Swagger of the Week

This week's Man of Swagger goes to the self proclaimed Man of Steel Shaquille O'neal. Shaqtastic is having a renaissance year while averaging 18.2 pts on 60.8% shooting, 8.8 rbs, and 1.5 blk a game. Not only has Shaq regained some of that old swagger in his game, but it appears that the always quotable center's verbal swagger is still fully intact. In a win over Toronto last Friday in which Shaq scored 45 points, Chris Bosh complained that Shaq was parked in the paint and not getting called for 3 in the key. Upon hearing about Bosh's complaints, Shaq responded by saying, "I heard what Chris Bosh said, and that's strong words coming from the RuPaul of big men...I'm going to do the same thing I did before - make him quit. Make 'em quit and complain. It's what I do." Wow Shaq, the RuPaul of big men? Classic. He then went on to score 33 in a Suns win over the Lakers. Shaq is clearly feeling it this year.

Now at the same time that I am commending Shaq's swagger, you can't not mention his return to form without recognizing the amazing job that the Phoenix Suns' medical staff is doing, and has been doing over the last four or five years. They have kept Shaq, Grant Hill, and Steve Nash healthy pretty much all season except for a few games that Nash has missed. It is really impressive, and I think that if Shaq stays motivated and continues to work with the training staff that he will play even better next year.

There are some gripes I have about Shaq too. His RuPaul comment was hilarious, but this whole back-and-forth he and Stan Van Gundy are having is getting way out of hand. Meanwhile, the Suns have dropped two straight on an important road trip and are now 2.5 games out of the 8th playoff spot. Shaq will have good games where he scores a lot, then he'll turn around and talk about how he needs to get the ball more and he is still the same dominant player. Well Shaq - Amare Stoudemire was officially ruled out for the season and playoffs by his eye doctor today - so now you will get your wish. There is nothing wrong with talk, but you are going to have to lead by example. The Suns are going to need you to step your game up all around the court. You were late on switches so many times in that loss to Miami last night and you're rebounding numbers aren't as high as they should be. When you said today that "I demand my respect," you are going to have to get that by getting the Suns to the playoffs and being a leader.

That all being said, keep elevating your swagger Shaq, you can still dominate the game.