HE SAID WHAT?
“That’s the first time I’ve seen an MVP play 11 minutes in an All-Star Game.”
— Western Conference coach Phil Jackson, on the selection of Shaquille O’Neal, as All-Star Game co-MVP.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Shaquille O’Neal, Phoenix Suns
» The NBA All-Star Game has become increasingly contrived and decreasingly memorable. The lone highlight this year — O’Neal in pregame introductions, donning a white mask and break dancing with the dance troupe, the JabbaWockeeZ. The Big Baryshnikov also had some impressive moves on the basketball floor, hitting 8 of 9 shots, scoring 17 points, grabbing five rebounds, and helping the West to a 146-119 victory. O’Neal was playing his 15th All-Star Game, second only to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (19) and did it on his home floor. The Big Cactus also shared MVP honors with the former teammate with whom he often feuded, Kobe Bryant. Contrived? Only a cynic (or perhaps a longtime NBA observer) would say that.
STORY LINES
1. Suns grasping » Phoenix (28-23) is headed in yet another direction with the firing of Terry Porter. Assistant Alvin Gentry takes over with the intention of restoring the Suns’ previous identity. But will it be possible to revive former coach Mike D’Antoni’s “Seven Seconds or Less” offense with the oldest starting lineup in the league and a diminished bench? With the change, GM Steve Kerr is more likely to keep F Amare Stoudemire, who was reportedly on the trading block, and hope to spark the open-floor artistry of Steve Nash, 35, who failed to make the All-Star team for the first time in seven seasons.
2. All-Star Weekend a dud » Sunday’s All-Star Game, Saturday’s slam dunk competition, and Friday’s celebrity and rookie games were a yawn fest. Nothing memorable or fresh came out of the weekend. No new stars were introduced. H-O-R-S-E seemed like a good idea, but it flopped. Time for David Stern to retool. How about a little spontaneity?
3. Trading deadline » Projections that the luxury-tax threshold will fall next season has flooded the market with sellers as teams try to unload high-salary players before Thursday’s trading deadline. A few deals have been made, but nothing approaching last year’s flurry of moves involving big-name players (Shaq, Kidd, Gasol).
KEY GAME
Boston at Utah (Thursday-TNT) » Nice matchup, but the big reason to watch Thursday Night on TNT is the return of Charles Barkley, back from six weeks leave after a New Year’s Eve drunk driving charge in Phoenix. Barkley was missed during TNT’s All-Star coverage. First game of Thursday’s doubleheader is Spurs at Pistons.
