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Originally Posted by Fish
I agree with you that Kobe probably drives away good talent. Probably not top talent, but good talent.
I disagree that Shaq is a big reason why the Heat are headed to the finals. I'd say he's about the 4th reason.
1. Dwayne Wade
2. Free agent additions: A.Walker, Zo, Payton, White Chocolate
3. Pat Riley; got rid of Stan
4. Shaq
5. Slumping Pistons; coach not emphasising D
Keep in mind the Heat actually were a good team before Shaq showed up. They finished the 03/04 season as the 4th seed in the playoffs during Wade's rookie year. The core unit of Wade, Jones, Odom and Butler almost took Indiana in the Eastern Conference Finals... but they made two bad plays in game 6 and blew it.
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This again goes back to what I was saying earlier, though. How many of those free agents would be in Miami without Shaq?
Would Wade's game be as good without Shaq drawing heat away from the lane?
Who knows. I do think you are dramatically understating Shaq's importance to the team, though. Listing him as being the 4th reason the Heat could be Finals bound seems VERY low on the list.