<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Though Shaquille O'Neal has heard from numbers of Lakers fans who want him to stay in Los Angeles, the All-Star center insists he will not return to the team next season. "Unfortunately, it has come to this. But I want the fans to know that it's not me," he told the Riverside (Calif.) Press-Enterprise in an interview Thursday. O'Neal was referring to the Lakers' decision to split with coach Phil Jackson as well as to owner Jerry Buss' apparent preference for keeping Kobe Bryant over him. O'Neal is scheduled to make $27.7 million next season and $30 million in 2006, and the Lakers have broken off negotiations over a contract extension, but Shaq told the newspaper that the financial issues took a backseat to the personnel decisions. "They said it's about the money. It's not about the money," he said. "It's about honesty, and the honesty me and (former Lakers general manager) Jerry West had. That's been gone for four years now ... It ain't about the extension. Of course, that's what they are going to make it out to be." </div> http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1830201
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Shaq Diesel:</div><div class="quote_post">i dont think threres anyway he'll be in a laker jersey, hes pretty much good as gone,</div> Well it's tough to go that far and say that, but right now things aren't looking too good. I always thought the financial issues were one of the reasons he made the comments regarding the trade, however that obviously isn't an issue anymore. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"They said it's about the money. It's not about the money," he said. "It's about honesty, and the honesty me and Jerry West had. That's been gone for four years now ... It ain't about the extension. Of course, that's what they are going to make it out to be." </div> He's still hurt the management chose Kobe over him, and he has every right to be. No matter how you look at it, he is still the most dominate player in the league, and deserves more appreciation from the front desk. However you could look at this situaton two ways. He's declined these past two seasons - often playing lazy basketball. Kobe is reaching his peak while Shaq is declining. It's obvious the Lakers are looking towards the future, and it will start by getting rid of Shaq. Where will he go? Probably Dallas.
Yup, Shaq numbers has declined this past 2 seasons. But he was the only one doing any good in the finals. That man was moving so quick. Hate to see him go.
Good riddence shaq unless u plan on getting a better work ethic. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting 30 standing ver:</div><div class="quote_post">Yup, Shaq numbers has declined this past 2 seasons. But he was the only one doing any good in the finals. That man was moving so quick. Hate to see him go.</div>Yeh he shoudlve played like that all season. If he wouldve pushed himself the whole season the way he did during the playoffs. I believe he would have gained more stamina, that he couldve used during the playoffs, to be as dominate as he was of past years.
Now I'm really hoping he'll get traded. Earlier in the week when Shaq first expressed that he wanted to be traded, part of me wanted him back and part of me wanted to go for the future. But now after hearing that he's putting his house up for sale and he's getting the union on his side, it's kind of pissing me off. If you demand a trade, fine maybe something will be worked out. But the team he's with is still committed with having to pay him $30 million if he stays, so I hate seeing players cry over being traded in those situations. Man now I really can't wait to get this big baby out of L.A.!
I just find it extremely ironic how he has bemoaned the lack of talent sorrounding him in recent years yet he insists on taking every penny he could possibly get from the Lakers. Seeing him brush off suggestions that he should take a KG-like paycut really showed what kind of mindset he really has. I really don't like seeing a talent like him leave but his selfishness has pretty much paralyzed the Lakers and I think there will be more good than bad coming from his impending trade.
