NBA

Only time will tell if Shaq is ‘Big Solution’

New Suns player shows flashes of old self, but jury is still out

Lisa Blumenfeld / Getty Images

Shaquille O'Neal can still talk a good game. And time could show that he can still play it a little, too, as the Lakers' DJ Mbenga found out on Wednesday.

And you can bet that sprint to the other end of the floor after the goaltending call on Bryant will be replayed for days.

I don’t know if the Suns are better off with Shaq. But they’ll definitely be more entertaining.

“I was the first big man to run the court,” O’Neal said. “I’ve had a couple of injuries, and you earthlings think I can’t run. Steve Nash has told me to get my Randy Moss on.”

O’Neal answered whatever questions there were about his ability to fit into Phoenix’s offense.

The Suns ran when they could, and when they settled into a half-court set, Shaq was the third option behind Stoudemire and Nash.

Until the fourth quarter.

“When the game was on the line he just went back to ground and pound,” Bryant said.

Where O’Neal’s limitations show up is on the defensive end of the floor. The Lakers’ 130 points were the most Phoenix has allowed in regulation all season.

The Suns dearly missed Marion’s versatility. Bryant abused Raja Bell — scoring 41 points on 16 of 25 shooting — and Phoenix didn’t have anyone who could give Bryant a different look.

Marion also would have taken a turn on the 7-foot Gasol (29 points), just as he did Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki.

One more thing: Shaq was 3 of 8 from the foul line. In close games, that free throw shooting will be a liability.

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Still, it was an encouraging opening act. The Suns no longer are the class of the Pacific Division — the Lakers own that title — but in Shaq they trust.

“When we get used to each other, we’ll be the most dangerous team ever created,” O’Neal said.

What a surprise: Shaq can still talk a good game.

But this is a surprise: He may be able to play one, too.

Scott Bordow is a contributor to msnbc.com and a columnist for the East Valley Tribune.

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