SPORTS
11
• February 7, 2008
Shaq prepared to go to Phoenix by AP Writer
I hope Gisele didn't break up with Tom Brady because he failed to earn his fourth Super Bowl championship. Some guys just can't catch a break. It must be rough. Poor guy has had to live his whole life with a chiseled face, a 6'4" body and that awkward dimple in the middle of his chin. He's lucky to get even a Brazilian model to cheer him on. Can you imagine going out in public with only three rings and four fingers (not counting the thumb)? That could be incredibly awkward. Try not to shed too many tears for this seventh round draft pick, he gets no respect. Can you believe he's now getting left out of the best quarterback of all time debate more and more often? So back to reality. In all actuality, Brady, in my opinion, is the best quarterback in the game today, and you can make an argument that he deserves a pretty lofty position in the hierarchy of history's signal callers. Despite a well-deserved reputation in the NFL, he wasn't the best quarterback on the field last weekend in Arizona, and I couldn't be happier. Eli Manning has officially arrived. This guy, for much
of his career, has been the anti-Brady. He's not a pretty boy or a media darling. He's wasn't overlooked by every team when he came out of college. In fact, he was so coveted that he was able to be a complete diva about who he
"This year's edition of the Super Bowl was the highest rated in history, and it a good thing so many people turned in because it was a game for the ages.." wanted to play for (and who he didn't). His entry to the league and some questionable play in his early seasons has made ole Eli the subject of much scrutiny, but you can call him a loser no longer. This year's edition of the Super Bowl was the highest rated in history, and it's a good thing so many people turned in because it was a game for the ages. Before the contest started, I thought the historical significance of this game would lie in the Patriots going uncle,. - -117-
feated and ascending to the position of best team of all time, but it turned out to be something different. They don't belong in the best ever debate; they weren't even the best team this season. History was made though, wrapped up in one play. This of course was when suddenly elusive Eli escaped from the grasps of so many blitzers and connected with David Tyree downfield. The receiver arched his back, used his helmet, and mustered all his strength to use his vice grip to keep the ball from touching the turf - remarkable. The catch of course set up the go ahead score and the giants defense continued to stuff the golden-armed Brady. I'm a fan of dominant teams. I like having the same teams be consistently good and the same teams be consistently bad. Despite this, I couldn't have been more relieved to see the personality-lacking Patriots fall short of history. Only about seven months until football season starts again. Until then, we'll just have to settle for replays of David Tyree's catch.
PHOENIX (AP) _ The fastest, flashiest team in the NBA could be getting a lot slower — but much larger — because of a blockbuster trade few could have seen coming. The improbable pairing of the Phoenix Suns and Shaquille O'Neal went from rumor to near-reality overnight. The last major roadblock was the 14-time AllStar center passing a physical. A league official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Associated Press the deal could be complete Wednesday. "The process is in play, and that's all I really can say because things have backed up before," Miami Heat coach Pat Riley said Wednesday in Auburn Hills, Mich., where his team was preparing for the Pistons. "Nothing's been completed, and that's where it's at right now." The deal would send unhappy forward Shawn Marion and guard Marcus Banks to the Heat. "I don't have any reaction yet because I don't know the truth yet," Heat guard Dwyane Wade said Wednesday morning. "So until the truth comes out, I can't really react to it." The trade would signal an unexpected change in philosophy for the Suns, adding a 7foot-1, 325-pound center who has won four NBA championships but has been plagued by injuries in recent years and turns 36 next month. O'Neal has been out with a hip injury and underwent an MRI exam in Miami on Tuesday. For the three-plus seasons since Steve Nash came to town, Phoenix and its ultra up-tempo style have been the
Miami Heat center Shaquille O'Neal stands during the national anthem before a basketball game against the Chicago Bulls in Miami in this Jan. 16, 2008 file photo. O'Neal is prepared for the Miami Heat to trade him, a confidant of the 14-time All-Star center told The Associated Press on Tuesday night, Feb. 5, 2008. .
O'Neal didn't speak to frenetic darlings of NBA fans grown weary of the slow style reporters before leaving that has prevailed for years. Miami's practice Tuesday and But the Suns have fallen short did not accompany the Heat in the playoffs, never making to Detroit. He was expected in Phoenix on Wednesday for it to the finalS. Marion, unhappy being a physical. "I'm not going to talk about third fiddle to Nash and Aware Stoudemire, asked to it," Riley said. "If in fact things be traded before the season get completed, because there's began. Stoudemire, mean- so much more, then there'll be while, dislikes playing out of an official comment about it. position at center. The Suns Right now, there's nothing but have the best record in the hypotheticals." If Shaq came back to the West (34-14) but have not played up to their own or fans' Pacific Division. he would join a team that has an intense expectations. On Tuesday night, the Suns rivalry with the Los Angeles pushed back their scheduled Lakers and O'Neal's old teamshootaround on Wednesday mate Kobe Bryant. The trade would require a from 9:45 a.m. MST to 4:45 p.m., shortly before they face significant financial commitment from the budget-conthe New Orleans Hornets. O'Neal is prepared for a scious Sarver because O'Neal trade, a confidant of his told is scheduled to make $20 million this season and $20 The AP on Tuesday night. His associate, who spoke million more each of the next on condition of anonymity two. Marion could opt out of because he was not authorized to reveal anything pub- the $17 million final year of licly, said a deal could 43e-7• 404§5.0,ontra4=afittt-thioa4eison. .,*44(4).ft imminent. 14*
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