<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Shaquille O'Neal may now be built like Hurley from Lost. His ass is so junkified it resembles the back end of a C-130. Shaq's so old he's no longer The Diesel; he's The Model T. He's the NBA equivalent of Joan Rivers. That is all true. Can't deny any of it. And this is what you will read from my friend Gregg "Three G's" Doyel as he pulverizes O'Neal as an overrated fat slob. The usual blah, blah, blah from Doyel's pie hole. The most important aspect of O'Neal going to Phoenix is something that will totally be lost on Doyel. This trade is about one thing and one thing only. It's about legacies, two remarkable legacies in particular: O'Neal's and Ko-Me Bryant's. Since Bryant ran O'Neal out of Los Angeles -- and no amount of revisionism will change that truth -- Shaq went to Miami and won a title and Ko-Me has won zippo. Now, with O'Neal heading to the Suns, he will add his second ring before Ko-Me gets his first. And when O'Neal gets that ring in Phoenix it will finally end a long argument and prove without a doubt that Shaq made Bryant. That Shaq was the catalyst of that great Lakers team. That Shaq is the one who truly made the O'Neal-Bryant Lakers, not Ko-Me. Most of all it will prove that O'Neal's career will end up being far superior to that of Bryant's. In the end the man who ran O'Neal out of Los Angeles should be judged as a lesser player, teammate and person than O'Neal. It's amazing how many people believe Ko-Me has possessed the better career while simultaneously undervaluing O'Neal's. O'Neal versus Bryant is a classic sports argument. Did Montana make Rice or Rice make Montana? How good would Johnny Unitas have been without Raymond Berry? Did Shaq make Kobe or did Kobe make Shaq? According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Shaq's winning percentage since the breakup with Kobe is 128-76 during the regular season (.627 winning percentage) and 25-15 in the postseason (.625). Bryant is 143-128 (.528) and 4-8 (.333). In Ko-Me's defense, Shaq played in the much easier East and had Dwyane Wade. Plus O'Neal has been hurt a lot, which accounts for the total game differential. But you cannot underestimate the power of O'Neal's still formidable influence (and his winning percentage is higher despite the injury-plagued, putrid season the Miami Heat are having). Bryant is a Hall of Fame player but my biggest problem has been his historic selfishness and inability to raise the level of play of those around him. That's something all of the greats -- Jordan, Bird, Russell, O'Neal -- managed to accomplish while Bryant has not fully. It's accurate the Lakers' front office has mostly failed Bryant (until recently), and while the acquisition of Pau Gasol will definitely help Bryant, my money is still on O'Neal winning a second post-Bryant ring before Bryant snags his first. O'Neal's ability to raise the level of teammates, as well as manage his ego when those teammates turn into stars, is part genetic, part big-man enabled. Talented centers who can skillfully pass the ball are just natural game-changers. These types of centers make players better almost by accident. The larger part of this equation is the personality of O'Neal and Bryant. O'Neal may eat far too many double-stuffed chocolate chip cookies, and I know the Shaq we see now isn't physically the Shaq we saw years ago, but the personality has remained the same. O'Neal is much more engaging than Bryant, willing to share the spotlight and just fine with sharing touches. Bryant's motto is similar to that of Terrell Owens: I love me some me. "The true definition of a great player is making the players around you better," O'Neal said. And he does that. O'Neal has a pharmacological effect on teams. Add the fat fella, and the team gets better. Just watch what happens to Wade now. This is not to say O'Neal will go to Phoenix and drop a triple-double every game. O'Neal will add 12 to 15 points and seven or eight boards and a handful of assists. He'll be solid. More important, O'Neal will teach the Suns team how to get over the hump. Remember, if the Suns are so great with Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire, then why don't they have rings? The Suns have been light in the shorts and thin in the center. Nash is tough, but overall the team has lacked heart and if there is something O'Neal can bring besides a still formidable low-post presence is (ample) guts. It's a perfect match: a motivated O'Neal and a Suns team that needs a heart. "I'm upset," O'Neal said. "When I'm upset, I'm known to do certain things -- like win championships." He'll have a second one post-Bryant. It'll be Shaq 2, Ko-Me 0.</div> Shaq to get one for thumb; Kobe unable to add to sum
When I click on these type of links at Sportstwo, I expect an entertaining Black Mamba RIPPING. I'm disappointed, man. To summarize my thoughts on the article: Even at Kobe's worst, since when did it all become his fault? **** this clown. If we listened to brats like this, we would still be stuck with Shaq for two more years after the 2007-2008 season for 55-65 million and no extra rings for anyone post-5-year-extension. We wouldn't have stolen Gasol from Memphis either.
LOL @ "Ko-Me"... hasnt he noticed that Kobe has had a lot of assists lately. Nah, Lakers will beat phx in the 1st or 2nd rd
I dont think the Lakers would be able to handle the physicality of phoenix once shaq is there with Amare. I say in a 7 game series, the Suns would win 4-2
what a nut hugging and biased article. who wrote it, shaq? this guy should play in traffic when the lakers win a championship.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (sweetness @ Feb 9 2008, 10:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>what a nut hugging and biased article. who wrote it, shaq?</div> <span style="font-size:8pt;line-height:100%">Feb. 8, 2008 </span>By <span style="color:#276098">Mike Freeman</span> CBSSports.com National Columnist <span style="font-size:8pt;line-height:100%"><span style="color:#276098">Tell Mike your opinion!</span></span>
Oh, I'm here Huevon... <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Answer_AI03 @ Feb 9 2008, 09:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I dont think the Lakers would be able to handle the physicality of phoenix once shaq is there with Amare. I say in a 7 game series, the Suns would win 4-2</div> You're on crack, dude. The Suns are physical? Was it now Boris Diaw who crawled up like a bitch while Kwame Brown stood over him like Muhammad Ali in the playoffs a couple years back? Was it not Andrew Bynum who completely made Amare Stoudamire his bitch in the first two games they played against each other this year? It figures that in the third game, with Bynum out with injury, that Amare had a good game and dominated. If you saw this game, then you also saw Amare duck completely duck a question about how much easier it is with Bynum out that was asked to him by Craig Sager at halftime. Phoenix, excuse my bias, has no shot against LA come a 7 game series. Shaq isn't what he used to be. Bynum is much quicker than him now...and honestly, probably just as strong as him. He's a lot more alert, as well. Gasol is going to give Amare headaches. Hell, Phoenix barely beat us when Bynum went down...before we had Gasol, they don't stand a chance. The Suns are a run and gun team, by the team the ball is up court and the Suns score, Shaq is still going to be at the free throw line. He should have great defensive position because of this, he can be a 1st team defender if he secures that position in the paint and doesn't let Bynum get deep. He'll have about 10 seconds to prepare for it (note the sarcasm here). Phoenix, again, stands no chance in a 7 game series if the Lakers are at full health... As for this article, it's purely hate. It's ridiculous. Kobe Bryant doesn't make people better? Are you kidding me, is Fisher not having a career year? Did Mihm not have a career season his first year with us? What about Caron Butler towards the end of his year with us? If you look at all the players we got in the Shaq trade, they had career years. Kobe Bryant makes his teammates far better than what they are before the grace the floor as a Laker. Ask them, you're a journalist...you've got some pull. Get some facts before you post bullshit like this. Kobe is a lesser man than Shaq? How the hell does the author know? Does he know them both personally? For the Suns to even think about a championship, Shaq needs to get healthy. And btw, this idiot could've thought of something original...not "Ko-me" Feeling better Huevon?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Black Mamba @ Feb 10 2008, 01:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>You're on crack, dude. The Suns are physical? Was it now Boris Diaw who crawled up like a bitch while Kwame Brown stood over him like Muhammad Ali in the playoffs a couple years back? Was it not Andrew Bynum who completely made Amare Stoudamire his bitch in the first two games they played against each other this year? It figures that in the third game, with Bynum out with injury, that Amare had a good game and dominated. If you saw this game, then you also saw Amare duck completely duck a question about how much easier it is with Bynum out that was asked to him by Craig Sager at halftime. Phoenix, excuse my bias, has no shot against LA come a 7 game series. Shaq isn't what he used to be. Bynum is much quicker than him now...and honestly, probably just as strong as him. He's a lot more alert, as well. Gasol is going to give Amare headaches. Hell, Phoenix barely beat us when Bynum went down...before we had Gasol, they don't stand a chance. The Suns are a run and gun team, by the team the ball is up court and the Suns score, Shaq is still going to be at the free throw line. He should have great defensive position because of this, he can be a 1st team defender if he secures that position in the paint and doesn't let Bynum get deep. He'll have about 10 seconds to prepare for it (note the sarcasm here). Phoenix, again, stands no chance in a 7 game series if the Lakers are at full health...</div> But..... but...... but..... the Suns traded for Shaq, and he will return to his most dominant form at the age of 36
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Brian @ Feb 10 2008, 01:59 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Black Mamba @ Feb 10 2008, 01:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>You're on crack, dude. The Suns are physical? Was it now Boris Diaw who crawled up like a bitch while Kwame Brown stood over him like Muhammad Ali in the playoffs a couple years back? Was it not Andrew Bynum who completely made Amare Stoudamire his bitch in the first two games they played against each other this year? It figures that in the third game, with Bynum out with injury, that Amare had a good game and dominated. If you saw this game, then you also saw Amare duck completely duck a question about how much easier it is with Bynum out that was asked to him by Craig Sager at halftime. Phoenix, excuse my bias, has no shot against LA come a 7 game series. Shaq isn't what he used to be. Bynum is much quicker than him now...and honestly, probably just as strong as him. He's a lot more alert, as well. Gasol is going to give Amare headaches. Hell, Phoenix barely beat us when Bynum went down...before we had Gasol, they don't stand a chance. The Suns are a run and gun team, by the team the ball is up court and the Suns score, Shaq is still going to be at the free throw line. He should have great defensive position because of this, he can be a 1st team defender if he secures that position in the paint and doesn't let Bynum get deep. He'll have about 10 seconds to prepare for it (note the sarcasm here). Phoenix, again, stands no chance in a 7 game series if the Lakers are at full health...</div> But..... but...... but..... the Suns traded for Shaq, and he will return to his most dominant form at the age of 36 </div> LOL
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Black Mamba @ Feb 10 2008, 01:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Oh, I'm here Huevon... <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Answer_AI03 @ Feb 9 2008, 09:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I dont think the Lakers would be able to handle the physicality of phoenix once shaq is there with Amare. I say in a 7 game series, the Suns would win 4-2</div> You're on crack, dude. The Suns are physical? Was it now Boris Diaw who crawled up like a bitch while Kwame Brown stood over him like Muhammad Ali in the playoffs a couple years back? Was it not Andrew Bynum who completely made Amare Stoudamire his bitch in the first two games they played against each other this year? It figures that in the third game, with Bynum out with injury, that Amare had a good game and dominated. If you saw this game, then you also saw Amare duck completely duck a question about how much easier it is with Bynum out that was asked to him by Craig Sager at halftime. Phoenix, excuse my bias, has no shot against LA come a 7 game series. Shaq isn't what he used to be. Bynum is much quicker than him now...and honestly, probably just as strong as him. He's a lot more alert, as well. Gasol is going to give Amare headaches. Hell, Phoenix barely beat us when Bynum went down...before we had Gasol, they don't stand a chance. The Suns are a run and gun team, by the team the ball is up court and the Suns score, Shaq is still going to be at the free throw line. He should have great defensive position because of this, he can be a 1st team defender if he secures that position in the paint and doesn't let Bynum get deep. He'll have about 10 seconds to prepare for it (note the sarcasm here). Phoenix, again, stands no chance in a 7 game series if the Lakers are at full health... As for this article, it's purely hate. It's ridiculous. Kobe Bryant doesn't make people better? Are you kidding me, is Fisher not having a career year? Did Mihm not have a career season his first year with us? What about Caron Butler towards the end of his year with us? If you look at all the players we got in the Shaq trade, they had career years. Kobe Bryant makes his teammates far better than what they are before the grace the floor as a Laker. Ask them, you're a journalist...you've got some pull. Get some facts before you post bullshit like this. Kobe is a lesser man than Shaq? How the hell does the author know? Does he know them both personally? For the Suns to even think about a championship, Shaq needs to get healthy. And btw, this idiot could've thought of something original...not "Ko-me" Feeling better Huevon? </div> Haha yes; nice job. Seriously, Kobe always passes "too much" or shoots "too much", heh. I can't wait to pound my hometown today.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Answer_AI03 @ Feb 9 2008, 08:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I dont think the Lakers would be able to handle the physicality of phoenix once shaq is there with Amare. I say in a 7 game series, the Suns would win 4-2</div> The words "physical" and "Phoenix" should never be used in the same sentence, ever. They're the most finesse team in the NBA. They have no physicality to them, and Shaq isn't going to change that. Sure, Shaq will add a big guy in the paint, but what can he really do at 36, especially in a run-n-gun offense? My thought is not as much as you might think. As also mentioned, how in the hell are they going to stop us in the post? Kwame and Odom dominated them the last couple years, and now they have to go against a much improved Bynum, as well as Gasol and Odom. For one, they don't have the height to defend that. Bynum, I think will be able to dominate Shaq in the post. He's just as strong now and he's much quicker and gets up much quicker as well. Beyond that matchup, I don't think Stoudemire will have much success against Gasol. Gasol's length and height will bother him on the defensive end and on offense, Gasol will expose Amare's deficiencies on defense. Next up, how are you going to rebound against the Lakers? They will have a frontcourt that goes 6'11", 7' and 7'. The Suns, who are already a bad rebounding team, won't stand a chance, and I honestly think they'll be a worse rebounding team with the addition of Shaq and subtraction of Marion. They won't be able to get an offensive board and they'll have issues keeping the Lakers off the offensive glass. You also have to realize how much better Kobe is playing this year. He's been a total team player and is getting everyone involved and actually making players better, something he's been highly criticized for not doing. To say the least, the Suns would have no chance. They don't have the size, they're not physical enough, they don't play defense, they don't have the depth, and at the end of the day, Shaq might actually make the WORSE.
I know this probably doesn't mean much, but Shaq was winded after his first practice with the Suns. lol. He better realize that it's not easy playing with a running team. Especially in the West, where he will have to play quality opponents night in and night out. No more, well I'll just take this game off and we'll still come out with the victory type of crap. He's going to have to play hard and run every single game. Btw, Marion was very impressive yesterday in his Heat debut.
