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something positive for SUNS FANS for a change.....
Why Shaq is going to make a difference for the Suns in the playoffs
1) A Low Post Presence Is Needed Once the Game Slows Down
Right now, the complete version of the Suns offense with Shaq is a ways away. A lot has been made of the fact that Shaq is slowing down the Suns running game. But from what I’ve seen there really hasn’t been a difference because you don’t have to have all five guys get out and run the break. If he gets the defensive rebound and outlets the ball, usually you have two, maybe three players out on the break at most. So he is not the key to have to run the floor on a fastbreak. That is up to his teammates and they should certainly be able to do that. The first half against Portland on Tuesday night when they went into halftime with a 60-41 lead was by far the best this team has played with Shaquille O’Neal. Everything seemed to have really kicked into place, giving every indication that they can do it for a single half. Now they have to do it for 48 minutes.
But this move wasn’t made with the regular season in mind. The Suns have had great regular season records the last few seasons, but have not been able to finish up in the playoffs. They tell us it’s a different game in the NBA come playoff time, and Shaq certainly understands that difference. So far he has been a presence when they have gone to him inside. On Wednesday night in Denver they went to him on the first two possessions and he scored both times and also drew a foul on his second field goal. He was 5 out of 6 for the game. Again, everything is being keyed to the playoffs where if the Suns are forced into a slow down, halfcourt game, they have that inside presence with Shaq. Plus, in addition to the fact that he can score inside, he’s also great passer.
2) Amare Stoudemire, Power Forward
First of all, Amare Stoudemire, who has been an All-Star center for the Suns, can now slide to the power forward spot where he is very, very comfortable. And the numbers he has put up since Shaq was acquired have proven that point. In the eight games since the All-Star break, Amare has had six games of 25 or more points. Amare has improved his game every year, particularly his outside shooting, and now at that forward spot, he’s getting the open looks from 15 to 16 feet and he’s been knocking them down. Possibly an even bigger factor is defensively where he doesn’t have to guard the biggest man on the floor anymore. In the past that would take a toll on him. There is another guy who does that now and his name is Shaq. All of these things contribute to making Amare’s game more fluid.
3) Shaq’s Four Championship Rings = Respect From his Teammates
Just look at all the rings Shaq already has and I think that’s a very strong point. While Shaq is such a great contributor in the locker room, having already taken Amare under his wing, he also knows how to win. He’s been there. He’s won championships in Los Angeles and in Miami. His added experience can only help a team that has never broken through to the Finals.
4) It’s Not About Scoring for Shaq
What does Shaq need to do to have a major impact on the Suns? Well, for one, he doesn’t have to be the whole show. He just has to rebound, block some shots, pass the ball, and play some defense. He’s certainly shown early on with the Suns that he can do that. Against Denver he had 18 rebounds. Obviously that’s what they expect him to do. They don’t expect him to have to score a lot. Mainly he is there to take up space in the middle defensively, to go to offensively when the Suns are forced to go into a halfcourt game, and certainly his ability to rebound the ball and his great outlet passes can potentially keep the Suns fastbreak in full motion.
5) Shaq’s Pride
It’s no secret that Shaq has an abundance of pride. He’s won wherever he’s been and he wants to put another ring on that hand. Since he has come to Phoenix he has really been focused on making the Suns a better team and certainly you can’t ask for more than that.
So come playoff time, we’ll see if all of these five points make any sense. And oh yes, one other thing. Whether walking to a plane or a bus, geez, he’s great to walk behind on a windy day.
http://www.nba.com/news/broadcaster_mccoy_080306.html
Why Shaq is going to make a difference for the Suns in the playoffs
1) A Low Post Presence Is Needed Once the Game Slows Down
Right now, the complete version of the Suns offense with Shaq is a ways away. A lot has been made of the fact that Shaq is slowing down the Suns running game. But from what I’ve seen there really hasn’t been a difference because you don’t have to have all five guys get out and run the break. If he gets the defensive rebound and outlets the ball, usually you have two, maybe three players out on the break at most. So he is not the key to have to run the floor on a fastbreak. That is up to his teammates and they should certainly be able to do that. The first half against Portland on Tuesday night when they went into halftime with a 60-41 lead was by far the best this team has played with Shaquille O’Neal. Everything seemed to have really kicked into place, giving every indication that they can do it for a single half. Now they have to do it for 48 minutes.
But this move wasn’t made with the regular season in mind. The Suns have had great regular season records the last few seasons, but have not been able to finish up in the playoffs. They tell us it’s a different game in the NBA come playoff time, and Shaq certainly understands that difference. So far he has been a presence when they have gone to him inside. On Wednesday night in Denver they went to him on the first two possessions and he scored both times and also drew a foul on his second field goal. He was 5 out of 6 for the game. Again, everything is being keyed to the playoffs where if the Suns are forced into a slow down, halfcourt game, they have that inside presence with Shaq. Plus, in addition to the fact that he can score inside, he’s also great passer.
2) Amare Stoudemire, Power Forward
First of all, Amare Stoudemire, who has been an All-Star center for the Suns, can now slide to the power forward spot where he is very, very comfortable. And the numbers he has put up since Shaq was acquired have proven that point. In the eight games since the All-Star break, Amare has had six games of 25 or more points. Amare has improved his game every year, particularly his outside shooting, and now at that forward spot, he’s getting the open looks from 15 to 16 feet and he’s been knocking them down. Possibly an even bigger factor is defensively where he doesn’t have to guard the biggest man on the floor anymore. In the past that would take a toll on him. There is another guy who does that now and his name is Shaq. All of these things contribute to making Amare’s game more fluid.
3) Shaq’s Four Championship Rings = Respect From his Teammates
Just look at all the rings Shaq already has and I think that’s a very strong point. While Shaq is such a great contributor in the locker room, having already taken Amare under his wing, he also knows how to win. He’s been there. He’s won championships in Los Angeles and in Miami. His added experience can only help a team that has never broken through to the Finals.
4) It’s Not About Scoring for Shaq
What does Shaq need to do to have a major impact on the Suns? Well, for one, he doesn’t have to be the whole show. He just has to rebound, block some shots, pass the ball, and play some defense. He’s certainly shown early on with the Suns that he can do that. Against Denver he had 18 rebounds. Obviously that’s what they expect him to do. They don’t expect him to have to score a lot. Mainly he is there to take up space in the middle defensively, to go to offensively when the Suns are forced to go into a halfcourt game, and certainly his ability to rebound the ball and his great outlet passes can potentially keep the Suns fastbreak in full motion.
5) Shaq’s Pride
It’s no secret that Shaq has an abundance of pride. He’s won wherever he’s been and he wants to put another ring on that hand. Since he has come to Phoenix he has really been focused on making the Suns a better team and certainly you can’t ask for more than that.
So come playoff time, we’ll see if all of these five points make any sense. And oh yes, one other thing. Whether walking to a plane or a bus, geez, he’s great to walk behind on a windy day.
http://www.nba.com/news/broadcaster_mccoy_080306.html
