Phoenix Suns newly-acquired centre Shaquille O'Neal said Thursday he expects no special treatment from his team mates.
‘I just want to fit in,’ the 14-times All-Star told a news conference. ‘I want to do my part.
The 35-year-old O'Neal, a former NBA Most Valuable Player, was traded Wednesday to the Suns from the Miami Heat in exchange for forward Shawn Marion and guard Marcus Banks.
‘I had a great meeting with the coach (Mike D'Antoni) yesterday,’ said O'Neal. ‘I said, 'Look I'm not a ball freak. I'm not going to be asking for 30 or 40 touches.'
‘This team has always been there in the Western Conference. And they just couldn't quite get over the hump. I think with my experience and my on-the-court and off-the-court leadership I can help them get over the hump.’
The Suns have the best record in the Western Conference at 34-15 and are looking to the 7-foot-1 O'Neal to provide an inside presence that has been lacking for the past few years.
Led by double MVP Steve Nash, Phoenix have averaged 59 wins over the last three seasons but have lost each year in the conference playoffs, in part, because they lacked a big man.
General Manager Steve Kerr admitted he heard the talk that the Suns were taking a risk by acquiring O'Neal, who is several years past his prime and has been battling nagging injuries.
‘A lot of people have been talking the last couple of days about what a gamble this is,’ he said. ‘Walking into our locker room and seeing our players' faces and seeing their reaction to Shaquille told me all I need to know.
‘This is a gamble that's well worth taking.’
This season O'Neal has been hampered by fitness problems and has averaged a career low 14 points while missing 14 games due to a hip injury. He hopes to be back on the court following the 17 February All-Star game.
O'Neal, who won the NBA title three times with the Los Angeles Lakers and once with the Heat two years ago, said he is motivated by people who say his best years are behind him.
‘You guys think automatically I can't run, but hey, I love to run. Especially if I am playing with a great guy like Steve Nash. I look forward to making people eat their words.
‘In traditional basketball, when a team runs a lot, there's always been somebody to ignite the (fast) break. I'm going to be getting the rebound and going to ignite that break.
‘If I don't get the rebound, I'm going to be the first guy down the court because I know Nash is going to be looking for me. It's going to be fun.’
O'Neal, who has a career 25.6 scoring average over his 16-year NBA career, leaves a Miami team with the worst record in the league at 9-38. He averaged 19.6 points during his four years with Miami.
‘I've always proven the naysayers wrong,’ said O'Neal.
‘It's all motivation. I'm very upset. You just don't want to get me upset.
‘When I'm upset I'm known to do certain things like win championships.’
