Shaq arrives in Phoenix, promises a ring

I have to admit, I was shell-shocked Tuesday night when I found out the news that Shaquille O’Neal was coming to Phoenix and that my favorite Phoenix Suns player Shawn Marion had been traded.

Now that I’ve had a day to ponder and take it all in, I’m much better. In fact, I think I’m excited.

ESPN had a poll on their site where 70% of the country thought the trade sucked for the Suns. In fact, there wasn’t a single state that had a majority who liked it.

But to hear Steve Kerr and Mike D’Antoni talk about it, I like it. They are pumped, excited and thrilled to get Shaq. Even the players are stoked.

The thing that has calmed and relaxed me is what Kerr said about the Suns trainers who did the physical examination of O’Neal Wednesday afternoon. They were pretty surprised at how flexible he was and that he was actually below 325 pounds.

Widely regarded around the league as the best training and medical staff in the NBA, they gives me hope. To have a history of returning Amare Stoudemire to previous form after a huge knee surgery and the fact that Grant Hill has been playing like a kid again, means that Shaq has a chance to really come back huge and make an impact here.

He was at the game Wednesday night to witness a double-overtime Suns’ loss to the Hornets, but the evening was highlighted by O’Neal’s introduction to the fans.

Shaq stood tall and proud, and at the last second, pointed at his ring finger. A promise…

He’s rejuvenated and excited. And seeing the 70% who think he’s done and over with, has only made him angry. And that is motivation.

I’ll miss Shawn Marion, but a change was needed and I’m ready to see how it goes.

Check out the photos below of Shaq walking around the arena already in new Suns gear. He looks pretty good to me.

Go Suns!