Hey Phoenix: I Hope Shaq Was Worth It

Just because something is better than expected, that doesn't make it valuable. That point has never been more evident than what the Phoenix Suns have been going through over the past year.

One year ago, Steve Kerr and the Suns dealt away Shawn Marion for Shaquille O'Neal. And aging Shaq who was sitting due to injury.

The Suns were a team that was winning Pacific Division championships and were one of the elite teams in the NBA. No, that didn't equate to Finals appearances, but this was far from a team that needed to be imploded.

Shaq has surprised many people by having an All-Star season. The last time he looked anything like this, the Miami Heat were winning their championship. It would seem that slowing the Suns down and actually having a half court game would put them over the top.

The problem is that the Suns aren't championship caliber anymore. Odd when you think that Shaq is playing at such a high level on a team that was one of the NBA's elite. And it isn't as if Marion is doing anything of importance in Miami.

Since the deal was made, Mike D'Antoni flew the coup to New York (the Suns weren't very angry about that). Phoenix's lack of offense led to them dealing Raja Bell and Boris Diaw ... two of their best defenders ... to Charlotte for Jason Richardson. Steve Nash has gone from MVP to non-All Star. Amare Stoudemire wants out. Fans wish head coach Terry Porter would follow him.

And now the Suns want to deal Shaq.

There are two parts to this story: what has happened and what could have been. What has happened is the Suns are fighting just to get into the playoffs and get run out of the first round by the Lakers or Spurs. They are trying to deal Amare Stoudemire and Shaquille O'Neal in order to salvage some payroll and some prospects. The problem is that Amare can be a free agent in 2010 and Shaq holds a $20M price tag next season. Tough sells.

What could have been is up for debate since we really can never tell. If the Suns stayed pat and never made this deal, they would probably still be trailing the Lakers in the Pacific and most likely a No. 5 to 7 seed in the playoffs. However, it would be easier for them to make a move now. Marion has an expiring contract which would be worth something ... or just let him walk and his contract is off the books. Guys like Nash and Stoudemire are more attractive bargaining chips if you wanted to deal them as well.

Instead, the team is actively trying to deal the one player (Amare) they shouldn't be shopping. They probably can't deal Shaq right now unless Cleveland gets desperate. They aren't dealing Nash. However, neither Nash nor Shaq will be in the Suns long-term plans. If you are going to implode the team, it would make more sense to build the new Suns around Amare.

Shaq has been a force this year and an All Star. Not a bad catch considering you dealt away that isn't an All Star this year. But the biggest measure is sports are wins and losses and that is where the Suns have suffered the most.

We Need Shaq, Kobe and Phil Together For One Night Only

Normally I'm not big on having certain guys make the All-Star team. Especially a guy like Shaquille O'Neal, who has been to 14 of these things and it should be old hat to him by now.

However, we need Shaq on this team. We need it. TNT needs it. The NBA needs it.

I mean, this will be our final shot of Shaq and Kobe as teammates.

We all know that dynamic that is Shaq and Kobe so forgive me for not doing the "journalistic thing" and retracing all the steps as if you've lived under a rock. You know the history so think about how cool it would be to have Shaq and Kobe as teammates.

Not just that, but Phil Jackson would be their coach. So the triangle will get back together for one night only ... in Shaq's new playground in Phoenix. Remember how in June 2004, these three men all wanted to go off in completely different directions. Shaq blamed Kobe, Kobe blamed Phil, Phil blamed both.

Of course, we all know that the shame of this is the fact that they were making such sweet music together. Three straight titles including a postseason that saw them lose once in 16 games. Even in their non-titles of 2003 and 2004, they had their moments when they turned on the switch and were the best team in the NBA. Because of all that ego, that left.

Since then, Phil and Kobe have reunited and made another Finals appearance together. Kobe ended up with his first MVP award and a couple of scoring titles. Shaq went to Miami and won a title with his next little buddy, Dwyane Wade (who he mysteriously doesn't gush much about anymore). By the way, Wade will be playing for the East that night. All we need is Penny Hardaway to show up and we can have it all.

Well, it would be complete if Shaq blessed us with a halftime rendition of "Kobe, How's My @$$ Taste".

For one night ... if the Western Conference coaches vote Shaq into the All Star Game ... all three will be back in the same locker room. Both Shaq and Kobe will probably bring in their new playthings of Amare Stoudamire and Pau Gasol to the party. They all will be cordial and, being the competitors they are, will blow all that animosity out the window so the West can win the game.

Still, for Laker fans like me, it will be a bittersweet moment when (and you know this is going to happen) Kobe throws up a lob that Shaq thunders down like it is Game 7 of the 2000 Western Conference Finals all over again. We will remember the great times the two produced together in their much too brief partnership and lament the fact that their egos and selfishness threw it all away.

It just will be great to see the ol' gang back.