Shaq Being Shopped?

Nothing to see here...move along...

This is what it feels like these days. Some on the boards have started questioning this about a month ago. But where there's smoke...there is some heat? Because this team lacks fire.

Still, everyone is talking about what is NOT going on. Interesting. So Riley isn't shopping Shaq we are assured. That's funny because moving a contract like Shaq's now would be very hard to do. Then again, they said the same thing about Antoine Walker's deal and the Heat not only moved his contract off the books, but also upgraded with the acquisitions of Ricky Davis and Mark Blount (which forced us to part ways with Michael Doleac and Wayne Simien).

Could the Heat pull off something similar? Not likely, unless Mark Cuban wants to gamble. And frankly, that would make sense because that team is not going to win anything unless it gets mentally tougher. Shaq at least brings a massive ego and a confidence that champions need. Funny though how the Mavs' beat writers seem to be talking a lot of trash about the Heat these days - they and their how many championships? And they have even speculated about trading for Shaq which would help them in their search for a trophy.

Still, a deal to trade Shaq isn't happening because Pat Riley said so. Right Pat? Just like SVG was going to be coaching this team for quite a while and you were done coaching.

But here is what is positive about this - a statement. Riley has said "There's going to be a time when he's going to have to play with it. He's going to have to deal with it in the future and fight through it." That means Riley is calling Shaq out. As I have dubbed him, Whaq, his 250K per game price tag is just too much to ignore. He has his money, now it is time to produce. The Heat have held up their end of the bargain, Shaq needs to do his.

Join the discussion.