<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">MIAMI ? We need a winner, and we need a loser. Every game. Every season. Every trade. Sports observers do not tolerate shades of gray, and therefore we scoff at any suggestion that two sides could have fared well in the same transaction. Even when they did. The Heat and Lakers reprised their faux rivalry for a third straight, and hopefully last, Christmas on Monday afternoon, a lingering consequence of the deal they consummated on July 14, 2004. That trade sent Shaquille O'Neal to South Florida for Lamar Odom, Caron Butler, Brian Grant and the draft pick that became Jordan Farmar -- who, incidentally, was the only one of the aforementioned players to actually participate in the Heat's 101-85 victory. That means the Heat has won four of five matchups between the teams since the trade, including all three on the holiday, in a series that quickly has become as stale as a pop song in heavy radio rotation. The Heat has played in 38 playoff games since the deal. The Lakers? Seven. The Heat has won one NBA title. The Lakers? They have won some early vacation. Those results have led many to view the deal as lopsided. It's not so simple. In retrospect, this increasingly looks like a move that each side had to make, and one that neither will regret. Start with the Heat. Start with this premise: Even if O'Neal never again wears anything but a sharp suit inside AmericanAirlines Arena, he has proven his worth. NBA titles are precious. If you win one in 30 years, the numbers say that you have matched the odds. In reality, you have beaten them. Eleven franchises have split the last 30 championships, and the Bulls, Spurs, Lakers, Celtics and Pistons have won 23 of those. As Hall of Fame player and coach Lenny Wilkens said, "When you have a chance, you go for it. You never know when you'll have another." The Kings, Trail Blazers, Pacers and Jazz all fell just short of raising the ultimate banner to their rafters. The Heat did, and O'Neal's presence, however diminished, played a role in that. So yes, it would be nice if O'Neal could be available in an occasional fall or winter contest, if only to reward season-ticket holders who would rather not spend their cash on the slop the Heat has frequently showcased this season. Yes, Butler and Odom have continued to blossom, and would have played a more aesthetically pleasing style in combination with Dwyane Wade, Udonis Haslem and Dorell Wright. Yes, those final three seasons on O'Neal's contract are troubling, because the few games he graces may be unwatchable. Still, you make the trade. Every time.</div> Source
I think it was good for both teams. If Shaq stayed with the Lakers he would have probably asked for more money and Kobe might have left. I do think the Lakers could have gotten more, but they have done well with Odom + Kwame. If they didn't have Phil Jackson though, I don't think the trade would have turned out as well. I think in the end for both team it was a good overall trade.
It obviously work well for the NBA Champions but now it seems that it was a good deal for the Lakers also. Lamar and Kobe a meshing and the team looks very good and could be a year or two off from title contention if they get a point gaurd. They will never win a 'ship with Smush at the helm.
