ESPN.com explored the ongoing issue of whether Shaquille O'Neal (averaging just 12.8 points and 6.5 rebounds through four games) is done as a dominant center. About 15,000 fans voted through the early evening, with more than 63 percent saying this is "the beginning of the end" for O'Neal.

O'Neal did not address the media Thursday, but Riley still believes his center is a top player. One thing holding O'Neal back: injury-related conditioning issues, which Riley said will take about 20 to 25 games for him to shake.

Another: his perimeter players' struggles to pass to O'Neal down low when he's open.

"You can't miss him -- he's big," Riley said. "If you tell me you missed him, then I'm going to send you to an eye doctor, OK? That's what guys say: `I didn't see him.' Oh, you didn't see him, huh? He'll come over there one night and put those [hands] around your neck."