At the time of the trade, said it would help both teams. O'Neal may be past his prime PHYSICALLY, but MENTALLY, he is just reaching it and he still has much physical skills left. He and Kobe are the same age. Best thing that couldn't happened to him is to be teamed with a player that will take the pressure off HIM to be the primary scorer
And Moon is a live wire, that plays off other's mistakes, a la Rodman/Mutumbo (w/o Rodman's ego). The problem in Torornto is that big, soft-as-baby shit Italian kid they drafted 1st overall. They hafta keep playing him to justify his being drafted and it is KILLING their chances for advancement. Having another self starting live wire like Marion next to him will help him tremendously. His weaknesses (rebounding, are Marion's strengths and vice-versa