Shaq - Hill: What Most Might Be Missing

[We've heard the voices of disapproval about the Shaq trade from both srp and myself. Time for a view from the other side. Thanks, jasonsuns1! -TexSUN]

It's really simple, most Suns fans are upset with the Shaq trade. For one major reason above all else, Shaq's age and health. Very valid concerns, but what very few are really talking about are the miracles the Suns physical trainers have been working with Hill, Nash, Amare etc! Hill and Shaq are neighbors in Florida, it's pretty clear Hill has been enjoying playing for the first time in years without serious injury.

Hill has said the things the Suns staff does is way beyond anything he's ever had for help (health wise). I'm sure Shaq knows this, and the Suns staff believes it can get Shaq playing like he was 4-5 years ago. I think they can, it's obvious they do.

Look at Amare, who might be considered the best comeback of micro fracture surgery to date in any sport! I keep reading articles that totally miss this, stupid Yahoo article is saying how horrible a trade this is, and how Shaq has to carry 350 lbs up and down the court. Apparently the writers at Yahoo can write anything without checking facts, Shaq weighs 315 or so, big difference. [Editor's note: From AZ Republic it's 312 and 12 percent body fat. That may be a typo, though. I saw somewhere else, East Valley tribune, I think (can't get their site to load to verify), that it's actually 321. Significantly less than 350, regardless.]

Shaq has a track record of getting it done, the only thing in the way is health, and I think the Suns might be the only team currently with the ability to help him....

Why are so many people missing this? There have been articles all over the Arizona papers about how the Suns' physical training staff is light years ahead of most other teams physical trainers.

I'm not saying its not a gamble, of course it is, but with our record against the top western teams, we had to do something, and yes Camby, Gasol, etc would've been great...but it didn't happen...sadly.

Which makes this a move very similar to the Celtics move, all or nothing. Of course KG doesn't have the health issues Shaq does, but he doesn't have the Suns trainers....

I'm telling ya, maybe, just maybe we get the Shaq from 3-4 years ago with 1-2 months of work from trainers....

Just look at who Shaq is playing with and tell me you're not excited!

Nash, Amare, Hill!! I have a new level of respect for Kerr, and within a year, many of you will be changing your minds, if a serious injury doesn't come along. I give the Shaq experiment a 70% chance of working out as planned, a title this year.