If Shaq stays healthy, Suns could win title
Posted: Thursday, February 07, 2008 1:58 PM
Shaquille O’Neal is one of the greatest centers ever to play the game. I don’t think there’s any argument about that, and it was confirmed 11 years ago when he was chosen as one of the 50 greatest NBA players of all time. So why is he going to his fourth team, having been traded by two teams that didn’t see themselves winning anymore with him playing center?
The man has four rings, so he doesn’t stink. And he paid off for both the Lakers and the Heat with titles. But that was then. Now, at age 35, you have to wonder what the Suns hope to get out of him.
Check out the numbers; there’s not a lot left in the Diesel’s tank. For all his crowing at his press conference today, he played in just 39 games last year and 58 the year before. This year, he’s been injured again.
He says he’s n fine shape, and I’ve no reason to doubt him. But being in shape doesn’t equate to being durable. And while 35 isn’t old, for a man his size whose body has taken the pounding his has, he’s not young, either.
I don’t blame the Suns for going after him. They’ve had great teams, but the lack of a big defensive presence inside has hurt them in the playoffs. If they’d gotten to the NBA Championship series in recent years, they wouldn’t be looking for a big center. They need help, no question about it.
And Shaq is available, so there he is in Phoenix. Now, he’s got to deliver, a prospect I’m sure he relishes.
But he’s a role player now, not the guy the offense revolves around. He may not even be able to play the end game – hack-a-Shaq and all that. But he’ll certainly give the Suns a different look if he shares the center position with Amare Stoudemire.
And he’s going to have to share. Shaq’s physical history is such that the Suns have to nurse him through the stretch run, limit his minutes, make sure he stays healthy. If they can do that, he may be the piece they need – nothing else has worked for them. If he can’t, this will go down as an enormous mistake.
Tune in again in June, and I’ll tell you which it is.
