''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.'' Wut a dumbass he proposed the trade not kupchak hes the dumb one he wanted out what is he saying??
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting "realdeal":</div><div class="quote_post">What really bothers me about all of this is that Shaq almost seems like he is missing Los Angeles already...because he can't get Kobe/Lakers off his mind. He's talking about Kobe, Kupchak, and the "bad trade" that they made...but why would he care? It's because he realizes that if Kobe/Shaq can't win a title, then Wade/Shaq have less of a chance, just like Penny/Shaq did...simple as that. It took Kobe and Shaq 3 years (and a coach by the name of Phil) to adjust and work together...and it was the same with Penny and Shaq (it took them a couple of years before they got to the Finals in Orlando)...so where does Shaq begin to think that him and Wade can do this in one year, just because they are in the East? Doesn't make sense to me.</div> I don't think it's him missing LA, it's just that Shaq is always running his mouth, it's nothing new. Do you think he missed Divac, Webber and the Kings whenever he talks about them? Not really, it's just what he does. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting "realdeal":</div><div class="quote_post"> Rasho Nesterovic is the center for the Spurs. Ervin Johnson/Michael Olowokandi is the center for the Wolves. I think what we've needed all along is a strong power forward (Malone) and a center who wants to pass, not score (Divac, hopefully...just if he was younger). Think Chicago Bulls...Jordan/Pippen (SG/SF) and Longley/Perdue....these centers didn't wanna score.</div> Y'all got Malone now? I agree that all three were championships, but I think in the first one Shaq was a bigger part than Kobe and Phil, he was the major part, and they were the 2 bigger parts, but not as much as him. realdeal, you hate on the Heat too much, I like the Heat, and I post here less than you, your hate for Shaq needs to be toned down. Just because he took the light away from Kobe, their's no need to massacre the guy. I agree on one other thing though, Hakeem was better than Shaq, but the dream was better than a lot of people, he always dominated the other centers in playoff matchups.
Yeah really real deal, your hate on Shaq is really scary... I mean he brings 3 championships to your favourite team yet you still hate him, just cause he changed teams... that's pretty much why you're mad. Yeah you can say cause he just lost weight in Miami or w/e that's why you hate him, or you run your mouth, but it all boils down to him gettin traded. If he was still on the Lakers you'd still love him, especially if they got another championship... I think your just mad cause Lakers lost last year and you're blaing Shaq for it although it wasn't his fault... although he wasn't conditioned he still played incredible. And I really think Wade has the potential to become as good as kobe or better... I mean you underrate everyone on the Heat to be honest. Wade played incredbble Defense during Olympics while Kobe was raping chicks. Plus many people played horrible in the olympics does that make them bad players? Melo, Bron, Jefferson, Marbury etc... Honestly just stop cause your repeating everything about Shaq and your unsung hatred for him.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Mr.Wade:</div><div class="quote_post"> Wade played incredbble Defense during Olympics while Kobe was raping chicks. Plus many people played horrible in the olympics does that make them bad players? Melo, Bron, Jefferson, Marbury etc... </div> Awesome post!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting og15:</div><div class="quote_post">realdeal, you hate on the Heat too much, I like the Heat, and I post here less than you, your hate for Shaq needs to be toned down. Just because he took the light away from Kobe, their's no need to massacre the guy. I agree on one other thing though, Hakeem was better than Shaq, but the dream was better than a lot of people, he always dominated the other centers in playoff matchups.</div> I don't hate on the Heat. The Heat and the Pistons were the two teams I really wanted to see win the East last year. I was supportive, and I thought Odom and Jones were doing pretty well, as well as Wade also, eventually outperforming Melo and James. I like Damon Jones as well, and Dorell Wright. However, with Shaq's arrival, I really don't want to see the Heat win anything unless Shaq is out for the season. Read below, and maybe your opinion about me hating Shaq (and the reason for it) will change somewhat. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Mr.Wade:</div><div class="quote_post"> And I really think Wade has the potential to become as good as kobe or better... I mean you underrate everyone on the Heat to be honest. Wade played incredbble Defense during Olympics while Kobe was raping chicks. Plus many people played horrible in the olympics does that make them bad players? Melo, Bron, Jefferson, Marbury etc... </div> Well, Kobe has already made you look stupid by not being convicted. What you say is pretty ignorant sometimes. By the way, if anyone wants to say that I've liked Shaq, go prove it. Find ONE post where I praised him greatly and said that he's incredible. I've never liked him...but what really pissed me off about him, before all of the trading went down and Kobe signing with LA again, was in February during the Warriors/Lakers game in Oakland...February 18th to be exact, on a Wednesday. My girlfriend's uncle is an Oakland cop, and we got to stand near the Lakers' locker rooms at the end of the game, and if anyone remembers the game...Shaq blocked Jason Richardson's three point attempt at the very last second of the game, and kept the ball and ran into the locker room with it. Before he got there, the loser bumped into my girlfriend, who has a condition called RSD (chronic pain...nerves in her arm) and he turned, looked at her, then continued to smile and took off to the locker room. He didn't apologize, say excuse me, or anything. However, I got a Kobe autograph and a handshake after the game (probably the best thing that's happened to me) and he was kind enough to respect my girlfriend's problem by shaking her other hand (her arm was clearly wrapped up to keep warm). That's professionalism. What Shaq did was not only ignorant, but disrespectful in the worst way possible. None of you should assume I like him. I'm not upset that the Lakers lost. I clearly stated that the Detroit Pistons deserved the win, and I was happy for them. I've wanted Shaq traded since Phil Jackson arrived in Los Angeles, because I'd rather adopt the Bulls-style triangle offense (based on the SG...like Jordan) than one that revolves around Shaq. How's that for an explanation? I'm out.
how's florida doin'? kick shaq's big fat a$$ and you'll be back to normal. fat shaq is only getting started with the weather, wait 'till he brings earthquake to miami.
I wonder if Kobe hates Canibus, hate by association... since Canibus has a song with Shaq(cringes). Just a thought.
Well, let's get back to the topic about Shaq's comments in SLAM magazine, rather than turning another thread into a Kobe/Shaq debate. I've stated all I could on the subject, then went off-topic myself and did what I could for that, so... I just really think Shaq needs to focus more on the Heat and his off-season training. There's no reason to even bring up Kupchak/Kobe and the Laker organization anymore until Christmas, unless he's trying to promote the game. Other than that, he's got bigger things to deal with, some of which include staying healthy and working out with the rest of the team.
YEah, not more Kobe Shaq debate, gettin very old and I'm tired of arguing. Anyways, the players should both make a truce and stop aruging... then there'll be no hate. Your lucky you got Kobe's autograph and a handshake... even though I dont like Kobe that much, I wounjd't wash my hand for like a week.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting realdealbneal:</div><div class="quote_post">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> He led your team to THREE CHAMPIONSHIPS! I don't care if he refused to play the last two years. He's still the greatest Laker since Magic. Easily. Kobe has to accomplish a hell of a lot over the next 5 years to surpass O'neal as the greater Laker. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">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> Who do you think will be a better team next year? Lakers or Miami. If you really think Kobe is the better player, and Wade isn't all that, then I would guess you'd say that the Lakers will be better next year. Is that the case? For the record, I'll say Lakers will win 46 games. Respectable in a tough Western Conference. And the Heat will win their division easily with 57 wins. And yes, I think the Heat will be better than the Lakers. What's your prediction? <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</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> Come one, you don't really believe Shaq is that far gone, do you? Shaq will have an unbelievable year statistically. I'm talking a 30 ppg, 14 rpg type year. And, no, Patrick and Hakeem couldn't destroy Shaq in their prime. Certainly not Ewing. And Hakeem and Shaq battled eachother to a virtual wash in the 95 finals, and during the regular season Shaq routinely got the better of the matchup (this is coming from a die-hard Olajuwon fan, but it's the simple truth). <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> Kobe dominated the ball the last two years. The simple fact is that Shaq wasn't getting his usual touches, and Kobe was passing him the ball less. Of course his production will go down. And, what do you know, the Lakers stopped winning championships. A coincidence? <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">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> Well, we're agreed it will be a fun game to watch.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting durvasa:</div><div class="quote_post"> He led your team to THREE CHAMPIONSHIPS! I don't care if he refused to play the last two years. He's still the greatest Laker since Magic. Easily. Kobe has to accomplish a hell of a lot over the next 5 years to surpass O'neal as the greater Laker.</div> Okay...let's see...in 1995-1996, the Lakers (this is without Shaq and Kobe) won 53 games that season. The next season, with the signing of Shaq and getting Kobe's draft rights, the Lakers won 56 games (3 more than the previous year). So...did Shaq really make that big of a difference? The next year, the Lakers went 61-21 (very impressive, huh?), yet they also sent four players to the All-Star game in Shaq, Van Exel, Jones, and the youngest to appear in an AS Game in history, Kobe Bryant (who scored a team-high 18 points and 6 rebounds, by the way). Next season was the lockout season, and the Lakers finished at 31-19. Once again, they lost in the playoffs. So, when was Shaq ever going to take over? I think everyone overrated Shaq, because he averaged incredible stats in the NBA Finals (yet he was matched up with Todd MacCulloch and Rik Smits in two of those three Finals). I guess sending three other players to the All-Star game meant nothing to you guys that still believed that Shaq did all of this by himself, though. Once Jackson came into the organization, Kobe was just starting to show signs of great improvement, scoring over 22 PPG and averaging 6 boards and 5 assists that championship year. The next year? Over 28 PPG, and similar stats in everything else. Shaq isn't single-handedly responsible for those championships like everyone believes. I've proven this above. There's no more to say. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting durvasa:</div><div class="quote_post">Who do you think will be a better team next year? Lakers or Miami. If you really think Kobe is the better player, and Wade isn't all that, then I would guess you'd say that the Lakers will be better next year. Is that the case?</div> If the Heat were in the West, the Lakers would end up with a better record. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting durvasa:</div><div class="quote_post">For the record, I'll say Lakers will win 46 games. Respectable in a tough Western Conference. And the Heat will win their division easily with 57 wins. And yes, I think the Heat will be better than the Lakers. What's your prediction?</div> 46 wins? Well, the Heat won 42 last year, and almost beat the Pacers...who almost beat the Pistons. The Pistons destroyed the Lakers. So, since we've taken away 3 of the 5 important players off that Heat roster...I'm shooting for a 56-26 season for the Lakers, a 3rd seed due to a bad Kings performance (winning the division) and a Western Conference Finals exit against the Spurs. That's my prediction. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting durvasa:</div><div class="quote_post">Come one, you don't really believe Shaq is that far gone, do you? Shaq will have an unbelievable year statistically. I'm talking a 30 ppg, 14 rpg type year.</div> So could Garnett, but it doesn't mean nothing without team chemistry...so hopefully Wade can get it adjusted with Shaq in a month. It took Kobe/Shaq 3 years. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting durvasa:</div><div class="quote_post">And, no, Patrick and Hakeem couldn't destroy Shaq in their prime. Certainly not Ewing. And Hakeem and Shaq battled eachother to a virtual wash in the 95 finals, and during the regular season Shaq routinely got the better of the matchup (this is coming from a die-hard Olajuwon fan, but it's the simple truth).</div> Well, everyone likes to hear what Shaq has to say...and Shaq said it himself: that Olajuwon kicked his @ss. Shaq will never be as good as Hakeem. Ewing would be a tough matchup...but Hakeem would be a no-contest in favor of the Dream. That's why the Magic were swept in the Finals. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting durvasa:</div><div class="quote_post">Kobe dominated the ball the last two years. The simple fact is that Shaq wasn't getting his usual touches, and Kobe was passing him the ball less. Of course his production will go down. And, what do you know, the Lakers stopped winning championships. A coincidence?</div> It is coincidental...because Shaq suddenly stopped playing. His weight was at 355 lbs, and he was slower and injuring his toe, calf, thigh...anything that could send him back into the locker room. The fact isn't that Kobe wasn't passing...it was because teams figured that if they clog the passing lanes, Kobe can't pass to Shaq because Shaq does not have a game outside of 5 feet, and therefore he will not move for the ball. Simple as that.
Ok, I'll stop the Shaq vs. Kobe argument. That's not going anywhere. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting realdealbneal:</div><div class="quote_post">Well, everyone likes to hear what Shaq has to say...and Shaq said it himself: that Olajuwon kicked his @ss. Shaq will never be as good as Hakeem. Ewing would be a tough matchup...but Hakeem would be a no-contest in favor of the Dream. That's why the Magic were swept in the Finals.</div> Are you comparing these three centers at their prime? If so, Shaq is by far the best. Even better than Dream. Ewing vs. Shaq isn't a tough matchup. Shaq had Ewing figured out by his second year. Looking back at Shaq vs. Hakeem in 95, again I say that matchup was a wash. The Rockets swept the Magic because they were the better team. But Hakeem didn't really outplay Shaq. He scored a few more points per game, but he also took 11 more shots per game. Shaq shot over 60%, and Hakeem shot under 50%. Shaq had more rebounds, assists, and blocks. Shaq also saw much more aggressive double teams than Hakeem. Hakeem was much better at getting the ball away from the basket and scoring facing up. So his offensive game was more expanded. I mean, Hakeem played almost like a forward in that series. But even if one was to go as far as saying Hakeem had a better series individually, it really wouldn't be by very much. And Dream was playing the best basketball of his life, and Shaq was still only in his second year. Hakeem would not have been able to handle the Shaquille of 2000. And, sure, Shaq paid his respects to the Finals MVP and said he was the better center. I don't consider that evidence that Hakeem outplayed Shaq. Shaq also said that he thought Kobe was the best player in the league at one point. I don't think anyone seriously believes that Shaq really believed that. He was just trying to show the media that he's a nice guy who's willing to compliment his rivals. That's his way of trying to elevate himself. But, no, Shaq was better than Kobe (and he knew it), and in 95 Shaq and Hakeem were basically equals. Since 95, it's unquestionably been all Shaq.
