Shaquille O'Neal, Robin Lopez: Phoenix Suns Special Preview Series

In light of his “735 Days Left” statement, Shaquille O’Neal can now be considered the Big Countdown.

It’s no secret that Shaq’s days of relevancy have been in T-minus status for a couple seasons now.  He’s a former All-Star-turned-role player, simple as that.

Writing off O’Neal as an obsolete asset for Phoenix—as many pundits are doing—is a mistake, however.  Fans and media are just spoiled by memories of a somewhat-svelte and dominating Shaq Attack at the turn of the century.

Shaq is nowhere close to that level anymore and the distance between his former glory and present mortality will only increase from here on.  The Suns didn’t trade for Shaq the superstar, though. They traded for an effective, veteran center who knows how to win.

Make no mistake, Shaq is still effective.  Last season he averaged 12.9 ppg and 10.6 rpg.  Pedestrian when compared to his former All-NBA numbers, to be sure—but how many teams can boast a double-double center alongside a superstar forward like Amare Stoudemire?

It will also be interesting to see if new head coach Terry Porter will be able to incorporate Shaq's massive presence more completely than did his predecessor, Mike D'Antoni.  How involved in the offense will O'Neal ultimately be?

The key for O’Neal will be his motivation.  Can he maintain an edge often enough to be more of a help than a hindrance to Phoenix?  Will he influence Stoudemire with his winning attitude or his tendency to coast? 

Most importantly, can he remain relatively healthy?

Luckily for Phoenix, they’ve got the perfect backup and possible future replacement for the Big Countdown in rookie Robin Lopez.

The former Stanford Cardinal more than makes up for any lack of effort or motivation on O’Neal’s part.  Lopez is criticized for his lack of offense, compared to his brother, and mocked for his hair—which is tremendous, if you haven’t seen it. Those are all tools for motivation, and word on the street is he’s using them.

Lopez offers—according to preseason claims, anyway—solid defense, rebounding and activity around the basket.  These are qualities that haven’t donned purple and orange since the days of Hot Rod Williams.

Witnesses of offseason scrimmages say that Lopez’s offense has been severely underrated, and that his potential has blown coaches and teammates away. Optimism tends to bloom in the summertime.  Come winter, the picture will be clearer as to what Lopez clearly offers the Suns.

O’Neal and Lopez present a unique Yin-Yang combo for Phoenix.  O’Neal is old, experienced, slow and declining.  Lopez is young, green, athletic and tapping into his potential.  Shaq wants touches.  Lopez doesn’t need them.

The center position holds a lot of questions for a would-be contender, but it’s admittedly more solid for Phoenix than it has been since the 1970s, when Alvan Adams manned the middle.

The Suns are hoping that will be enough.