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Hey guys,

Shaq says he knows everybody will blame him for the Suns missing the playoffs this year.

Here's what he said:

Of course, when it's all said and done, I'll get the blame," O'Neal said. "I accept that. I never run from that. I understand that.

How much blame do you think he deserves for this mess?

I agree with Barkley, it's VERY unfair to blame him for this when you consider how well he has played this year.

Don't forget that he's outplayed Marion this year.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/2009/04/06/20090406spt-suns.html

Your thoughts?

It's important to note, however, that Shaq feels he doesn't deserve the blame for this mess.

Sam Smith blamed him on NBA TV and when Shaq saw him at All Star Weekend, Smith claims Shaq went up to him and asked him, "How is this my fault?"

Just thought you would find that interesting.

it's not shaq's fault. the guy once again became the most dominant force int he NBA. he's got game left and he proved it. this is Kerr's fault.

This mess is maybe 1% shaq's fault, but it's not from his lack of trying - free throws have cost us the odd game, but he's improved a lot...No way his fault

No Amare, no win.

Agreed with everyone.

Shaq has played inspired basketball.

Shaq's been a beast this year, but the whole "everyone's going to blame me" act is a little tiresome. Nobody's blamed you this year since you've played like a BAMF; instead, everyone hates Kerr/Porter/Sarver(/Nash for MVF).

There's nothing to say. Shaq got revitalized, played great ball, hit his free throws better than he has in a half-decade and the Suns just couldn't over come 55-odd games under Terry Porter and his suckitude coaching, nevermind the loss of Amare, the defensive holes all over the team and the lack of a backcourt isolation scorer worth his salt. Also, the mid-season trade that made the team run SFs at the 4 certainly hurt.

rsavaj wrote:Shaq's been a beast this year, but the whole "everyone's going to blame me" act is a little tiresome. Nobody's blamed you this year since you've played like a BAMF; instead, everyone hates Kerr/Porter/Sarver(/Nash for MVF).

He's not wrong, though; every journalist and his mom is going to point to Shaq and blame him.

tsherkin wrote:

rsavaj wrote:Shaq's been a beast this year, but the whole "everyone's going to blame me" act is a little tiresome. Nobody's blamed you this year since you've played like a BAMF; instead, everyone hates Kerr/Porter/Sarver(/Nash for MVF).

He's not wrong, though; every journalist and his mom is going to point to Shaq and blame him.

---- You think? I'm not generally one to give the media any credit for making sense but even I would be surprised to see Shaq catch any flak for this season. I think he hurt us more than he helped, not by his own play but how Porter used him and diminished the effectiveness of Amar'e and Nash.

Porter was definitely to blame for Nash and Amare playing poorly under him, not Shaq.

Nash has been BRILLIANT since Gentry took over and Amare played the best basketball of his career last season AFTER Shaq came to Phoenix.

It was definitely Porter's system that turned them into role players.