Coley Ward / arizona daily star

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Kelby Laabs moved to Tucson in April, just in time to watch his beloved Phoenix Suns make their playoff push.

Hopes were high in Phoenix, especially after the team traded for all-star center Shaquille O'Neal in February.

But then, for the fourth time in the last five years, the San Antonio Spurs trampled the Suns' playoff dreams.

Laabs, for one, wasn't too surprised. Moreover, he's not a big O'Neal fan.

"I think if he could make, I dunno, maybe 49 percent of his free throws, the team could win a few games," he said.

Actually, O'Neal shot 50 percent from the free-throw line in the playoffs and 52 percent during the regular season, but that's still nearly the worst in the league.

With the Suns out of the race, Laabs can focus on learning his way around Tucson.

"I'm really bad with directions," he says.

Laabs, who serves drinks at the Westward Look Resort poolside bar, says he's also still getting used to the heat.

"I'm from Albuquerque," he says. "And it's always about 10-15 degrees cooler there than here."

"I needed a change, and some friends of mine from Albuquerque moved here, too."

"I did find one, though I think everybody likes this place. It's called Eegee's. I ordered a sandwich and I thought, 'My God, that was good.' I was most impressed with the frozen drink that I ordered."

"I'd rather be cooked for."

"I'd eventually like to join the Peace Corps, after I've paid off some college loans. I'm hoping they'll send me someplace in South America. During high school, I spent a couple of spring breaks in Juarez, Mexico, where I learned some Spanish."

"Tom Petty is coming to Phoenix. I really want to see him. And Dave Matthews Band."