HoopsHype.com NBA Blogs - Eddie Johnson

Hunger and home grown toughness

The Celtics are probably the only team in the NBA with not one foreign import on their roster. OK, what does that mean?  Well, in this instance, especially judging by how the Celtics just manhandled the Lakers, I would say hunger, pride and toughness. This Celtic team had three stars and one former player as coach that had success as individuals, but never had accomplished the team success to validate great careers. They hungered for it and it showed with how they stayed focused, fought through injuries during this series and played as a complete unit. They showed pride and respect for the history of a franchise that had not won a title since 1986 after winning 16 before. They capped it off with a toughness defensively I have not seen since Detroit won back-to-back titles led by Isiah Thomas.

The Lakers are littered with players from all over the world. And yes, they deserved to be in the Finals. But they also on paper deserved to be smacked around. I said before the series that they were a soft unit and they did not disappoint. These Celtics grew up playing and loving this NBA game. They saw it every day and they knew as youngsters the history and emotion of a championship. This is a learning process for the young talented Lakers and their mixture of foreign born players. I played in Greece and I had no idea how important it was to beat Turkey until I lost a game and had rocks thrown at my house. I fought the passion and hatred for other teams we competed against until I started to realize that this was their history. This is the problem facing the foreign players. I bet Gasol, Radmanovic and Vujacic had no idea of the history of Celtics-Lakers. They do now, but it’s too late because they got on a plane, flew across the country and refused to fight in the biggest game of their lives to date.

Defense was stifling

I never imagined saying Paul Pierce and Ray Allen were very good defenders, but I reserve the right to change my mind. They were unreal. I always respected both of them, but now it has risen to another level.  The Celtics are the best defensive team I have ever seen in this league. They were on a string the whole year defensively and that is why the Celtics are the champions. I have never seen a team dismantle the triangle offense like they did in this series. Kobe could not even get to the rim in Game 6. He might not ever admit it, but the Celtics made him second guess and hesitate every time he touched the ball in this series. Yes, he needed some help, but before the series if I remember correctly everyone was raving about how good the Lakers’ offense was. Truth is, in essence the Lakers had no offensive closers to help Kobe. When the going got tough in the later quarters players like Gasol or Odom disappeared when Kobe needed them most.

Bench play

I also heard the Lakers’ bench was the best in the league. I disputed that call as well in my preview article. I looked at Boston’s bench with guys like Sam Cassell, Eddie House, James Posey and PJ Brown and said… Are you kidding me? These guys are not only tough minded but closers. They did not fail because all of them made big plays late in games when the Celtics needed them the most. Meanwhile, the Lakers’ bench played scared and intimidated with the exception of Vujacic for a few games. Luke Walton gave the Lakers no production and it got to the point where Phil Jackson played Chris Mihm in Game 5. Mihm had not played in months.

66 wins

Boston won from start to finish for a reason. They won the Texas Triangle, which is unheard of. They beat the Lakers twice during the regular season, but yet people picked the Lakers. Go figure!

Ray Allen

He was ripped during the early series, but people failed to realize he was playing third wheel after being first, second and third option for so many years. He hit a speed bump and people ripped him. All due respect to Paul Pierce, who I truly love, but Ray Allen was MVP of this series for one simple fact… If he had not averaged 20-plus points in this series and shoot the three like mad, the Celtics would not be celebrating today.

Unsung heroes: James Posey and Eddie House were huge. Posey has proven to be one of the best multi-purpose role players in the league and House continues to be beat down by coaches shutting down his role and minutes, but yet continues to keep himself prepared when his name is called. House will carve out a 15-year career in this league just based on his professionalism and ability to make buckets.

Doc Rivers stayed calm and on purpose all year. He carried no ego when it came to coaching and his relationship with his players. Hence it was not surprising to see one of the Big Three grab the clipboard and point out something to the team. And it was normal for assistant coach Tom Thibodeau to be up standing next to Rivers barking out directions. I guarantee you will never see that happen with old-school coaches. Rivers did not outcoach Phil Jackson. He just coached his team better and now he has a championship because of it.

Prediction for next year

Boston Celtics:

- The Celtics need a backup center and a third point guard with size, which would allow Eddie House to play consistent minutes. I expect PJ Brown to return, but not Cassell.
- They will be challenged by Cleveland, Detroit, Orlando and Washington.
- They will be back in the Finals for a chance at two straight.

Los Angeles Lakers:

- They need a pure small forward, so I look for Odom to be used as bait because Gasol is a better power forward with Andrew Bynum returning.
- Phil Jackson historically only likes catch-and-shoot players in that triangle offense, so I expect them to try and upgrade the bench with shooters.
- They will be challenged mainly by San Antonio, New Oleans and Phoenix.
- They will not get back to the Finals because I think the West is too competitive and dominance will not happen.

Why Boston won Game 4?

Focus and desire

The Celtics refused to lose Game 4 and a ton of credit goes to Doc Rivers. He remained positive throughout and did not panic. His smooth demeanor in the face of a huge deficit gave his team a base to build up from. And boy, did it work.

Celtics know how to ride that roller coaster

The one thing a fan will never understand is the emotional ride a player competing at this level goes through. The great thing about the NBA is that the 24-second shot clock allows that ride to be even more emotional.

The Lakers and their fans were having a good time in the first two and half quarters. Kobe Bryant was smiling and talking smack, Lamar Odom was dancing, Pau Gasol was strutting. Meanwhile the Celtics were looking grim as can be. They were spooked and embarrassed and their body language showed it.

Fast forward to the fourth quarter when the Celtics finally took the lead (after trailing by 24 points) on an Eddie House jumper and the looks were magically transferred to the faces of the Lakers and their fans.

Now you know why this game puts wrinkles on coaches’ faces and induces players to leave their skin and act out of character in anger. That’s the part of basketball I will never miss and the Lakers paid a serious price for falling into it.

Kobe had no rhythm

Although the Lakers were rolling early, I had a problem with the fact Bryant was not in the flow. Why? Because the same players that were rolling early for the Lakers were not closers and historically those guys become resistant to shooting when the game becomes intense. So by Kobe having no rhythm, I felt the Celtics had a chance if they got the deficit to 10 by the fourth quarter. Well, they got it to two and that spelled doom for the Lakers with Kobe struggling to carry them home.

Celtics’ bench continues to dominate

There’s one big difference between Eddie House, James Posey and Sam Cassell and the Lakers’ bench (with the exception of Sasha Vujacic)… The Celtics guys don’t care if they fail. Those guys could miss 10 straight shots and still shoot. They are tough minded and strong willed and that is why I felt they would hold the edge in this series. And they have. 29 points combined from House and Posey were huge in the comeback and solidified who has the most productive bench in this series.

Celtic defense

I told my wife at halftime that if the Celtics could hold the Lakers to 90 points, they would win the game. She looked at me like I was crazy, but I knew that the Celtics are the only team in the league other than San Antonio that could shut the Lakers down and still have the ability to score enough to make up a huge deficit.

This win was incredible. They held the Lakers to 33 points in the second half and yet everyone claims that they are the best offensive team in the league. I guess we now know who has the best offense. The Celtics have cold-blooded scorers in Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, House, Cassell and Posey. These guys don’t care about shot attempts whereas Kobe, Vujacic and sometimes Derek Fisher seem to be the only aggressive-minded scorers for the Lakers.

Ray Allen shuts up his critics

Allen has been huge and is making a run at securing MVP honors for the series after averaging 20 points and 6 rebounds over the first four games. Allen made two huge drives down the stretch to get the win. His effort on defense against Kobe this series has been great.

Star of game: James Posey was huge because he kept the Celtics in range with three-point shots during a period when the Lakers would build the lead back to high-double figures. He has been the unsung hero for most of the playoffs, but his 18 points in Game 4 elevated him to star over teammate Paul Pierce, who did double duty by giving Ray Allen a breather guarding Kobe in the second half.

Turning point: The second quarter was significant because the Celtics started making runs and although the Lakers would repel them, they would come right back. I felt these runs and the calmness of Doc Rivers finally got them a 21 to 3 run late in the third quarter that made it a two-point game entering the fourth quarter. They never quit and the Lakers paid the ultimate price.

Unsung hero: Eddie House is the perfect offensive role player. He reminds me so much of… Well, me! He has never met a shot he didn’t like and he has supreme confidence. I understand why Doc Rivers contemplates at times if he should use him, but I think Rivers realizes now why he shouldn’t contemplate. House is not afraid to fail and that is why he has survived in this league and was huge in the Celtic comeback scoring 11 points.

Who needs to step up for Game 5?

Los Angeles Lakers:

Kobe can’t wait any longer. Although the Lakers built a huge lead, they did it with non closers and when those same guys needed to continue they shied away and deferred to an out-of-rhythm Bryant. Jackson can’t afford to ignore Kobe within that triangle for a half and expect him to be ready to finish the game with confidence against this stingy defense.

The Lakers’ bench has turned out as I expected. I said in my preview that inexperience would do them in and it has been true to form.

Boston Celtics:

If Kevin Garnett wants to solidify his career, here is his opportunity. Paul Pierce has stepped up big, Allen has been great and now the icing on the cake is for Garnett to have the game of his life and live up to the
greatness everyone has expected of him.

Game 5 strategy

Los Angeles Lakers:

- Must play a solid 48 minutes against a hungry Celtic team.
- Kobe must be aggressive from the start.
- Pressure guards continuously full court thus taking time off the shot clock.
- Crash the offensive glass, especially with Kendrick Perkins hurting.
- Gasol and Odom must stay aggressive

Boston Celtics:

- Stay focused and not think the Lakers will fold.
- Apply tremendous pressure on Kobe
- Defensive rebounding and getting to loose balls.
- Play off Garnett in the post.
- Stick with House and Posey to negate Kobe’s scrambling help defense off of Rondo.

Prediction

History says teams don’t come back from 3-1 deficits, but Kobe is a fighter and the Celtics will find out this game will be the most difficult to close. I believe if they get an early lead and put tremendous pressure on those struggling role players, they will win. The key for the Celtics is that they have two players in Posey and Cassell that understand Finals’ closing games and that will be the difference. The Celtics are the better team and they should end the series in five games.

Why did the Lakers win Game 3?

Lakers shut down two of the Big Three

Defense played a big part in the Lakers’ Game 3 win. I have said all along that if the Lakers could negate one of the Big Three, they would have success. Well, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett shot a combined 8 for 35 and to make matters worse got to the free throw line five times. The Lakers held the Celtics to 35 percent shooting and although Boston scored more baskets in the paint they missed a ton of shots outside the paint. Garnett drifted further and further away from the basket with each shot attempt. Phil Jackson’s decision to let Kobe Bryant roam off of Rondo effectively caused Boston’s offense to sputter all night long.

Sasha steps up with 20 points

Sasha Vujacic was huge with his 7 for 10 shooting. If he doesn’t step up, the Lakers would be looking at a 0-3 deficit this morning. Jordan Farmar gave a solid 20 minutes, but other than that the Lakers’ most publicized bench has been all hype and no show in the first three games. Sasha hit timely shots all night long and proved to be enough with Kobe being Kobe

MVP took over

Kobe was expected to be aggressive from the start and he did not disappoint. He took great shots all night long and got to the line 18 times. He also had seven rebounds which helped the Lakers fight off a team that was bricking shots from everywhere. He must have thought it was his birthday when Doc Rivers decided to stop trapping him late in the fourth quarter and left Ray Allen on an island with him where there is only one survivor – Kobe. That was caused by Vujacic nailing a three, but Doc should have continued to trap Kobe.

Plus 14 on the free throw line

This was big for two reasons:

1. It helped ease the pain of Boston’s dominance in the first two games.
2. The Celtics tied the Lakers on field goals made and were a plus 14 in field goal attempts. The plus 6 free throws made was the difference in the game.

Rondo sprains ankle

Although Rondo was a liability because Kobe was creating havoc by guarding him, the Celtics struggled down the stretch to get into their offense and find good shot attempts.

Star of the game: Kobe was dominant from the start and put pressure on the Celtics defense the whole game. He didn’t get to the rim a lot, but he got there enough to solidify a great effort from the free throw line. He took great shots the whole game and his help defense disrupted Paul Pierce’s ability to attack the rim and that was the deciding factor.

Turning point: Boston was trailing 78-76 with 1:53 remaining in the game. Vujacic made a three-point shot to put the Lakers up five points. This turned the tide because Doc Rivers decided to guard Kobe with only Ray Allen and he made the final two baskets to win the game.

Unsung hero: The Lakers’ bench was in trouble but Vujacic came through when it was needed most and he became the Leon Powe of L.A. This is how this series will be decided and the Lakers will need another effort from Sasha in Game 4.

Who needs to step up?

Boston Celtics:

Sam Cassell or Eddie House, especially if Rajon Rondo’s ankle will hamper him in Game 4.

Paul Pierce cannot afford another mail-it-in effort in Game 4 and Kevin Garnett has to stop thinking he is only a jump shooter and attack Pau Gasol.

Los Angeles Lakers:

Listen, I have said it since the trade and I will continue to say it… Pau Gasol is highly skilled, but soft as two wet pancakes. He is withering away from the constant beat down of the playoffs and he better find a way to step up or the Celtics will end this series in Los Angeles.

Someone once asked me if I had to pick a player that had the perfect size, height and agility in the league, who would that player be. I immediately said Lamar Odom. Lamar still has not figured out he could be a defender’s worst nightmare. He thinks too much and gets himself out of sorts – or as Phil Jackson said, “looking confused.” The Lakers will not win four games without Odom playing well. That has to be a huge concern right now.

Game 4 strategy

Los Angeles Lakers:

- Jackson realizes he was extremely lucky in Game 3. He cannot count on Vujacic to have another great game against the Celtics’ stingy defense. He has to get Gasol and Odom more attempts.
- Continue to apply pressure to Paul Pierc,e who could be affected by the bad knee.
- Pressure the Boston guards 94 feet, especially Cassell and Eddie House.
- Get off to a good start and make Boston climb uphill.

Boston Celtics:

- Convince Garnett his Jumper is AWOL and to attack the rim.
- Counter Kobe’s roaming defensively off of Rondo
- Keep Kobe out the paint because it got them in foul trouble and got Kobe to the line 18 times.
- Continue to be physical with Odom and Gasol.

Prediction

I do not expect Paul Pierce to have another terrible game. The Lakers barely beat the Celtics when they shot 35 percent. The Lakers’ bench has been outplayed the first three games as a whole and I expect it to continue. Boston will recover and win Game 4, but it will be a barn-burner!

Why did Boston go up 2-0 in the series? Here are the keys…

Celtics hold the Lakers to 61 points in first three quarters

The Celtics are playing lock-down defense on every player in a Lakers uniform. I thought going into this series that the pressure perimeter defense would work against the young Lakers and it has in the first two
games. The Lakers are a good shooting team, but the Celtics are keeping them out of big runs with one exception – the fourth quarter. The Celtics run at every shooter with great rotation. So even a head fake cannot give them an avenue to get layups or attack the basket and draw fouls. There is a serious reason why this team won 66 games and critics who chose the Lakers to win this series better take notice. They are so good I saw them switch four players off on Kobe Bryant on one play in the fourth quarter. They are determined to force the Lakers’ others to beat them and so far the plan has worked.

Leon Powe huge off the bench

Historically the team that wins a championship has a player that gives them a great game when least expected. Powe was the guy in Game 2, scoring 21 points. Powe sent a message to every young player in America and that is “Always be ready to play.” He was huge with his scoring and ability to get the Lakers in foul trouble. Powe shot more free throws in 15 minutes (13) than the entire Lakers team (10).

Consistent Big Three

Another 60-plus combined effort is huge by Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce. Pierce was the best player on the floor, especially early when the Lakers where trying to get a big lead. Allen, who struggled in the Eastern playoffs, has regained his touch and confidence. He has also made Kobe work extremely hard for every basket. Garnett has effectively opened up the middle for uncontested drives with his shooting. If this continues, the Lakers will find it hard pressed to win one game.

31 assists on 36 baskets

Wow! Although Doc Rivers can’t be happy with the Celtics meltdown in the fourth quarter, he has to be ecstatic with the ball movement and unselfish play spearheaded by Rajon Rondo, who had 16 assists.

Star of the game: Leon Powe. Leon Powe was spectacular in 15 minutes. He changed the flow of the game and gave the Celtics’ bench another victory over the more touted Lakers’ bench coming into this series. This despite not even knowing if Doc Rivers will use him or Big Baby Davis from game to game. You want to cheer for Powe, who fought odds beyond basketball to put himself into this position. A wonderful accomplishment for a young man who grew up in foster homes with his siblings when their home burned to the ground and just one parent to care for them. Hooray for Leon Powe!

Turning point: Leon Powe entered the game with the score 22-21 with 11:21 left in the second quarter. The physicality of the game increased and the Lakers seemed to wither under the pressure. With Powe getting to the line and putting pressure on the Lakers frontline, the lead grew to double figures and the Lakers were climbing up hill all night long.

Unsung hero: PJ Brown has become the huge pickup the Celtics thought he was. His defense on Pau Gasol has been solid and has allowed Garnett to keep Lamar Odom under control.

Who needs to step up? I am not picking on Lamar Odom, but he’d better step up quickly or he will be fodder for every critic with a pen. Odom must know now what Scottie Pippen felt like playing next to Michael Jordan. The difference between the two is Scottie figured it out and performed. Odom seems to be headed in reverse.

Gasol can’t be left out. He shot one free throw in Game 2. He is as soft as they come, but showed some heart with a few strong moves. The Lakers need more.

Game 3 strategy

Boston Celtics:

- Doc Rivers will treat this game like a Game 7. He knows if his team goes up 3-0 it’s over, so expect a hungry Celtic team for game 3
- The Celtics have realized that the Lakers cannot beat them if their bench matches the Lakers.
- They must continue to make the Lakers shoot jumpshots. They had a 38 to 10 free throw advantage in Game 2.
- Run the offense through Paul Pierce. The Lakers have no one who can guard him except Kobe and Phil Jackson would be making a huge mistake if he tried that matchup early in Game 3.

Los Angeles Lakers:

- Get Odom some post-ups and isolations early
- Double Paul Pierce early and often and live with Allen and Garnett taking jumpshots.
- Find a way to make it a fast game, although Rondo has been great with his pace.
- Hit somebody in the mouth and play Ronny Turiaf more minutes, especially since Luke Walton has been AWOL.
- Kobe needs to take 30-plus shots if that’s what it will take.

Prediction

You would expect the Lakers to pick it up at home, but it doesn’t matter where you play if you don’t fight. The Celtics have slapped them around despite a fourth quarter meltdown in Game 2. I honestly think the Celtics will take more from that fourth quarter than the Lakers because they won Game 2 and will go into Los Angeles and win Game 3. No way I would be thinking this could happen before the series started, but as I stated in my preview article, the Lakers are a soft unit and the Celtics are sensing it and will go up 3-0 in the series.

Why did Boston win Game 1? Here are the keys…

Celtics’ Big Three scored 65 points and Kobe shoots 9 for 26

When the Celtics’ Big three is scoring as a group it will be difficult for the Lakers to win one game. The Lakers had Paul Pierce under control until he caught fire. When all three are playing well, it puts tremendous pressure on the Lakers’ defense to scramble – which will allow players like Rajon Rondo, Sam Cassell and James Posey to have wide open looks.

The Celtics’ bench outscored the Lakers’ bench 17 to 15

The Lakers’ bench has been touted as a big advantage, but the Celtics’ bench won the first battle. The factor I noted in my series’ preview article was the Lakers bench was good but young – and it showed big time Thursday. Luke Walton looked lost and struggled all night. And he has Finals experience!

Boston dominated the glass 46 to 33

The Lakers are not a physical team and the Celtics abused them on the glass. Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom will have to average close to 10 rebounds per game in order to negate the Celtics on the glass.

The Celtics held the Lakers to 41 percent from the field

The Celtics did a great job of packing in their defense and scrambling to the shooters. Derek Fisher got loose early, but he was the only consistent threat. Kobe will definitely shoot better than 9 for 26, but he needs help from Fisher, Sasha Vujacic and Vladimir Radmanovic to open the paint so he can attack the basket.

Boston shot 35 free throws and Kobe got to the line only six times

The Celtics’ plan is to keep Kobe off the free-throw line and it worked in Game 1. That allowed the Celtics to have a +7 advantage.

Star of game: Rajon Rondo. His 15 point, 7 assist and 5 rebound night was huge. He also put pressure on the Lakers in that big third quarter, when he found Pierce for two three-point shots.

Turning point: Paul Pierce finding his rhythm early in the third and then continuing it when he returned to the court after suffering a sprained knee.

Unsung hero: PJ Brown was huge with his defense and rebounding. He had a big block on Odom late in the game and seemed to grab every big rebound down the stretch.

Who needs to step up? Lamar Odom has to look to score more, especially when Kendrick Perkins and Brown are guarding him. Phil Jackson benched him late because he needed shooters on the floor or was that a message to get aggressive? Perkins looked lost and nervous. He cannot put the pressure on PJ Brown to continue to have big games. The Celtics need more production in Game 2.

Game 2 strategy

Boston Celtics:

- Continue to keep the ball in the hands of the Big Three early, especially Garnett.
- Get Pierce to move the ball quicker out of the double teams.
- Encourage Garnett to attack the rim more, especially against Gasol.
- Encourage Rondo, Perkins and Brown to be ready and shoot open shots.
- Continue to squeeze Kobe and keep him out of the paint. Kobe only scored one bucket in the paint.
- Run the Lakers shooters off the three-point line.

Los Angeles Lakers:

- Find a way to get inside that Celtic defense for easy scores.
- Get Lamar Odom involved early offensively.
- Negate one of the Big Three on the offensive end.
- Look for Kobe to start the game extremely aggressive offensively.
- Try to get Fisher, Vujacic and Radmanovic some jump shots to force the Celtics to extend that defense.
- Be extremely physical with Garnett and a sore Paul Pierce.

Prediction

The Lakers have shown a great ability to rebound from tough losses all year, but the Celtics are great at home and I see this series going 2-0 headed back to Los Angeles.

The Boston Celtics are doing it the hard way, but the key is to just win and they are.  The Celtics are becoming the poster boys for why you play hard for 82 games and grab home-court advantage. That said, the Celtics better get their road game together in this next series because they are facing a team in Detroit that is rested and knows how to win in any arena.

The Cavaliers did not have the firepower and tough-minded confident scorers Detroit has. So Celtics beware, this series will not proceed like the previous two.

I do like how things are evolving for Boston among the Big Three. I said earlier this season that Paul Pierce should be the go-to guy. Kevin Garnett’s value is across the board and Ray Allen’s value is knocking down threes or just being a serious threat, but Pierce is “The Truth.”  The performance he had Sunday was the best of the postseason and he has to continue that effort against the Pistons.

Celtic fans should be patient with Ray Allen. He is in a tough position because he has gone from No. 1 option his whole career to the third. That in itself is extremely difficult, especially when you are a shooter and not getting consistent touches.

I do applaud the fact that Doc Rivers has realized Eddie House should be playing in the rotation over Sam Cassell.  Energy is what House brings and he gives them a potent three-point threat without dominating the ball. Cassell will be needed in this series before it’s over, but House deserves to play right now.

I must admit that I am now a member of the LeBron James Fan Club.  He almost pulled off another miraculous moment Sunday, just like he did in Game 5 last year against Detroit. He virtually showed us why he will become probably the best player this game has seen, but he will need some help and I think Cleveland is just two athletic shooters away from winning the Eastern Conference next year. James just knows how to seize the moment and that is rarified air reserved for Michael Jordan… or maybe Kobe Bryant this year if the Lakers win it all.

The Lakers did something that most teams look back on and say, “That was the turning point to winning a championship.” They beat the Utah Jazz in an elimination game on their floor, which only a few teams did all year. They also did it wire to wire, which was even more impressive.

The Big Poodle (Pau Gasol) is one the most fundamentally sound big men I have ever seen and I guess all it took was him not having to be the star to show us.  The Lakers road to the NBA Finals will be extremely difficult no matter who they face. They have no answer for Tim Duncan and they have no answer for Chris Paul.

The Pistons put us to sleep at times and we question their motivation, but one thing remains true… They might be the smartest team left in the field and Chauncey Billups is back healthy and ready to go in the Conference Finals.

The burden again falls on Rasheed Wallace. Wallace can guard Garnett without help, so if Pierce gets hot the double team will be directed at him all series long.

A few weeks ago I heard about a potential deal the Suns might be involved in, but I brushed it off because around this time of year we hear all kinds of rumors. Then when the Lakers acquired Pau Gasol, my mind started to wonder and mainly because there are two teams that the Suns view as huge hurdles to the finals: the Lakers and the Spurs.

I again started to worry because it meant more Shawn Marion trade rumors and one more round of those rumors could really destroy any progress the Suns made since the Garnett discussions last summer with regards to the Matrix.

Well, here we are again and this time it’s a done deal.

Let’s get one thing straight before I talk about the value of this trade and give my five reasons why the Suns had to make a deal for Shaq and my five reasons why it could work… Shawn Marion is one the best people and players I have ever had the pleasure of watching and the Miami Heat will find out what working hard for 48 minutes is all about when the Matrix arrives in South Beach.

Marion leaves as one of the most consistent and popular Sun players ever and he will definitely be a candidate for the Suns Ring of Honor when he retires. Shawn is the best combination rebounder and defender in this league since Dennis Rodman and the Suns will have to find a combination of players to replace what Marion brought to the table every night in those hustle categories.

I also know Shawn well enough to say that he will indeed miss Phoenix, but he understands that being traded virtually head up for the most dominant player that has probably played is nothing to be embarrassed about.

Although the Matrix factor will be missed, the Suns had to do something.  Yes, they have the best record in the Western Conference. But something was not right. The dominance that we were used to see was not there on a consistent basis. We did not see the blowout games or the 20 to 4 runs that this team has spoiled us with over the last three years. The games seemed to be a grind and it wore on the fans and critics and caused us to think that maybe the Suns were becoming vulnerable. That, combined with the improvement of the Hornets, Nuggets, Trail Blazers and Warriors at the bottom of the pack, made a trip to the Finals look hazy and difficult.

So we also must assume the Suns front office and coaching staff had some of the same anxiety because they are extremely giddy at having the opportunity to put Shaq in a Suns uniform.

Here are five reasons why the Suns had to make this move for Shaquille O’Neal:

Steve Nash’s window of opportunity is closing

As each year passes, the Suns cannot expect Nash to continue to create offensively for everyone. Pushing the ball on the fast break is one thing, but having to run the two-man game 40 possessions every night against physical defenses will eventually take its toll. Nash deserves a chance to add a title to his two MVP trophies.

Spurs have never won back-to-back championships

The last time this scenario came to bear, the Dallas Mavericks used a physical combination of Erick Dampier and DeSagana Diop  to wear down the Amare-less Suns to move on to the Finals against Shaq and the Heat. The Spurs have showed signs of wear and tear and the Suns do not want to miss out again on this opportunity.

Lakers add Pau Gasol factor

The Lakers could have said we traded for Pau Gasol on Halloween because it scared everyone in the Western Conference. I don’t even play anymore and it scared me. Imagine the frontline of Lamar Odom, Andrew Bynum and Gasol. Then combine it with the athleticism and shooting of Kobe Bryant and it’s obvious how every team is saying, “Why is Phil Jackson so darn lucky and why can’t he suffer for long?”

Throw in Trevor Ariza, Jordan Farmar, Derek Fisher and Ronny Turiaf. The Lakers look like a championship team this year.

Suns are 2-6 against the top teams in the West

The Suns have beaten the Lakers without Bynum and they beat the Spurs early in the season. They are 0-2 against the Hornets, lost twice to the Lakers with Bynum and got beaten by the Mavericks. The major reason for the losses has been an inability to defend the paint and the lack of defensive rebounding. Proof lays in the stats of the teams interior players when they play the Suns. Bynum averages 21 and 12. Duncan averages 27 and 17. Chandler averages 15 and 15. All above their season averages. And if you want to look further, Al Jefferson, who plays on arguably the worst team in the league, averages 32 and 16 in two Timberwolves wins this season against the Suns.

Combine this with the foul trouble of the Suns best offensive player, Amare Stoudemire, and we see why the Suns chose to pursue Shaq.

The Portland Trail Blazers and the Greg Oden factor

The Blazers are the team of the future. If Greg Oden lives up to his promise and LaMarcus Aldridge and All-Star Brandon Roy continue to grow, the Suns will have another couple of big bodies to deal with over the next few years.

So now that I have given you why the Suns made the move, here are five reasons why it could work:

First let me say this… I have heard the comment about Shaq is a shell of himself so on and so forth. Give me a break. I predicted the Heat would struggle this year and it was not because of Shaq. It was because of the players Pat Riley surrounded him with. Riley basically signed and drafted players that can’t throw the ball into the post and most importantly did not strike fear in teams with their jump shooting ability. This can ruin any big man that is a threat to post up and be productive in this league, including one of the most dominant ever.

So it’s absurd to judge Shaq on what he has done this year. He deserves to be judged on what he can bring to the Suns.

Suns rise immediately to one of the most physical teams

Shaquille O’Neal is a wall. The most overhyped stat is blocked shot. What about deterrence and altering decisions with the ball?  The Suns are at the top of the league in blocked shots, but are viewed as a weak defensive team. The reason they blocked shots is because they got a ton of opportunities. Now that statistic will go down, but the opposition’s in-the-paint scoring will too. That means teams will take more jump shots and the Suns are better at that game than anyone in the league and now they also have the interior scoring of Amare and Shaq to boot.

The Suns are the worst defensive rebounding team in the league because they could not command space. Shaq will allow Amare, Grant Hill, Raja Bell, Boris Diaw, etcetera, to be better rebounders because he will eat up space and punish offensive rebounders with long outlet passes – thus allowing Nash and Leandro Barbosa to leak out.

Finally, Shaq will protect Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire from physical play. Players are physically afraid of him and he will punish you if you take shots at his teammates. I would love to see Robert Horry throw Nash to the floor with Shaq around to punish Parker or Duncan.

Three players that command serious defensive attention

Shaq, Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire will cause teams to change their defensive philosophy during the course of the game, which is extremely difficult to do.

Case in point. How will teams defend the Suns when they run the high pick-and-roll with Amare? Normally teams will rotate the weak side big defender over to challenge him. Well, if that occurs you have Shaq on the weak block flashing in for a pass from Nash or a guard trying to block him out. If teams get silly enough to rotate a small player to Amare, then they allow Raja Bell or Leandro Barbosa to have wide open three-point shots on the weak side.

Mike D’Antoni can use his full playbook now with the back-to-the-basket dominance of Shaq.

Improve the running game

The biggest fallacy about the Suns and their running game is that Shaq will slow them down. I believe it will speed them up and give them more opportunities to run. I have already talked about possessions and the physicality Shaq brings to the Suns.

Now couple that with better confidence with your defensive rebounding – thus allowing Nash, Barbosa, Hill and Bell to run out earlier. The Suns could be even more potent. Also throw in Amare running more because of not having to fight and box out big centers.

I never saw Kareem Abdul-Jabbar running the lanes for the Lakers, but I did see him igniting it with rebounding and long outlet passes, and then coming down on the block with commanding presence.

Amare will become more dominant

Because of the matchup nightmare Shaq would bring, Amare Stoudemire will benefit the most.

Foul trouble should decrease and scoring and rebounding should go up. Also watch for his weak side defense to produce more blocked shots and steals. We have never seen what Shaq could do with a young dominant power forward beside him and he has one of the best in Stoudemire, who should be ecstatic at the chance to stop battling centers every night.

Nash can play without dominating ball

This might be the most important cause of the Shaq trade and here is why.

D’Antoni would love to keep Nash on the floor and use him off the ball, but he knows the offense would stall. The addition of Shaq and his great passing out of the post will allow the NBA’s best three-point shooter to spot up for periods during the game and punish defenses for doubling.

Case in point. Grant Hill throws it in to Shaq with Nash and either Barbosa or Bell on the weak side and Amare on the elbow waiting for the short jumpshot or the run to the basket if they double off of him.

This will destroy any defense and if Shaq stays healthy the Suns will be the team to beat come playoff time.

The season has started and the hope for every city is the playoffs and a possible championship. Well if your city is not San Antonio, Phoenix, Dallas, Houston, Detroit, Chicago or Boston stop dreaming about a it. But it does not mean your team can’t have a very good year. The problem we rarely see predictions when it comes to selecting who will become the surprise teams in a particular year. They always seem to go with the obvious. Well, I will go out on the limb and pick some teams projected high that will struggle and I will select a few teams that will surprise.

WILL STRUGGLE

Miami Heat

The Heat are in trouble and some prognosticators who are picking them to do well should think twice. They tried to get young, but the youngsters they have will not play a major role and they are depending on two stars that struggle to avoid injuries. Shaq has a lot left, but he needs help and Dwayne Wade is not providing any by being on the sideline constantly. Once you get past those two, the Heat now have to count on Ricky Davis to carry the load. The Heat offensively might be one of worst teams in the league and when it’s all said and done, I predict that they will come up short come playoff time.

Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavaliers must have forgotten that they had to exhaust every ounce of energy last year to go along with some good fortune in the first round against a depleted Washington Wizard team that if healthy would have quite possibly beaten them in the first round. The Cavaliers had the worst offseason of any team in the league and they will pay a serious price for it. The Cavs not only could not get Anderson Varejao signed, but they also failed again to make a trade for Mike Bibby or pick up a free agent like Grant Hill to take some pressure off LeBron James. They will struggle big-time to get a high level seed this season, especially if Zydrunas Ilgauskas or Larry Hughes are inconsistent.

Los Angeles Lakers

The Kobe saga will destroy whatever thought they had of making the playoffs and be competitive. The Lakers depend on Kobe in every facet of the game and the fact that he wants to move on will weigh heavily more on his teammates than anything else. The addition of Derek Fisher’s leadership will help, but this young and inexperienced team already had a tough road before this saga began. Lamar Odom and his continued struggles with injuries and the lack of a creative point guard will force Kobe to jack up 30 shots a night, which means a record close to .500. That might not be enough to make the playoffs in the difficult Western Conference.

Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets have two of my favorite players in the league in Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony and I am on board as saying that Carmelo will accumulate better stats than LeBron and Dwyane Wade when it’s all over. The problem I have with the Nuggets is they don’t mesh well and they are susceptible to low-scoring nights when those two are off. They have some very good talent in Marcus Camby, Kenyon Martin and Nenê, but for a reason they seem clumsy and in the way of Iverson and Anthony instead of flowing well. I can imagine them losing rhythm at times this year and getting into 4 to 6 game losing streaks thus putting a good playoff seed and a division title in jeopardy.

WILL SURPRISE

Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks have some of the best young talent in the league and head coach Mike Woodson has enough to finally make a run for one the bottom seeds in the Eastern Conference. Josh Smith, Marvin Williams, Al Hortford, Josh Childress and Acie Law should become one of the best young lineups in the league for years to come. Now throw in do-it -all Joe Johnson and this Hawks team should in my opinion flirt with .500 this year and move to the next level beginning next season.

Josh Smith should become an All-Star this year if he continues to stay focused.

New York Knicks

The Knicks and Isiah Thomas are at a crossroad, but they have the bodies and talent to finally get over the hump and make the playoffs. The Knicks have the best collection of talent 1 through 12 in the league. Regardless of the Knicks perception as an organization, they should be fighting for a playoff spot in March if they understand that the strength of their team will go through Eddy Curry and Zach Randolph. Perimeter players like Stephon Marbury, Jamal Crawford and Quentin Richardson should find more clear cut opportunities if they exert patience and defend well. This could be Isiah Thomas’ last opportunity to coach the Knicks unless they win close to 50 games and make a serious run for a postseason spot.

New Orleans Hornets

The Hornets have some quality offensive players and will make every contest interesting because of it. Peja Stojakovic will be the ring leader assisted by Chris Paul. But David West and Tyson Chandler will be the difference with their inside presence. The Hornets have had tough luck staying healthy and head coach Byron Scott is crossing his fingers. The Hornets are the gypsies of professional sports and it also remains to be seen if they get the fan support this year in New Orleans like they did in Oklahoma City last year. I consider them a definite threat to make a bottom seed in the West if they can make the transition.

Portland Trail Blazers

Yes, Greg Oden is out for the year, but the Blazers will win their share of games because they present problems with their length and athleticism. LaMarcus Aldridge and Rookie of the Year Brandon Roy will have a very good season. The key for the Blazers will be team defense and head coach Nate McMillan will make sure it works. The problem for the rest of the league is that they will fall short of the playoffs and have a chance to draft OJ Mayo of USC and pair him with Oden next year. Wow!

Kobe Bryant was right to be upset. Fans that are looking at this one way are just riding the wave of the past Kobe. I would be upset too if someone in the organization leaked a story concerning myself, especially if I knew the true story behind why they traded Shaquille O’Neal. Whoever leaked that story should be fired and the writer should be ashamed for using an unnamed source. That’s why players for the most part can’t trust reporters. Because of situations like this. I still believe Bryant wants to be traded, but the PR nightmare of doing so is something he does not need right now, especially with how far he has come in resurrecting his career.

If the Lakers don’t find a running mate for Kobe and Lamar Odom, then they should indeed trade him for some valuable players before he opts out and they get nothing. People made fun of his going back and forth with his trade demand, but isn’t that what you do when you are indeed upset? That’s why I believed him.

NEW COACHES

It was nice to see Marc Iavaroni finally get his opportunity. He put in 14 years as an assistant before finally getting his well-deserved chance in Memphis. I have reservations about the hiring of Billy Donovan in Orlando, though. And it is not about his ability to coach. I think he knows the teaching and coaching game very well, but he will soon see why Jerry Tarkanian, Tim Floyd, Mike Montgomery and Lon Kruger all failed at the NBA level. This is a players’ league and the first sign of weakness you show as a coach will be exploited to the fullest. I hope he succeeds because he definitely has a sincere passion for the game.

I am disappointed with the Pacers for hiring Jim O’Brien. I am tired of coaches who have been fired multiple and still get opportunities before qualified younger coaches. I don’t want to hear about how you wanted to get a more experienced coach, because you were willing to hire Rick Carlisle after he got fired from the Detroit Pistons, a team that made the Conference Finals. Mark Jackson should have been given that job. He is not only a great basketball mind, but also one the best leaders and motivators I have ever been around. Larry Bird and the Pacers really dropped the ball on this one. I am beginning to think that Larry Bird doesn’t want ex players that did not play with him coaching his team. I assume if Danny Ainge is let go in Boston he could supplant O’Brien when he is fired for the third time.