The NBA is changing. Ten years ago teams threw money at any hulking seven-footer in hopes of landing their own Shaquille O'Neal. Priest Lauderdale, Bryant Reeves and countless others cashed NBA checks doing a nebulous impersonation of the man. And even if these ogres couldn't cut it offensively, teams couldn't resist finding a Greg Ostertag to tussle with O'Neal in the post like an agitated elephant seal.

Today is different. NBA players took gold in Beijing by adapting to the international game. Lumbering centers like O'Neal have given way to quicker, more versatile athletes. And as the game has evolved, so has O'Neal's role.

Since the 2004-2005 season, O'Neal has seen his minutes, field goal attempts, free throw attempts, blocks and points (22.9 to 13.6 per game) decrease dramatically. But while his strengths on the court have shifted, the big man still has a Shaq-sized effect on the game.

"They probably feel I've lost a step," O'Neal said of the league's perception of him. "I'm a lot older, but I've hit 60, 65 percent (of my field goals) from little league 'till now. So if they don't double me, they will pay."

O'Neal showed the consequences of not keeping two defenders on him Tuesday during the Suns' 114-86 win over the Nets. The big man finished the game 7-8 from the field and 4-5 from the line to finish with 18 points. What's more important than his near-perfect shooting performance is the space he created for teammates to hit big shots.

"Shaq started it off," Phoenix Coach Terry Porter said. "He had his presence known in the post. He was effective. They had to double early."

The results were electric. Seven Suns finished in double figures and Raja Bell found himself all alone for six three-pointers, all of which he sank.

"Obviously, having Shaq down there, a guy that commands attention, is going to free up some looks on the perimeter," explained Bell after his 22-point performance. "Your defender always has to have an eye on him. He has to be in help position."

That is the game the Nets tried to play on Tuesday. When not double-teaming Shaq, New Jersey elected to stick one of their many big men behind him while the other defenders inched toward his area of the post.

"Up until this point they really haven't doubled him," explained Porter. "Guys have been dropping off a bit (from their defensive assignments) and making it look crowded. He's been effective which has been good. It has really opened up some things other things for us on the offensive end."

This is new territory for O'Neal. In addition to running a high pick-and-roll with him, the Suns are also using O'Neal to create shots for his teammates. Shaq has always been a good passer, but now he is punishing teams that struggle to rotate on the perimeter. By changing his game, Shaq has stayed relevant and could be a major factor in this new-look Suns franchise.

"We've got the type of team where everyone can get hot," Shaq said after Tuesday's win. "Tonight, Raja was the high-point man. We got a lot of open shots. He hit a lot of open shots. We're not really worried about shots on this team. I think the days of me averaging 25 shots a game are gone. I'll just get eight or ten shots a game and do what I can."

Even though his shot attempts and minutes are decreasing, O'Neal's early season numbers suggests a resurgence under Porter's offense. Through four games Shaq is dropping in just under 20 points per 36 minutes while hitting 70 percent of his field goals. Even at the line O'Neal is knocking down 65.2 percent – three percentage points better than his career-high and 15 points higher than last year's average.

"I told (my teammates) if they looked for me, I'm going to be ready," O'Neal said. "I'm just trying to be real consistent and also be consistent at the free throw line. I've been shooting pretty good the last two games. I'm ready to go. The guys know I'm ready to go. I'm in perfect shape."

Perfect shape could be a stretch, but Porter's arrival in Phoenix may have sparked O'Neal's interest in training. Prior to the game, Porter praised O'Neal for his offseason effort, saying, "I think Shaq is in very good shape. I give him credit, from day one he hasn't missed a practice… He's been committed."

With Amare Stoudemire next to him and rookie Robin Lopez coming off the bench, O'Neal will get a chance to rest his legs this season. The Suns aren't asking him to carry the load like he's done so many times in the past. Instead, Porter expects O'Neal to give around 25 minutes a game, draw double-teams on the block and clog the lane.

"I'm just asking him to protect that paint," said Porter. "Between him and Amare, those guys are our last line of defense. I expect those guys to be down there when we have breakdowns on the perimeter to make a play on the ball and defend that basket."

The game has changed, but as long as the Suns' other options remain viable shooting threats O'Neal will find the room to do what he does best.

"Sometimes they double me, sometimes they don't," O'Neal concluded. "I'm not really taking a lot of shots a game. I only get about seven, eight shots a game. I just try and hit as much as I can. Guys know if they need an instant bucket, they can come to me."