In addressing the media for the first time as a member of the Phoenix Suns, Shaquille O'Neal ruled the room for a half hour this morning. But what did you expect from the 35-year-old, 7-foot-1 center?

O'Neal said he's pleased to be in Phoenix, and ready to prove skeptics wrong who believe he can't mesh into the Suns' up-tempo style wrong.

"I look forward to making people eat their words, I really do," O'Neal said.

O'Neal says he will do his best to fit into a team he believes could have already competed for an NBA championship without him, but if O'Neal is healthy could be one of the favorites to win the title.

O'Neal will not play against Seattle on Friday. He'll practice a couple times with Phoenix before making his debut, hopefully before the All-Star break, O'Neal said.

"The first thing that it takes to win a championship is belief – that you believe that you can get it done," O'Neal said. "If there’s ever a doubt that you can’t do it, you will never win. But now I think the guys really, really believe that we have a shot."

After the morning press conference with O'Neal, the Sonics held a light practice in the afternoon. Wally Szczerbiak and Delonte West did not practice, and Kurt Thomas saw limited action when Seattle went 5-on-0.

However, all should be available for action for Seattle's game against Phoenix on Saturday.