ORLANDO, FLA. — Here’s the basic explanation of how Shaquille O’Neal will be operating in the Phoenix offense, which is more typified by pick-and-roll plays than fast-break plays, when you get down to it.
The Suns will undoubtedly try to run some pick-and-rolls using O’Neal and Steve Nash, but their best bet is going to be leaving O’Neal away from the pick-and-roll action and hoping he doesn’t draw a double-team in the paint. If he doesn’t, he still has the heft and knowledge to gain deep position on what is usually a far smaller man. In recent years he has figured out that he needs a running start to get where he wants to go, so that’s what he’ll be doing — rolling into the lane.
Phil Jackson was talking just now about the Orlando offense, which is somewhat similar to Phoenix’s offense in how much the 3-point shot is used. The Magic use pick-and-rolls and lean on 3-point shooters yet have a beast in the paint to maximize in Dwight Howard, and it’s relevant to this discussion about O’Neal in Phoenix:
“It’s a typical type of game that has evolved in the NBA the past four or five years where the penetration that goes on through screen-roll affects everything that goes on: 3-point shooters besides the guard … and then you have a big guy rolling through the lane who someone has to pick up and help with, which frees up the 3-point shooters.”
The ultimate question with regard to O’Neal as much as whether he will run the court when he needs to is whether he will regain enough health and desire to be active when he does get the ball on offense (and when he needs to go stop the ball on defense or go get it as a rebounder). I’m sure he’s counting on getting double-teamed and then kicking the ball out to shooters, so he doesn’t have to do so much work. But when your lower body doesn’t feel right, especially for a big man, you lack the base to get off the ground well. So O’Neal isn’t nearly the finisher he used to be at the rim, and that’s something Phoenix is counting on him being to elevate its halfcourt offense in the playoffs.
