When the words came out of Shaq’s mouth at the press conference in Phoenix, I knew that he was ready to work. The Big Daddy is a player who needs to be motivated to play his best. First there was playing in Orlando towards getting the big contract. Then there was playing for the Lakers to win a championship. Then there was playing for the Heat to prove he could win another championship without Kobe.
Along the way, the media doubted him. First, Shaq couldn’t do anything but dunk. (so he developed a jump hook). Then, the media said that Shaq couldn’t shoot free throws and asked teams to employ Hack-a-Shaq at the end of games (Shaq, like he always says, made his free throws when he needed to). Then, Shaq couldn’t win a championship (so he sought out Coach/Guru Phil Jackson and he promptly won 3 of them.
Agreed, Shaq is no longer the player he was back then. He will not score 30 points per night or shatter backboards with reckless abandon like in his heyday. But the man can still play a significant role. When the Heat acquired Shaq, it was a big risk. They had made the playoffs the year before and had a nice nucleus with Caron Butler, Eddie Jones, and Lamar Odom. So naturally, the Heat trade away all those players and acquire Jason Williams, Gary Payton, Antoine Walker, and Alonzo Morning. In addition, the Heat had a talented young player named Dwyane Wade. But what happened in the playoffs? Wade took over games and Shaq played his role as a double-double defensive presence. Wade was humble, unlike Kobe, and Shaq knew that this was his golden ticket.
Well, Willy Wonka has again arrived in Phoenix. Shawn Marion was a great player, but only when playing with Steve Nash. Nash can and will turn Atlanta Hawks reject Boris Diaw into a suitable substitute. But now what have they added? They now have a frontcourt of Shaq and Amare Stoudemire…Pretty scary!! The last time we saw a front court like this was when David Robinson and a young Tim Duncan rode off to the championship. Shaq will guard the big men in the west while Amare (whom Shaq has known since he was 13—no Kobe issues here) will be freed up to be an offensive beast. Then add MVP Steve Nash and you have a scary lineup.
Shaq was the player who liked to coast into the playoffs as the 6th seed and win the championship. He can be lovable with the media and great in icy/hot commercials. Just don’t doubt him. Not yet.
Along the way, the media doubted him. First, Shaq couldn’t do anything but dunk. (so he developed a jump hook). Then, the media said that Shaq couldn’t shoot free throws and asked teams to employ Hack-a-Shaq at the end of games (Shaq, like he always says, made his free throws when he needed to). Then, Shaq couldn’t win a championship (so he sought out Coach/Guru Phil Jackson and he promptly won 3 of them.
Agreed, Shaq is no longer the player he was back then. He will not score 30 points per night or shatter backboards with reckless abandon like in his heyday. But the man can still play a significant role. When the Heat acquired Shaq, it was a big risk. They had made the playoffs the year before and had a nice nucleus with Caron Butler, Eddie Jones, and Lamar Odom. So naturally, the Heat trade away all those players and acquire Jason Williams, Gary Payton, Antoine Walker, and Alonzo Morning. In addition, the Heat had a talented young player named Dwyane Wade. But what happened in the playoffs? Wade took over games and Shaq played his role as a double-double defensive presence. Wade was humble, unlike Kobe, and Shaq knew that this was his golden ticket.
Well, Willy Wonka has again arrived in Phoenix. Shawn Marion was a great player, but only when playing with Steve Nash. Nash can and will turn Atlanta Hawks reject Boris Diaw into a suitable substitute. But now what have they added? They now have a frontcourt of Shaq and Amare Stoudemire…Pretty scary!! The last time we saw a front court like this was when David Robinson and a young Tim Duncan rode off to the championship. Shaq will guard the big men in the west while Amare (whom Shaq has known since he was 13—no Kobe issues here) will be freed up to be an offensive beast. Then add MVP Steve Nash and you have a scary lineup.
Shaq was the player who liked to coast into the playoffs as the 6th seed and win the championship. He can be lovable with the media and great in icy/hot commercials. Just don’t doubt him. Not yet.
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