Shaquille of the Century

The Louisiana Purchase.

Stock in Apple.

Trading for Shaquille O'neal.

Somethings shouldnt be so obvious, yet are. What do all of these have in common? When these deals were made, they became very lucrative - almost one-sided.

Case in point - the Heat's fortunes vs. the Lakers. LA sided with Kobe. Now they have a marvelous 32-36 record, a 7 game losing streak, and are struggling to stay in the playoff picture. They also decided to go with a guard who seems to be more prima donna than prime.

The Heat? 52-17 record, best in the East and gunning for the NBA best record. They clinched a playoff spot. They recently completed a 12 game winning streak. They are averaging 101.9 points a game and giving up only 94.7 per contest.

Last year, it seems the fortunes were reversed for each franchise. Well, sort of. The Heat were 42-40 at the end of last season, becoming one of the hottest teams in the entire NBA to make the playoffs and make some noise. They were young and exciting, but not an elite franchise. The Lakers were - and bounced their way into another NBA Finals. They haven't looked back since because they lack the vision to do so.

The Shaq trade turned things around for both franchises. Up for the Heat, down for the Lakers. Sure, the Lakers play in the Western conference were teams are a little more talented. But that has quickly been changing - just look at the flurry of deals that came at the trade deadline. And check out the East's young and promising talents - which comprise the best in the NBA. It isnt like the Lakers didnt get any talent in return - they got pretty much the core of that young, brash Heat team that pushed itself into the playoffs at the end of last season. Well, minus Dwyane Wade of course.

But maybe that is the difference between last year's Heat team and this year's Lakers: Wade. The Heat were 34-27 with Wade last year. The Lakers are 26-28 with Kobe this year.

Don't think that the Lakers miss Shaq? Still think they didn't make a mistake choosing Kobe over Shaq?

Well, I got a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you cheap.

The Heat are the class of the NBA

I am going all in. Putting all the chips on the table now. After watching the Heat take on the Lakers the other night, I came away even more impressed than I thought I could possibly be with this team.

They killed off a desperate team in the Lakers that had a lot to play for. Just ask Kobe, jawwing with Dwyane Wade like a jealous ex-girlfriend. The rivalry of Kobe-Shaq has also grown to include Wade. Because Kobe could not have it any other way.

Yet, even Wade's dominance over Kobe withstanding (witness Wade's 11 second half points to Kobe's 4), this was more about the Heat as a team. Wade's growth is just a barometer of how much this Heat team has grown.

Since Feb. 1, the Heat have lost 3 games. Three. One, two, three...that is it folks. And two of those games? OT losses to the Pacers and Bulls, without Shaq. But it isnt just the wins, but how they have won. The only game in this current winning streak, now up to 11 games, that was played with any sense of competition was the Knicks game the other night. Which only saw Wade hit a game winning buzzer beater in front of the crowd at MSG. A game the Heat played bad enough to lose, but somehow righted the ship and came back from 13 down in the 4th quarter to beat the Knicks on their home turf.

This team has grown and is up for the challenge. DJ is hitting his threes. EJ continues to pour his heart out on the court and defending out of position at SF. Haslem keeps putting up very good numbers each night out. The bench is strong and getting great production from everyone who sees the floor. Just as Zo and Steve Smith who have yet to see significant time themselves. And they could care less because they are just here to help.

There is no team in the NBA that is getting better individual performances each night from not only their star players, but also their bench. There is no team in the NBA that is winning like the Heat are, well, except the Celtics. But the fact that the Celtics are getting a lot of press for their streak and the Heat are not says something. Perhaps, it has already become something to be expected for the Heat. We all are waiting for something bigger and greater.

Right now, there is no team better prepared to show us something extraordinary. The Heat are the best the NBA has to offer right now.

Zo Returns - it's official

Today around midday, the Heat officially added Alonzo Mourning to their roster. In order to do so, they released Wesley Person, whom the Heat had been in negotiations about a buy out of his contract. Person is owed $1.8M through the end of next season and since he was waived today on March 1st, he is eligible to be on another team's roster for the playoffs.

As for Mourning, this is the culmination of a season of speculation. The rumors started at the beginning of the season when a disgruntled Mourning mused about getting a buyout to join a team that was in a better spot to contend. The deals the Nets made in the offseason seemed to damper his ideas about the Nets chances. The game early on in the regular season that saw Zo matchup with Shaq created further speculation and compelled people to speculate. Eventually, Zo was traded to the Raptors, along with other players, for Vince Carter - but Mourning never reported. Eventually, the Raptors bought out Zo's contract and freed him up to join the Heat about two weeks ago.

So, the odyssey is over and Zo has returned home to Miami. Now, the speculation and criticism will become heightened as the Heat make their march to the playoffs. It remains to be seen how Mourning will mesh with this Heat team which is currently playing some very good basketball without Shaq. This definetly adds a lot of depth to this already deep Heat team.