<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Former Warriors general manager Garry St. Jean was discussing his NBA draft plans a few years ago. Eventually, the talk turned to centers, and St. Jean was asked whether the draft crop had anyone who could hold his own against Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal. St. Jean countered with his own question. Was there a brontosaurus in the draft? Because if there wasn't, he explained, then you could forget about drafting someone who could match Shaq's one-in-a-million package of size, strength and quickness. St. Jean was right. The next Shaq has yet to arrive. He's been the 300-plus pound unstoppable offensive force and immovable defensive object, all wrapped into one. He's been the problem with no solution. So you wouldn't be shocked if champagne corks were popping at Warriors headquarters in Oakland and at NBA team headquarters throughout the West. Shaq will be heading east, the key figure in a three-for-one trade with the Miami Heat. The Pacific Division will be Shaq-less for the first time since he signed with the Lakers as a free agent in July of 1996. No, Shaq hasn't retired. But for the Warriors and the rest of the West, Shaq going to Miami is the next best thing. The Warriors will see him twice a year, not seemingly every time they turn around. That doesn't mean the Warriors should start making playoff plans. Their 10-year playoff drought likely will stretch at least another season. </div> <div align="center"> Link (You need to register to view whole article) </div>
