With this trade, only 1 thing comes to my mind: The Diesel was DITCHED, The Big Aristotle was used like an old rag and then thrown away. So you might be thinking, we got someone 7 years younger than the big fellow, we freed up cap space, and we got a 4 time All Star. But, trading Shaq is like trading away a piece of this Miami Heat franchise. How can Pat Riley be so quick to get rid of Diesel just 2 years removed from an NBA Championship? How can Shaq not be credited for winning Miami it's first championship in franchise history? How can Shaq just be used to win us a championship and then disposed a measely four years later? To me, it is very unfair to Heat fans and shows that Riley has shown no loyalty to the Big Fella whatsoever.
I can't help but be saddened by this trade. When Shaquille O'Neal arrived to Miami in 2004, it was the biggest news the city of Miami ever recieved. We were getting the most influential person ever to come to South Florida sports other than Dan Marino. An entire parade was thrown for Shaq when he arrived in the summer of 2004. Heat fans were raving, the media was excited, the hype couldn't be bigger. Now, just 4 short years later, that man is shipped to the Phoenix Suns?
It simply is a travesty to see the Miami Heat's most influential player ever leave this team. It is truly sickening that we won't see Shaquille O'Neal retire in a Heat uniform, with his number 32 hanging from the rafters in American Airlines Arena along with Michael Jordan. Shaq did more than just win the Heat a championship, he brought new life to the city of Miami, and restored popularity to basketball in Miami.
Shaquille O'Neal will always be remembered as one of the best Miami Heat players to enter this franchise. He ranks up there with Miami Heat legends Alonzo Mourning, Tim Hardaway, Glen Rice, Rony Seikaly, and he did all in 3 1/2 years. O'Neal will always be remembered for his services here in Miami. He brought the city of Miami revenue, he sold tickets, made the Heat sky rocket to the top of the league in ticket and jersey sales, and most importantly made Heat fans happy. Shaq did not overstay his welcome. Just because his stats are declining and he is injured gives Pat Riley and Heat fans no right to turn their backs on him. He deserved to retire in Miami and to desert him this quickly because of 1 bad season is truly unfair.
I hope Shaq will be remembered as a Heat legend who won the team a champion and will not be seen as an injury prone center who was just bringing the team down.
Shaq, hopefully you will be missed...
Tell me what you think...
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