His defensive presence is limited to just being a big body. When he was in his prime he could block and change some shots, but you have to be able to get off the ground to be able to do that consistently.

Even when Shaq was in his prime he was never an elite rebounder and he could never defend the pick and roll.

The Suns just traded away their only elite defender. Shaq will be spending most of his time on the bench after the quick point guards in the West burn Nash, get into the paint and get to the line.

Maybe he’s rejuvinated in PHX, but I doubt it.

good move by the Suns.

The Suns management knew that they would never win a title with their present lineup. They have no defensive post presence and, in the playoffs, could not begin to match up with the Lakers’ Bynum and Gasol, as well as the Spurs’ and Mavs’ frontcourts. Marion wanted out, and Banks is a nonfactor. The Mavs were also interested in Shaq, and that deal would have hurt the Suns’ playoff chances as well.

That being said, we agree that Shaq is out of shape and over the hill. Nevertheless, he requires double teams and opens up opportunities for teammates in the half court offense. Stoudemire can go back to power forward, where he is more effective, and Nash will find any unguarded teammates. Shaq doesn’t have to run the court on the fast break, but in the playoffs, the game slows down considerably into a half court perimeter game.

Shaq also has a history of wanting to show up his old team. Look at his first years in Miami and LA. He only has to play hard for a few months to give the Suns a shot at the title. You can bet that he wants to make Kobe, Jerry and Mitch look bad, not to mention Pat Riley.

He may not pass a physical, in which case the deal won’t happen, but I think it is a good gamble for the Suns because without him they are going no place in the western conference playoffs and their window of opportunity is rapidly going to close.

Tina Russell