SHAQ DADDY

[NashtyNas]

So, I read on HoopsHype (most of their stuff is true these days..) that Shaq and his wife have decided to REMAIN TOGETHER, and cancel their divorce. I believe this will affect Shaq TON's on the basketball court, because he is a very emotional guy. This will be a major boost for him emotionally, and he will be positive on and off the court for us. Thoughts?

[The Diesel]

That is definitely good news, but I don't know if it will improve his play or anything.

I thought he played very well for Phoenix averaging 11 rebounds a game in the regular season. I don't know what more you can expect from a 36 year old guy.

But I still have a bad feeling he and Porter won't get along and he'll be out of Phoenix by mid-season...we'll see.

But this is definitely good news.

Also, an interesting thing I read today was that before Game 4 of the San Antonio series this year, D'Antoni had a talk with Shaq and told him not to feel responsible for the Suns being down 3-0 and Mike D knew that the media was going to really come after Shaq if they got swept and Shaq played extremely well in Game 4.

Mike's comments? "I knew he'd respond today. I just admire him. I like coaching him."

It's a nice story; no wonder Shaq loved playing for him. It's just a shame that Mike D left because him and Shaq had a very good relationship and he started to use Shaq much better towards the end of the season.

[NashtyNas]

Why do you think Porter won't get along with a guy like SHAQ? It really takes a lot to be on Shaq's bad side you know. He's one of the nicest guys around if your on his good side. I think it'll be just fine. Also, I didn't mean that this news would improve his numbers or anything, just that he'd play more freely, and with more passion/energy now that almost everything in his life is positive. I didn't mean to directly relate this to his on court numbers that he puts up and that they would go up because of this, because that would be ludicrous.

[The Diesel]

What has Terry Porter ever done as a Head Coach to get Shaq's respect? Shaq has played for Phil, Riley and D'Antoni, and I can't see him respecting Porter.

Remember, Shaq was constantly disrespecting Stan van Gundy behind his back.

He even had issues with Riley last season.

If he won't respect Riley, he's supposed to respect Terry Porter who's proven nothing as a Head Coach?

Phoenix needed a coach like Larry Brown to get Shaq's respect at this stage of his career.

And apparently Shaq was calling Wade "wonderboy" behind his back and Wade is one of the nicest guys in the NBA.

Shaq is either going to get injured (again) or not get along with Porter.

I have a feeling he's out of Phoenix after next season.

[MaryvalesFinest]

Terry Porter was a great NBA player and Shaq played against him, why wouldnt he respect him?

[The Diesel]

But why will he respect him after the way he disrespected Stan van Gundy and Pat Riley?

Riley is one of the greatest coaches of all time!

And Stan has proven to be a great Head Coach, as well.

Porter has proven NOTHING as a Head Coach.

[MaryvalesFinest]

Porter played against Shaq though, I'm sure Shaq knows Porter was one of the best players and a classy guy in the league. Also about Porter as a coach, he doesn't have much experience but when he was coaching the Bucks he lead a injury riddled Bucks teams to the playoffs and they havent made it since. I think it's going to all depend on Porter's personallity, from what's in the media about him he seems like a good guy but we don't know what goes on behind the scenes.

[-SDU-]

pat riley doesnt deserve any respect

[The Diesel]

Why not?

[WTFsunsFTW]

I got a suns text today stating shaq and wife are on the mend.

[BringinDaRuckus]

What has Terry Porter ever done as a Head Coach to get Shaq's respect? Shaq has played for Phil, Riley and D'Antoni, and I can't see him respecting Porter.

Remember, Shaq was constantly disrespecting Stan van Gundy behind his back.

He even had issues with Riley last season.

If he won't respect Riley, he's supposed to respect Terry Porter who's proven nothing as a Head Coach?

Phoenix needed a coach like Larry Brown to get Shaq's respect at this stage of his career.

And apparently Shaq was calling Wade "wonderboy" behind his back and Wade is one of the nicest guys in the NBA.

Shaq is either going to get injured (again) or not get along with Porter.

I have a feeling he's out of Phoenix after next season.

That's a pretty easy statement to make. He would have one year left on his contract and would make it quite appealing to a team looking to salary dump for his expiring contract.

People always say that big contracts cripple teams. But look how the KG trade went down.... couldn't have happened without Theo Ratliff's huge contract and what has he ever done... exactly.

Some team will be willing to take on Shaq's contract after next season because, sure it's 20 million, but it could unload long unwanted contracts, then one year later, have 20 mill off the books.

Easy statement to make.

[eastsidecrossover]

Shaq has also had words towards Phil. Hes a guy you don't want to get on his bad side.

I think he like coach MD's light practices. Riley practice his guys hard, and shaq did not like that. I think Porter has to come in and gain these guys respect. Its not like it used to be back in the days, players are bigger than the coach, and Porter has to come in, gain their respect and learn how to run this unique team. He has some egos, some age and youth and so forth. If he can unite them from top to bottom, the vets will lead, but in the time, and respect the coach.

Im happy that hes getting back with his wife. Its good for his kids hes had with her at least, and is one less distraction.

[TXSun]

for a player 3 things are very important during an NBA season...1. that you are mentally ready 2. that you are physically ready and 3. that you are emotionally ready!! shaq's wife will help him take care of #2, the med staff will help shaq take care of #3, and it's really up to Shaq himself to take care of the most important one, #1. This is definetely good news for PHX!!

[lilfishi22]

I think emotionally it would be a boost for him. After he came over to Phoenix he looked rejuvenated, to an extent. I think it's because he had a fresh start with Phoenix, the wife is probably still back at MIA, new teammates, new role. Hopefully something won't happen again between them, it could be bad for the Suns'

I don't think Shaq will have problems with Porter. Respect is an obvious an issue, but I don't think Shaq will clash with Porter, mainly because Shaq still has something to prove in Phoenix, for himself anyway. And Porter being pretty much a rookie coach, won't have an ego like Riley, and will try to work with Shaq.

[Sun Scorched]

Terry Porter has the same coaching style as Byron Scott.

Try and be mad at those guys.

Porter is very diplomatic and will not say or do anything to get on his team's bad side. He's a nice, funny guy and will keep the mood light at all times. Porter was a player and knows the need to keep a season fun for the players. A professional basketball player is just like any one of us at a job; they need encouragement and a sense of accomplishment and fun thrown into the mix. Without it, the job becomes suffocating. I think Porter will infuse all of these and I don't think Kerr would have pulled the trigger unless he was convinced Porter could.

I personally don't see a huge difference between D'antoni and Porter personallity wise. Porter won't scream from the sidelines the entire game, but they both seem like easy going guys. Big, key difference is Porter will stress defense.

[TXSun]

at this point shaq has no excuses. It's all on him. he's personal life seems to be in place, he's in shape, it's all mental now. Can he get it together for us? hope so.