Tonight at 9:00 Eastern on ESPN, Shaquille O'Neal makes his debut for the Suns (37-16), who in case you just woke up from a coma (or don't care) got traded from Miami a few weeks back. And the Suns' opponent tonight is none other than Shaq's team-turned-enemy Lakers, presently one game back of the Suns in the Pacific Division.
Lakers coach Phil Jackson, who coached Shaq to titles from 2000-02, is among the skeptics [of the benefits to the Suns], saying Shaq's responsibilities will involve "taking the ball out of bounds and waiting for the other team to get back."
Awesome. And oh yeah, the Lakers have been energized since trading a bag of recyclables and some chattel for Pau Gasol when the Eastern Conference got rid of all its good players. AND the Suns' next two games after this are against respective division leaders Boston and Detroit. Wait, I… I think I'm actually interested in the NBA.
By the way, no one has yet to mention the single greatest thing about the Shaq trade: for the first time since his LA days, he'll be in a purple uniform, thus reminding me of Grimace every time I see him.

I own the Shaq Diesel album…big whoop, wanna fight about it?
From the photo, I'm assuming Shaq was visiting a Phoenix children's cancer ward.
I can’t believe you thought it necessary to link a picture of Grimace, as if we all didn’t have diabetes and massive heart damage thanks to that fat purple fuck.
You've got a contract with adidas? You should check out my SHAQ shoes at Payless.
Great, we get to see fast, up-tempo b-ball until D'Antoni puts Shaq in.
Yea, the Kings traded Jaroslav Modry for a 3rd rd pick. I thought they could have gotten a 2nd, but really, its all about name recognition. Its why they got a 1st for Norstrom last season, so I guess it evens out.
Matt, do you think Rob Blake will waive his no-trade clause. And if so, what do you think the Kings can get in return?
Oh it is on. Shaq is going to talk a heap of monotone smaq about Phil.
Grimace will drink your milkshake.
If I was D'Antoni I'd consider putting Shaq on roller skates.
@Jim Jones – the habs just created history on a 99 year old team last night, but you dont hear me bitchin' about not getting a mention on WL. if you wanna bitch about a blog, how bout creating your own? I figure there wouldn't be much of an audience for whether Kopitars nuts taste better in chocolate or caramel though. sorry dude.
I saw the Habs story, and it was awesome, but I've been steering away from game recaps as much as possible.
Wait, I… I think I'm actually interested in the NBA.
Traitor.
@matt – understandable.. i was more just enjoying a nice dig on the Kings fan.
Pau Gasol was from the Grizzlies which are a western conference team, so he wouldn't be included in the "Eastern Conference got rid of all it's good players" remark. Also, I wouldn't say Shaq is a good player. He won't help the Suns much and his old team was the worst in the league. The Eastern conference is unaffected by him leaving. Jason Kidd is the only good player who left the east actually, and we gained Mike Bibby. Bibby isn't as good as Kidd, but he is still a solid player and will help get the Hawks to at least the 5th seed.
Shaquille O'Neal makes his debut for the Suns (37-16), who in case you just woke up from a coma (or don't care) got traded from Miami a few weeks back.
Holy Shit! The Suns got traded from Miami?!
"the Lakers have been energized since trading a bag of recyclables and some chattel for Pau Gasol when the Eastern Conference got rid of all its good players"
Memphis only seems like an Eastern Conference team.