Defense Makes Sense To Shaq.

Defensive Minded Shaq.

For how long though? Hopefully for awhile.

In the past six games, O'Neal has averaged 16.8 rebounds and four blocks -- well over his season averages of 11.4 and 2.48. And though he's scored at a modest, steady pace of 21.7 points per game, O'Neal's emphasis has clearly been at the defensive end.

"I'm feeling better, I'm doing what Tex (Winter) and Phil (Jackson) want me to do," O'Neal said. "Phil wants me to focus on getting boards and getting some more blocked shots. We've got a lot of scorers on this team, and whenever I can get a high-percentage look at the basket, I'm going to take it. I'm not going to force too many shots, take too many ill-advised shots. I'm going to just rebound, play defense and try to keep everybody else involved."

There is little danger of the Lakers losing with a defensive-minded Shaq. They are 18-2 when he gets at least 14 rebounds and 14-0 when he gets at least 15. They are 15-1 when he blocks at least four shots.

Jackson on defensive minded Shaq:

"Would you repeat that question again? Because I can't believe someone actually said that," Jackson said. "He believes the idea that he can be a defensive force and a rebounding force first and foremost? Every time I've ever said that to Shaquille, he's always said, 'I'm a scorer, I'm not a rebounder and a defensive player.'

"That's an idea I've tried to sell Shaquille for the last three years. That makes a huge difference to our team."

Not good news for the rest of the league. A defensive minded Shaq is bad for everyone but perfect for the Lakers. Now I'm starting to think the Lakers are the team to beat again and have a very very good chance to win it all especially after they just tortured the Kings the other night

If Shaq remains in that frame of mind, it's bad news for the rest of the league. History suggests that it won't last long though.

shaq had an amazing game tonite also against the T-Wolves.
lakers are finally playing like how they're supposed to play with 4 hall of famers.
rest of the league, watch out!
the Lakers have turned it on now

Indeed...18 rebounds, once again above his usual average.

Hopefully he can keep playing this way.

Dude- no offence- but it was SHAQ and some other guy in this game...Malone and Payton contributed only 11 points!

(I had to edit my post to not include the other guy- cause I don't want to change the topic)

Dude- no offence- but it was SHAQ and some other guy in this game...Malone and Payton contributed only 11 points!

(I had to edit my post to not include the other guy- cause I don't want to change the topic)

just say it, we know you wanna say Kobe. Don't get too stuck with that whole kobe thread thing. Just don't bring up Kobe and his sexual assualt case or any Kobe hating remarks and it will be ok. Saying things like Kobe dropped 34 points to help the Lakers win is no problem.

maybe malone and payton didnt score too much ... but remember, they played great defense. and if u were watchin the game ... malone and payton were more into passing than shooting.

they knew this was shaq and kobe's team when they came. and it's given that they wont average what they used to in the past. if everyone averaged their career numbers, lakers would score 120 a game.

Just to reiterate the rules of the Kobe Talk thread - it is indeed fine to mention Kobe if it's in the context of the thread eg. talking about the latest Laker game, All-NBA teams, favourite players etc.

just what i read in some article. lakers are still oneal-kobe team just like other year. with malone and payton as the complementary players.

with the way lakers is going, this team will win their 4th championship trophy in 5 years.