duncan228
10-17-2009, 12:09 AM
Shaq says reading Spurs' return is fundamental (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/Shaq_says_reading_Spurs_return_is_fundamental.html )
Mike Monroe
Cavaliers center Shaquille O'Neal has little doubt the Spurs will be back in the thick of the Western Conference title chase this season, but his belief is based less on the team's offseason additions than the condition of the player who has been a Spur the longest.
Tim Duncan's summer of rest, O'Neal said before Friday's preseason game against the Spurs, will make the difference for a team that was ousted in the first round in April.
“Yes, yes, they have (gotten back in the Western title chase),” O'Neal said. “You know they're always going to be there. Last year didn't count for them, because Mr. Fundamental had those knee problems. But he got a lot of rest, just like I got a lot of rest. I know they're going to be ready.”
O'Neal, 37 years old and in his 17th season, said he sees his role akin to that of David Robinson after Duncan joined the Spurs in 1995.
“It's a different time for me,” he said. “LeBron (James) is going to have the ball most of the time, and when he gives it up, it's our job to make him look good.
“David did it for Tim Duncan, so I've got to do it. I did it for D. Wade (Miami's Dwyane Wade, O'Neal's teammate on the 2006 NBA champion Heat). I can do it for LeBron.”
H1N1 23? The Cavaliers went through a flu scare this week after James was diagnosed with what may have been a case of H1N1 influenza, better known as swine flu.
But James was back on the court Friday. He had 22 points and six rebounds in just 19 minutes and 51 seconds.
In addition to James, five other Cavs players have experienced flu symptoms. None of them, including James, have positively been diagnosed with H1N1 flu, but everyone in the Cavaliers' traveling party was given doses of Tamiflu, a drug that has proven effective in treating H1N1.
O'Neal joked that he has avoided the flu because he was born tougher than his teammates.
“I don't get sick,” he said. “I'm the son of a military man. We have top-secret access to Tamiflu, and other stuff.”
Spurs players have remained healthy since training camp started, but are acutely aware of the risks of this flu season.
Mike Monroe
Cavaliers center Shaquille O'Neal has little doubt the Spurs will be back in the thick of the Western Conference title chase this season, but his belief is based less on the team's offseason additions than the condition of the player who has been a Spur the longest.
Tim Duncan's summer of rest, O'Neal said before Friday's preseason game against the Spurs, will make the difference for a team that was ousted in the first round in April.
“Yes, yes, they have (gotten back in the Western title chase),” O'Neal said. “You know they're always going to be there. Last year didn't count for them, because Mr. Fundamental had those knee problems. But he got a lot of rest, just like I got a lot of rest. I know they're going to be ready.”
O'Neal, 37 years old and in his 17th season, said he sees his role akin to that of David Robinson after Duncan joined the Spurs in 1995.
“It's a different time for me,” he said. “LeBron (James) is going to have the ball most of the time, and when he gives it up, it's our job to make him look good.
“David did it for Tim Duncan, so I've got to do it. I did it for D. Wade (Miami's Dwyane Wade, O'Neal's teammate on the 2006 NBA champion Heat). I can do it for LeBron.”
H1N1 23? The Cavaliers went through a flu scare this week after James was diagnosed with what may have been a case of H1N1 influenza, better known as swine flu.
But James was back on the court Friday. He had 22 points and six rebounds in just 19 minutes and 51 seconds.
In addition to James, five other Cavs players have experienced flu symptoms. None of them, including James, have positively been diagnosed with H1N1 flu, but everyone in the Cavaliers' traveling party was given doses of Tamiflu, a drug that has proven effective in treating H1N1.
O'Neal joked that he has avoided the flu because he was born tougher than his teammates.
“I don't get sick,” he said. “I'm the son of a military man. We have top-secret access to Tamiflu, and other stuff.”
Spurs players have remained healthy since training camp started, but are acutely aware of the risks of this flu season.