In the NBA's Western Conference, several teams that made blockbuster trades just before the deadline have either been praised or criticized for those deals. The Lakers traded virtually nothing for an All-Star power forward in Pau Gasol. Obviously, he has helped turn the squad into a front-runner for the top spot in the West. Other teams were not able to find such great deals and had the option of 1. staying with their current roster and hoping to produce better results than last year, or 2. make a high-risk, high-reward deal that could take the franchise to the promise land in June-- or lead them into a dark era for many years.
Dallas and Phoenix were the two other teams that made the big moves. BUT, so far the desired result of racking up those ever-valuable W's has not been achieved in either team's case.
With the Suns, they sacrificed arguably the most exciting show on hardwood since the old run-and-gun days and years of team chemistry that has not only won a ton of games in the past two seasons, but had a few more things fallen into place during last season's playoffs (Ex: Robert Horry getting punished for hip-checking Steve Nash and costing Phoenix a game in a very tight series) they could be trying to defend their crown this year instead of looking for a way to "breakthrough". As it is, Steve Kerr decided to roll the dice and bring in one of the most dominant playoff performers to ever play the game. Giving up an all-around stud like Shawn Marion had to be a tough call. I mean the guy did everything; scored, crashed the boards, hustled on both ends, had a great basketball I.Q. and was a great compliment to Nash and Stoudemire.
So Shaquille O'Neal traded the beaches of Miami for the waterless beach of Phoenix. The Suns followed the trade by going 6-8 in about the next month of play. Granted a couple games were without Shaq, but there was certainly an uproar of second guessing. However, winning the last four and with a huge three-game stretch against Hou, Det and Bos, the critics will be ready to pass further judgment on the acquisition of the aging center if Phoenix cannot come way with a victory or two.
Similrly, Dallas made a deal that sacrificed an energetic young playmaker for experience and post-season performance. Although Jason Kidd's post-season resume is far from O'Neal's, his mental toughness and leadership are the two biggest flaws of a Maverick team that made history last year by being the first one seed to get bumped by an eight seed. Not the kind of history Dallas owner Mark Cuban had in mind. So he joined Steve Kerr out on the same, trade away your future for right now, maybe, limb. Much like the Suns, Dallas has a decent but not spectacular record since the deal with big games looming.
Before hindsight finds it's dusty, old bifocals on and sets it's sight on these epic trades, why have so many people written off these teams as contenders? Why has everyone jumped on the Lakers bandwagon and now the Houston craze (can you believe 'craze' was the best synonym for bandwagon, it definitely beat out spinach, what?). I know not everyone is counting out Phoenix and Dallas, they are still solid teams, but listening to predictions on TV and radio, general opinion is way down.
These teams did NOT make these trades for the regular season. I doubt anyone thought the race to just make it into the post-season would be so fierce. This year, seven teams have already matched the total wins of the eighth seed from last season. Typically, both teams could have coasted into a mid- to -high seed while learning to mesh and no one is going to second guess these trades so quickly. However, because they are riding the fringe a little tighter than fans hoped and analysts thought, the easiest target for finger-pointing is obviously the thing that made the most headlines recently. This is foolish. As long as both squads qualify for the playoffs, they should not care where they finish.
From first to ninth, only 6 games separate the teams. That means no one team is that much better (according to records) than any other team. Every lower seed could win in the West and no one should be shocked. The point of those trades were to win seven-game series against specific teams in the West. For Phoenix, not one team is going to want to deal with the guard combo of Nash and Barbosa and the inside domination of Stoudemire and Shaq (who just keep looking better). Who could consistently stop that?
Dallas' outlook is not so rosy. Unlike the Phoenix-Miami deal that gives the Suns a legitimate shot at hoisting the trophy at the Finals, Dallas did not become a more dangerous team. They became more consistent, but that is just going to mean they lose by the same margin in their four first-round losses. Thats right, first round and Dallas will peace out.
Both trades gambled away several stellar years of play from guys who are extremely talented. Both trades returned experienced veterans who know how to win. But Dallas made the mistake of mistaking experience, leadership and talent with domination. Jason Kidd can't take over a game. He can't even be relied on to hit a big shot. Shaq IS dominant.
Phoenix made a great move and has a fantastic opportunity for a short period of time until Shaq finally hits his expiration date. Dallas will be good, but not great for a couple years max, then start drooling over the superb play of Devin Harris in another team's uniform and remember the deal that sent him away.
