Shaq waiting until after All-Star break to make Suns debut

[AceP]

Just got this from ESPN.

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Shaquille O'Neal doesn't expect to make his debut for the Phoenix Suns until after the All-Star break.

You must be registered for see images attach

O'Neal

After working out for a third straight day with his new team before Wednesday night's game against Golden State, O'Neal said he wanted to make sure his injured hip was completely healed and that he knew enough of the offense before playing his first game with the Suns.
He said we wouldn't play Thursday at home against Dallas but hoped to play soon after this weekend's All-Star break. The Suns open play after the break next Wednesday against the Los Angeles Lakers, one of O'Neal's former teams.
"The hip feels pretty good," O'Neal said. "I have to get the wind up a little bit more and get in tune with what's going on. You want to fit in. You want to be a piece of the puzzle that fits in. You don't want to be a piece of the puzzle that's too small or too big. You want to just slide right in like I've been here for a while."
O'Neal injured his hip diving for a loose ball against Utah on Dec. 22. He returned Jan. 16 but was sidelined again five days later. An MRI showed inflammation in the left hip, shutting him down from all basketball activity.
He's pleased with the progress he's made this week.
"I've gone through three tough days of moving, jumping, banging and the hip feels pretty solid," he said. "One or two more days of working out on my own and then I'll be able to come back very, very shortly. I have orders from upstairs not to come back until I'm 1000 percent.
O'Neal was acquired last week from Miami in a trade for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks. He's already been impressed by what he's seen from his new teammates so far.
Led by two-time MVP Steve Nash, the Suns (36-15) entered the day with the best record in the Western Conference. O'Neal is trying to fit in with Phoenix's up-tempo offense after playing most of his career with teams that emphasized post play inside.
"I've been watching a lot of tape of this team. They're a real solid crew," O'Neal said. "I'm just now learning the plays. We went over them today. I have like eight to 10 plays memorized. Now I have to keep going over them in my head to develop that brain muscle memory so when I'm out there on the court I can feel comfortable playing."
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press

 

[mjb21aztd]

Good decision no need to rush him back and take the chance of him hurting himself

 

[LavaLamp2]

I agree. Smart to play it safe at this point in the season.

 

[arwillan]

his debut will be in perhaps the most important regular season game we have left. i don't like that idea at all. but then again, he will be guarded by Gasol...

 

[az1965]

That's what I figured based on all the comments so far.

 

[dodie53]

gasol guarding shaq?
sweeeet.

 

[JCSunsfan]

It would be nice to get a little pt to work out kinks before we face the Lakers.

The Lakers are looking really good right now. Kobe's changing too. After years carrying it all himself, he now values his teammates.

The Lakers are still the team to beat.

 

[abomb]

:shakeshead:

 

[dreamcastrocks]

:shakeshead:

I know, I know.

I have been hoping that they would hold him out of this game too.

If he doesn't play tonight, he gets to rest another week.

 

[Mike Olbinski]

A bummer, I have tickets to tonight's game

 

[Mainstreet]

I know the logic to keeping Shaq out until after the All-Star break but I must say I'm disappointed. I thought Shaq might give the Suns a mental lift going into the Dallas game tonight. The Suns just do not need to be going into the All-Star break on a two game losing streak.

 

[jbeecham]

I know the logic to keeping Shaq out until after the All-Star break but I must say I'm disappointed. I thought Shaq might give the Suns a mental lift going into the Dallas game tonight. The Suns just do not need to be going into the All-Star break on a two game losing streak.

Even if Shaq doesn't play, I'm not counting the Suns out against Dallas. Dallas should be in disarray after the Kidd trade was blocked and guys know they were about to be traded. Plus the Suns have been playing competitively despite losing Marion & Banks & not having Shaq yet. With our luck though, Violet Palmer, Joey Crawford & Dick Bavetta will be officiating....

 

[Trophytown]

Doesnt it bother most of you that after this whole player swap that you have a situation where one team (the Heat) has already began the adjustment and integration process of its two newest additions whom are actively contributing to their new team vs the Shaq scenario who claims he's healthy enough to play rignt now but refuses to do so for fear of "not fitting in" with the offensive philosophy just yet. I believe that if youre as gifted and as talented a player of the fabric of ONeal that it really doesnt matter the philosophy of where you want to "fit in".

I feel he shouldve been ready to at least "toe test" the waters in Phoenix immediately after the trade, as opposed to flying back to Miami to "resolve personal matters". There is plenty of time to resolve those matters during the All-Star break which was only a week after the trade happened. It makes no sense to me seeing that a guy like Pau can fly cross country for a physical (who's missed some time with a back ailment) in Los Angeles, then boards a plane back to the east cost and takes in one practice and starts the next game for a team that runs an offense as complex as the triangle (which some players never seem to grasp even after 3 yrs of exposure) and flourishes with that team in each of the following contests.

I believe this says a lot about Mr O'Neal ... more than a lot of people would like to openly admit. If he CAN play, and his team NEEDS him in any role no matter how reduced or limited, then he SHOULD play. Whats really goin on here.........

 

[elindholm]

Doesnt it bother most of you that after this whole player swap that you have a situation where one team (the Heat) has already began the adjustment and integration process of its two newest additions whom are actively contributing to their new team

It makes no difference to the Heat. Their season is already lost, so it's fine for them to hold public practices and call them games.

I believe that if youre as gifted and as talented a player of the fabric of ONeal that it really doesnt matter the philosophy of where you want to "fit in".

There is an adjustment whenever any player with a dominant style joins a new team.

It makes no sense to me seeing that a guy like Pau can fly cross country for a physical (who's missed some time with a back ailment) in Los Angeles

Gasol was in playing condition when he was traded. O'Neal was not.

I believe this says a lot about Mr O'Neal ... more than a lot of people would like to openly admit. If he CAN play, and his team NEEDS him in any role no matter how reduced or limited, then he SHOULD play. Whats really goin on here.........

What's really going on here is that he can't play yet. That should be obvious to everyone. He's using the "fitting in" argument as an alibi.

O'Neal is seriously banged up and the Suns will be lucky to get an effective half-season out of him. I was pretty sure everyone understood that coming in. The trade was still worth making, however, because it is a gamble worth taking.

 

[Chaplin]

There's a big difference between being "in shape" and being "in Phoenix Suns basketball shape". That's why he isn't playing yet. I don't get how some people find that so hard to understand. Regardless of the reasons, he hasn't played in two weeks for Miami, so that alone says he isn't in Suns bball shape yet.

 

[Trophytown]

There's a big difference between being "in shape" and being "in Phoenix Suns basketball shape". That's why he isn't playing yet. I don't get how some people find that so hard to understand. Regardless of the reasons, he hasn't played in two weeks for Miami, so that alone says he isn't in Suns bball shape yet.

But ive heard many Suns fans make the argument "pro-trade", that Phx "doesnt need for him to run..........they dont run every trip down the floor anyways." Ive heard commentators mention the same thing. If youre sittin here waiting 5-10 games for him to "get up to speed/in shape" with his stamina/health and as a result of that lost time youre losing games, especially during this next stretch of games against quality playoff-rated opponents, then you have to come back to the decision of the trade to begin with. I believe its going to highly imperative that Phoenix gets home court in the playoffs esp against the Lakers or Spurs and even New Orleans, because the reality of it is Shaq is only gonna be effective possibly two games in a seven game series. And if Phoenix has to match up vs a quick attacking guard ala Chris Paul, T Parker, D Harris (if hes around) AI, or Baron Davis this will expose Shaq to foul trouble (he's not very mobile anymore with arthritic hip pain and joint problems from carrying all that weight for so long), relegating him to the bench--this is where the loss of Marion is gonna be felt the most. Not to mention your depth, or lack of, becomes a liability.

 

[elindholm]

If youre sittin here waiting 5-10 games for him to "get up to speed/in shape" with his stamina/health and as a result of that lost time youre losing games, especially during this next stretch of games against quality playoff-rated opponents, then you have to come back to the decision of the trade to begin with.

Nonsense. The Suns are playing for the postseason now, not the brownie points of getting a high seed.

I believe its going to highly imperative that Phoenix gets home court in the playoffs esp against the Lakers or Spurs

Bully for you. The Suns have a better road record than home record (relatively speaking), and they've done very well on the road in the playoffs the last three years.

because the reality of it is Shaq is only gonna be effective possibly two games in a seven game series.

Whose reality is that? If he can play, he'll be effective in more than half the games. If he can't play, well, that's the way it goes.

And if Phoenix has to match up vs a quick attacking guard ala Chris Paul, T Parker, D Harris (if hes around) AI, or Baron Davis this will expose Shaq to foul troubl

Better him than Stoudemire. Sure, O'Neal will be in foul trouble a lot of the time. That's the way it is with Suns big men.

this is where the loss of Marion is gonna be felt the most.

How do you figure? Marion isn't a replacement for O'Neal in any aspect of the game.

Not to mention your depth, or lack of, becomes a liability.

No more than it already was.

The trade did not address all of the Suns' weaknesses. It addressed one or two. They'll have to do the best they can.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Nonsense. The Suns are playing for the postseason now, not the brownie points of getting a high seed.



Bully for you. The Suns have a better road record than home record (relatively speaking), and they've done very well on the road in the playoffs the last three years.



Whose reality is that? If he can play, he'll be effective in more than half the games. If he can't play, well, that's the way it goes.



Better him than Stoudemire. Sure, O'Neal will be in foul trouble a lot of the time. That's the way it is with Suns big men.



How do you figure? Marion isn't a replacement for O'Neal in any aspect of the game.



No more than it already was.

The trade did not address all of the Suns' weaknesses. It addressed one or two. They'll have to do the best they can.

Where the heck is trophytown anyway? Did you make that up?

 

[mojorizen7]

We don't NEED Shaq to play right now. We're not on the brink of being a 9 seed or anything. Give it & him a rest. I was hoping for this scenario since the trade(see earlier post's). Unleash the Shaqtus against the Lakers.

 

[mojorizen7]

Bully for you. The Suns have a better road record than home record (relatively speaking), and they've done very well on the road in the playoffs the last three years.

Exactly. I'll ask again....what has home court advantage ever done for the SUNS? Aside from a '93 game 5 against the Lakers & a few game 7's recently, the SUNS have come out & played flat in big games in our building.

 

[Covert Rain]

Exactly. I'll ask again....what has home court advantage ever done for the SUNS? Aside from a '93 game 5 against the Lakers & a few game 7's recently, the SUNS have come out & played flat in big games in our building.

Home court advantage is overblown. What counts is match ups. I could care less where the Suns finish if they get favorable match ups. That's why as we get closer to the playoffs and they project seeding...I might be praying for wins or hoping they rest some guys.

 

[BC867]

I have been beating a dead horse for years about how playing Amare as the only big man with significant minutes kept him on the bench in foul trouble, made him tentative on defense and made the Suns a weak team for the post-season.

And denied Championships to the best Point Guard in the game, Steve Nash, as well as wearing him out.

How good it feels, as a Suns fan, to know that the horse is alive and kicking and to see basketball fans, as well as NBA players, now backing our Suns championship chances.

Thank you, Steve Kerr. You've officially buried the Suns stale philosophy.

I love it!

 

[Mainstreet]

I have been beating a dead horse for years about how playing Amare as the only big man with significant minutes kept him on the bench in foul trouble, made him tentative on defense and made the Suns a weak team for the post-season.

And denied Championships to the best Point Guard in the game, Steve Nash, as well as wearing him out.

How good it feels, as a Suns fan, to know that the horse is alive and kicking and to see basketball fans, as well as NBA players, now backing our Suns championship chances.

Thank you, Steve Kerr. You've officially buried the Suns stale philosophy.

I love it!

I don't think the Suns ever before had a realistic chance at getting Shaq or another quality center until this season (at least in recent history). I do think they had a shot at getting KG and Gasol earlier in the year so I'm not willing to pat Kerr on the shoulder just yet. I'd like to see Kerr lay it on the line and get a contributor in here for the 13th spot. Adding a backup PG or a solid contributor at the 2/3 may well define whether the Suns win a Championship this year. Also let's not forget that Kerr moved KT.

 

[BeeBeard]

Where the heck is trophytown anyway? Did you make that up?

I once went to Trophytown. We all did Dwight Howard's dunks on 10 foot rims and then afterwards they handed out cake and ice cream. And there were ponies too. And of course trophies.

 

[JCSunsfan]

The Shaq trade addresses the depth issue. It balances our roster. We have been deep with swing players, but thin at the 4 and 5. Now we have reasonable depth across the board. Shawn's #'s will be a loss, but it is easier for Grant, Diaw, and Tucker to replace what Shawn brought than it is for us to create size at the 5 out of nothing except Skinner and Marks.