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As all the NBA pundits wax an elegiac lament about the loss of Shawn Marion, I have a newsflash-the Suns were NOT going to the NBA finals with him. In the age of fiscal restraint fused with desire for cost certainty-namely the avoidance of the luxury tax- personnel decisions become subordinate to bottom line dictates. Nothwithstanding, Marion's ethereal defensive abilities as the most versatile defender in the NBA, the Suns had too many structural deficiencies to be taken seriously. We can start on the defensive end. Amare Stoudemire is not a center. His defensive shortcomings are magnified in the post. He is not a great position standing post defender. He is  slow on defensive rotations. He also does not read defenses well. He excels at screen and rolls with Steve Nash, and is great facing up, but he is not a threat on the blocks. The Sun's over-reliance on the pick and roll, and the penetrate and dish  offense makes them a lot easier to defend in the post season. Championships team need an inside force. Stoudemire is not there yet.

Please do not exhume the theory that the Sun's were a suspension away from advancing to the NBA finals. Close and almost only matter in horse shoes and hand grenades, They did not win last year and they were not built to win this year. After Kurt Thomas became a luxury  tax causality, the Suns were bereft of their only position standing post defender. Furthermore, they lost a savvy post season clutch player, devastating mid range jump shooter, one of the few players able to capably defend Tim Duncan, and protection for Stoudemire. Let us not forget that for all the visceral excitement that Phoenix has bought to the NBA, the goal is to win championships. They have none.

Do the Shaq trade nay sayers need a reminder that the Suns gave up the second most points in the paint in the entire NBA? Or what about the third most second chance points in the league? 

Shaq's arrival can also not mask some other shortcomings that still remain. The Suns are a poor perimeter defensive team. They also lack a true perimeter sniper that can consistently  knock down shots at important moments. Neither Barbosa or Bell have shot well from behind the arc. Grant Hill does not have three point range. Boris Diaw looks lost.

Here is what Shaq does do. He makes this team relevant in the half court which is what playoff basketball is about. He presence is transformative. He allows Stoudemire to slot back to the four. Shaq's presence also give Stoudemire more space to maneuver. So when he gets the ball cutting across the key in the high post, he has a lane right to the basket. In addition, Shaq still commands a double team on the blocks. If one of Shaq's defenders try to contest Stoudemire going to the rim, it is almost a certain foul that will put Stoudemire on the line.

Sure Shaq may not elevate or finish like he use to. He is however, still a real force down low.  Since he commands more than one defender on the block, it opens up things for the shooters . Now if only Bell, Barbosa and company and fill it up form outside Since shots are not falling for the Suns from outside, it is allowing opposing defenses to pack the paint. Moreover, the lack of deep shooting is allowing defenses to squeeze the middle more.

Offense wins games and defenses win championships. Shaq is a board banging, rim protecting big that the Suns have NEVER had .Defensively, Shaq also shores up one of Phoenix's most glaring weaknesses-second chance points.

Coach D'Antoni also has to better utilize Shaq. He is not an on the ball screener. As a screener, Shaq poses no pick and roll threat because he does not have the agility to dive ,catch and flush. Defensive rotations are easier with Shaq rolling after a trail screen for Nash than say Stoudemire. Phoenix has to be more patient kicking the ball into the post. When the Suns throw it down low and Shaq kicks it back out, he rarely sees the ball. Shaq can get low on anybody. Get Shaq touches and get them  deep.

For Phoenix to thrive in the post Marion era, they have to play better perimeter defense, shoot better from the outside and feature Shaq on the offense. If it means changing the way they play , than so be it. Play to Shaq,s strengths. With Marion the Suns had no shot, with Shaq they have a shot. Basketball is not rocket science. Championships  teams need solid point guard play. Few are better than Steve Nash. They also need a post presence. Shaq gives them that-albeit an older Shaq. Say one more time in case you forget. Offense wins games,defense wins championships. Hey Shaq,  maybe I will see you in May.