barry Bonds. Basketball is harder on the body? At 32, Michael Jordan was winning league MVP, leading his championship team to a record 70 wins and about to spend the next few seasons averaging 30-plus points. Rich Gannon was five years older than Shaq when he won MVP of a league a lot harder on the body than Shaq's. Only reason Shaq's numbers were down last season is because his shots were down. And his shots were down because Kobe Bryant, Gary Payton and Karl Malone were taking them. Miami played one of its best games last season against Detroit and still lost by double digits. Small Miami wasn't getting past Detroit as constituted pre-Shaq. But Miami just got a whole lot bigger. If Mehmet Okur, a backup who has averaged eight points and five rebounds, can get $50 million from Utah, then O'Neal is worth whatever extension Miami has promised O'Neal, no matter how large. Speaking of large, it is rumored that O'Neal has played at close to 400 pounds. That's heavier than Rafer Alston and Eddie Jones combined. Miami got Shaq for less than Houston gave up to get Tracy McGrady. All of this should have you feeling today the way the Eastern Conferences centers are about to feel when they look up at the new mountain who plays center for your Miami Heat: My God, this is so huge.
July 11, 200422 yr I am sorry for you Heat fans because the Heat got robbed. What was the Lakers problem, they had no depth. Now the Heat have Shaq and no depth, and the Lakers have depth,but no SHaq. Odom and Caron and that future 1st rounder will be in this league for many years to come, but you can't say the same about Shaq. But really I guess this helps the heat for the next 2 maybe three years, They might be the favorites in the East because no body can stop Shaq. The Lakers got 4 guys for a guy that was not going to play for them anyone. In the short run, its an even trade for both teams, in the long run, the Lakers ripped of the Heat! At least the Heat still got Wade! Wade and Shaq the East's version of T-Mac-Yao.
July 11, 200422 yr I am sorry for you Heat fans because the Heat got robbed. What was the Lakers problem, they had no depth. Now the Heat have Shaq and no depth, and the Lakers have depth,but no SHaq. Odom and Caron and that future 1st rounder will be in this league for many years to come, but you can't say the same about Shaq. But really I guess this helps the heat for the next 2 maybe three years, They might be the favorites in the East because no body can stop Shaq. The Lakers got 4 guys for a guy that was not going to play for them anyone. In the short run, its an even trade for both teams, in the long run, the Lakers ripped of the Heat! At least the Heat still got Wade! Wade and Shaq the East's version of T-Mac-Yao. 452451[/snapback] Face the facts, every good team NEEDS a good big man to win. We weren't going to win with the current team we had. THe only untouchable was Dwyane Wade for a reason. He's a star player and a franchise player. He was our future. We're building around him. It doesn't matter who we get rid of, it's his team and it'll be his team when Shaq is gone. Who do the Lakers have playing Center? There aren't even any good centers available right now. They could pull of a trade but their team is FULL of forwards. We get a a player who could equal the numbers of Caron and Grant. Grant + Caron averged 18 points and 13 rebounds, Shaq got 22 and 12. Rasual or Wright might get the nod at SF if we don't sign a Free Agent. But this trade will attract a lot of players. I could see us signing Toni Kukoc because he's an excellent ball handler with a sweet shot, two things the Heat are looking for. As for Power Forward, we still might sign someone, but even if we don't, we have one of the hardest working players in the NBA in Udonis Haslem. IF there was a stat for charges taken, he would be right near the top in that list. He dives for balls, hustles, tries to get every rebounds, and has a decent shot. He's stil working on his inside game but his rookie season was very promising for an undrafted rookie. This trade works for the Heat for so many reasons.
July 11, 200422 yr I dont know why all of you heat fans are getting pissed about this trade. Shaq is not going to be the Shaq of last season. He hated it there. He wasnt motivated. He hated Kobe. The Lakers went away from him too much and made him disappear. Next year, Shaq is out to provae everyone of his doubters very wrong. Shaq plays half ass and still easily gets 22 poitns and 12 rebounds. Just think what the guy will do when he is happy and reasy to kick ass? He also isnt going to take the pounding of the West's big men every nigth so he will be much more rested for the playoffs. Does anyone remember how good the Lakers and he was when he was the focul point of an offense? He was unstoppable. He will ge that in Miami. He is going to embrace that city and try and dliver it to the promise land. The Heat wont get the no.1 seed in the east (Tha twill be Detroit) but NO ONE will be bale to beat you guys in a 7 game series with that man beast. Great trade, and it will be nice being able to root for The Diesel once again. Heat: Your 2005 NBA Champions.
July 11, 200422 yr On a side note, this is our first trade in a long time. Our last trade was Davis for Gatling. (Excluding Draft Day Trades)
July 11, 200422 yr Is Pat Riley going to come back to coach him? A player not even the L.A. Clippers wanted last season, a player who has never had an All-Star season, a player who is even more prone to injury than O'Neal (Lamar Odom). A player who is coming off his worst season (Caron Butler). 452442[/snapback] Damn he sure loves himself some Shaq. He makes some good points though. The ones I quoted are just plain stupid: 1. Pat Riley is not gonna come back and coach, not happening. 2. The Clippers did want LO and were ready to match the offer sheet until Odom expressed his hate for the organization and they realized they just spent a s***load of money on the Brand match. 3. Umm well Caron has had only 2 seasons to play and was injured last year and never really got back in form til late. yeah just wanted to clear that up.. so what do u think heat girl? 452331[/snapback] I guess I'm happy, we really have no other choice but to live with it. I mean this is SHAQ we're talking about. I'm just really gonna miss our departing players, Caron was always one of my faves, LO was amazing and Grant had so much heart. But it happens. Pat Riley isn't dumb, he's been doing this for years. He knows he just lost most of his core but he was hungry for winning now, being in the 2nd round helped.
July 11, 200422 yr Author The Lakers are stealing from the Heat and all the Lakers have to give up is the locker room cancer, (you'll see), often injured, can't play against now legal zone defense Shaq. I'm glad that I won't have to hear Shaq's constant complaints and interviews in Shaq's barely audible voice anymore. Yea to the Lakers. :hat :hat :thumbup 452410[/snapback] is that the sound of hate and anger that your lakers finally will suck??? i think so.
July 11, 200422 yr Author I am sorry for you Heat fans because the Heat got robbed. What was the Lakers problem, they had no depth. Now the Heat have Shaq and no depth, and the Lakers have depth,but no SHaq. Odom and Caron and that future 1st rounder will be in this league for many years to come, but you can't say the same about Shaq. But really I guess this helps the heat for the next 2 maybe three years, They might be the favorites in the East because no body can stop Shaq. The Lakers got 4 guys for a guy that was not going to play for them anyone. In the short run, its an even trade for both teams, in the long run, the Lakers ripped of the Heat! At least the Heat still got Wade! Wade and Shaq the East's version of T-Mac-Yao. 452451[/snapback] actually according to all the papers,news,pti,ATH,with this deal we robbed the lakers. u can hate all u want but the fact is this benefits us now.and 2 years from now when shaq and eddies contract come off at the same time we have over 40 mill to spend on free agents. meaning we can sign 2 huge name stars and then some. so having shaq is like collateral. u can use all that money when hes gone to rebuild ur team in the offseason. we may lose butler and odom which i love.but we will sign 2 players way better then them come 2 years from now.
July 11, 200422 yr Donate a dollar to this site, cheapskate you're on 24/7! Shaq is a clubhouse cancer, after next year Shaq can opt out of his contract. With Shaq's big ego, (you'll see), Shaq will demand a new contract probably elsewhere such as Dallas. Last season Shaq demanded his contract be increased and extended. Shaq yelled at the Lakers owner Jerry Buss, which resulted in Shaq being traded now. Kobe tried to keep it cool and told Shaq to play and shut up. Shaq could not win the title without Kobe and coach Phil Jackson. :thumbdown :whistle
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