First off, and with all due respect, Big Mug, your game is U-G-L-Y, you ain't got no alibi.You know, a lot of people say basketball at its best is like jazz ... in which case, you're a big fat tuba playing, "Who Let the Dogs Out?" Stumbling, bumbling, fumbling, rumbling, ramming, banging, bruising, elbowing, shouldering, bouldering ? and that's just on your free throws. Your brutal game in the box is even harder on the eyes. I mean this only in the kindest way possible, your skillz are wack, Shaq. Big Fella, I realize that some people have flattered you -- for instance, a Very Famous Broadcaster recently said about you, "If he were 6-foot-1 and 190, instead of 7-1 and 310, I think he could still play in this league and play well." But let's keep it real, Shaq. If you were 6-1, you'd be a point guard. Can you imagine shaq as an NBA point guard? Can you imagine a 6-foot NBA point guard who: -couldn't shoot from beyond 10 feet? -had hit one 3-pointer in 10 years? -had no handles? -had a negative assist-turnover ratio? -averaged less than a steal a game? -shot 53 percent from the line for his career? -missed five free throws per game? -couldn't make a spin in traffic? -couldn't shoot a left-handed layup? -couldn't play defense 15 feet from the basket? I'm sure I as a laker fan don't have to tell you, Diesel, the guys with real skillz -- the Speedy Claxtons, Steve Nashes and Troy Hudsons, as well as the Iversons, Kidds and oh yeah the best basketball player who you let down by the name of kobe bryant can do things you can only dream about. And I don't know how to break this to you, but they're not lying in bed at night saying, I wish I could be a 7-1 fat guy with no real game. I mean, we don't want to hurt your feelings, but every time I play pickup ball, I see five guys who've got more game than you do -- guys who can shoot pull-up Js, guys who can pick pockets, 40-year-old guys who pass behind their back like nothing. Big Thumper, and I mean this as constructive criticism, it would be nice if you could find a way to get to the basket against a defender without fouling him. It's quite a bag of tricks you've developed down there -- the swim stroke, the hook with the elbow, the sledgehammer shoulder in the chest, the innocent elbow to the chops, the head-on charge -- and I would hate to cast aspersions on such a finely tuned repertoire, but perhaps a refresher on the rulebook would help... "A dribbler shall not charge into an opponent who has established a legal guarding position.? If a defender is able to establish a legal position in the straight line path of the dribbler, the dribbler must avoid contact by changing direction or ending his dribble?. If illegal contact occurs, the responsibility is on the dribbler." Shaq, you've got a traveling jones. As much as I admire your footwork and creativity, every kid knows it's not legal to pick up your dribble and then stumble-step-hop-jumpstop your way to the hoop. (No wonder you're "unguardable.") And, Big Bunny, that's not to mention the cute little shuffles and hops you take as you start your dribble. To sum up, I don't know how to break it to you, Big Guy, but you represent everything that people except any heat fan hate about the NBA game today...The refs never call traveling. They let the big guys camp out in the lane. But until then, it's on you, Big Onus -- if you want to accomplish something that's even bigger than you are, shape up .. or, better yet, ship or better yet do the people a big favor and please retire. P.S. I am glad that kobe has shipped you out of the city of angels cause like it or not the zen master will be back to coach the los angeles lakers next season and can u imagine Kevin garnett in a purple and gold jersey? And far as the series goes Detroit wins in a sweep!
This post smells of envy. He's everything people hate about the NBA? Sorry dude, but that's Kobe. As for the "if Shaq wasn't 7 foot" comment, who honestly cares. Because he's always gonna be 7 foot, so make your life easier and stop worrying about it. Don't try to convince any self respecting NBA fan that traveling should be called on Shaq, and not Kobe.
That criticism is hard to swallow coming from a Laker fan. I'm not saying you're bitter, but it's hard not to conclude that. Having said that, you're right. Shaq is not a "skilled" player. As a center, he doesn't have to have the handles that a point guard does. As a post player, he doesn't have to be able to pull-up for a perimeter shot. Now, he should be a better free throw shooter, but every Achilles has his heel. The point is that basketball is about putting the ball into the hoop. What is poetry in motion to one fan is "stumbling" and "bumbling" to another. The aesthetic may be U-G-L-Y, but if it helps you win a championship OR three, then you ain't complainin'. Personally, I love Shaq. I appreciate his game as much as that of Iverson, Nash or LeBron. I like his goofy comments (even the ones about Dampier). He is good for the NBA no matter what he looks like.
Someone's a little envious of Shaq' and the Heat. I don't understand how you can say these things about Shaq'. He is one of the most dominating forces in the game and is arguably one of the greatest to ever play the game. Every player has a weakness. Shaq' can't shoot free-throws and isn't that great of a jump-shooter. So what? He has the best field goal percentage in the leauge every year. And you can say it's because all he does in back defenders down and dunk on them because he is so big. It still counts as a basket though doesn't it? Shaq' is also a team player. He changes the whole game. He opens up other shots for his teammates due to his dominate play. He also doesn't care to give the ball up. You can't say that about a certain player on the Lakers that is so obsessed with being the hero that he has to take every shot, now can you?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting back-on-track:</div><div class="quote_post">the combination of Kobe and Shaq brought 3 championship to this city, to be exact.</div> the combination of Kobe and Shaq and Phil Jackson brought 3 championships to be EVEN MORE exact.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting kingrex:</div><div class="quote_post">the combination of Kobe and Shaq and Phil Jackson brought 3 championships to be EVEN MORE exact.</div> To be even more exact it was the whole team. Also, no ones likes kobe anymore. He ruined the whole lakers' franchise.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Shaq is not a "skilled" player.</div> I beg to differ, I really wonder if some people actually watch the guy play, but Shaq has great post moves, he has a series of spins, hooks, and many counters to his moves. He actually has some of the best post moves among all the centers in NBA history, obviously not in the realm of a Hakeem Olajuwon, but he's very good. He's also a very good passer as a center, he can draw the double team and make plays out of it, and he's much more skilled than people watching with simple eyse give him credit for. ANyone can be big, being big and good is not as easy as all these people make it seem. People should watch some stuff on him when he was younger...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Bobcats:</div><div class="quote_post">*sigh* Jealous Laker fans. It's getting annoying now.</div> YEp I just noticed too
When you were/are that strong, athletic and intimidating, all you really need to do is rebound like crazy, block shots, score around the rim. That's true inside presence when teams are double teaming in the post, hacking him on purpose, and avoiding driving at the basket. The guy's not very humble nor very classy for a professional athlete. He says some funny things and he backs everything up that he does, except for his free throws. He's not great with his off-hand, he's not great from beyond 10 feet, he hasn't played as much defense in the last 4 years, but he's still a great passer and the #1 center in the league. If he ever stiffens up or gets constantly injured and out of shape, he won't be the same obviously. Shaq is just so gifted. What other centers in the league have had that mix of strength, wide frame, athleticism, and desire? Players practically have to hard foul him on the brink of flagrant foul just to prevent the And1 dunk because he's that strong.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Need4Sheed:</div><div class="quote_post">That is straight up funny right there. Your the man!!!!</div>Since when are you a Pistons fan? Oh wait I see, the Sixers were eliminated from the playoffs and you jumped bandwagon. Looking forward to putting you on another bandwagon soon!
Shaq has some of the best footwork ever seen by a 7 footer regardless of girth....this guy moves in the post more like he weights 50 lbs less and has 2 good feet not just 1. Its kinda sad that you guys are so bitter still...you've got your "man" and you've got your lottery pick....enjoy that this year and next year and the year after. You cant rub anything in until the team stops sucking as5. Kobe Bryant the best basketball player in the NBA, very debatable. He put up good numbers on a crappy crappy team without the help of Shaq. He cost the Lakers a championship last year with his ridiculous play in the finals going what....15 for 60? Come on, hop off this guy's crotch and just dislike Shaq from a distance, the way Shaq should dislike the Lakers from a distance. Be the bigger man. You dont know much about basketball if you're comparing the game and thus skill level of a pg or an average schmoe who's 5-10 to 6-6 playing pick up at your basketball park. And its sad that you talk about Kevin Garnett, cause getting an actual star who's worthy of praise is the only way you're going to get a championship with Kobe on your team. Role players only complament a player if he's willing to let them touch the ball. LOL Name me a more talented/skilled 7 foot 280 pound player?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Heat4Life:</div><div class="quote_post">Since when are you a Pistons fan? Oh wait I see, the Sixers were eliminated from the playoffs and you jumped bandwagon. Looking forward to putting you on another bandwagon soon!</div> He's been a Pistons fan even before I was here last year in August 2004. Don't talk on things you don't know. I don't think I can comment on the Shaq statements.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Tempted 2 Touch:</div><div class="quote_post"> But until then, it's on you, Big Onus -- if you want to accomplish something that's even bigger than you are, shape up .. or, better yet, ship or better yet do the people a big favor and please retire. P.S. I am glad that kobe has shipped you out of the city of angels cause like it or not the zen master will be back to coach the los angeles lakers next season and can u imagine Kevin garnett in a purple and gold jersey? And far as the series goes Detroit wins in a sweep!</div> 1) Three finals MVPs, and three rings, an MVP trophy and countless all-NBA selections. Guaranteed HOF entry and one of the greatest big men the game has ever seen. What else does he need to accomplish? 2) I'm glad Kobe has shipped him out of LA too, because it means they are no longer a force. Who are you selecting with your top ten pick? 3) Detroit now going for the five game sweep.
I don't really think Shaq will care much. The way it is looking, he will probably finish his career as a consistent Final's contender while the Lakers will be scratching and clawing to get into the playoffs every year. Not a bad tradeoff. You really got to stop being so bitter. BTW Garnett is not coming to LA.
