Scouts Take

SHAQUILLE O'NEAL VS. TODD MACCULLOCH
The nets will also use Aaron Williams and Jason Collins against Shaq, but MacCulloch is going to have to play more than his standard 20 minutes in the middle. Then they can use Williams at power forward to help double-team. Last year's experience with the 76ers in the Finals against Shaq should benefit MacCulloch. He's not flashy, but he has great hands and finishes well. If he doesn't score, then New Jersey will have to go small and hope to pull O'Neal away from the basket. Shaq's hurting big-time. You might think that gives the Nets a chance, but it doesn't amount to much of one: He still went for 41 in Game 6 against the Kings and 35 in the clincher. If the Lakers need Shaq to come up big—and they almost always do—there is nothing New Jersey can do to stop him.