Is Shaq playing his best basketball since LA?

BRINGTHEPAIN · Post #1 » by **BRINGTHEPAIN** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 2:37 am

19 points 15 rebounds 1 block 7-14ft 3fouls vGSW
16 points 11 rebounds 1 block 2-4ft 4fouls vHOU
16 points 9 rebounds 1 block 2-4ft 4fouls vSAS

The above is only his last 3 games, but since coming to Phoenix he has been a factor in every game. In Miami he drifted in and out a lot, Wade took over a lot of games. Shaq is hustling in every game, not just 4 out of 5. I didn't see that in Miami, I saw hustle but the occasional slow night, even in his 1st Heat season. Shaq never averaged 10.7rpg in Miami (10.4 his first season, then 9.2, 7.4, 7.8. And the Suns staff suggested a new shooting action for Shaqs free-throws, leading to .506 fts.

And just as Phoenix has done for Grant Hill, Shaq is physically reaping the benefits of having the Best Medical Staff In The NBA at his disposal.

Texas Longhorns · Post #2 » by **Texas Longhorns** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 2:38 am

I don't think so. He was an MVP candidate one year (his first year in Miami), so no.

BRINGTHEPAIN · Post #3 » by **BRINGTHEPAIN** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 2:39 am

He was never going to be an MVP candidate in Phoenix by playing 28 games with Nash and Amare though, right?

Texas Longhorns · Post #4 » by **Texas Longhorns** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 2:40 am

No...

ChocolateThundr · Post #5 » by **ChocolateThundr** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 2:43 am

I like Shaq but getting 15 rebounds in a game against the warriors is not impressive, heck Odom had 20 rebounds against them, twice

BRINGTHEPAIN · Post #6 » by **BRINGTHEPAIN** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 2:44 am

Well, he's averaging 10.7rpg...

j-ragg · Post #7 » by **j-ragg** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 2:44 am

BRINGTHEPAIN wrote:He was never going to be an MVP candidate in Phoenix by playing 28 games with Nash and Amare though, right?

Correct

BRINGTHEPAIN · Post #8 » by **BRINGTHEPAIN** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 2:46 am

So if he can't be an MVP contender in Phoenix this season due to there being only 28 games left and his teammates being MVP contenders that means that being an MVP contender in Miami is irrelevant when assessing whether he is playing better now or better then.

That Nicka · Post #9 » by **That Nicka** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 2:53 am

omg.. no

BRINGTHEPAIN · Post #10 » by **BRINGTHEPAIN** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 2:54 am

Rebounding more, hustling more, shooting better from both FT and FG, fitter.

TonyMontana · Post #11 » by **TonyMontana** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 3:03 am

That Nicka wrote:omg.. no

X 10000000 :noway:

Number34 · Post #12 » by **Number34** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 3:06 am

first year in miami, shaq was a 22 and 10 player. Now with the suns he is a 13 and 10 player. So no

BRINGTHEPAIN · Post #13 » by **BRINGTHEPAIN** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 3:10 am

Played 34 minutes per game in Miami and was equal first option. Playing 29 minutes in Phoenix and isn't a first or 2nd option. Rebounding 10.7 in Phoenix compared to 10.4 in his 1st year in Miami despite 5 less minutes. Fouls per game is the lowest its been since LA (despite playing more minutes than his last 2 seasons in Miami). Of course, you can't measure hustle and movement with stats, especially in this case.

Number34 · Post #14 » by **Number34** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 3:15 am

Yeah, he is rebounding more but that is because he is playing with out of the weakest rebounding front courts in the nba. 5 mins less but points less is huge. Still, i have seen miami and phoenix shaq and its easy to see that the he played better in at least the first 2 years with the heat.

He will go back to his fat old self soon enough

TonyMontana · Post #15 » by **TonyMontana** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 3:16 am

BRINGTHEPAIN wrote:Played 34 minutes per game in Miami and was equal first option. Playing 29 minutes in Phoenix and isn't a first or 2nd option. Rebounding 10.7 in Phoenix compared to 10.4 in his 1st year in Miami despite 5 less minutes. Fouls per game is the lowest its been since LA (despite playing more minutes than his last 2 seasons in Miami). Of course, you can't measure hustle and movement with stats, especially in this case.

Okay Okay Okay we agree with you , only if you stop trying to convince us that he is better now than he ever was in LA .

He deserves the Midseason MVP award and if there isnt an award like that I think the NBA should make one just because of Shaq , and you know why ?
Cause over there in Phoenix you have the best medical staff in the National Basketball Association. :rofl:

eatyourchildren · Post #16 » by **eatyourchildren** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 3:21 am

So if he's not the 1st or 2nd option anymore, doesn't that mean he can't play up to his 1st Season MIA form?

Or are they holding him back only to unleash him as the 1st option in the playoffs?

BRINGTHEPAIN · Post #17 » by **BRINGTHEPAIN** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 3:27 am

LOL when did I say he was better now than he was in LA?

I said he is playing his best SINCE LA.

BRINGTHEPAIN · Post #18 » by **BRINGTHEPAIN** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 3:30 am

eatyourchildren wrote:So if he's not the 1st or 2nd option anymore, doesn't that mean he can't play up to his 1st Season MIA form?

Or are they holding him back only to unleash him as the 1st option in the playoffs?

Shaq was never going to be the first option in Phoenix, but he is playing better in all aspects than he did in Miami.

That Nicka · Post #19 » by **That Nicka** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 3:39 am

He grabs more rebounds because he doesnt have to focus on scoring anymore... His life is much easier as a 3rd option... That doesnt mean he's as good as he was 3 years ago

Alex_De_Large · Post #20 » by **Alex_De_Large** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 3:39 am

no, he was better in his first year @heat.