Shaq: Stoudemire is the best big man in the game

[WuRaider]

Suns Center Shaquille O'Neal

(On Amaré Stoudemire): “First of all, before we even get started, Amaré Stoudemire is the best big man in the game right now. I didn’t know he was that good. But talking to him and watching him play – he’s the best big man in the game, at 25. And I mean that, I’m not just saying that to pump him up or just to get him going. The kid can play.”


(On his second game as a Sun): “I’m still getting in with the guys. I’ve been telling them since I’ve been here, ‘Don’t worry about me, I’ll get mine.’ I just want to try and get as many boards as I can – I can’t remember the last time I got 14 rebounds. I’m going to go on the record and say about three months ago – double-digit rebounds. I get it and get it to the guys and they do what they do. The days of me backing down and 50 buckets a game are probably over. I’m going to get my easy buckets and every now and then they’ll call a play for me, but I’m actually fine with that. It’d be idiotic of me to try and take all the shots when I’m playing next to (Stoudemire). My role has changed as a 36-year-old. I’ve accepted that and I’m just going to go with that.”

 

[Stargazer]

I've pretty much hated Shaq his whole career, but this attitude is doing a lot to reconcile me to having him on the team.

 

[msdundee]

"The days of me backing down and 50 buckets a game are probably over."

Probably over? Probably, since he never did it. He must be confusing himself with Wilt (and even Wilt had to hit 28 FTs to make 100).

 

[Chaplin]

"The days of me backing down and 50 buckets a game are probably over."

Probably over? Probably, since he never did it. He must be confusing himself with Wilt (and even Wilt had to hit 28 FTs to make 100).

I think he was being sarcastic, but the point was still valid.

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

I think he was being sarcastic, but the point was still valid.

Like how A-Rod got tested for roids 9 or 10 times last season

 

[DevonCardsFan]

I've pretty much hated Shaq his whole career, but this attitude is doing a lot to reconcile me to having him on the team.

Everything Shaq is saying, is making me a big fan, when I first heard of the trade I was WTF, but things like this have changed my mind big time

 

[elindholm]

O'Neal has always been a great talker. The question is whether he can walk the walk when the time comes. I hope he can, but all of the cute quotes in the world aren't going to make that any more likely until it either happens or doesn't.

 

[JCSunsfan]

This is just what Shawn did not get. By propping up his teammates he ends up propping up himself.

 

[dodie53]

very nice Shaq.

 

[BeeBeard]

Shaq did the same thing with Dwayne Wade when he was traded to Miami. He told the media from day one that "This is Dwayne's team" and that he was just a roleplayer who would help him get a ring. And, well, he did. It worked out pretty nicely for Dwayne. Maybe it will for Amare, too...

 

[arwillan]

i hate to rain on the parade but


duncan > amare

 

[BeeBeard]

i hate to rain on the parade but


duncan > amare

Your metaphor is well-understood. Amare will be eating Tim Duncan alive in the playoffs using his symbolic alligator jaws.

 

[TucsonDevil]

If Shaq truly believes (and will continue to believe) that he is a role player - then this team is headed to the Finals. Granted, his role is huge, but the team is Nash's, with Amare as the first option, Grant as second option... Shaq as fourth.

I had two fears about the Shaq trade - one, he wouldn't be healthy Two, he would try and take the team away from Steve in the future. Well, he is healthy now, and he talks the good walk for far about his 'role' on the team. I feel pretty good about things right now, and for the future of his time with the team.

 

[Ode to Ocho]

I've pretty much hated Shaq his whole career, but this attitude is doing a lot to reconcile me to having him on the team.

Don't fall for it, he does it on every team he's played for and he'll disown you just as fast while deflecting the blame.

With that being said, Amare isn't even a top 5 big man, let alone the best.

 

[mojorizen7]

Don't fall for it, he does it on every team he's played for and he'll disown you just as fast while deflecting the blame.

With that being said, Amare isn't even a top 5 big man, let alone the best.

Show some nuts and give me your top 5 then.

 

[DevonCardsFan]

Don't fall for it, he does it on every team he's played for and he'll disown you just as fast while deflecting the blame.

With that being said, Amare isn't even a top 5 big man, let alone the best.

I cant even come up with a top 5 without Amare


Garnett
Duncan
Howard
Bosh

Who else you counting, Ming, Boozer, J Oneal, Gasol Who, I would take over Amare, Not KG or Duncan age, Bosh howard have skills but I see their stats taking a hit if they played in the west. Amare is the best Bigman right now!!

 

[Joe Mama]

Show some nuts and give me your top 5 then.

In no particular order...

Tim Duncan
Kevin Garnet
Dwight Howard

for a long time the argument has been made that Amare Stoudemire is playing out of position at center. Now you could make the argument that none of these other players are playing next to Shaquille O'Neal.

I would say Amare Stoudemire is the best scoring big man in the league right now. The problem is that he is still way below average defender although his shotblocking has been good this year.

Anyhow, those three are the only ones I could come up with what I think are better than Amare Stoudemire, and I'm not sure Dwight Howard is really better all around. He's better defensively and on the boards, but Amare Stoudemire is a much better score really.

Joe Mama

 

[mojorizen7]

In no particular order...

Tim Duncan
Kevin Garnet
Dwight Howard

for a long time the argument has been made that Amare Stoudemire is playing out of position at center. Now you could make the argument that none of these other players are playing next to Shaquille O'Neal.

I would say Amare Stoudemire is the best scoring big man in the league right now. The problem is that he is still way below average defender although his shotblocking has been good this year.


Anyhow, those three are the only ones I could come up with what I think are better than Amare Stoudemire, and I'm not sure Dwight Howard is really better all around. He's better defensively and on the boards, but Amare Stoudemire is a much better score really.

Joe Mama

I would have to agree with you there. Also, when you look at FT% D.Howard is going to hurt you at the end of games where Amare has the ability to make 'em.
Duncan is also weak in that area at times.

 

[arwillan]

Show some nuts and give me your top 5 then.

1) Duncan
2)KG
3)Howard
4)Amare
5) Camby

still, amare is definitely not the best.

 

[arwillan]

I would have to agree with you there. Also, when you look at FT% D.Howard is going to hurt you at the end of games where Amare has the ability to make 'em.
Duncan is also weak in that area at times.

he has the ability, but he did choke at the end of 2 big games.

 

[cly2tw]

No, Amare for either Camby or Rasheed straightup would be a steal for the Suns, no kidding!

 

[JCSunsfan]

He's right there is Duncan and KG. He outplayed KG handily two nights ago. Duncan might be declining some, but he always seems to rise from the dead at playoff time.

Definitely top 3, maybe top two.

His point is to be motivational with Amare. Shaq's intent is to say, "your skills and athleticism make you the best big man in the game. There is no one out there better than you. Go play like it."

 

[DeAnna]

I sincerely believe that part of Shaq's role is to instill confidence in Amare - that's why he's constantly praising him.

It's no secret that Amare hasn't had the bravado and attitude since the knee surgeries. The past few games I've seen it more from him.

 

[PoolBoy]

i hate to rain on the parade but


duncan > amare

quit raining on our parades. you rained on the DJ Strawberry train in the other thread.

 

[PoolBoy]

top 5 big men?

1. Dwight Howard
2. Kevin Garnett
3. Amare
4. duncan
5. Bosh