O'Neal for Marion...oh yeah and Banks too.

On this date 15 years ago, a 20-year-old rookie for the Orlando Magic played a basketball game at Phoenix and ended up bringing down an entire basketball hoop. That rookie was Shaquille O’Neal and as fate would have it, last night O’Neal was traded to the Phoenix Suns. It was a three player deal in which Miami sent center Shaquille O’Neal to Phoenix for forward Shawn Marion and guard Marcus Banks.
So, who got the better deal? And I hate to disregard Marcus Banks, but the news is O’Neal for Marion plus some other guy. So, Miami with O’Neal have been a half court team with a slower tempo. Phoenix has been a fast tempo team and that’s what Marion has been used to. For the past three seasons, Miami with O’Neal have won one NBA Championship and have been first in their division each season. Through nearly half this year’s season Miami posts a hideous record of 9-38. Phoenix for the past three years has no Championships, but has been first in their division each season winning at least 54 or more games. Despite Phoenix accomplishments in the regular season they always fall short during the post season. Something is obviously missing. As for Miami, they need to forget about who’s in whose “fav five” and just play ball.
Marion has averaged a double-double throughout his nine year career scoring 18.4 points per game and pulling down 10 rebounds per game not to mention the near 40 minutes he plays a game. But the real value for these two teams has nothing to do with statistics, despite Marion being an all around better basketball player than O’Neal. The real value is the speed of the game. Phoenix with O’Neal on the court will have to slow down the tempo. Miami has the ability to speed it up now.
So who will benefit more? Phoenix will benefit from O’Neal’s ability to pass from the low post; also O’Neal is simply a presence. Miami will benefit from Marion’s athleticism, which will allow them to run the court and get easy baskets in transition. I think slowing down the tempo for Phoenix is going to hurt them in the immediate future, but once they get into the postseason after a grueling 82 game season perhaps the best way to win is to pound a team with O’Neal and once they’re tired bench O’Neal and speed up the tempo again. But in the long run, I believe Miami got the better deal because a duo with explosive athleticism combined with experience and unlimited scoring and defensive abilities like Wade’s and Marion’s can lead a team to championships. All Pat Riley needs to do is get the role players.