By Brian T. Smith
Assistant Sports Editor / Bristol Herald Courier
Published: February 8, 2008

Dear Phoenix Suns,

OK. You know, that was really, really funny. Seriously.

I mean, I and many others have been mixing laughter with wide-eyed disbelief the last 24 hours.

And it was, like, so totally hilarious how you convinced us that you had traded for Shaq.

That you had given up Shawn Marion and everything you’ve worked so hard for the last few years for Shaq. (And not the young, amazing, inspiring Shaq, mind you. The old, getting older, “I have no knees” Shaq.)

That you, the Phoenix Suns, the same team that had revolutionized play in the NBA and brilliantly reminded everyone that you don’t have to hold the ball until the shot clock hits “02” to hoist up a low-percentage mid-range jumper, had traded for Shaq.

But we know it’s not true. We know it was just a big ha-ha funny and that you still have Marion and that Shaq’s still dragging down the Heat and that everything is still run-and-gun in too-hot Phoenix.

So, please … end the joke. Enough is enough. Turn the lights back on and remind us of how smart and fearless and uncompromising you are. Remind us why we set our DVRs with delight every time your name pops up next to TNT and 10 p.m. on the menu.

Funny is funny. You got us! We’re suckers. But, please, let’s return to an NBA world that makes sense.

Sincerely,

Desperately concerned NBA fan who’s afraid you’ve completely lost it