PHOENIX, Arizona, Feb 7, 2008 (AFP) - Four-time NBA champion Shaquille O’Neal pledged Thursday to bring an NBA title to the Phoenix Suns much like he did in previous stints with both Los Angeles and Miami.
Speaking at a news conference, one day after being traded from the Heat to the Suns, 35-year-old O’Neal said he believes he can get Phoenix over that final playoff hurdle.
The first thing to winning a championship is the belief you can do it,'' O'Neal said. Now I think these guys really believe they can do it. The sun will rise in Phoenix.’’
O’Neal, a 14-time all-star, played eight years in Los Angeles leading the Lakers to three consecutive titles. He was traded to Miami in 2004 and two years later led the Heat to a title.
I just want to fit in with these guys and do my part. I am not going to be asking for 30 to 40 touches a game,'' O'Neal said. With my on court and off court leadership, I can help them get over the hump.’’
O’Neal, one of the most prolific scorers of all-time, said he plans to use his size to create more space for Suns shooters like Raja Bell and Amare Stoudemire.
This is a great team of shooters. I guarantee I will make Bell better and Stoudemire better. It is going to be hard to make (Steve) Nash better because he is one of the greatest point guards to play the game. I been a big fan of Steve Nash ever since he beat me up two times for the MVP.’’
A two-time All-Star, Stoudemire is averaging 22.7 points, 9.3 rebounds and a career-high 2.4 blocks in his sixth season.
The Suns finished with a 61-21 record last year and are off to an equally impressive 34-18 start following Wednesday’s double overtime loss to New Orleans.
They joined the NBA as an expansion team in 1968 and have appeared in the finals several times but are still seeking their first title.
Phoenix looked poised to go all the way last year but lost to the San Antonio Spurs in the second round of the playoffs.
The Suns won game four to level the series at 2-2 but then lost game five after stars Stoudemire and Boris Diaw were handed controversial suspensions for coming off the bench to watch a shoving match between Nash and Spurs Robert Horry.
There has been some who questioned the Suns decision to give up all-star Shawn Marion and guard Marcus Banks for the veteran O’Neal.
But general manager Steve Kerr said that what O’Neal may lack in speed he makes up for with his experience and leadership in the locker room.
One reason to make this move is it gives us a better chance for success,'' Kerr said. When I walked into our dressing room before last night’s game and saw our players reaction, I realized that this is a gamble well worth taking.’’
Houston Rockets all-star centre Yao Ming said he is curious to see how O’Neal adapts to his new surroundings.
The Suns with Steve Nash the last few years play very, very fast,'' China's Yao said. To be honest, I don’t know how he fits in there.’’
In his first public appearance as a Sun on Wednesday, O’Neal received a standing ovation from the Phoenix faithful at America West Arena during the the overtime loss to the Hornets.
This is already a good team,'' O'Neal said. They always get surprised by other teams and don’t seem to be able to get to the next level. But I think with me we match up well with whoever we face.’’
O’Neal was his usual jovial self in front of the media when asked about his injury status.
Nothing really hurts,'' O'Neal said. If you want to take me in a room and examine me for yourself, you can see for my age, I have a fabulous body.’’
I guess I’m in the minority but I like this move. People keep talking about how they don’t kow how Shaq will fit in with a team like the Suns, but they must have forgotten that the Suns also have the best point guard in the world in Steve Nash. I’m confident in saying that he will be able to make it work. We shall see…
I was initially kind of shocked to see this trade. Without looking at Shaq though, Diaw can really ball and be as good as he wants (a 20 7 and 7 type guy), so he can fill in for Marion. Marion is really tough to lose especially on the defensive end but Diaw can make up alot on both ends.
Shaq might simply be saved for those bruiser type games against the Jazz, Mavs, Spurs, and Lakers. I should also say, I thought Shaq was “done” 2 years ago, and then they won a championship. One can never forget that he is the most dominant center of his era and everything is his for the taking. If he wants to, he can prove the doubters wrong. Hopefully this trade (a trade to an incredible team to boot) will motivate him to bring his best effort.
Steve Kerr is a tricky fellow.
It will be interesting…
Interesting indeed.
It’s really too hard to determine if its going to work for the Suns or not.
But as previously said, Steve Nash is the best point guard in the league and can make it work if anyone can.
Only time will tell.
It’s a team of big personalities. It could work well if Shaq can shake off those injuries and dominate the post like in days of old.
Well, he hasn’t had much of a workload so far this year. I know the people in Phoenix are very confident in their training staff and believe they can get Shaq back to being “Shaq” (at least the one from his last title run). If he can get there and stay healthy, look out.
I know next to zero about basketball, especially big time. But I heard the coach at Miami, as successful as he is, burns through his players severely. At Shaq’s age and with the load on his joints both from his own bodyweight, height and with monsters hammering on him in scrimmages and in NBA games, you’d have to think he needs a preservation order placed on him and Phoenix might be the perfect place for him to gain a second lease on his playing career. Hope so anyway.
Anyone see him do that breakdance? I think it may have been at an all-stars event in 2006? The guy is really fun. I wish him many better days to come.