<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">The fact Shaq said "Trade me!" (for the part in bold) Kobe did not force Shaq out, but I will agree he did not do anything to suggest he wanted Shaq to be around either. In the end the decision was made by the owner, Dr. Buss, not Kobe to part ways with Shaq.</div> I think that had Shaq not demanded the trade, the Lakers would still have tried actively to deal him. The way that Kobe ignored Shaq during the Finals set the blueprint for his departure. Shaq was smart IMO; he demanded a trade before the Lakers could look to deal him to save himself some face. Now he can say that he didn't want the Lakers, instead of having the Lakers say they didn't want him.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trip:</div><div class="quote_post">I think that had Shaq not demanded the trade, the Lakers would still have tried actively to deal him. The way that Kobe ignored Shaq during the Finals set the blueprint for his departure. Shaq was smart IMO; he demanded a trade before the Lakers could look to deal him to save himself some face. Now he can say that he didn't want the Lakers, instead of having the Lakers say they didn't want him.</div> Shaq was smart? I think it just goes to show how selfish and petty Shaq is. He didn't get his extension and when he found out the Lakers wanted to start building around Kobe Bryant he demanded to be traded. In one instance Shaq is praising Kobe as the best player, then he quickly changes his tune and takes cheap shot after cheap shot at Kobe. At one time Shaq said the Lakers are the best franchise in the world, and LA should be the new state capital and LA is fake. Now he has gone on record as saying Jerry Buss is not a real owner. Shaq is an insecure, immature player, who constantly changes his story. Let's just wait to see what happens when Miami doesn't give him the extension he wants. I'm sure he will have some choice words for Riley & Co. Shaq just better get used to the taste of crow, because he will be eating a lot of it for the rest of his career.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">Shaq was smart? I think it just goes to show how selfish and petty Shaq is. He didn't get his extension and when he found out the Lakers wanted to start building around Kobe Bryant he demanded to be traded. In one instance Shaq is praising Kobe as the best player, then he quickly changes his tune and takes cheap shot after cheap shot at Kobe. At one time Shaq said the Lakers are the best franchise in the world, and LA should be the new state capital and LA is fake. Now he has gone on record as saying Jerry Buss is not a real owner. Shaq is an insecure, immature player, who constantly changes his story. Let's just wait to see what happens when Miami doesn't give him the extension he wants. I'm sure he will have some choice words for Riley & Co. Shaq just better get used to the taste of crow, because he will be eating a lot of it for the rest of his career.</div> I'm sure it's happened, but when did Shaq say Kobe was the best player? When both of them were winning championships and the jolly days were going on within the franchise? Of course, when you want the ball so much in the Finals and Kobe doesn't give it to you and loses the series, you'd get angry. As for Shaq being immature, yeah, I think he is too. But the guy is a great athlete and someone who is flexible with his image. Maybe sly, but Shaq is always able to make himself look like the good guy, and that's actually what I admire about him.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trip:</div><div class="quote_post">I'm sure it's happened, but when did Shaq say Kobe was the best player? When both of them were winning championships and the jolly days were going on within the franchise? Of course, when you want the ball so much in the Finals and Kobe doesn't give it to you and loses the series, you'd get angry. As for Shaq being immature, yeah, I think he is too. But the guy is a great athlete and someone who is flexible with his image. Maybe sly, but Shaq is always able to make himself look like the good guy, and that's actually what I admire about him.</div> Yes of course, only when the Lakers were winning and things were jolly. This is my gripe with Shaq, he likes to take all the credit when his team is winning, but when they lose he quickly points the finger. He did it early in his Laker career fingering Eddie Jones and then he blamed Kobe. Never once did he look in the mirror and realize how overweight he had become. Now he has to deal with not being able to heal from injuries, because he didn't keep his body in shape when he was younger. The media makes Shaq look like the good guy. With him losing watch how fast the vultures come at him. It's already starting, Jim Rome told him to rip that 'S' from his arm, because he's no longer Superman. I wonder how hard it is for Shaq not to say something about Wade going 0-6 in the 4th quarter. I'm sure he will slip something out during the summer. He has $100Million contract extension at stake. He is sure to blame anyone he can, my guess is it will be the coach, Stan Van Gundy.
Bogut really has no right to make these comments. He was a great college player but Kobe is a great NBA player. Bogut didn't know what went on and I think he made a mistake making these comments. He probably regrets making them already. I mean just look at what he said. He said something like since Shaq is a hall-of-famer that Kobe should have got his grocieries if Shaq asked and Kobe should defer to Shaq and what not. I think that Kobe is a hall-of-famer also but hey what do I know. Just the media getting into the head of another young kid. Also, I think Kobe is less hurt by these comments then his fans are. Don't take to heart these comments by Bogut because he was obviously led into making these comments by the media.
Well, the point is Bogut is an idiot and should of kept his mouth closed. If Kobe was arrogant, than Shaq is VERY ARROGANT. Shaq was more cocky than Kobe was, Shaq would do interviews and try to clown the interviewers. Telling everyone hed get enough ring to go on all his fingers..And after the trade he was even cocky enough to say he'd bring a ring to Miami. So what Bogut said is pretty dumb, calling Kobe arrogant and cocky, when Shaq is eqaully or more cockier and arrogant than Kobe. Im a Kobe fan, and seeing this guy make stupid comments like this pisses me off. @ The person saying Bogut was talkin about Kobe's attitude, not his skills..Your right, but it still doesnt give some guy who hasnt proven himself to say something like this. And Bogut should be regrettin what he said, cuz when the Bucks draft him and he plays with Michael Redd, who is arrogant and cocky, Bogut will shut his mouth.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Kobe didn't really do much until the Jordan era was over. Thats the main reason they won because they peaked together.</div> Kobe didn't become a starter until after the Jordan era. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Just because he is attacking your favorite player, don't cheap change this kid. Bogut is getting comparisons to Tim Duncan. He is the most fundamently sound kid to come out of college since Duncan did, arguably. This kid is going to be a monster in the league, I just think he ignorantly made these comments because he was blinded by the media, like a lot of people where.</div> Firstly, this kid doesn't even know Kobe so he shouldn't take cheap shots at him. Secondly, I belive he is saying things about Kobe because he knows that most people hate Kobe and if he publicly says something about Kobe, people will like him. Thirdly, because you get comparisons to Tim Duncan, it doesn't mean you can take cheap shots at people who have been in the league for almost 10 years. Lastly, I don't even need to look at this guys game to say that he has nothing on Tim Duncan and will never be as big as Tim Duncan. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Just some advice for you -- It's statements like these that are responsible for the heat that Kobe fans and Kobe receive....</div> Let me give some advice to you now -- I seriously doubt that people hate Kobe because of what some fan said on a forum. If they do hate Kobe because of what somebody said on a forum, they are ignorant. How can you hate and give heat to someone because of what some fan said on a forum?
Bogut is right in a sense, but it is really unnecessary to make these comments. Kobe is a great player and a proven one at that, Bogut on the other hand hasn't even been drafted yet so he shouldn't be talking about a player who has established himself in the league already. It isn't really fair to Kobe, unless you actually know him why judge him? Bogut already talking is not a good sign; he should really just be humble and not worry about off court stuff like this.
