The Purple Center Eater Speaks

Hooped Up | February 8, 2008

Shaquille O’Neal flashed that wide smile, and took on the critics who say he’s too old and too slow to fit in with the sleek, speedy Phoenix Suns. “I look forward to making people eat their words,” he said at a news conference Thursday. “I really do.” Wearing a Suns’ purple shirt and tie with his immaculate dark suit, O’Neal met the media for the first time since the stunning deal Wednesday that sent the 14-time All-Star from the Miami Heat to Phoenix in exchange for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks.