***Not Yet Official***

It's not everyday the best player in the league gets traded. The Heat is a good fit for The Diesel. Dwayne Wade is comparable to Kobe. O'Neal & Wade will be great together.

Next year's finals: Heat vs Rockets

Shaq vs Yao, Wade vs T-Mac, Van Gundy vs Van Gundy.

that would be cool, but I doubt it will happen.

well I didn't know the deal was about to happen when I did the post above. I thought it was just speculation, but I just read now that Shaq's agent said the deal is done.
Shaq = Odom, Butler and Grant.

as I said, that would be cool, but I don't think it would make the Heat the East champions that fast.

All this trade does for the Heat is give them a bigger fan base and open up some cap. Shaq will have 2 years left on his contract. If I'm Miami, I'd atleast try to keep Butler or get LA to throw in a 1st rounder. -Pat

Kobe is going to have an difficult time seeing double teams and hands in his face for 48 minutes a game, like he did in the finals.
Now we get to see if Shaq made him look special or held him back.

Very funny, there is NO WAY that's going to happen. Miami will suck when Shaq goes to the bench (they've got no reserves). Sure they'll be better & they might even win their division, but there is no way they'll go to the championship, let alone against Houston!

Houston isnt getting by Minnesota or San Antonio...Miami however is an interesting scenario.
Its been proven that the only way to take Shaq out of the game is to put Kobe in it, and now hes without Kobe. I personally think Shaq will be unstoppable in the East Conf playoffs if healthy. Detroit will be the only team I can see having a chance to beat them. Of course, it is early in the offseason still so hard to say

I agree that Shaq will be unstoppable in the East if he remains healthy, but he's only going to play for another 2 years, right? Isn't his contract with Miami only 2 years? I mean, he might renew or go to another team, but I think he's in Miami for 2 years at the most. As for Detroit, sure they've got a GREAT chance at beating them, but I think Indiana might also have a chance if they keep all their players from last year as well.

I wasn't being serious about the Heat vs Rockets in the finals. That's why I put the at the end.

I agree that Shaq will be unstoppable in the East if he remains healthy, but he's only going to play for another 2 years, right? Isn't his contract with Miami only 2 years? I mean, he might renew or go to another team, but I think he's in Miami for 2 years at the most. As for Detroit, sure they've got a GREAT chance at beating them, but I think Indiana might also have a chance if they keep all their players from last year as well. [/b][/quote]I agree with everything you say here. thats two years that they are actually a contender for the title. Personally I dont think Detroit could have won two games in the finals if Shaq was getting 10-15 more shots. They would have been forced to double team, or they wouldve lost key players to foul trouble. Shaq should have dominated...unfortunatly Kobe took 40 more shots then him in the series, destroying any chance of the Lakers outplaying Detroit (especially with Kobe shooting a pathetic 37%).
So now if they play Detroit, Shaqs gonna get the ball much more, and thats all it should take. Eddie Jones and Wade will go nuts with the defensive attention all on Shaq. If it isnt on Shaq, then he'll score 50 points a game (as he shouldve in the Finals in single coverage).
People talk about Miami trading away their future is stupid: the chances of a young core of players staying together for a long time is much smaller then the chance that Shaq will be dominant.

The only thing that I disagree with is yes Miami will be better, but not great. I don't think that they'll be able to beat Detroit, granted they all stick together. Miami will only have Wade, O'Neal & Jones. That cannot stop Billups, Hamilton, and the Wallaces.

Well the Lakers won three rings with Shaq and Kobe. Other players look good around the true superstars....some fool could get open shots with Deisel around drawin the defense and hit four threes. Superstars make their teams better. Shaq made Derrick Fisher and Rick Fox (neither top 25 at their positions) look like solid guys.
Jones is still very good. He led the team in scoring and playing excellent d. Wade will be good for 17-22 pts next year. Players are going to "step up" for Miami. It happens where ever the big big stars go (this year: Devin Brown, spurs and Fred Hoiberg, Wolves).
I think Detroit is the only team in the East id give say, a 80% chance to beat the Heat. Heat have about an 80% chance of beatin anyone else. And really the heat are only an average power forward away from being better then Detroit. They shouldnt have much trouble drawing one if Shaqs around. They should go for Stromile Swift

Now I hear Michael Jordan wants to be part owner of the Heat. Man, I LOVE Mike, but I HATE the Heat! Don't do it Mike!

Whew, it looks like Jordan won't be going to the Heat after all! HOORAY!

ESPN

Looks like Shaq to the Heat is a done deal...

Major get for Miami...

Wow. Miami definetly got ripped off. They traded Odom, Butler, Grant, AND a 1st round pick just for Shaq. WOW. Shaq is good, but Shaq is only going to be in Miami for 2 years. Wow. Don't know what to say about this one.

In a weak Eastern Conference, I think this gets them very close to the NBA finals.

I hate the arguement that they traded away there future. Sure Odom, Wade, and Caron was nice but it wasnt good enough. And by the time they are that talented they wont be on the same team...its the way of things. Shaq is a safer bet then betting on a core of young talent not to be lured away eventually.
Brian Grant was too expensive anywyas
They also have Jones who led team in ppg and is very good on d.
Wade, who is great.
Haslem is an excellent defensive player and he was just a rookie so he'll score more next year.
They also signed Michael Doleac who is a good mid range power forward. Good mid range pf + Shaq=crazy production.
Other players will come to Shaqs lure. Derrick Fisher, a capable role player is a possibility right now.


On the other hand, the Lakers have no size in the West. The sum of talent implies many wins, but it isnt happening. They might even struggle to make the playoffs with Kobe. They really dont have SHIT. Caron does the same thing as Kobe and wont stay for more then two seasons. Odom is too undersized to play pf in the West so he'll become ANOTHER swingman. Grant is old, and not very effective. The draft pick is going to be shitty because Miami is gonna win a lot of games.
Excellent trade for Miami