Bordow: Deal will either make, break Kerr’s legacy

I’ll say this for Steve Kerr: The man isn’t afraid.

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Phoenix’s general manager could have played it safe through the NBA trading deadline. The Suns have the best record in the Western Conference, they’re a championship contender and if they don’t win a title, he won’t take the blame.

After all, Kerr didn’t build this team. He inherited it.

Instead, by dealing Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks to the Miami Heat for Shaquille O’Neal, Kerr has put his reputation on the line.

And he’s fine with that.

“This is it. If it works, I’m a genius. If it doesn’t, I’m a moron, I guess,” Kerr said with a laugh. “But that’s part of being in this position. … I’m totally comfortable with that. I understand the ramifications of this job.”

Kerr, coach Mike D’Antoni and guard Steve Nash made terrific arguments Wednesday on O’Neal’s behalf, and I’ll admit, when O’Neal pointed to his ring finger while being introduced during the Suns’ game against the New Orleans Hornets, I felt the same jolt I did 16 years ago when Charles Barkley came to town.

I still believe the deal was a mistake. But there’s no question Phoenix is a much more interesting club this morning.

And if nothing else, O’Neal’s wide smile and playful attitude will lift the somber attitude that had settled over the team.

“There’s definitely a lot more excitement and optimism in our locker room,” Nash said.

Shaq already has had an impact. Boris Diaw was walking around the locker room Wednesday shirt-sleeves pulled up and flexing his muscles, trying to convince his teammates his guns were as big as O’Neal’s.

“Shaq is the kind of guy wherever he’s gone he’s galvanized the locker room,” Kerr added. “He’s fun, he’s free spirited, but his presence is magnetic. That’s a big part of this.”

It was interesting to watch Kerr and D’Antoni as they held their joint press conference. Both men insisted the trade was a joint decision, but there was a moment that clarified this was Kerr’s deal, and D’Antoni had to be talked into it.

Kerr said he thought the Suns had a “puncher’s chance” in the postseason.

To which D’Antoni replied, “I thought we were going to win anyway. This just makes it easier.”

While Kerr said D’Antoni’s eyes “lit up” the moment he learned O’Neal was available, another Suns source said D’Antoni essentially was surrounded by a cadre of Shaq fans, including Nash and Amaré Stoudemire.

Given their support for the trade, he had no choice but to jump on board.

“I think he will make a profound difference on our team,” D’Antoni said.

We’ll see about that.

One thing is for sure: Kerr’s tenure as GM, however long it lasts, will be defined by this deal. If Shaq leads the Suns to a championship, Kerr will be lauded for having the guts to make a trade few other teams would have been willing to make.

But the risk is great, too, given O’Neal’s creaky body and his $40 million salary over the next two seasons. If Shaq doesn’t have any magic left — Kazaam! — the Suns will set in the West for years to come.

If nothing else, give Kerr credit for having the courage of his convictions. He has put all of his chips into one pot.

It’s the biggest midseason gamble in the NBA since 1994, when the first-place Atlanta Hawks traded Dominique Wilkins to the Los Angeles Clippers for Danny Manning.

The Hawks lost in the conference semifinals.

The Suns’ expectations are considerably higher.

Simply put, the Suns have to win a title for the trade to be considered a success.

Anything else, and Kerr will be explaining himself for years.

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Listen to Scott Bordow every Monday at 3:25 p.m. on The Fan AM 1060 with Bob Kemp.