Shaq is back, in more ways than one. Phoenix center Shaquille O’Neal is

returning to vintage Diesel form _ both his game and his mouth. Such is his

nature; he brings dominance but also petulance, never one without the other.

O’Neal has brought the post presence the Suns have lacked. In Phoenix’

110-104 win over the Nets, he had his way inside with 17 points and seven

rebounds. He blocked Richard Jefferson, sending him to his derriere, and took a

charge that left Vince Carter curled up like a fetus.

He ripped the net off the rim while being fouled on a second-quarter dunk

attempt, and even made a pair of free throws in the final minute, talking junk

at the Nets’ bench. It was a textbook example of how O’Neal has morphed them

from a regular-season juggernaut to a postseason threat.

“During my championship years I’ve always had to have other guys who can

play. On this team I have guys who can play,” said O’Neal, who has also

brought his attitude.

In the Boston Globe he blamed Miami’s medical staff for his slow recovery

from a hip injury, ripped Pat Riley, and said “I love playing for (Suns coach

Mike D’Antoni) and I love playing with these guys. We have professionals who

know what to do. No one is asking me to play with Chris Quinn or Ricky Davis.

I’m actually on a team again.”

When Riley responded that he was disappointed in O’Neal’s comments, Shaq

shot back he didn’t “give a (crap) that Riley is disappointed. Sue me.”

There are probably many in Miami who’d love to after his efforts since

their title. He was averaging 14.2 ppg and just 7.8 rebounds on 58 percent

shooting on the NBA’s worst team, and asked Heat owner Micky Arison to trade him or

buy him out at $20 million per for this year and the next two.

Not surprisingly Arison opted for the former, dealing away a player who

cynics would say was giving less than 100 percent. But he’s been inspired for the

Suns.

His hip kept him out the first five games after his trade, and he averaged

11.1 points and 9.4 rebounds on 57.6 percent shooting as he struggled to

adjust, the Suns losing six of nine. But he’s averaged 13.6 points and 9.9 boards

on torrid 65.2 percent shooting since, and the Suns have hit their stride by

winning nine of 11.

“The last eight years championship teams have been able to do both; I know

first hand because I’ve been on four of them. You have to be able to run when

and you have to be able to slow it down,” O’Neal said. “The other team that

‘s been there is the Spurs (and they do both).

“The Suns had the advantage when it’s run, run, run all the time but there’

s going to be times in the playoffs when you play against a good defensive

team you have to slow it down. Now we’re starting to do that. You have a big

man presence in me and they’re going to have to pick and choose.”

Like last night when Amare Stoudamire, freed to play power forward, had 33

points and 15 boards. Suns defenders pressed up because they had O’Neal in the

lane, and they had a 7-1, 325-lb. post threat on the other end. Now it

remains to be season how deep into June that weapon takes them.

OPTIONAL _ “We can go small and run or play with Shaq inside. We’ve got a

really strong team. We’ve got all the bases covered,” D’Antoni said. “He’s

one of the most dominating players. He’s won four (titles). Obviously having

him is the right thing to do.”