The Big Cactus: A Thorn in Duncan's Side

Shaq proves Steve Kerr right, but is it too little too late?

Shaquille O'Neal played like more than a man.

He was a huge diesel possessed this afternoon at the U.S. Airways Center in Phoenix. 

Wherever Tim Duncan went, Shaq was there.  He planted his huge feet and stood in Duncan's face like a mighty joshua tree. 

He was more than an obstacle that Duncan and former Sun, Kurt Thomas, had to get around. 

He was a solid wall. 

Duncan, who totaled only 17 points, was just 6-of-19 shooting with Shaq's big mitt in his face.

Shaq ended up with 14 points and a game-high 16 boards.  Steve Nash led the Suns with 19 points and 14 assists. 

Grant Hill added 18 points.  Amare Stoudemire had 16 points to go along with seven rebounds. 

Raja Bell and Leandro Barbosa had 11 and 10 points respectively.

Steve Kerr has stated repeatedly that the reason they traded Shawn Marion and Banks to Miami for Shaq was to have that big presence in the post against the likes of Tim Duncan come playoff time. 

And today, the Suns 94-87 victory over the Spurs proved his point.

The problem, however, is how they match up against the other six teams in the Western Conference playoffs.

The Suns are still missing that tenancious perimeter defense that Marion gave them.  They didn't miss it today, but they really didn't need it.

The Spurs had one of their unusual off days. 

Manu Ginobili scored 22 points but missed several clutch shots in last five minutes including a technical free throw.  That's something he hasn't done lately.

Ginobili hit on only seven of 19 for 36.8 percent.  Tony Parker added 21 and shot a more respectable seven of 15 for 46.6 percent. 

But the Suns cannot expect their Western Conference opponents to have breakdowns in the last five minutes, nor can they expect it from the two Eastern Conference foes they must face on the road, Boston or Detroit. 

In fact, in the six games they have lost in the Shaq Era (and even in their victory against Portland), just the opposite happened.

Maybe the Spurs were confused by the time change.  They weren't sure if they were supposed to be an hour ahead or an hour behind. 

Whatever the case, they weren't there for the last five minutes.

But against the NBA's best closers like Tracy McGrady, Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, Allen Iverson, and Deron Williams only time will tell.

And the clock is ticking away for Steve Kerr and Mike D'Antoni.