Before these are posted, I'd just like to say that these have more to do with the Laker organization and Kobe Bryant than they do with just Kobe...and this is why I've made a separate thread for this. Now, these are quotes from an article from Sports Illustrated, but there's no direct source from the magazine just yet. Instead, a good friend of mine from a different forum copied the quotes from the magazine in a thread...so here they are. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"Being here feels like I'm out of prison. This is the right place, the right time, the right team. Everybody knows there were reasons we didn't get it done out there."</div> First shot at the organization...why? He says reasons...being plural...so obviously he had more "problems" outside of the Kobe feud. This is strickly a statement that smells so bad of disrespect... <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"L.A. was so full of everybody doing their thing that even somebody like me could get lost."</div> Second shot at the organization. Will it ever stop? <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"Everybody knows I was getting screwed by the young fella. I'm a 60 percent shooter [57.7 for his career], and I've got to beg for the ball? What the hell is that? I'd get open and the young fella wouldn't get it to me. It's going to be different now. I'm getting passes from these guys in one day that I never got [in L.A.] in eight years. Shovel passes, lobs, things I've never seen. Throw me the ball 25 times, and I'm going to get you the same numbers I've always got. Shaq ain't no Shaq if he's averaging 20 points."</div> Well, saying he's never received those passes is a diss to every player he's played with in 8 years...yet another shot at the Lakers. His last sentence tells all: scoring 20 per game was unacceptable last season, so what does he have to say about Payton, Kobe and Malone, who obviously took up more of the scoring? Shaq and Kobe (two years ago) averaged nearly 28 and 30 PPG together (respectively). When Malone and Payton show up, Kobe averaged 24 and Shaq averaged 20...so who is he blaming? <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Over the course of an otherwise pleasant afternoon, Shaq also calls Bryant "a loser," "a joke," "a clown," and "pathetic," and even denigrated Bryant's abilities as a player.</div> Typical...I've heard this before...but I also heard Shaq say that Kobe is possibly the best player today, and is only getting better. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">When it is suggested that he might miss Bryant's perimeter shooting, Shaq gets a sour look on his face. "What are you talking about, calling number 8 a shooter?" he says. "Listen, I'm not just saying this because he's my teammate, but D-Wade has the potential to be a better player than anyone I ever played with in L.A. I'm talking about being a shooter, a defender and someone with an all-around game. And a good guy along with it."</div> Yet another shot to the Lakers, against all of the players, not only Kobe. Let me say this much about Shaq: I may have never liked him, but I did have to respect what he did for us...just like I respected Eddie Jones and Van Exel, Phil Jackson and Tex Winter. However, that respect for Shaq is gone, along with any good comment I ever gave him, no matter what it was. I seriously hope Shaq goes down in Miami history as the biggest failure ever. Every point, rebound, or anything he has brought to the table for this organization (Lakers) has no credibility to my eyes anymore. I don't care if we won three rings with the bum...I would've rather lost each year than to have this cross-eyed gorilla mouthing off about the club until he retires. These feelings have been held back for too long. I love the Lakers, and even though I'm a Kobe fan and some may say I'm biased, Shaq has become the definition of a jealous, self-centered "clown" who can't shut his mouth. It's a matter of opinion, and I respect everyone's opinion...so just remember that before responding to this thread. But...if you're a true Laker fan, you can't sit here and say that this had no effect on you, because it really pushes my buttons. Remember, let's not flame others about how they feel in response to this, please...
I feel the same way i never liked him but i did appreciate would he did for our organazation but not anymore i hope he gets injured and his career comes to an end and we get the good part of it lol.
Nice to see you back on the boards real. I'm kind of curious why you guys posted this in the Laker forum. It seems like whenever there is an article about Shaq that will promote your forum you post it here. He is not a Laker anymore. On topic, I dont think that Shaq is insulting all of the Laker players. If you think about it, he's just complimenting the Heat. Wade knows his role a lot better than Kobe ever did. One could argue that the team is Wade's now (especially since Odom is gone), and it certainly was his team in the Pacer series. But Wade knows that if they want to win, Shaq needs the ball. Kobe didn't always realize that. Shaq is lying about the D-Wade comment though. I remember last year he said that Kobe has the potential to be the greatest of all time "greater than MJ, greater that Shaq, greater than Duncan". Those were Shaq's words then, now he's just lying to sell a magazine.
The guy is a joke. It seems like everyday on TV or in an magazine article he's taking shots at Kobe or the Laker Organization. He need to grow up, shut is damn mouth, and stop feeling sorry for himself. He talks more about the Lakers than he does about the Heat. Has there been any Shaq interview in the last six months where he didn't mention Kobe or the Lakers?
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I'm kind of curious why you guys posted this in the Laker forum. It seems like whenever there is an article about Shaq that will promote your forum you post it here. He is not a Laker anymore. </div> Exactly! So why is he talking about the Lakers every time he's in the news?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Jurassic:</div><div class="quote_post">Nice to see you back on the boards real.</div> Thanks...it's nice to be back. :thumbsup: <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Jurassic:</div><div class="quote_post">I'm kind of curious why you guys posted this in the Laker forum. It seems like whenever there is an article about Shaq that will promote your forum you post it here. He is not a Laker anymore.</div> Two reasons. One, the Heat board has about 3 or 4 guys that post in there. Two, because it concerns the Lakers and Kobe more than it does the Heat. The rest I'm not going to dispute. Kobe > Wade, no matter who they have on their team. Wade can pass to Shaq all he wants, but that doesn't automatically give the Heat a ring, either. Jurassic...honestly...don't you believe that Shaq should stop talking about Kobe and the Lakers? I think it would be the best for us, the Heat and for himself.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting realdealbneal:</div><div class="quote_post">Thanks...it's nice to be back. :thumbsup: Two reasons. One, the Heat board has about 3 or 4 guys that post in there. Two, because it concerns the Lakers and Kobe more than it does the Heat. The rest I'm not going to dispute. Kobe > Wade, no matter who they have on their team. Wade can pass to Shaq all he wants, but that doesn't automatically give the Heat a ring, either. Jurassic...honestly...don't you believe that Shaq should stop talking about Kobe and the Lakers? I think it would be the best for us, the Heat and for himself.</div> I dont see how that could make a difference. Theres not a rule that says you can ONLY post on the teams forum that you like. Since Shaq said it, it should be in his teams forum.
Wow, Shaq has one big ego. Months after the trade and he is taking blantant shots at his FORMER teammates. Just shutup and play, holy.... It's understandable to vent to the media after being traded even though you were one of the major reason for 3 championships but to constantly critisize and contradict yourself in numerous statements is not only just eye-candy for the media but also is slowly, in many eyes, degrading Shaq's personality. Bottom line- He is still mad the Lakers chose Kobe over him.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting LeBron:</div><div class="quote_post">I dont see how that could make a difference. Theres not a rule that says you can ONLY post on the teams forum that you like. Since Shaq said it, it should be in his teams forum.</div> Actually...it was a joke, my first reason. Plus, there's no rule that says that I have to post in the Heat forum, either... Shaq's quotes are about the Lakers. Nearly everything Shaq says has something to do with the Lakers or Kobe. Most Heat fans don't seem to mind him saying all of this, because they could care less...so why does it belong in the Heat forum? I believe the topic at hand is about Shaq and the Lakers, not the Heat. The only Heat player named was Wade, but it was a comparison to other Laker players. Shaq continually makes statements about the Lakers...that's not my problem, but us Laker fans should know every single thing he says, because it'll make it all worthwhile once Kobe posterizes him this Christmas, over and over again. It won't shut him up, but it'll definitely make up for what he's saying so far. In fact, not just Kobe...I'd like to see Mihm, Odom, Butler, or even Devean George, do the same thing...and that is exactly why this is in the Lakers forum.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting realdealbneal:</div><div class="quote_post">Two reasons. One, the Heat board has about 3 or 4 guys that post in there. Two, because it concerns the Lakers and Kobe more than it does the Heat. The rest I'm not going to dispute. Kobe > Wade, no matter who they have on their team. Wade can pass to Shaq all he wants, but that doesn't automatically give the Heat a ring, either. Jurassic...honestly...don't you believe that Shaq should stop talking about Kobe and the Lakers? I think it would be the best for us, the Heat and for himself.</div> Obviously I agree with Kobe > Wade, and as I said earlier Shaq was talking out of his rear. I believe that he should stop talking about the Lakers, most players are smart enough to issue a parting statement, and then move on. However we know that Shaq is outspoken, and won't take the typical high road. I think it's somewhat good for the league, a media fabricated rivalry (like Shaq-Yao) being created before these two teams play a single game. After all, if Shaq had ended up in Dallas we would be anticipating the the scheduled Lakers vs the Mavs on Christmas.
Yeah...just imagine the TV ratings for a Lakers/Heat Final (yeah right). It would be insane. Shaq/Kobe = $$$ And I believe David Stern is thinking the same thing.
In the past i really adored Shaq's game and how he was on the court. I loved to see he dunk on almost everyone in the league. Now I dont know what he was thinking. He is acting once again like the little baby that he is. He needs to learn to show some respect to fellow basketballers in the NBA. This has to stop. I hope the Lakers shut him up once and for all when the Heat comes to Staple Center
You know, a few months ago, I used to like Shaq, not only his game but his personality. But now that I hear what he has said (I knew he always made wierd and stupid statements), disrespecting ALOT of people, I have changed my mind. I still like his game, but I dont like what he has to say *changes Fav. player*
What an A-hole, I mean, if he;s mad and all why doesn't he just shut his mouth. Why don't you just forget get about the past and play basketball. And also, how could he average 20+ points if the Laker payers didn't feed him the ball? I mean, it doesn't seem like he has ever created his own shot. And that D-Wade comment was the worst. I love and respect Wade and all but saying he has more pottential than every Laker he has ever played with, just sickens me. What a man. Unbeilivable.
I just found this comment from a fan on the LATimes that I think belongs here. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Reading The Times' Sports section of late, one could easily think he's in Miami amid the ecstasy surrounding a Shaq apparently possessed of renewed motivation. Beat writers and columnists alike can't help glorifying The Big Joke while further denigrating Kobe Bryant at every turn. Perhaps the last laugh will be most clear come Christmas Day when Kobe-the-Selfish ? the one currently focused on the game of basketball, his team and the coming season ? reminds us what this really is all about. Mark Stephens Santa Cruz</div>
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Perhaps the last laugh will be most clear come Christmas Day when Kobe-the-Selfish ? the one currently focused on the game of basketball, his team and the coming season ? reminds us what this really is all about. </div> Couldn't agree more. I'mn sick of Shaq opening his mouth for no reason. Shaq says something like "D-Wade has more potential then any Laker I've ever played with" and it's not a big deal. Kobe says anything remote extreme, let alone THAT extreme, he would get crucified and scrutinized by the media and have mroe fuel thrown on him. Let Christmas Day speak for itself. Let's just hope Shaq doesn't injure himself.
