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The King of Pop’s sudden and mysterious death sent shock waves across the world shadowing any and all news in the media. Even the Iranian turmoil which was clogging the airwaves as disgruntled protesters in Iran defied their almighty Ayatollah over what many believed to be a rogue election, took back seat to the breaking news of Michael Jackson’s death. In NBA news also, right before all hell broke loose in LA, a few states over in Ohio other illustrious story was breaking.

That left Kobe Bryant desperate to prove that he too can lead his team to an NBA Championship.”

Famed NBA star Shaquille O’Neal of the Phoenix Suns got traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Every basketball fan knows about the Orlando Magic turned LA Lakers’ championship go-getter and his Kobe Bryant rivalry which ultimately lead to O’Neal’s trade from the Lakers to the Miami Heat where he won yet another NBA championship with Dwayne Wade. That left Kobe Bryant desperate to prove that he too can lead his team to an NBA Championship. Kobe would later accomplish the task in 2009 with the help of longtime teammate and crunch time three (3) point shooter, Derek Fisher. Not forgetting the enormous contributions of Trevor Ariza and the underrated former Memphis Grizzlies Center Pau Gasol.

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Photo credit: zimbio.com

Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns who came very close to wining NBA finals on several occasions
can never forget how it was either Shaquille O’Neal’s Lakers
or Tim Duncan’s Spurs that snatched his wins away.”

The Miami Heat had reshuffled their basketball team, and Shaq saw himself packing up to join the line up of his longtime rivals, the Arizona Phoenix Suns after sitting out his first NBA finals when Miami got swept off the playoffs. Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns who came very close to winning NBA finals on several occasions can never forget how it was either Shaquille O’Neal’s Lakers or Tim Duncan’s Spurs that snatched his wins away. Happy to team up with his nemesis, the Phoenix Suns traded Shawn Marion to the Toronto Raptors but failed to make the playoffs after that. This marked two years in a row when Shaq watched the playoffs from the sidelines instead of being a star on the court.

Shaquille O'Neal Portrait Shoot
Photo credit: sportsofboston.com

The disappointed Lebron also known in Ohio as King James could not be consoled as his teammates were incapable of stepping up…”

LeBron James had stumped his way through the 2008-2009 NBA season and swept the first two teams that were thrust in his path during the playoffs before running out of steam to Dwight Howard. The disappointed Lebron also knew in Ohio as King James could not be consoled as his teammates were incapable of stepping up when it called for it. General Managers (GM) of both Cleveland and Phoenix had been romancing the idea of a possible trade but not wanting to take any chances Cleveland made other bids for a productive Center. They were in talks with New Orleans for Tyson Chandler.

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Photo credit: zimbio.com

The Suns received Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic, $500, 000 and the No. 46 pick in the draft for the O’Neal trade.”

LeBron James averages 35 points per game but would appreciate an older Shaquille O’Neal on his team because Shaq averaged 17.8 points, 8.4 rebounds and a potential 1 or 2 blocks per game in the latter stage of his career. Shaq’s only trouble on the court is his free throw average and the possible hack a Shaq technique that opponents deploy to get the low post eliminator on the bench. Cleveland needs someone to stop Dwight Howard who shoots 59.9 percent from the floor and grabs 14.2 rebounds a game for a $13, 758, 000 paycheck.

Shaq reportedly drew in a $21 million salary from Maimi, but no reports have been made as to how much Cleveland is paying the four (4) time NBA champion. The Suns received Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic, $500, 000 and the No. 46 pick in the draft for the O’Neal trade. It looks like LeBron James has what he needed to face Phil Jackson’s LA Lakers with Kobe Byrant in 2010.

About Post Author

Wilfred Kanu Jr.

Wilfred Kanu Jr., known as Freddy Will, is a Sierra Leonean-born American author, music producer, and recording artist. He writes on history, philosophy, geopolitics, biography, poetry, public discourse, and fiction. He resides in Berlin, Germany, mixing hip-hop music with jazz, calypso, dancehall, classical, r&b, and afrobeat.
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