Six games into the Shaquille O’Neal era in the Phoenix desert, and Steve Kerr is probably reaching for the extra strength Maalox right about now.

The move - bringing an old, broken down Shaq in for one more NBA title run - was roundly criticized in most media circles.  The reasoning from the Suns point of view was that Shaq just needs motivation.  Put him in the West, where all the good teams play, and watch Shaq go.  Put him in Kobe’s division, and watch him put the Suns on his back, leading them to the Pacific title.  Put him where he has something to play for, where he can go earn his fifth ring while denying Kobe a shot at his fourth.

Put him back on a plane to Miami, and ask for Shawn Marion to please come home.

Steve Kerr, called “gutsy” by some for pulling the trigger on the deal, has to be nervous after watching the Suns lose at home to the 76ers on Saturday night.  The 119-114 victory by Philly dropped the Suns record to 2-4 since they decided to go “gutsy.”  It was also the first time this year the Suns lost back-to-back home games.  So can we blame Shaq, or is it something else ailing the Suns?  Let’s look at Shaq’s impact.

Shaq’s first game in a Suns uniform was one of the great NBA games this year, as the Lakers defeated the home Suns 130-124.  Shaq scored 15 and grabbed 9 boards in 29 minutes and freed up Amare Stoudemire to score 37 and pull down 15 rebounds.  Kobe Bryant went off for 41 for the Lakers in the victory.  Shaq looked energized in the game.  It was a moral victory though the Suns came up short.

Game two was against Boston, and the Suns pull out a victory 85-77 at home.  Shaq only scores 4 points, but grabs 14 rebounds in 26 minutes of play.  Any victory over Boston is a quality win, but Boston shoots horribly, 38.5% in the third game of a five game West Coast trip.  Still, hope springs eternal for Shaq fans in Phoenix.