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11/20/2008
During a long interview last week with a reporter, Shaquille O'Neal said Phil Jackson orchestrated the tension with Kobe Bryant in order to motivate both players. O'Neal said he never had a problem with Bryant. O'Neal also suggested he would be open to returning to the Lakers when he becomes a free agent in 2010. "Keeping his options open, huh?" said Jackson, whose current deal with the Lakers ends after the 2009-10 season. Bryant is signed through the 2010-11 season, but is eligible to opt out of his contract next summer.
11/18/2008
Utah coach Jerry Sloan was perplexed. After losing 3 straight at the end of a dismal road trip, the Jazz looked like NBA title contenders back at home. Utah finished a 3 game losing run by beating Phoenix 109-97 on Monday night, outrebounding the Suns 47-26 and holding Shaquille O'Neal to one rebound.
11/15/2008
Often a villain in past years when visiting Arco Arena with the LA Lakers, aging Shaquille O'Neal played that position once again Friday night for the Suns. Looking like the Shaq of old, O'Neal tied a season high with 29 points and had 13 rebounds and 6 assists to help the short-handed Suns beat the Kings 97-95 in overtime.
11/15/2008
The NBA has suspended Steve Nash and Matt Barnes of Phoenix and Rafer Alston of Houston for their roles in a fight. Alston and Barnes were suspended for 2 games without pay and Nash for one. The league also fined Shaquille O'Neal $35,000 and Tracy McGrady $25,000 on Friday for their actions during the Rockets' 94-82 win in Phoenix on Wednesday.
11/13/2008
Tracy McGrady snapped out of a slump to score 22 of his 27 points in the 2nd half Wednesday night, and the Houston Rockets beat the Suns 94-82 in a game that featured a scoring landmark for Shaquille O'Neal and a skirmish that drew 2 ejections and 7 technical fouls.
11/09/2008
If Shaquille O'Neal would like time off, it is just fine with Suns coach Terry Porter. O'Neal had 29 points and 11 rebounds in his return from a one game break, leading the Suns to a 104-96 win over the Bucks on Saturday night. O'Neal was 12 of 16 from the field a night after skipping a game in Chicago as part of a strategy to occasionally rest him during the season.
11/05/2008
Raja Bell was hitting from the outside. Shaquille O'Neal and Amare Stoudemire dominated inside. Steve Nash was Steve Nash, setting up others and scoring when needed. It was almost a perfect game for Phoenix, and the New Jersey Nets never had chance once the Suns stopped turning the ball over in the 2nd half.
10/28/2008
Shaquille O'Neal believes he is still the best center in the business. "Because I have done the most", O'Neal said. "I am not worried about guys winning dunk contests and doing stuff like that. You still must outdo the shogun to become the shogun. When I leave, it will be because my time is up, not because someone is outplaying me or someone has done more than me. The only one who has even done close, and I do not really consider him a center, is Mr. (Tim) Duncan. Any other center, the things that they have done, I invented."
10/16/2008
On Tuesday, Shaquille O'Neal called a team's decision to intentionally foul him when it has a 10 point or more lead "cowardly". His frustration is understandable. The tactic walks the fine line of sportsmanship and mocks the spirit of the game.
10/03/2008
Calling himself the still-reigning "emperor of big men", Shaquille O'Neal could or could not be ready to retire in 2 years, as speculation has suggested. "You'll know when I am gonna retire", Shaq said.
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