In light of his “735 Days Left” statement, Shaquille O’Neal can now be considered the Big Countdown.
It’s no secret that Shaq’s days of relevancy have been in T-minus status for a couple seasons now. He’s a former All-Star-turned-role player, simple as that.
Writing off O’Neal as an obsolete asset for Phoenix—as many pundits are doing—is a mistake, however. Fans and media are just spoiled by memories of a somewhat-svelte and dominating Shaq Attack at the turn of the century.
Shaq is nowhere close to that level anymore and the distance between his former glory and present mortality will only increase from here on. The Suns didn’t trade for Shaq the superstar, though. They traded for an effective, veteran center who knows how to win.
Make no mistake, Shaq is still effective. Last season he averaged 12.9 ppg and 10.6 rpg. Pedestrian when compared to his former All-NBA numbers, to be sure—but how many teams can boast a double-double center alongside a superstar forward like
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It will also be interesting to see if new head coach Terry Porter will be able to incorporate Shaq's massive presence more completely than did his predecessor, Mike D'Antoni. How involved in the offense will O'Neal ultimately be?
The key for O’Neal will be his motivation. Can he maintain an edge often enough to be more of a help than a hindrance to Phoenix? Will he influence Stoudemire with his winning attitude or his tendency to coast?
Most importantly, can he remain relatively healthy?
Luckily for Phoenix, they’ve got the perfect backup and possible future replacement for the Big Countdown in rookie Robin Lopez.
The former Stanford Cardinal more than makes up for any lack of effort or motivation on O’Neal’s part. Lopez is criticized for his lack of offense, compared to his brother, and mocked for his hair—which is tremendous, if you haven’t seen it. Those are all tools for motivation, and word on the street is he’s using them.
Lopez offers—according to preseason claims, anyway—solid defense, rebounding and activity around the basket. These are qualities that haven’t donned purple and orange since the days of Hot Rod Williams.
Witnesses of offseason scrimmages say that Lopez’s offense has been severely underrated, and that his potential has blown coaches and teammates away. Optimism tends to bloom in the summertime. Come winter, the picture will be clearer as to what Lopez clearly offers the Suns.
O’Neal and Lopez present a unique Yin-Yang combo for Phoenix. O’Neal is old, experienced, slow and declining. Lopez is young, green, athletic and tapping into his potential. Shaq wants touches. Lopez doesn’t need them.
The center position holds a lot of questions for a would-be contender, but it’s admittedly more solid for Phoenix than it has been since the 1970s, when Alvan Adams manned the middle.
The Suns are hoping that will be enough.
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about 1 month ago
I know that Matt is a diehard, long suffering Suns loyalist who can always find something positive about the boys in orange. But the organization is looking more like the team playing next door to the Purple Palace: the Diamondbacks. In the end, Shaqman and Robin will just be the old and the new guys on a mediocre team that hasn't got the will to win. And nothing the most excellent Steve Nash does will be enough to offset the averageness of the Suns in 2008-09. And that makes a perfect fit with the local .500 clubs: the Mercury, the D-backs, the Sun Devils and the Coyotes.
Sorry, Matt. It had to be said.
about 1 month ago
The Suns won't finish at .500, no way! They have new faces that will really make a difference. I agree with Matt; Lopez will be a big part of this organization's future.
about 1 month ago
Great job but I think you're raising expectations on Lopez that he'll never meet. He's a 7-footer and he averaged just 10 points and 6 rebounds last year at Stanford competing against mostly 6'5'' power forwards and 6'8'' centers. Compare him to his fellow lesser-of-the-Stanford-twins, Jarron Collins, who averaged 13 and 7 his final year in Palo Alto.
Lopez hadn't shown any more promise in two years at Stanford than Jarron Collins did and he's a career back-up in the NBA. He's a nice player with a great motor but he's not going to make the Suns any better.
The key for the Suns this year will be the health of the Shaq, Hill and Nash and Stoudemire committing to defense. Another interesting storyline will be Raja Bell. Was his decline in play last year an aberration or a trend? His numbers went down in almost every offensive category. He took 200 fewer shots than he did the previous season and only played in three fewer games. I guess you can attribute that to the presence of Shaq and Hill. His scoring average dropped from 15 ppg to 12. He also took a noticeable step backward on the defensive end.
about 1 month ago
Those guys's health will be crucial, but I feel Lopez will be a solid player. Remember, Brook was the focus last year. Robin's game is bigger than stats; he provides defense and an infectious intensity. His energy will be great for this team. I think Bell can still go; in Game 4 against the Spurs he and Diaw played spectacularly.
about 1 month ago
Lopez will be a flop in the nba, he's just another player who got into the nba due to his height. and i do not believe that he will be a big part of the Suns future!!!! LOPEZ?????? COME ON!!!!
from about 1 month ago
Why?
about 1 month ago
"Greaser" is guilty of selling a big man short! Robin Lopez has a ton of potential, especially as a shot blocker. His talent was totally wasted when Trent Johnson coached him at Stanford, Robin is going to surprise a lot of people in Phoenix, including Greaser.
from 29 days ago
Definetly, Lopez is a great fit for this team and has tons of potential. He'll be great playing with Amare Stoudemire for years to come!
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