DENVER — The merits of Phoenix's acquisition of storied center Shaquille O'Neal was a popular topic of discussion at the Jazz's morning shootaround Wednesday.

Asked if the trade — a lumbering O'Neal to the fast-paced Suns for forward Shawn Marion and guard Marcus Banks — made sense to him, Jazz coach Jerry Sloan suggested it's enough for him just to keep up with his own club.

"I have no idea," Sloan said. "They know their team better than I do. If I can't coach this team, I can't coach three or four more."

Asked if the deal makes things tougher for Utah in the NBA's Western Conference, especially with the Los Angeles Lakers recently acquiring Memphis big man Pau Gasol and San Antonio signing veteran Damon Stoudamire, Sloan shrugged.

"What do you do about it? I can't lose any sleep over it," he said. "You've got to play, do the best we can and go home."

Jazz players were diplomatic regarding the issue of if Shaq and the up-tempo Suns would mesh.

"Well, Shaq is Shaq," forward Andrei Kirilenko said. "You know, having him in a team — they have different options."

"He's one of the best big men ever," center Jarron Collins added. "And he's someone that changes a team. He can change an organization."

Collins, who has spent a fair share of time dealing with O'Neal down low, couldn't be sure how the swap will impact Phoenix.

"Their style is so different. That's why a lot remains to be seen about if it can work," Collins said. "But if anybody can make it work it's him, because he's so effective at everything he does."

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