Such is the embarrassing state of the Phoenix Suns. Once the fun-and-gun Suns, they've deteriorated, in less than a year, to arguably the most underachieving team in the league.

All of the organization's warts were on display during All-Star weekend, which ended Sunday with the West's 146-119 victory against the East.

In the Valley of the sinking Suns, Phoenix coach Terry Porter is expected to be fired Monday morning and replaced by assistant Alvin Gentry.

Porter is the defense-minded coach who replaced Mike D'Antoni, the offensive genius who did everything but beat the San Antonio Spurs in a magical run here.

Owner Robert Sarver is the banker personally shopping his only All-Stars, Shaquille O'Neal and Amare Stoudemire. Both could be gone by the trade deadline.

Awkwardly, they gave hometown fans who have watched Planet Orange spiral out of orbit toward the Black Hole of the lottery something to finally cheer about Sunday.

Shaq played just 11 minutes, but once again stole the show from his former sparring partner, Kobe Bryant, who scored 27 points. So what's new?

In their first game together since their celebrated split up in Los Angeles in 2004, O'Neal shared MVP honors with Bryant. The Big Cactus stole the show even before he took the floor for his 15th, and, likely, last All-Star Game.

During introductions, he brought down the house. Wearing a mime mask, he pop locked with the group Jabbawockeez.

"I wanted to do something a little different and unique,'' the playful giant said. "I realized this possibly may be my last one, so I wanted to make it memorable for myself and the fans.''

Bryant, his newest buddy, even gave him an A-plus.

"I appreciate that,'' said O'Neal, then threw a bouquet at Bryant. "Kobe is the best player in the league. So A-plus on that side. And A-plus for being a great guy. He even let me take the trophy home for my boys.''

Dancing was just the appetizer for Shaq, however. Shaq dunked and dished inside.

Outside, far from the basket, he dribbled one-on-one against Dwight Howard, D'd up Paul Pierce and started a give-and-go with Chris Paul 30 feet from the basket.

O'Neal finished with 17 points, five rebounds and three assists in two brief stints, the first in which he led the West from a 20-10 deficit to a 34-17 halftime lead.

"That's the first time I saw an MVP play on 11 minutes, but he had an impact on the game,'' said West coach Phil Jackson.

Stoudemire had the biggest impact on the weekend, answering one question after another about a possible trade. That may be on the backburner now that the Suns are firing Porter instead of blowing up the team.

"If this was my last game here, it was a great way to go out,'' said Stoudemire, who scored 19 points. "Hopefully I'll be here.''

Fellow All-Stars couldn't understand why Stoudemire was up for grabs all weekend, but the Suns brass has lost patience with his inconsistency rebounding and defending.

Some feel Stoudemire has spent more time changing the spelling of his name (three times) and number (twice) than he has working on his weaknesses.

He said he blocked out trade talk and team troubles this weekend. "We focused on the All-Star game,'' he said. "Shaq and I really wanted to enjoy the weekend. Tomorrow, it's back to work.''

O'Neal dodged the impending firing, too. "I'm just going to chill out on that question,'' he said.

He had too much fun to delve into problems. Even with Kobe.

"The Big Legendaries,'' he called the two.

"It felt like old times,'' said O'Neal. "I miss those times. He was really looking for me.''

Hold the flowers, though. "We are not going to go back to the room and watch Steel Magnolias or something like that,'' said Bryant. "You know what I'm saying, crying, all that stuff. We had a good time. That's all.''

Too bad the Suns organization couldn't join the fun.