<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Birth could force Lakers' center to miss early playoff game Posted: Wednesday April 16, 2003 5:39 PM http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketbal...6/shaq_baby_ap/ LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Shaquille O'Neal and his wife Shaunie expect a child within the week and that could force the Los Angeles' Lakers center to miss a game during the team's quest for a fourth straight championship. O'Neal, in Oakland Wednesday for the Lakers' final regular season game against the Golden State Warriors, has taken time off in the past to be with his newborn children and their mother. Lakers' spokesman John Black referred all questions to O'Neal's agent Michael Parris, who did not immediately return a call seeking comment. The Lakers are expected to open the best-of-seven Western Conference first round on the road in a weekend game against either Dallas, Minnesota or Portland, depending on the results of Wednesday night's games. O'Neal has been named most valuable player of the championship series for three years in a row. Laker Coach Phil Jackson said Tuesday he hoped any question regarding O'Neal's availability would be answered this week, before playoff games begin. "We talked a little bit about the importance of these games to the organization," Jackson told the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin in Ontario. "I don't know where he (Shaquille) is at. ... Medically I don't know what the situation is." Two weeks ago O'Neal mentioned the possibility of inducing labor before the playoffs begin, the newspaper said. But on Tuesday O'Neal said he was unsure about the couple's plans regarding the birth of a son whose due date is April 22. O'Neal and his wife met with doctors on Monday but Jackson said he didn't know if their plans included inducing labor. The couple, married on Dec. 26, 2002, have two other children together and two others from previous relationships. </div>
that missed game could turn out to be a huge turning point in the series cuz we all know that the lakers suck without him......though they have overcome adversity in the playoffs b4 when Kobe was out....gotta respect that he is having a child and that it is a rightful excuse to miss a game
yeah, it really sucks cuz the lakers are trying to gather as much momentum as possible...and now our anchor might be gone for a couple games during the time we need him most...sucks...but some things are just more important.
hope shaq doesnt get grossed out by the birth and miss the rest of the series due to the stomache FLU!!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting go_duke21:</div><div class="quote_post">that missed game could turn out to be a huge turning point in the series cuz we all know that the lakers suck without him......though they have overcome adversity in the playoffs b4 when Kobe was out....gotta respect that he is having a child and that it is a rightful excuse to miss a game</div> The only reason Lakers suck withouth Shaq is because his a big guy and without him Laker opponents score in the key easiley! But.. we got Malone, Payton, and Kobe Bryant!!!!.. Brian Cook is not a really good Center like Shaq and he is not big, thats why their is Horace Grant
Shaq will not be out in the Lakers Playoffs unless he gets ingured or like always - brakes his toe! LOL...... and also he already got 5 kids
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Xzibit23:</div><div class="quote_post">The only reason Lakers suck withouth Shaq is because his a big guy and without him Laker opponents score in the key easiley! But.. we got Malone, Payton, and Kobe Bryant!!!!.. Brian Cook is not a really good Center like Shaq and he is not big, thats why their is Horace Grant</div> Did you see how old this post is btw...? the last post was made 11 months ago, and this was last year's playoffs...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Phreeze:</div><div class="quote_post">Did you see how old this post is btw...? the last post was made 11 months ago, and this was last year's playoffs...</div> LMFAO
