Shaq's arrogance and Wade's Phone Calls

<font color=""red""><div align="center">RED: SHAQ'S ARROGANCE</div></font>

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">When it comes to the raw numbers of coaching NBA champions, Phil Jackson has doubled, plus one, Heat coach Pat Riley's total of four. But in the raw coaching category, one supreme-sized judge who has played for both ranks Riley ahead of Jackson.

<font color=""Red"">''I don't want to hurt anybody's feelings, but he's actually been the best coach I've ever had,'' Heat center Shaquille O'Neal said Sunday of Riley.</font>

O'Neal and Jackson were together five seasons with Los Angeles. With Kobe Bryant, they were the main thrusters in the Lakers returning to the stratospheric heights the franchise had not known since the Magic Johnson/Kareem Abdul-Jabbar days under Riley.

''We all know his r?sum?,'' O'Neal said. ``We all know he knows what he's talking about. When he talks, guys listen. I've heard a lot of horrifying stories about him, but I haven't seen it.

``We haven't had any problems. He'll come at me every now and then, but if he knows that's what it takes to get me going, that's what he'll do.''

O'Neal then described Riley's terse reaction to his performance in Game 5 vs. Detroit. On the flight back to Miami, Riley came to the front of the plane, dropped a couple of curse words on O'Neal and left.

''He's the Italian version of my father. I don't know if he's Italian or not,'' O'Neal said with a smile, likely knowing that Riley is of Irish descent. ``Very straightforward. Whatever he says, he does, backs it up.''


There's a certain symmetry in the phone calls Dwyane Wade received before and after the Eastern Conference finals.

Before the series, Wade got a call from the NBA's former No. 23, whose ascendancy to his first NBA Finals came when his team beat a Detroit team that had been its nemesis in previous years. After the Heat dethroned Detroit for the East title, Wade got a ring from the NBA's new No. 23, whose first playoff team lost to Detroit in seven games.

''Of course, LeBron [James] called me right after,'' Wade said. 'The main thing he said is, `You've got one more, so don't let anybody get too overconfident.' And [Michael] Jordan talked to me before the Detroit series. He told me he was rooting for us. [He said], 'Go out there and continue to play hard, like I do.' ''</div>

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sport...rald_basketball

 

He definetely went too far, but still they asked him that question, what's he supposed to do? Bad mouth his coach?

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TheBlackMamba:</div><div class="quote_post">Wait...didn't he say the same for Jackson?

Shaq's a phoney. He sucks up to whoever's on the team at the time.</div>

I gave up on Snaq.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">And [Michael] Jordan talked to me before the Detroit series. He told me he was rooting for us. [He said], 'Go out there and continue to play hard, like I do.' ''</div>

Jordan will never forgive the Pistons for all those hard fouls will he?

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting GatorsowntheNCAA:</div><div class="quote_post">He definetely went too far, but still they asked him that question, what's he supposed to do? Bad mouth his coach?</div>

Certainly has no right to be taking shots at the greatest coach in nba history.

 

He said something about Aurbach too ?

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AIRTIGHT:</div><div class="quote_post">He said something about Aurbach too ?</div>

I certainly didn't catch anything did you?

 

well, i definetly dont blame shaq on saying riley is the best coach ever. blah blah blah. i bet if van gundy was still coaching him, he would say the same. like gators said, what is he supposed to do? bad mouth his coach?

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting GatorsowntheNCAA:</div><div class="quote_post">He definetely went too far, but still they asked him that question, what's he supposed to do? Bad mouth his coach?</div>

Reporters are suppose to do that. They try to sneak one at you. Sha is a hyprocritcal, two-face, ass-kissing liar in public, to the media. Kobe didn't even disrespect Phil Jackson who basically sold him down the river to make a dollar. Shaq is a certified douche bag. Acknowledge it. Accept it. And live it.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting LO7:</div><div class="quote_post">Certainly has no right to be taking shots at the greatest coach in nba history.</div>
I wouldn't say he was taking a shot at Phil more so giving a complement to Riley. Him and Phil had a really good relationship when they where player/coach I don?t think they had a falling out or anything. Like Gator said what is he suppose to say?

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Wait...didn't he say the same for Jackson?
</div>
Well at the time he hadn't played for Riley yet. Not saying Riley is a better coach (I think Phil is) just pointing out the obvious.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Best Kept Secret:</div><div class="quote_post"><font color=""Red"">I wouldn't say he was taking a shot at Phil more so giving a complement to Riley.</font> Him and Phil had a really good relationship when they where player/coach I don?t think they had a falling out or anything. Like Gator said what is he suppose to say?


Well at the time he hadn't played for Riley yet. Not saying Riley is a better coach (I think Phil is) just pointing out the obvious.</div>

You should do stand up man.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting LO7:</div><div class="quote_post"> You should do stand up man.</div>


Also about the Jordan calls to Wade. Although, I?m sure Jordan hasn?t forgotten about Detroit and the Jordan rules I don?t think he is holding a grudge. The reason he was rooting for Wade is more likely because Wade is a Chicago native.

 

It's not like Pat Riley isn't a great coach, because he is, but would you want your superstar talking bad about your coach on the eve of the Finals? It just doesn't make sense. It was more of a compliment to Riley than a shot at Phil Jackson.

 

Shaq could say that he'd been to the moon and taken a massive shat there thats why they're discovering life, I'd believe him. I dont care how arrogant he is, I can't go against the most DOMINANT big man to ever play the game.

 

Jordan was also arragont but he had a very good reason. He was unstoppable. No one could stop him even in the years during the end of his career.

Shaq's arrogance is plain arrogance. He isn't the most dominating player in the league anymore and his reign as the best center in the league might come to an end next season with Amare coming back, Yao scoring 22+ pts a game and grabbing 11+ rebounds, and wallace's amazing defense. Shaq has no right to be arrogant at this point in his career.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">Who cares?</div>

Exactly. Shaq has been taking shots at the Lakers organization for awhile now. I'm not suprised by this one bit.

 

Take from it what you want. It's one sentence.

 

Take it like a grain of salt.

When shaq was in LA Bryant was the greatest and he would never play for anyone else but Jackson.

Now that he is in Miami, Wade is the greatest and Pat is the best coach ever...

GO FIGURE.

 

why is this in the laker thread, he never mentions phil jackson besides saying i dont want to hurt anybody's feelings. obviously he is referring to phil, but its not like he said,"Phil just wasnt that great, Riley is much better." And why cant he change his mind. Phil was the best coach he has ever had when he was in LA because he hadnt had riley as a coach yet maybe.

Wow you guys are bitter