The Panic Button

Did the Phoenix Suns push the panic button a little too early when they made the trade for Shaquille O'Neal? Growing up a Los Angeles Lakers fan I have become accustomed to teams feeling inferior to the Lakers.

They are the team to beat, every year, no matter what. Anytime a team goes into the Lakers' house they play their very best. Playing in front of Hollywood stars and seeing the championship banners in the rafters can do a funny thing to opposing teams.

The Suns obviously made the Shaq trade in response to the Lakers acquiring Pau Gasol for Stone Hands and a bag of chips.

Is it going to work out for the Suns? Early indications are no. Shaq looked horrible Sunday versus the Detroit Pistons (3-8 from the field, 1-8 from the foul line) but he did get 11 rebounds in the loss. In their win versus the Boston Celtics he had 4 points on 1-5 shooting, while grabbing 14 rebounds.

Shaq is not going to get 15+ shots in a game, probably will not get 10 shots in a game, so the offense is going to have to come from Amare Stoudemire and Steve Nash. Stoudemire has looked great with Shaq taking up the paint, but how much of the load can the dude take on?

Five to six minute bursts each quarter for Shaq is probably the best way to go for the Suns. Sad to see a giant fall in front of our eyes.

That is what they are missing with Shawn Marion over in Miami: his versatility to do what they need. Shaq will do a couple things for the Suns: rebound (when he feels like it), take up the paint, get a couple of alley-oop dunks. With Marion they had three-point shooting, rebounding, his driving to the basket, defense on the opposing teams' best player, assists... the list goes on.

Perhaps Mike D'Antoni saw the smile on Phil Jackson's face post-Gasol trade and thought to himself, "I want that."

Shaquille O'Neal To The Suns

Shaq back to the West on a team other than the Los Angeles Lakers? No, you are kidding me right?

And to the Lakers' fans most hated team in the West right now, the Phoenix Suns.

Many question this trade, as do I. But you never know what is going to happen when you have a motivated Shaq (see Miami Heat title in his second season with them).

What the Suns have essentially done with this trade is give themselves two-and-a-half years to raise a banner in the US Airways Center. Steve Nash is getting older, they traded a young player in Shawn Marion, Amare Stoudemire cannot do it on his own, Grant is almost over-the-Hill, and O'Neal is running on fumes.

If Shaq can stay healthy then this move is brilliant for the towers of the West, an area that the Suns struggle in (see Suns v. Lakers). Stoudemire and O'Neal on the frontline is a pretty formidable combination.

Of course, this move was made as a reaction to the Lakers acquisition of Pau Gasol in last week's trade. The Suns already struggled against the Lakers this year with big man Andrew Bynum, and now have to worry about covering two seven-footers.

I was hurt when Shaq was traded to Miami following the Lakers 2004 NBA Finals exit at the hands of the Detroit Pistons, and swore that I would support him as a Heat player until he won a championship. But there is NO way that I will be supporting him in a Suns uniform.

If the Lakers and Suns meet in the playoffs look for a very heated matchup between the two squads.

Phil Jackson has already taken a shot at Shaq and his age saying to reporters, "“There are deteriorating returns for a guy who’s 7-foot-1, 300-whatever-he-is.” He did later say that he would be a force again if he could get his playing legs back.

Shaq I am your biggest fan, but seeing you in a Suns uniform is going to make me puke.

Leandro Barbosa = Crying Game

Leandro Barbosa got emotional the other day ago while he was in town to play the Los Angeles Lakers.

Barbosa was coaxed into thinking that he had been traded to the New York Knicks before the game.

For those of you who missed the LA/Phoenix game, a funny story about Barbosa. Apparently he received a phone call to his hotel room asking him to come to the front desk and he received “word” from Kerr that he was traded to the Knicks. He immediately went and found assistant coach and mentor Dan D’Antoni who saw how upset Barbosa was and asked him what was wrong. Barbosa responds by saying, “I thought you guys liked me”, and then tells him about the “news”. Dan tells him there is absolutely no truth to the rumor and that the next time he checks into a hotel he should use an alias rather than his real name

Of course the thought of being traded to an Isiah Thomas-led New York Knickerbockers team is no laughing matter. But anytime a Phoenix Sun is seen, or heard whining is indeed a laughing matter.

It is like when I was in eighth grade and I found a beautiful vixen to "date" at the time. After couple weeks of heavy hand-holding, I found out that she liked another guy. My reaction was similar to Barbosa's: "What did I do wrong? How could this have happened?"

Anyway, if you happen to find out a Suns' players alias on the road be sure to tell him Mike D'Antoni hates his guts.

Mike D'Antoni Likes To Whine

Throughout the NBA season you will see Mike D'Antoni crying up and down the court. I do not think there is anything worse then seeing that dude whine. Google him, 90% of the images that come up are like the one to the left.

Last night, D'Antoni did not take kindly to Phil Jackson and his timing of calling a timeout. Jackson called a timeout immediately after D'Antoni had, with the Los Angeles Lakers blowing out the Phoenix Suns. D'Antoni went nuts immediately after he called the timeout, and looked like a hyena excited about seeing a lion.

You can read Jacksons lips in the following video, "what the f**k is wrong with you? Go sit down!":

D'Antoni had this to say after the game:

"Yeah, I was pretty upset," D'Antoni said. "I thought he disrespected our players. But he likes to play the mind games and that's fine. He might want to try to do it in playoff time when we bust them every year."

You got some balls D'Antoni... little as they are, you have no room to make such a comment. Every year? I guess two years in a row constitutes "every year". Just how many championships have you won? What is that I hear? Oh that is right, nothing, meaning zero.

If Jackson had the talent you had on your squad he would have already won back-to-back titles. Your players underachieve in the playoffs, and take on the persona of their head coach: whiners. This Lakers team took your team to the brink of elimination, and would have easily defeated you had Kobe Bryant possessed a teammate better than your average gym basketball player.

D'Antoni would not be able to take this Lakers team to the playoffs like Jackson has the past two years.

Jackson had this to say about D'Antoni flipping out:

"He wasn't thinking straight. That's all," Jackson said of D'Antoni. "He'd understand that if he thought about it for a second. I think he thought I was trying to showboat or grandstand. But when you have a mandatory timeout coming in a minute and a half or something like that, just get it out of the way."

You know Jackson was smiling when he said that.

Memo to D'Antoni: you do know you are Mike D'Antoni right? Win something, and then talk.

I think I am going to take back my prediction that the Suns are winning it all this year.

(Side note: I just noticed Lakers assistant coach Frank Hamblem smiling after Jackson tells D'Antoni to sit down. Classic.)

NBA Preview/Predictions

The National Basketball Association is set to begin play today with three games scheduled, including my favorite love-hate player, Kobe Bean Bryant in action (hopefully) against the Houston Rockets.

Divisional outlook according to First To Third L.J.:

Atlantic: Boston, New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia, Toronto

Top dog: Boston
Golden retrievers: New Jersey, Toronto, New York
Love Park lovable loser: Philadelphia

This has been one of the weakest divisions in basketball the last couple of years but now has a new triple threat in Boston with Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen.

Philadelphia is still several years away from competing and we never know what we are going to get out of New Jersey. Although I think they addressed a glaring need in the center position by signing Jamaal Magloire.

I like the Knicks roster (maybe I am biased because I grew up following the Knicks as my East Coast team), but with Isiah Thomas at the helm I never will bank on them going far.

Toronto will be second or third in the division behind Chris Bosh and one of my personal favorites, TJ Ford. Carlos Delfino is a big pickup for the Raptors and cannot wait to see what he does with more playing time.

And to the new three-headed monster... I do not want to see Boston rise to NBA glory again because I am a Lakers fan and do not want them to raise another banner. This Celtics team is deeper than people are going to give them credit for, and could possibly get a nice addition in Juwan Howard in the next couple of weeks. Allen does not get as much love as he deserves... Pierce will play better with less work on his shoulders... and Garnett will be Garnett like always.

Celtics taking the division.

Central: Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Indiana, Milwaukee
My favorite division in the East this year.

The obvious culprits: Chicago, Detroit
Hanging tough: Cleveland
Outside looking in: Indiana, Milwaukee

Chicago's young Bulls are gaining experience as each year passes, and will be more dangerous this year. But, if the rumors are true and they trade for Kobe Bryant, things may be different for them. If they do make the trade, it will all depend on who they send to the Lakers. No matter what, Kobe in the East will make this Bulls team a contender.

Detroit is solid with a deep bench and veteran leadership. They will always be contending in the East as long as they have Richard Hamilton, Chauncey Billups, and Rasheed Wallace. And you cannot forget about my boy Arron Afflalo. He is a baller.

Indiana and Milwaukee are in the developing stages. I look at the Pacers as the Golden State Warriors of the East. They can run on opponents. I hope Mo Williams was not working for a contract last year and continues his strong play of yesteryear.

Now Cleveland you ask? Why are they hanging tough? Them being the defending Eastern Conference champions. I do not like the supporting cast of Lebron James. His team is essentially the Lakers of the East. Chicago and Detroit are better.

Pistons taking the division.

Southeast: Atlanta, Charlotte, Miami, Orlando, Washington

Head of the beer: Washington
Couple of sips behind: Orlando, Miami
Improved with age: Atlanta
Bottom of the barrell: Charlotte

Washington is the easy pick, especially with Shaq getting older, and Wade still recovering from surgery. The Wizards are returning most of their squad and will be at the top as long as they stay healthy.

Orlando is the sexy pick. Dwight Howard is a beast, the next coming of Shaq, and Jameer Nelson should have a good contract year. Stan Van Gundy was the perfect selection to be their coach.

Like I said, with Shaq getting up there in years and Wade not 100%, it is going to be hard to see these guys as a contender. It is not going to be fun for them to fight their way back into the Eastern conference race after a slow start.

Atlanta will be better this year as their young players will make improvements. Watch out for Acie Law, another baller made for the NBA. Good draft by the Hawks.

Charlotte gets hurt too much and that is why they are at the bottom of the division.

Wizards taking the division.

Northwest: Denver, Minnesota, Portland, Seattle, Utah

Belvedere vodka: Denver, Utah
Smirnoff: Portland, Seattle
Popov: Minnesota

Denver can easily take this division if they get a healthy Kenyon Martin for at least 70 games. If not, AI and Carmelo will be able to handle the load.

The Jazz are coming off a very successful season, but have a unhappy AK. As long as they have Boozer and Williams these guys will be fine.

Portland has been hit by the injury bug already and are looking forward to next year, when they will see Greg Oden for the first time. Darius Miles and Oden to become best friends on the bench.

This year will be Kevin Durant's year to shine. He will be the man in Seattle but they will not go far with the squad they have.

The first year without KG will be a long one for the Wolves, but have some young, exciting players. Al Jefferson hopefully will get more love this year, he is the real deal.

Denver taking the division.

Pacific: Golden State, LAC, LAL, Phoenix, Sacramento

Newcastle ale: Phoenix
Bass ale: Golden State, LAL (with Kobe)
Bud Light: LAC, Sacramento

Phoenix are the obvious favorites in this division with Nash, Stoudemire, and Marion ready to get deeper into the playoffs.

The Warriors had a great run last year, and will no longer be in the sleeper role. They play fun basketball to watch and will get more exposure this year. Baron Davis is a baller.

The Lakers season will rest on whether Kobe is traded or not. If they trade Kobe, the team will be fourth or fifth in the division, and will not make the playoffs. With him, they are second or third in the division with a seventh or eighth seed in the West. The drama will no doubt unfold. Bynum is going to have a good year if Jackson gives him the bulk of the minutes at center.

Los Angeles' other team has a hurt Brand, likely out until after the all-star break, and older point guards. The Clippers will once again be Staple Center's second best team.

Sacramento's rookie coach, Reggie Theus, has to resolve a bad relationship between two of their best players in Mike Bibby and Ron Artest. Brad Miller needs to lose the cornrows. Kevin Martin cannot carry this squad.

Suns taking the division.

Southwest: Dallas, Houston, Memphis, New Orleans, San Antonio

Johnnie Walker Blue Label: San Antonio, Dallas
Johnnie Walker Gold Label: Houston
Johnnie Walker Black Label: New Orleans
Johnnie Walker Red Label: Memphis

I could have put Houston in the Blue Label status with San Antonio and Dallas, but refrained from doing so because T-Mac and Yao have not made it past the first round of the playoffs. But they made some nice additions and think Adelman will do better with this squad than Van Gundy did.

Going into the season, the defending champion Spurs are the obvious favorite to get back to the finals out of the West. Nothing more to say about them, except their winning is boring. But they are good, really good.

Dallas, we will see how they react to their meltdown in last year's playoffs, and their yearly disappointments in the playoffs. This will be a big test for Dirk, who spent the summer searching for answers and not shaving.

Memphis has some good young players, but are a couple of years away from a playoff berth especially being in a tough division. Might sneak in next year as an eighth seed though.

The Hornets will be in New Orleans full-time and will be in the playoff hunt at the end of the season. Chris Paul is worth the price of admission and has good shooters to get the ball to in Peja and Mo Pete.

Spurs taking the division.

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West champ: Phoenix Suns
East champ: Boston Celtics

NBA Champ: Phoenix Suns

Awards:
Rookie of the year: Al Horford
Most improved: Andrew Bynum
Sixth man of the year: Leandro Barbosa
Scoring champ: Gilbert Arenas
Defensive player of the year: Marcus Camby
MVP: Kobe Bryant (no matter where he plays)

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Final note: Will someone pick up Earl Boykins?!?! The NBA is not the same without the most exciting player in the game! I will be making a petition that the Lakers sign him.

Marion to the Lakers, Jazz?

In today's edition of high-paid, whining NBA players, we have Shawn Marion asking to be traded from the Phoenix Suns.

I wish this could happen in real life: "Hey RLH Industries, I am sick of working here and would like to be sent to the OC Register for a sports writing job... make it happen."

Anyways, back to the subject at hand... There is speculation that Marion could go to the Utah Jazz (for fellow whiner, Andre Kirilenko) or to the Los Angeles Lakers (for Lamar Odom). I know Marion thinks he does not get the respect he deserves with the Suns, but he is making plenty of money in Phoenix and is part of the "big three" which includes Nash and Stoudemire.

His best shot at an NBA ring is to stay with the Phoenix Suns based on the two possible teams he would be traded to. I think both the Lakers and Jazz would take that trade any day of the week.

With the Jazz, Marion would bring just as much defense (if not more) as Kirilenko and has speed to run with point guard Deron Williams. Plus, you are moving Kirilenko to a place he would thrive and would probably be happy with the move.

With the Lakers, Marion would be teamed with his friend Kobe Bryant. Both players would welcome the change and Marion would not be as intimidated by Bryant on the team. That is the one problem Odom has with the Lakers offense, he differs to Bryant too much.

Marion would bring defense and 3-point shooting, along with an attitude that he knows he can create his own shot.

But would he fit into the triangle offense? No doubt Phil Jackson would have to make some adjustments in the offense to allow some run-and-gun with Bryant, Marion, and newly acquired Derek Fisher.

If I am Mitch Kupchak, I look at this as an opportunity to get a little forgiveness from the Lakers fans. Some.