Shaquille O'Neal defended Phoenix Coach Mike D'Antoni on Tuesday despite the fact that the team will face elimination for the second-straight game on Tuesday night, according to the San Antonio Express-News.

"Usually when things go wrong, the top two or three guys take the heat," O?Neal said. "I?ve been around a lot of coaches, and he is the right guy. He has a great relationship and terrific rapport with the players. It?s never the coach. It?s always the players."