Shaq to Portland?
Dave at Blazers Edge talked about possible benefits of the Blazers going out and getting Shaquille O’Neal. I actually floated this about a year ago in a column but it makes even more sense now, because of O’Neal’s contract situation.
I just thought Shaq might turn into a pretty good mentor for Oden and for a couple of seasons that would be priceless tutoring. In the meantime, too, it would make the Blazers pretty good.
But really, the fun part would be the tug-of-war we’d be seeing for the ball. There’s no way Shaq would accept, on a nightly basis, being ignored in the post the way Oden is. Fireworks would ensue that might, in the long run, result in Portland playing a smarter brand of basketball.
But it won’t happen. First off, Shaq would have a real hissy fit about coming here. The guy has played his whole career in the sunshine of Orlando, Los Angeles and Phoenix. This town isn’t warm enough or big enough for him.
Second, this is a pretty bold move, even for Kevin Pritchard. Talk about changing the face of your team in one single move. Nope, I don’t think so. Not going to happen.
NBA, Trail Blazers | Dwight Jaynes | January 30, 2009
Dwight Jaynes, Greg Oden, Kevin Pritchard, Portland Trail Blazers, Shaquille O'Neal
Dwight, I am surprised you wasted the time to post this. As much as we all love KP, there is no way Shaq would ever play in PDX. If I am not mistaken, wasn’t there actual talk of this a few years back, and didn’t Shaq emphatically say that he would never, ever play in Portland? So why bring this up again? It just isn’t worth discussing, is it? (Yet here I am, posting about it. Hmmm).
I hate you, Dwight. I hate you and Dave for making me read this and actually think about it. Damn you, man. This isn’t supposed to be interesting.
But, now that I am sucked in, just a little bit, I will say that it is an intriguing notion. I think back to Robinson and Duncan. The veteran who won his championship before handing the reigns off to the young talent on his way to a dynasty.
Of course this would not be Shaq’s defining moment, merely his swan song, but it would definitely be nice to see Oden carry the torch and to have a Blazer dynasty.
Somebody please slap me and wake me up from this dream.
I’ve always been a Shaq fan but I would be afraid of the locker room drama his large ego would create. Every team he’s ever been on he’s ended up contributing to a nightmare of a chemistry problem. He seems like he’d be a fun teammate yet he always has to bash someone in the press and step on their throat as he’s walking out the door. I realize that the drama queen known as Kobe Bryant had as much to do with the problems in LA as Shaq did but the crap that O’neal pulled after he left Miami was bush league IMO. I know this thing would never happen but it’s an interesting thought. G.O. is doing fine without Shaq. The Pryz/Oden duo will continue grow to be the best center tandem in the league.
Shaq’s next team should be the Globetrotters. He would have a great time and I would definitely pay to see it.
stupid post
There are two players in the NBA I can’t stand.I mean I really,really dislike them.
Shaq and Kobe
I would be ill if they ever wore Blazer uniforms.
Peacequiet thank god someone feels the same way. I feel like I entered a terrifying twilight zone reading these terrible things written by blazers fans. If you have been a fan of the blazers any longer than the current bandwagon has been rolling, even the thought of shaq buying greg oden dinner much less playing for the blazers should give you intestinal cramps. ANYONE but shaq or kobe.
I think Shaq in a Blazers’ jersey could work out pretty well. I also think Shaq would be down to win another ring or two before he clocks out of the league. I think the Blazers offer O’Neal a very good opportunity in the twilight of his career.
He can be a starter (for now) and lead this team into the post-season. This move would give Oden some additional time to develop while easing some the “bust-scrutiny” Oden endures daily. Shaq’s HUGE contract expires the same time we’ll be looking to sign Roy and Aldridge to new contracts.
Plus, Shaq is a great offensive player and would give us that 3rd offensive threat we so desperately need (no, Outlaw isn’t a viable 3rd option. He’s a role player, not a star like Shaq).
This would also work for the soon-to-be rebuilding Suns, who have seriously scuttled their ship over the past few seasons.
peacequiet and Blazeon, those are pretty strong words. Care to explain? Anyone would be better than Shaq in a Blazer uniform? I wouldn’t go quite that far.
Would you take Sheed back? How about Marbury? How about Bonzi Wells? Derek Anderson? AI? Telfair?
You probably hate Shaq for his arrogance, right? But hasn’t he backed up that arrogance his entire career, hasn’t he? Shaq got shipped off to Miami instead of Kobe, and he brought a championship to that city. Where is Kobe’s ring without Shaq?
GO will never be like Shaq in terms of attitude. It just isn’t in the guy. But he could certainly be as great as Shaq on the court. So if Shaq were to mentor GO, I would only expect good things to happen.
Dwight, I’m usually with you on most topics…but this is just terrible. Shaq would create a circus in Portland, and completely derail what we’re trying to do here. On the court, you’ve got a 45% free throw shooter. He would have to be removed at the end of any close game.
Also, let’s not assume that Shaq would be a great mentor. He’s been known to resist any sort of mentoring opportunities…in Shaq’s mind, he’ll always be the most dominant player on any team he’s on.
This makes no sense on any front.
It is true Portland is not a Shaq kind of town, but if he felt he could win a championship in Portland, and more importantly, keep Kobe from winning one, I think he’d do it for a few years.
Shaq isn’t the same person he was several years ago with the Kobe feud.
Having said all of that, I hope it doesn’t happen, from an emotional standpoint. I don’t really want to root for Shaq. But logically, it makes some sense, and I think it would work.
The Stump, peacequiet & Blazeon are right on in my opinion.
For the record, Shaq is shooting 62 percent from the foul line this season.
– Dwight
Dwight, don’t forget about South Beach. What’s left after Phoenix… San Antonio? New Orleans? Or maybe he can anchor a new franchise in Monterrey, since that city is so worthy of a major league team (heh, heh).
But seriously, the best place for Shaq to go might be to a city that is looking to make a run at a big free agent in the summer of 2010 (Lebron/DWade/Bosh/etc.), assuming that they can put together a deal to nab him in the first place.
I like the idea of Shaq as a mentor for Oden
After his playing days are over
(whether O’Neal would agree to this role In PDX is unlikely…)
This was just a thought exercise by Dave. Absolutely no chance; I think he just wants readers to imagine some “think big” scenarios.
A RLEC trade is much less likely because of the Miles cap hit. Fine with me. I would like to see the playoffs and a credible performance, but this isn’t going to the “the year”.
That said…Shawn Kemp is available!
Shaq wouldn’t mentor anybody…his ego wouldn’t allow it. Portland has zero use for him anyway so why bring this discussion up?
‘Fireworks would ensue that might, in the long run, result in Portland playing a smarter brand of basketball.”
Ha, Ha. Dwight thinks he’s smarter than KP and Nate. There’s a friggin’ joke…
NO! NO! NO!
no way… ever!
shame on every Blazer fan that would consider this.
It IS blasphemy.
in all the reasons that I’ve read in regards for or against, not 1 mentioned with ‘emphasis’ that he is too old.
as well as not enough ‘emphasis’ on these points that follow:
we need no cancer.
we need no super ego.
we need no bitter divorce.
we need no super arrogance.
we need no sworn enemy to pretend he likes anything Portland.
we need no fan to root for a jerk like him.
I could go on….. but, i gotta go puke.
Big shame and painful curses to any and all so-called Blazer , um, ‘fan’, that entertained this thought, even for a second. You should be forced to wear a L*ker jersey at your funeral, baptism, wedding(s), and birth of your children….!
Dwight, realistically, Maurice Lucas is probably a pretty good coach. He has been out of it too long. What do you think about Charles Oakley as an assistant? He would teach tough “D” and teach toughness altogether, perfect for Aldridge. Also, he would be able to get in there and bang with these guys in practice. Could you imagine that he would let McMillan call plays that don’t involve the bigs down low? I can’t, he could end up our new coach one day.
I agree with the “no” vote. Too many questions and potential negatives – would the Blazers get the unmotivated out of shape I’ll get serious in March Shaq that caused Miami to part with him, or would it be the rejuvenated and playing a full season for the first time in years that Phoenix is enjoying? While Shaq has been an undeniable talent in the league, he does not seem to have the maturity a veteran should have in order to be a mentor to Greg Oden. Shaq needs someone like Greg Oden to teach him how to be a better person and teammate. There are other people who are every bit as capable of teaching Greg how to play NBA basketball. This team has been built with a formula of patience, personal character and a team-first attitude. Bringing Shaq to Portland would be a departure on all three counts.