…though perhaps the bigger story is the Diesel’s bold prediction the Suns will make the playoffs. The Arizona Republic’s Paul Coro reminds us that Shaquille O’Neal’s free throw shooting percentage this preseason (25%) is even lower than his career average (52.4%).
The NBA reviewed the rule allowing intentional fouls away from the ball without penalty until the final two minutes but did not alter the rule to protect a weakness.
“I was fine with that,” O’Neal said. “It doesn’t work. It may work in a series, but it’s not going to get you to the championship. San Antonio tried it, but they went home a couple weeks after we went home. I just have to go to the line and make them pay. And I will.
“The only thing I call cowardly is when you’re up by 10 and do it. That’s a cowardly move. I didn’t say nothing last year, but that’s a coward move. They should really do something about that. When you’re down, I can see using it as a strategy, but when you’re up 10 to 15 points, there’s really no need for that.”