Jermaine O’Neal-Shawn Marion deal in the works
Reports out of the New York Daily news say that the Toronto Raptors and Miami Heat have exchanged medical records for Jermaine O’Neal and Shawn Marion, and it looks like a trade is in the works to move the two stars.
This may not be the right move for Toronto to make, but it’s a deal they must make. The gap left by O’Neal when he’s injured is huge. Brian Colangelo brought him in because neither Chris Bosh nor Andrea Bargnani was capable of defending the league’s best big men, let alone trying to box them out on the boards.
But the problem is, he’s always hurt, so the Raptors are forced to live with that void in the paint. They’ve lost six in a row, and it’s looking like it’s going to take a while to fill that void. Because of that, they’re going to have to score more points, which Shawn Marion can do for you.
The stats may be misleading. Marion is averaging just 12 points per game. But there is no point guard like Jose Calderon distributing the ball in Miami, just Dwayne Wade getting the ball and taking it to the whole. It may be working for Wade, who’s got the highest PPG in the league, but it’s not working for Marion, who wanted out of Phoenix to get more touches.
In Miami, as long as he stays healthy, O’Neal will still get you those 8-12 points per game, along with being able to contain Dwight Howard, who plays in the same division.
The Heat should be careful. They’re back in the running in the East for a playoff spot at 22-19 and sitting in sixth place. Do they really need this shake-up?
Well, one thing’s certain. At 16-28, Toronto does.
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That is exactly what I told you 2 hours ago… wierd…lol
This is a great post, and ironically I made this trade about a month ago when I was playing NBA Live 09 (Franchise Mode). The big issue here is will “The Second Coming of O’Neal” bring the heat to instant contender status in the East? Will he be healthy and will his age be a factor? Those are key questions that the Heat needs to ask. Let’s not count out the possibility of Alonzo Mourning returning if O’Neal comes to Miami. That would definitely give the Heat a defensive presence inside. Right now I’m iffy on the trade, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it happens. Keep up the good work.
P.S. Check out my blog (linked) as I talk about the Miami sports teams - disregard the political posts.
Too much was made of Jermaine O’Neal this off-season, he hasn’t been the All Star he used to be for several seasons now. He’s always injured, you cringe anytime he takes a hit or lands on the floor and he’s playing the most physical position on the floor. People were talking Twin Towers like Toronto was going to have a Robinson-Duncan type weapon nobody could contain, yet nobody wanted to look at what O’Neal had done recently, he’s a shadow of his former self. He’s great with the team and media, no doubt, and a good guy, but he was never going to be a 20-10 monster beside Bosh.
Marion doesn’t fit with what Pat Riley is doing with the Heat. He needs to be back into a position like he was with the Suns, out on an offensive running team. He could get that role in Toronto with Bosh and Bargnani both quick big men and Jose Calderon feeding him the ball and spreading defences. His numbers would be far better than O’Neals post-trade, that’s for sure. I’d make the deal in a second. The risk is Marion could bolt after the season, but if he’s back in a good system and working with Colangelo who he got along with, he may very well sign an extension and see his career out as a Raptor. Could also convince Bosh the team is getting a marquee player to help him out and improve the team. They’ve got the nucleus of a running team down their roster already.