Am I the only one worried by this?

Huge trade news out the NBA today:

Suns get:

Shaquille O'Neal

Heat get:

Shawn Marion
Marcus Banks

First we'll discuss Marion. He's been frustrated with the Suns for years now, because he wants a bigger role in the offense and is tired of having to play 4 positions on defense since no one else on the team does. He wanted a big contract extension (he currently make $17 million per), and was recently starting to change his tone about Phoenix management when they told him he was no longer on the trading block.

However, when Marion got word that the Suns were in talks with Miami, he once again stated his opinion that he wanted out, even if it meant going to the worst team in the league.

As for the other side of the trade...Shaq to Phoenix.

The general consenus around the country (not to mention the Q2 Sports office)...this is a bad trade for the Suns. Phoenix's offensive motto (7 seconds or less...in reference to the shot clock) is not conducive...AT ALL...to Shaq's style. They are the most run and gun team on the planet, and Shaq is 35 years old with bad knees, hips, etc. However...

Shaq won't be asked to contribute extensively on the offensive end. This is purely a playoff move. Examine this:

Over the last two years, the Suns won 62 and 61 games respectively in the regular season, earning them a top 2-seed in the West each year. But in the playoffs, they never made it past the Western Conference Finals because they ran into a team that slowed the game down, crushed Phoenix inside and on the glass, and the Sund couldn't adjust.

Shaq allows them to play a half-court game with everyone else. Let's assume he plays 25 minutes...conservatively...in the playoffs, this gives the Suns someone to matchup against Tim Duncan, Dirk Nowitzki, Yao, and the Bynum-Gasol combo in L.A. The Suns can run without Shaq...you don't need 5 players to get a shot of in transition! And plus, you still have Amare Stoudemire in the post who does run!

Look at their lineup now:

Steve Nash, Raja Bell, Grant Hill, Amare Stoudemire, Shaq...along with Barbosa and Diaw coming off the bench. THAT IS A SCARY LINEUP!

Phoenix can now still run the break as well as anyone...but can also, for the 1st time in years, run a very effective half-court game through Shaq. He's not what he used to be, but he's 7'1", 320 lbs, and a beast for Western Conference post players to deal with.

Phoenix's old game wasn't working, so they had to make a change. THIS IS A GREAT TRADE FOR THE SUNS.

Mark my words...Phoenix and L.A. are now the Top 2 teams in the West. Your move, Dallas.