Shaq is surprisingly complimentary of the Suns

shaq-media” title=”shaq-media” class=”aligncenter size-full wp-image-2536″ height=’300′ />I don’t know about you, but I figured that Shaquille O’Neal would turn into the “big grudge holder” with the Suns in town.

Shaq hasn’t been kind to his former teams and teammates post separation (and in some cases before they separated). He ripped Penny and the Magic, Kobe and the Lakers and even Wade and the Heat. All of which he either made it to a finals or won one with. If he’d do that to people he won with, what exactly would he do to a team he never made it past the first round with?

Apparently he’d shower them with praise.

Today, while talking to the East Valley Tribune, Shaq did nothing but compliment his former team, general manager, owner and teammates as he prepares to play them tonight.

“Steve was very honest and up front,” O’Neal said. “I actually knew I was being traded before everyone else. That’s the first time that’s happened in my career … It’s basketball but at the end of the day it’s about business. He’s one of the most honest businessmen I’ve ever dealt with. They’re playing well,” he said. “I’m happy for the franchise and happy for the Sarver family. They deserve it.”

Happy for the franchise and Robert Sarver? The most honest businessman he’s ever dealt with?

Where’s the late night rap about stealing TV show ideas, poor coaching decisions and lack of respect?

Where’s the quotes throwing Amare Stoudemire under the bus for being injury prone and Steve Nash for being overrated?

At the very least, how about a tweet calling out Sarver for not spending enough or Kerr not making the right?

Alas there is nothing negative to be found from O’Neal. Apparently he’s become the “big softy” in his old age.

I for one will miss the vindictive O’Neal and was hoping he’d add a little “spice” to tonight’s match up. It’s like thinking your ex hates you and then running into her and realizing she still thinks you are great and has nothing bad to say about you. It’s surprising, refreshing and yet a little bit unsettling.

Hopefully the kind comments mean he won’t be overly motivated to prove anything to his former team. The Suns and their fans had enough of that last night against the Knicks.

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