For Suns fans, there’s actually something very reassuring about a 6-10 Amaré Stoudemire being the one to refer to his new teammate as “Big Man.”

Shaquille O’Neal took part in his first Suns team practice Monday, rattling both the US Airways Center’s practice court rims and a few unlucky recipients of his patented pick and rolls in the hour-long session in front of the coaching staff and front office.

“It was a lot of running and a lot of learning,” O’Neal said. “This is something very different for me. I just have to get in-tune with what everybody’s doing. When you talk about being on a great team, everybody has to be on the same page. I don’t want to be the one who slows us up half a millisecond.”

Participating in every one of the drills in the morning session, O’Neal also did plenty of shooting and five-on-five exercises – all under the watchful eye of head athletic trainer Aaron Nelson and his staff.

“The training staff has done stuff I’ve never seen before, and it seems to be working,” O’Neal said. “My hip’s feeling pretty good – better than it’s felt in a while. I’m used to just getting injections and going right back out there, but here, they told me they have their own style. And I’m going to stick to it. I felt good today, and I just need to get my wind back. I haven’t done anything in a month and a half, but after I get my wind back and get in-tune with what’s going on offensively and defensively, I’ll be back.”

With that official return date still up in the air, his new teammates were more than pleased with what they saw in his first team practice.

“Shaq brings so much to our team as it is,” Steve Nash said, “but for him to be in good physical condition, it really adds some amazing looks to our team. He’s going to make the game easier for everybody, and hopefully we can make it a little easier for him by spacing out the floor and putting all those shooters around him.

“We don’t want to overdo it. We want him to feel comfortable and have confidence in what he’ll be doing every day with us. At the same time he does have a lot to catch up on. He’ll be fine. Basketball is basketball. He’s a pro and he’s seen it all before. He’ll adapt quickly.”

Head Coach Mike D’Antoni says it will be an adjustment for the entire team in incorporating O’Neal’s talents as it pertains to the chemistry of the club. Regardless, he doesn’t anticipate any problems in that regard.

“It’s not like a perimeter player who just fits in,” D’Antoni said. “Shaq changes the way we play, and he’s a big focal point. Guys have to get used to that and understanding where he’s going to be, what it means and how to get him the ball at different times, and how to use him in regards to what we already do. It’s just a process we’ll go though. Today was a good day. He’s a lot better physically, even better than what we originally thought.”

Listed as “day-to-day” by his new coach, O’Neal will sit down with D’Antoni and Nelson after Tuesday’s practice to evaluate how he feels, leaving the possibility that the big man might play before the All-Star break. Regardless, the center will continue with both Nelson’s integrative manual therapy designed to apply pressure to injured muscles and promote healing, and a healthy round of stretching exercises.

“We don’t want to say we can help someone improve if we really don’t believe it,” Nelson said. “We pride ourselves on figuring out if it’s something we can work with and deal with it from there, do everything possible to make it right, and with Shaq, that’s what we’re doing. We’re figuring out what muscles are tight or overactive, and on the other side, we find out which muscles are weak. We activate those muscles that aren’t firing correctly or at all, in some cases, and integrate that into a total exercise that will prepare him for doing his court work.

“Shaq gave everybody here his commitment. For us, it can be very time consuming because there are a lot of things we need to accomplish to get him the way we feel he can move and participate. But he’s been very compliant and it’s been great to work with him. He’s been dedicated to everything we’ve asked of him. Our goal is getting the impairments we’re finding corrected and getting him practicing.”

If Monday was any indication, the Suns’ training staff’s collective efforts are making a difference. Aside from the usual stamina issues of a player who’s returning from injury, and judging by the occasional smile on O’Neal’s face Monday, the center didn’t appear limited in any way. In fact, he was very receptive to any and all suggestions from the coaching staff and his new teammates.

“He is excited, just like we are,” Nash added. “It’s a new beginning for him, a new opportunity. He’s had a lot of doubters this year and has kind of become a forgotten man in a short period of time. A man of his ability, accomplishment and pride – that’s not going to be acceptable. He’s come out here. He’s excited to be a part of this group. He’s working hard. His commitment is outstanding, and we’re just lucky to have a player of his ability on our team.”

And according to O’Neal, the feeling is mutual.

“It’s good to have great players around you,” the center said. “Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was fortunate enough to have that style of players behind him near the end of his career. I feel like him now.

“I’m no idiot. I’m not coming in here to try and take over. I’ll fit in very, very nicely – rebounding, on outlets, setting picks for Steve, getting easy buckets, playing some defense… That’s what I aim to do.”

The 14-time NBA All-Star will do just that alongside possibly his biggest fan and fellow low-post presence, Amaré Stoudemire. In addition to now taking to the court next to his childhood idol, Stoudemire also gets to do it back at his more comfortable position at power forward.

“With him healthy and better, I’m good to go,” STAT said. “It makes the game simple when you have a guy that commands so much of a presence down in the post. That’s what we need, and that’s what he’ll mean to this team.

“Standing beside him, I looked more like a point guard rather than a center, but he’ll definitely help us.”