duncan228
03-26-2009, 03:03 PM
He's still working that number four with Duncan.
Shaquille O'Neal: Critically Massive (http://www.oregonlive.com/nba/index.ssf/2009/03/shaquille_oneal_critically_mas.html)
by Geoffrey C. Arnold
Shaquille O'Neal's career has been rejuvenated since he arrived in Phoenix last season.
The 37-year-old center's scoring and minutes averages -- 18.2 points and 30.2 minutes per game -- are his best in five seasons. Though the Suns could miss the playoffs, O'Neal has produced a solid season and was named to the All-Star team for the 15th time in his 17 NBA seasons.
With his four NBA titles, an MVP award and three NBA Finals MVP awards, O'Neal still considers himself the gold standard among current NBA centers.
"I'm the CEO of centers in this league," O'Neal said. "I'm the shogun and the rest of the guys must go through the ninjas before they get to me."
O'Neal says he gets motivated when playing against the so-called "next dominant big man." Few would be surprised if he produces an outstanding game against Blazers rookie center Greg Oden or starting center Joel Przybilla -- whom he has had a few heated encounters over the years -- in tonight's game at the Rose Garden.
When it comes to rating NBA big men, O'Neal has his own share of opinions. Here's what he had to say:
Greg Oden, Portland -- "Young guy, who looks pretty athletic. He's just have to get a go-to move, a shot he can rely on. Give him some time and he should be a great center."
Yao Ming, Houston -- "I don't think there is anybody like Yao, someone who can take over a game and change the game. Yao is a great center. With his height and his ability, he can shoot the jumper or post-up."
Tim Duncan, San Antonio -- "Tim Duncan and I share the same responsibilities, but Tim is one of those quiet owners who doesn't talk a lot. He's got four (championships) and I've got four."
Dwight Howard, Orlando -- "He's a highly respected center. I haven't really seen him back people down like (Patrick) Ewing used to do or (Kevin) Duckworth or I used to do it. He catches lobs and rebounds. He just does what he's supposed to do."
Andrew Bynum, Los Angeles Lakers -- "A big guy and he plays above the rim. He does what he's supposed to do."
Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Cleveland -- "He has a lot of moves in the post. If he didn't have so many foot problems, he would have displayed those moves long before now. He can step out and shoot, post up. Great team player, great touch around the basket."
Ben Wallace, Cleveland -- "He has always been an undersized center. He'll never back down, no matter how many times you hit him. He's going to still come at you, still rebound and still fight."
Brad Miller, Sacramento -- "An undersized, but respectable center. He's more like a Tim Duncan-type forward. He can step out and shoot the jumper. He will foul you hard and will not back down."
Shaquille O'Neal: Critically Massive (http://www.oregonlive.com/nba/index.ssf/2009/03/shaquille_oneal_critically_mas.html)
by Geoffrey C. Arnold
Shaquille O'Neal's career has been rejuvenated since he arrived in Phoenix last season.
The 37-year-old center's scoring and minutes averages -- 18.2 points and 30.2 minutes per game -- are his best in five seasons. Though the Suns could miss the playoffs, O'Neal has produced a solid season and was named to the All-Star team for the 15th time in his 17 NBA seasons.
With his four NBA titles, an MVP award and three NBA Finals MVP awards, O'Neal still considers himself the gold standard among current NBA centers.
"I'm the CEO of centers in this league," O'Neal said. "I'm the shogun and the rest of the guys must go through the ninjas before they get to me."
O'Neal says he gets motivated when playing against the so-called "next dominant big man." Few would be surprised if he produces an outstanding game against Blazers rookie center Greg Oden or starting center Joel Przybilla -- whom he has had a few heated encounters over the years -- in tonight's game at the Rose Garden.
When it comes to rating NBA big men, O'Neal has his own share of opinions. Here's what he had to say:
Greg Oden, Portland -- "Young guy, who looks pretty athletic. He's just have to get a go-to move, a shot he can rely on. Give him some time and he should be a great center."
Yao Ming, Houston -- "I don't think there is anybody like Yao, someone who can take over a game and change the game. Yao is a great center. With his height and his ability, he can shoot the jumper or post-up."
Tim Duncan, San Antonio -- "Tim Duncan and I share the same responsibilities, but Tim is one of those quiet owners who doesn't talk a lot. He's got four (championships) and I've got four."
Dwight Howard, Orlando -- "He's a highly respected center. I haven't really seen him back people down like (Patrick) Ewing used to do or (Kevin) Duckworth or I used to do it. He catches lobs and rebounds. He just does what he's supposed to do."
Andrew Bynum, Los Angeles Lakers -- "A big guy and he plays above the rim. He does what he's supposed to do."
Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Cleveland -- "He has a lot of moves in the post. If he didn't have so many foot problems, he would have displayed those moves long before now. He can step out and shoot, post up. Great team player, great touch around the basket."
Ben Wallace, Cleveland -- "He has always been an undersized center. He'll never back down, no matter how many times you hit him. He's going to still come at you, still rebound and still fight."
Brad Miller, Sacramento -- "An undersized, but respectable center. He's more like a Tim Duncan-type forward. He can step out and shoot the jumper. He will foul you hard and will not back down."