“They’re still trying to mesh the team together and that takes some time. But it looks like Shaq is a lot more comfortable.”
The Shaquille O’Neal experiment appears to be moving in the right direction for the Phoenix Suns and the reason isn’t as much thanks to the 7-foot-1, 325-pound Big Cactus as it is the two-time MVP point guard … via NewburyportNews.com, Newburyport, MA
“That’s what it’s about, just finishing out the season.”
What feels like the longest season in Heat history is down to 10 games. For Ricky Davis, that puts the finish line to his marathon within view.
While the overall result will almost certainly be the NBA ’s worst record, the veteran swingman still has put himself in position for a small victory, as the lone Heat player to appear in all 82 games.
‘I said that to him the other day in a meeting,’ said coach Pat Riley . ‘I mean, we’re trying to be honest about this whole thing and truthful and not talk about it, but guys have to look at what is it they’ve contributed, either personally or to the team this year.’ Read more
“C’mon let’s put up some shots. I need you to go 21 for 25 tonight. The only time you can miss is if somebody fouls you.”
BOSTON — Shaquille O’Neal is coming to grips with his basketball mortality. To prolong his career with the Phoenix Suns, the once-dominant force has had to become a mere ‘earthling’ who can’t simply show up and destroy all in his path. That much was evident as the 7-foot-1 O’Neal prepared in the visitors’ locker room for a game against the Celtics on Wednesday.
O’Neal pushed his body — most importantly, that balky right hip and knee that had many believing he was finished in Miami. He hunched down and moved side-to-side with an elastic band around his ankles. He moved up and down with a large exercise ball that was pressed against a wall. And laying face-down on a table, he grimaced and grunted as Suns head athletic trainer Aaron Nelson twisted and stretched his lower limbs. Read more
“Grant and I are coming to do the job.”
NBA player Shaquille O’Neal said Orlando needs him and he wants to come back and manage the Magic team. via Local6.com
“By underpricing, the club operator can get around the revenue-sharing agreement they supposedly have with their landlords”
JEFF GERMAN, Las Vegas Sun LAS VEGAS Amid an Internal Revenue Service investigation and media scrutiny of two of the Las Vegas Strip’s most popular nightclubs, Nevada gaming regulators are launching an … via Hotels
Amare Stoudemire scored 22 points, Raja Bell had 20 and the Phoenix Suns avoided a three-game losing streak with a 107-93 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night.
The Suns lost consecutive road games at Detroit and Boston, yet had little problem thrashing the 76ers. Shaquille O’Neal had 15 points and 13 rebounds, Leandro Barbosa scored 17 points and Steve Nash had 10 assists. Read more
“He’ll say what he wants to say.”
Pat Riley came out punching Thursday, refusing to remain the punching bag of his former championship center.
After two days of jabs from Shaquille O’Neal about the way Riley handled him during the center’s tenure with the Heat, Riley fired his own stinging blow about what clearly has become a bitter parting.
‘We have sutured up the stab wounds in the back,’ Riley said, before coaching the Heat against the Pistons at the Palace of Auburn Hills. ‘So everybody’s waiting for another onslaught. That’s how we look at it.’ Read more
Instead of worrying about being one of Charles Barkley’s top five contacts on his cellular phone, Dwyane Wade should alter a few priorities for next season to erase Miami’s embarrassing 2007-08 campaign. via Local6.com
BOSTON | Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce led the way as the Celtics trampled through the Garden.
Garnett scored 30 points, sinking the final two to an ‘M-V-P!’ chant echoing through Boston Garden, and Pierce had 12 of his 27 in the fourth quarter in the Celtics’ 117-97 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night.
Kendrick Perkins had 13 points and 10 rebounds, and Ray Allen had 14 points and eight assists for Boston, which snapped a two-game losing streak.
Rajon Rondo scored 14 points with six rebounds and six assists while frustrating Shaquille O’Neal into a technical foul as Boston turned a tie game into a double-digit lead in the third period. Read more
“I’m going to use what I call my bridge general manager skills. A lot of general managers try to do it themselves. I build bridges. I’ll have teammates. All this is in a perfect world. That’s my dream, anyway.”
Center Shaquille O’Neal was traded from the Miami Heat to the Phoenix Suns last month, but the Orlando Magic — where he started his high-profile career — never seem far from his thoughts. via The Orlando Sentinel
“This team’s coming in here looking to be a No. 1 seed, so they’re playing for a lot.”
Motivation can easily wane for NBA teams when they don’t have much to play for as the season winds down. via The Daily Tribune
“The feeling is we’re going in the right direction, and we’re continuing to improve. We’re going to try to bring the same effort to Boston.”
The Suns could not go angry. There is too much happiness after playing as well as they have lately, from the seven-game winning streak right on through a fulfilling effort in defeat at Detroit. via Arizona Republic
“It is so nice to see a person with so much influence want to get involved in the community”
Kendall Wright The Arizona Republic Mar. 25, 2008 04:20 PM Tempe should brace itself for a Shaq attack. via Arizona Republic
Chauncey Billups scored nine of his 32 points in overtime, helping the Detroit Pistons beat the Phoenix Suns 110-105 Monday night. via Seattle Post-Intelligencer
“Forget that he needs to score and do all of that other stuff. He won’t have to score a point if he can become a NBA rebounder and a NBA shot-blocker. He could make a living and he could make us a lot better if he just did those two things.”
P.J. Carlesimo sees improvement in Mouhamed Sene, but the Sonics coach isn’t prepared to put the second-year center in the starting lineup for the remaining 14 games. via The Seattle Times
