Shaq & Wade Feuding?

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This isn't the first time this season O'Neal has voiced his displeasure with his role in the offense. Last month, he responded to criticism from Dwyane Wade and Riley by saying he would do ``things my way, and I don't give a [expletive] who likes it.''</p>

But his increased level of dissatisfaction comes at a volatile time for the Heat, off to its worst start in five years and on a difficult six-game Western Conference trip.</p>

O'Neal insists he delivers big when he's made a consistent priority. He points to a Nov. 23 win against Houston, when he had 26 points and 14 rebounds in 34 minutes.</p>

There have been other times when O'Neal has taken the ball out of his hands by getting into early foul trouble and sitting for long stretches.</p>

''He had a stretch of four or five games when he played phenomenal,'' Wade said. ``But now, the team isn't playing well. So it just doesn't lay on Shaq's shoulders or my shoulders. It's on all of us.''</p>

The Heat plays Friday at Golden State. If O'Neal is capable of dictating a tempo and dominating the outcome, now would be an opportune time for him to show it.</p>

He is shooting his usual 60 percent from the field this season, but his scoring averaged has dipped by five points from the 2005-06 season. And he entered Thursday coming off four games in a row where he attempted fewer than 10 shots.</p>

During that stretch, there was speculation that O'Neal and Riley had to be separated by backup center Alonzo Mourning during a confrontation in practice last week.</p>

Riley would neither confirm nor deny the incident with O'Neal, but he said Thursday there is no lingering issue between them.</p>

''I don't discuss those things, but those things happen,'' said Riley.</p>

SILENT FRUSTRATION</p>

There also was talk that O'Neal had stopped initiating conversation with some teammates out of frustration.</p>

''I'm not a yeller -- we already have enough yellers on this team,'' O'Neal said. ``I don't want to sound like everybody else. I just try to keep a positive attitude with the guys. But it's enough talking. We have to do.''</p>

O'Neal believes that starts with better defense, going through him on offense and surrounding him with players capable of stepping up.</p>

''You have to know what the makeup of the team is,'' O'Neal said, hinting he needs more aggressive players on the court. 'Guys should drive, they should cut. I'm a great passer from the post. Other guys have to take it personally if they're fronting me and backing me. You have to say, `OK, they're disrespecting me, so I'm going to get 40 on you tonight.' ''</p>


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Source: Miami Herald</p>

''If I'm taking 20 shots a game, and I'm only making two, then you can say my production is going down,'' O'Neal said. ``But I'm still shooting 60 or 65 percent from the field. So they've got to find better ways to get me the ball. It should be simple.''</p>

That is an indirect shot a DWade. Last night Wade was 9-26 from the field, although Shaq didn't exactly tear it up either going 3-9.</p>

Earlier in the year Wade criticized Shaq for not bringing it and shouldering this team. Shaq agreed with Wade's comments, but it looks like it was just an act and with Wade struggling Shaq has taken the opportunity to dig him right back.</p>

With the Heat in last place and no signs of improvement and now bickering between the two star players, you have to wonder when Riley has had enough and either steps down as headcoach or blows it all up.</p>

I'm wondering how big of a locker room buffer Gary Payton was for this team between Shaq and Wade.</p>

I'm also wondering if people still think Wade is better than Kobe. LOL</p>