Shaq traded to Heat!

[TSIAS]

Nothing unexpected, but the deal was officially confirmed today.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1839693

The long-rumored deal is finally reality.


Franchise center Shaquille O'Neal has been traded to the Miami Heat, it was announced Wednesday.


In return, the Lakers get Lamar Odom, Caron Butler, Brian Grant and a first-round pick.


O'Neal agreed to the trade Saturday, but it could not be completed until today, when a two-week leaguewide moratorium on trades and free-agent signings expired at midnight.

[JohnKleeb]

1. its official eh

Neat to know.

[nini]

2. Now if the Lakers could trade Buss...

what an asshole

urgh

[AlCzervik]

3. This is going to be a big rebuilding year

for the Lakers, but i'm hopeful.

[HuckleB]

4. Try rebuilding decade, the way they're going.

Welcome to the world of most fans.

[nini]

5. I've been a Laker fan for over 30 years..

but I'm beginning to get very frustrated with what's going on. losing Jerry West has hurt more than anything.

We'll see, but trading the big guy doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me - especially if he had only 2 years left on his contract - they could have gotten a couple more years out of him then decided. But I guess Kobe is the king now and we'll see how long it takes now for him to announce he's staying a Laker or not now that Shaq's trade is official.

[MadHound]

6. Actually, being a Lakers fan, I'm not really disappointed by this

Shaq is starting to get up there, and injuries and wear and tear are slowing him down a bit. Better to trade him now, so as to get some good value out of him, than wait until it is too late, and you're stuck with shit.

As far as Kobe goes, quite frankly I don't care either way. Don't get me wrong, I think he is a great player. But his off court issues, and his attitude that he is god is starting to wear thin.

The Lakers are going to rebuild, and it might be a few years before they win a championship. But this is how the Lakers go. They dominate for 5-10 years, take some time off to rebuild, and then dominate again. I have full faith that they will be back to their dominant form again.

[nini]

8. I've gone back and forth on Shaq...

in the long run it'll work out since he's on the downhill of his career.

I'm getting fed up with Kobe tooand I'm not sure I will be terribly upset to see him go too.. I'm not liking the ass kissing going on with him. We'll see.. he may stick it to Buss too and jump to the Clippers.

egos... :eyes:

regardless, I'm ok with the rebuilding years... nothing lasts forever and it's time to move on.

[GOPisEvil]

7. Ugh...how do you like your new GM, Kobe Bryant?

He sure as all hell better not get convicted, or Buss will look like an even bigger dolt!

[nini]

9. No kiddin

to put everything on a guy who's in a situation you have no control over is a bit risky. but what the hell do I know? :P

[Champ]

10. I say it's a good trade for LA

a first round pick and Lamar Odom is the reason why. O'neal is almost done plus he is not very durable. The Heat will only have 2-3(at most) years to win a championship with Shaq.