Shaq at the Half: 4 Points, 5 Rebounds, 3 Fouls, 3 Turnovers and No Big Deal
Shaquille O'Neal hasn't exactly turned around the Phoenix Suns just yet.
OK, yeah, it's hard to expect too much from a nearly 36-year-old big man who hasn't played in one day shy a month.
But so far ... Phoenix is in the game (65-57 Lakers) despite him.
He's been a big, slow lump in the middle of their game.
His stat line at the half:
12 minutes, 1-for-3 shooting, 2-for-6 from the line (it would be 2-for-8, but two FTs were waved off because of people in the lane too soon), 5 rebounds (2 on offense), 2 assists, 3 fouls, 3 turnovers, 1 block, 4 points.
Kobe Bryant played all 24 minutes of the first half. Not sure what that's about. He's been the Lakers' best player, but that's always the case. And he played last night.
Anyway, he's been sharp. 20 points on 7-of-11 shooting. He's tearing up Raja Bell, who usually gives him a bad time. A Phoenix reporters suggests Raja isn't the player he was, say, two years ago.
On the other hand, Steve Nash is destroying Derek Fisher. Fish can't keep up with the little guy. Nash is 7-for-10 (with only two assists; hmm) for 15 points.