The Diesel Steams into the Valley with Title Hopes

"The sun will rise in Phoenix!"  Shaq was his usual self when he arrived in Phoenix to be introduced by Suns GM Steve Kerr and head coach Mike D'Antoni.  He had some fun with the media, had his share of laughs, but was clear in his mission for his time with the Suns.  He expressed how he will be motivated and serious in getting healthy and fitting in with the Suns' fastbreak style of offense.  He also stated that his presence will only make those around him better.  He said that Steve Nash is already great, Raja Bell will improve because he'll have more room to shoot from outside the arch with opposing defenders drawn around Shaq, and he also stated about his desire to be Amare's "big brother" and make him the best power forward in the league.

Now that Shaq is in the Valley, and by his estimate hopes to be in the lineup before the All-Star Break, the question is how good this team will be.  Shaq already pointed out that the Suns were already an elite team in the West, however his addition gives them the presence of a big man to advance to the next level and win a championship.  And win a championship is something that he is very confident in.  He expressed his desire to win ring number's 5 and 6 these next two years, and stated that all the negative media has made him a bit upset; but when he's upset he's been "known to do things...like win championships," he stated in his cool, low voice only he can do.  A new era surely is dawining in Phoenix, and era where the Suns not only run on their fast-pace solar power, but a new biofuel...with a bit of Diesel.  J.A. Adande pointed out in his article on ESPN.com that 8 of the last 9 NBA Championships were won by either Tim Duncan, or Shaquille O'Neil.  This addition of the big man will no doubt make Phoenix more of a force to be reckoned with; a new mold from the past few years that hopefully will get them to the next level.  It truly will be a wild, wild west as Shaq, Yao, Kobe, Pau, Melo, AI..........all expect to win a title this year.  We're in for a wild second half, and an even wilder playoffs.