The Badger Herald

SPORTS

Point-counterpoint: Does Sun shine on Shaq?

by Mike Ackerstein and Tyler Mason

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Ackerstein:

Shaquille O’Neal has taken each of his three previous teams to the NBA finals. He’ll do it again with his new team, the Phoenix Suns.

The big man, now 35, might not be as dominant as he once was, but needing to prove he’s not washed up has made the center as hungry as ever.

Sure he’s got some knee trouble, and running the court the way the Suns do isn’t something he’s done much of in his career. But with a legitimate chance to add a fifth ring to his fingers, it’s going to take an amputation to keep him off the court.

Phoenix could use some toughness, and by pairing Shaq with Amare Stoudemire, opponents aren’t going to be thrilled about attacking the basket.

The Western Conference is flushed with talented big men, and adding Shaq should make it easier for the Suns to advance in the playoffs against the likes of Yao Ming and Tim Duncan.

It won’t just be the post play that improves either. In the press conference welcoming him to Phoenix, Shaq guaranteed he’d increase the 3-point production of Raja Bell, and by forcing teams to pay more attention to the post, he probably will.

Plus, don’t you think Shaq will be doubly motivated to play well against the Los Angeles, Phoenix’s biggest rival, now that Kobe has found a new partner in crime in Pau Gasol?

There’s no denying that he’s not the player he once was, but Shaq doesn’t need to play at MVP levels to help Phoenix. With an outstanding cast, led by Steve Nash, around him, there won’t be too much pressure on O’Neal’s shoulders, and if he can just stay on the court, he’ll be the piece the Suns need to reach the finals.

He’s back on the attack. Love Shaq.

Mason:

As far as trades go, dealing for Shaq was a mistake for the Phoenix Suns. They gave up the 29-year-old Shawn Marion — still one of the better players in the league — for the 35-year-old Shaq.

For a team looking to find that extra edge and separate themselves from the rest of the Western Conference, the Suns took a step back.

Don’t get me wrong — I used to love the Diesel back in the day. When he starred for the Magic, Shaq was the man. In 1993-94 and 1994-95, he averaged 29.3 points per game — the highest of his career; his 13.8 rebounds per game his rookie season was another career best. And he even did movies and released albums.

But it’s all been downhill since then for Shaq — at least when looking at his statistics.

Yes, he has since won four championships, as Mike mentioned, with sidekick Kobe Bryant in Los Angeles and Dwyane Wade in Miami. Shaq’s numbers, however, have been on the decline for years. For the past two seasons, over which Shaq has battled numerous injuries, his scoring has dipped below 20 points per game for the first time ever, and his rebounds are now less than eight per contest.

Phoenix had plenty of other players they could have (and should have) traded for. Jermaine O’Neal, Andrei Kirilenko, Ben Wallace — any of these guys were more viable options than Shaq and could have likely been acquired for Marion.

What good will Shaq do for Phoenix at this stage in his career? Nothing, except keep the water cold and the bench warm. The Suns already have best record in the West. The out-of-shape, banged-up O’Neal will only slow them down.

Shaq Diesel? More like unleaded.