Believe it or not, Shaq could be an All-Star

Photo: Rick Scuteri/AP

Headlines were made last February, when for the first time in his career, Shaquille O’Neal did not make the All-Star team. He had battled injuries all season, had missed 15 games, and was averaging only 14.2 points per game for a team that was 9-43 before the break.

Many around basketball figured Shaq was done, and this was the end to an outstanding and colorful career.

Wrong.

Shaq is not putting up 35 points and 20 rebounds per night like he did on a consistent basis early in his career, despite claims last week that “he could average 27 and 10 until he’s 50″. He’s been healthy, only missing games that are part of a back-to-back, or for family reasons. And he has shown glimpses of the Shaq of old…29 points and 11 boards against Milwaukee, 29 and 13 against Sacramento, and a season-high 35 points in the Bucks’ return trip to the Valley. Even last night, O’Neal put in 19 points, grabbed 9 rebounds and handed out 3 assists in the Suns’ 108-101 win over Denver.

When you look at the statistics of Western Conference centers this season, Shaq is very much a part of the discussion of who will represent the West in the All-Star game right here in Phoenix. Yao Ming of Houston leads all Western Conference centers in scoring at 20.0 per game, but Shaq is 2nd, averaging 16.1 points per contest. In December alone, O’Neal is averaging almost 20 points per game, and is playing over 31 minutes per contest.

At least right now, you figure that Yao is a shoo-in to win the All-Star balloting, so the backup spot should go to either O’Neal or Andris Biedrins of Golden State, who is averaging 15 points and 12 boards a game. Don’t you think the fans of the NBA would rather see Shaq suit up than Biedrins? Shaq has been a huge factor for a team very much in the playoff group of the Western Conference, while Biedrins has been consistent for a team that is 8-20, and won’t sniff the postseason.

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Tags: NBA All-Star Game, Phoenix Suns, Shaquille O'Neal