<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">First, Heat center Shaquille O'Neal took a shot at Kobe Bryant in the lyrics of his latest rap album. Now he's taking on the Lakers general manager who traded him. ''Some guys are so smart that they're dumb,'' O'Neal told SLAM Magazine. ` `Mitch Kupchak will never be remembered for anything but what? Trading me. That was the dumbest move in sports history. Congratulations, Mitch.'' O'Neal addressed other issues in SLAM: ? On his business acumen: ``The Heat being able to get me and keep Dwyane Wade? That's how good I am. You know I have great general manager skills. I told them if I go somewhere, I'm going to a good team. I'm not a dummy.'' ? On his relationship with Bryant: ``It's sort of like ancient karate movies. Think about it. The master trains his young disciple. Then when the young disciple gets some balls, they think they can do better.'' ? On his philosophy about the trade: ``I just like to look at it like this. Agent O'Neal did a great job for the FBI in Los Angeles. His time is up there. And now he just has to relocate to Miami.'' O'Neal on Monday began working out with Heat teammates at AmericanAirlines Arena and looked impressive, according to a source.</div> <div align="center">That was from the Miami Herald, here is the link to the article on Shaq: Unleashed in the East</div> It's true what he said that the student thinks they can do better than the teacher. I know many Lakers/Kobe fans hate it but its true and not just in this situation.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">''Some guys are so smart that they're dumb,'' O'Neal told SLAM Magazine. "Mitch Kupchak will never be remembered for anything but what? Trading me. That was the dumbest move in sports history. Congratulations, Mitch.''</div> I don't know why Laker fans are still respecting this big goofy loser. Keep running your lips...because soon, we are going to shut them for good. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">On his business acumen: "The Heat being able to get me and keep Dwyane Wade? That's how good I am. You know I have great general manager skills. I told them if I go somewhere, I'm going to a good team. I'm not a dummy.'' </div> Yeah, good idea to try and keep Wade...because you can't win it all by yourself, like you believe. This comment shows exactly why Kobe was beneficial to his success in Los Angeles. He needed a good team with another great player...simple as that...but we all know Wade is far from being a Kobe Bryant. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">On his relationship with Bryant: "It's sort of like ancient karate movies. Think about it. The master trains his young disciple. Then when the young disciple gets some balls, they think they can do better.'' </div> Um, what movie is he referring to, Shaq Fu? Compare this trade to those involving Patrick Ewing and Hakeem Olajuwon, two guys who could destroy Shaq in their prime. Ewing and Hakeem aged, and it showed once they were traded to Seattle and Toronto (respectively). Bon voyage, Shaq. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">On his philosophy about the trade: "I just like to look at it like this. Agent O'Neal did a great job for the FBI in Los Angeles. His time is up there. And now he just has to relocate to Miami.'' </div> Did a great job from 1996-2001...then you "blew your cover" and couldn't match what Kobe was doing for the team in the last two years. I can't wait until Christmas. I hope that Dwyane Wade, Eddie Jones, Udonis Haslem...Dorell Wright, hell...Wang Zhi Zhi, I hope any of those guys outshines you in Los Angeles, but even more, I'm looking forward to Kobe kicking your @ss on the court, and shaking his finger at you when he posterizes and embarasses you in front of your teammates and all of the Miami fans watching. Three months, and 11 days...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting realdealbneal:</div><div class="quote_post">Compare this trade to those involving Patrick Ewing and Hakeem Olajuwon, two guys who could destroy Shaq in their prime. Ewing and Hakeem aged, and it showed once they were traded to Seattle and Toronto (respectively). Bon voyage, Shaq.</div> There is a difference. Right now, Shaq is still the best player in the game. When those guys got traded, they were on the scrap heap. Shaq may be past his prime, but he will still dominate for a few years. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Did a great job from 1996-2001...then you "blew your cover" and couldn't match what Kobe was doing for the team in the last two years. </div> Haha, yeh, what exactly was Kobe "doing for the team" these last two years? <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> I can't wait until Christmas.</div> I heard that! The NBA is gonna be great this year, can't we just get it started now? I love watching Shaq and Kobe because they are great players.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting SunshineRain:</div><div class="quote_post">Haha, yeh, what exactly was Kobe "doing for the team" these last two years? </div> Kobe was hitting game-winners, flying from LA to Denver, then back to LA for the game...he was having to lay down in the locker room with IV's, being treated for exhaustion and dehydration...many things. He played with a re-injured shoulder...I could go on and on. The main reason why the Lakers didn't win anything for those two years was because the role players played terribly...maybe hitting a few shots here or there, but that's about it. Plus, Shaq and Kobe wasn't going to work ever again...
You cant argue with Shaq or his level of play,he did he job in the finals and he got his but Kobe shot poorley,now Shaq is out and is going to be the most dominant player in the leauge next year,he is motivated to suceed and him and Wade can get it done. In other words....Kobe needs Shaq more then Shaq needs Kobe
Opinion: <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Silky Smooth:</div><div class="quote_post"> In other words....Kobe needs Shaq more then Shaq needs Kobe</div> Fact: Shaq has never won a ring without Kobe. Fact: Kobe has yet to have a chance to win a ring without Shaq, while Shaq did have a chance from 1992-1999.
Those things are true but did you know its a fact that the Lakers record when Shaq is out and Kobe is playing,is a lot worse then Shaq is playing and Kobe is out.Ill try and look up the stats later they metioned the same thing in Shaqs espn interview after the trade.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Silky Smooth:</div><div class="quote_post">Those things are true but did you know its a fact that the Lakers record when Shaq is out and Kobe is playing,is a lot worse then Shaq is playing and Kobe is out.Ill try and look up the stats later they metioned the same thing in Shaqs espn interview after the trade.</div> Not exactly...in the 2003-2004 season, the Lakers won 62% of their games with Shaq out and Kobe in. They won 60% of their games with Kobe out, and Shaq in. I've looked this up already...posted it many times including the games and their scores. Point is, I'm defending a guy who, suddenly, nobody likes because of his off-court controversy. Half of you guys loved Kobe until he was accused of rape...then, it somehow made him a worse player on the court. Shaq/Kobe (the duo together) were with each other for three years...then Phil Jackson came along, and the year that they won their first title, Kobe shot 47% from the field, put in 23 PPG, 6 RPG, and 5 APG. If that's not good, I don't know what is...so Kobe was important to the team. Put in another SG? The next year, Kobe shot 46% from the field and put in 28.5 PPG, 6 RPG and 5 APG. That's the second championship year. After that, Kobe shot 47%, put in 26 PPG, 5.5 RPG and 5 APG. The third championship. Kobe had a HUGE role in the championships...without Kobe, Shaq couldn't have done it. Without Shaq, Kobe couldn't have done it. We'll see what happens this time around. Back to the topic at hand...Shaq will eat his words soon. That's all I have to say.
this whole season will be ruff for the lakers and easy for the heat. Remeber when shaq was out for about a month and kobe was aveaging like 38 ppg during that stretch but they were losing horribly. That will be the lakers without shaq. kobe will average close to fortyppg for the year and they wont make the playoffs. on the otherhand the heat will have it easier than they had it last year and will make the playoffs with shaq and have a chance to win the easter conference finals.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting realdealbneal:</div><div class="quote_post">Not exactly...in the 2003-2004 season, the Lakers won 62% of their games with Shaq out and Kobe in. They won 60% of their games with Kobe out, and Shaq in. I've looked this up already...posted it many times including the games and their scores. Point is, I'm defending a guy who, suddenly, nobody likes because of his off-court controversy. Half of you guys loved Kobe until he was accused of rape...then, it somehow made him a worse player on the court. Back to the topic at hand...Shaq will eat his words soon. That's all I have to say.</div> I dont have any problems with Kobe,but how you discredit Shaq is just crazy. With Shaq being the most dominant player in the game nobody in the east will be able to stop him,espically with all of the lossing 24 lbs hype and all this motivation he is supposed to have.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Silky Smooth:</div><div class="quote_post">I dont have any problems with Kobe,but how you discredit Shaq is just crazy. With Shaq being the most dominant player in the game nobody in the east will be able to stop him,espically with all of the lossing 24 lbs hype and all this motivation he is supposed to have.</div> Okay, let's assume that the Heat make it to the Eastern Conference Finals against...the Pistons. You have... Ben Wallace Rasheed Wallace Tayshaun Prince Richard Hamilton Chauncey Billups These guys will dismantle Shaq and Wade. There's nothing else to say, no reason to sit and argue about it. Now, let's say it's the Pacers vs. the Heat, and assuming the Heat win...and go on and face, umm...the Rockets in the Finals. Yao and McGrady will easily pick apart Shaq and Wade. Now, what about the Spurs? Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Brent Barry, and Tony Parker will do the same to Shaq, Jones and Wade. Okay, let's say it's the Mavericks. Nowitzki, Dampier, Terry, Harris, Daniels, Howard, Stackhouse, Finley...the Heat would be destroyed once again. Come on guys...don't give this team too much credit. They lost a huge chunk of their team by trading off Odom, Butler and Grant for Shaq, who's not going to be their savior like he claims. He's just running his mouth and making things seem great in Miami...
Those teams can stop the Heat but they wont be able to stop Shaq,thats what the Pistons did to the Lakers,try to contain Shaq but let him get his, and shut down everyone else,their plan worked they held Kobe and the rest of the Lakers to low shooting percentages and won the series.
Umm sorry to say but I dont think the Pistons will bother with Shaq much like they didn't in the Finals, they will instead focus on the rest of the team, like Silky Smooth said. In the Finals, Shaq was 63% from the field, Kobe was 38% (mind you he took way more shots than Shaq) and was 17% from the 3. It was pretty obvious who the Pistons were dismantling. realdealbneal you don't have to go around discrediting a team that everyone knows will be a team to beat this year. And you shouldn't give Kobe all the credit considering any player put around Shaq is bound to shine, and when Shaq leaves, they lose their shine (penny hardaway anyone?) Truth is theres a million more questions about Kobe's Lakers then there is about Shaq's Heat. Shaq is proven. Wade is proven. Kobe is not! No argument here! Your Basketball IQ is limited to Kobe, the Lakers, and players that you've heard of. Do some research on the Heat team OR players that haven't made a name for themselves yet.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting heatfan83:</div><div class="quote_post"> Your Basketball IQ is limited to Kobe, the Lakers, and players that you've heard of. Do some research on the Heat team OR players that haven't made a name for themselves yet.</div> Don't even begin to talk about my basketball IQ. You're assuming that the Lakers will lay down for everyone this season just because they don't have Shaq anymore. I'm also assuming, but I have solid ground to assume that the Heat will not win a title because Shaq has failed to do so in two seasons. He's injury-prone and ready to retire if he doesn't win. That spells trouble for your team. Kobe's FG% was low because he was doubled and tripled...if they did it to Shaq, the Lakers would have won because Kobe would've been hitting everything from the field, and Shaq would've been held to 10 or 12 points, like he was against Yao a couple of times last year. Like I've said many times before, Shaq has yet to win without Kobe. Kobe hasn't had the chance to win without Shaq yet...so don't give Shaq all the credit in the world, when he's already had his chance in the first 7 years of his career. Wade proven? What did he prove? He sucked in the Olympics...he's a young 2nd year player...he's not proven. Don't ever discredit Kobe Bryant with Wade in the same sentence (on a positive note for Wade) because that's just BS. Wade will never be on the same scale as Kobe, and that's all there is to it. I'm done with this debate. We'll see when the season comes up how far your Miami Heat can ride the gorilla, and then I'll be smiling when he fails...again.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Kobe's FG% was low because he was doubled and tripled...if they did it to Shaq, the Lakers would have won because Kobe would've been hitting everything from the field, and Shaq would've been held to 10 or 12 points, like he was against Yao a couple of times last year.</div> If Kobe was being double and triple teamed he should have been passing the ball to Shaq,why would you shoot over double and triple teams,you said it yourself that Kobe was shooting when someone else was open,thats to common of an excuse also,wiht a player like Kobe you have to double team him so what did you expect. If he was being double teamed anough for his shooting numbers ot be crap then why did Kobe only average 4.4apg ythe whole series?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Silky Smooth:</div><div class="quote_post">If Kobe was being double and triple teamed he should have been passing the ball to Shaq,why would you shoot over double and triple teams,you said it yourself that Kobe was shooting when someone else was open,thats to common of an excuse also,wiht a player like Kobe you have to double team him so what did you expect. If he was being double teamed anough for his shooting numbers ot be crap then why did Kobe only average 4.4apg ythe whole series?</div> realdealbneal already talked about this, if you go into the Lakers forums you'll see it, and he's right. The Pistons were clogging the lanes and any passes into Shaq were going to be tough to make. Even then, Ben Wallace is a good ball thief. The Lakers had no passing lanes visible everytime Kobe had the ball, so all of Kobe's passes to Shaq would had to have been alley oops. The Pistons shut down the Lakers period, not just Kobe and Shaq.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting heatfan83:</div><div class="quote_post">Umm sorry to say but I dont think the Pistons will bother with Shaq much like they didn't in the Finals, they will instead focus on the rest of the team, like Silky Smooth said. In the Finals, Shaq was 63% from the field, Kobe was 38% (mind you he took way more shots than Shaq) and was 17% from the 3. It was pretty obvious who the Pistons were dismantling. realdealbneal you don't have to go around discrediting a team that everyone knows will be a team to beat this year. And you shouldn't give Kobe all the credit considering any player put around Shaq is bound to shine, and when Shaq leaves, they lose their shine (penny hardaway anyone?) Truth is theres a million more questions about Kobe's Lakers then there is about Shaq's Heat. Shaq is proven. Wade is proven. Kobe is not! No argument here! Your Basketball IQ is limited to Kobe, the Lakers, and players that you've heard of. Do some research on the Heat team OR players that haven't made a name for themselves yet.</div> you have got to be the biggest fool on the history of basketball, first of all what are you going on about the fact kobe needs to prove him self, how many times does he have to take those game winning shots, how many more records must he break? this year kobe will show just how great he is, i wouldnt be suprized if he avg 39-45 points a game, and trust shaq is not! I repeat NOT! the most dominate player in the league, there is kobe, tmac, Vince, AI, and so many others, yes shaq is a great! player but not the best! everyone knew that kobe was a hall of famer before the third champoinship, and who would compare dwain wade to kobe? maybe in 4 years time but not yet. dont tell me that kobes fame is becuase of shaq! where are you getting this stuff from? I dont have much to say and all we can do now is wait and see.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting realdealbneal:</div><div class="quote_post">Okay, let's assume that the Heat make it to the Eastern Conference Finals against...the Pistons. You have... Ben Wallace Rasheed Wallace Tayshaun Prince Richard Hamilton Chauncey Billups These guys will dismantle Shaq and Wade. There's nothing else to say, no reason to sit and argue about it. Now, let's say it's the Pacers vs. the Heat, and assuming the Heat win...and go on and face, umm...the Rockets in the Finals. Yao and McGrady will easily pick apart Shaq and Wade. Now, what about the Spurs? Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Brent Barry, and Tony Parker will do the same to Shaq, Jones and Wade. Okay, let's say it's the Mavericks. Nowitzki, Dampier, Terry, Harris, Daniels, Howard, Stackhouse, Finley...the Heat would be destroyed once again. </div> Why are you listing all these other players and not listing Eddie Jones? You list Devin Harris who will get limited minutes, and you don't list Rasual Butler and Dorrell Wright? Jones is a huge part to this team. In Eddie's time with Shaq in LA, and Kobe, he had an average PPG of 16.6. Last year he averaged over 17.3 on a team stacked with players that play the same posistion. Wade, Shaq and Jones can alone average 60-65 PPG. Although Shaq and Eddie don't like eachother much, they can be effective, like Shaq and Kobe in LA. Shaqs inside game compliments Wade, who can be a force when he attacks the basket, and Jones, who can shoot the lights out with or without a defender on him. Jones will even get more Shot attempts with the double and triple teaming of Shaq. Rasual Butler can do the same, because he's a deadly shooter. ---- On Shaqs comments...Him saying that the trade to Miami which Kupchack assembled, would go down as the dumbest move in sports history, and a move that Kupchack will be know for, is pure dumb. Shaq demanded a trade first of all. He even threatend to have season ending surgery just so he couldn't play at all next season for the Lakers. Thats how serious things were and Shaq had to be traded. If he didn't he would of been labeled as an idiot for not trading him.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Banks:</div><div class="quote_post">Why are you listing all these other players and not listing Eddie Jones? You list Devin Harris who will get limited minutes, and you don't list Rasual Butler and Dorrell Wright? Jones is a huge part to this team. In Eddie's time with Shaq in LA, and Kobe, he had an average PPG of 16.6. Last year he averaged over 17.3 on a team stacked with players that play the same posistion. Wade, Shaq and Jones can alone average 60-65 PPG. Although Shaq and Eddie don't like eachother much, they can be effective, like Shaq and Kobe in LA. Shaqs inside game compliments Wade, who can be a force when he attacks the basket, and Jones, who can shoot the lights out with or without a defender on him. Jones will even get more Shot attempts with the double and triple teaming of Shaq. Rasual Butler can do the same, because he's a deadly shooter. </div> I listed Jones in one of them...but one of the reasons I didn't list him is because with Shaq, only Wade will be the other factor on the team. Jones will not pass to Shaq...in fact, I'll be the first to state this right now: Shaq and Jones will have problems, before Shaq and Wade will. If everyone thought Kobe was wrong for not passing to Shaq, you guys are going to definitely jump on Eddie's @ss for not passing to him. Also, the other reason I didn't list Eddie Jones much is because Shaq's idea of succeeding this year is for Shaq/Wade to outperform Shaq/Kobe...pretty much, win a title and prove to be the better duo, which will never happen. Shaq and Kobe were the two main factors for the Lakers since their 1999 championship run, so I used Shaq and Wade as the example.
