First off, and with all due respect, Big Mug, your game is U-G-L-Y, you ain't got no alibi.You know, a lot of people say basketball at its best is like jazz ... in which case, you're a big fat tuba playing, "Who Let the Dogs Out?" Stumbling, bumbling, fumbling, rumbling, ramming, banging, bruising, elbowing, shouldering, bouldering ? and that's just on your free throws. Your brutal game in the box is even harder on the eyes. I mean this only in the kindest way possible, your skillz are wack, Shaq. Big Fella, I realize that some people have flattered you -- for instance, a Very Famous Broadcaster recently said about you, "If he were 6-foot-1 and 190, instead of 7-1 and 310, I think he could still play in this league and play well." But let's keep it real, Shaq. If you were 6-1, you'd be a point guard. Can you imagine shaq as an NBA point guard? Can you imagine a 6-foot NBA point guard who: -couldn't shoot from beyond 10 feet? -had hit one 3-pointer in 10 years? -had no handles? -had a negative assist-turnover ratio? -averaged less than a steal a game? -shot 53 percent from the line for his career? -missed five free throws per game? -couldn't make a spin in traffic? -couldn't shoot a left-handed layup? -couldn't play defense 15 feet from the basket? I'm sure I as a laker fan don't have to tell you, Diesel, the guys with real skillz -- the Speedy Claxtons, Steve Nashes and Troy Hudsons, as well as the Iversons, Kidds and oh yeah the best basketball player who you let down by the name of kobe bryant can do things you can only dream about. And I don't know how to break this to you, but they're not lying in bed at night saying, I wish I could be a 7-1 fat guy with no real game. I mean, we don't want to hurt your feelings, but every time I play pickup ball, I see five guys who've got more game than you do -- guys who can shoot pull-up Js, guys who can pick pockets, 40-year-old guys who pass behind their back like nothing. Big Thumper, and I mean this as constructive criticism, it would be nice if you could find a way to get to the basket against a defender without fouling him. It's quite a bag of tricks you've developed down there -- the swim stroke, the hook with the elbow, the sledgehammer shoulder in the chest, the innocent elbow to the chops, the head-on charge -- and I would hate to cast aspersions on such a finely tuned repertoire, but perhaps a refresher on the rulebook would help... "A dribbler shall not charge into an opponent who has established a legal guarding position.? If a defender is able to establish a legal position in the straight line path of the dribbler, the dribbler must avoid contact by changing direction or ending his dribble?. If illegal contact occurs, the responsibility is on the dribbler." Shaq, you've got a traveling jones. As much as I admire your footwork and creativity, every kid knows it's not legal to pick up your dribble and then stumble-step-hop-jumpstop your way to the hoop. (No wonder you're "unguardable.") And, Big Bunny, that's not to mention the cute little shuffles and hops you take as you start your dribble. To sum up, I don't know how to break it to you, Big Guy, but you represent everything that people except any heat fan hate about the NBA game today...The refs never call traveling. They let the big guys camp out in the lane. But until then, it's on you, Big Onus -- if you want to accomplish something that's even bigger than you are, shape up .. or, better yet, ship or better yet do the people a big favor and please retire. P.S. I am glad that kobe has shipped you out of the city of angels cause like it or not the zen master will be back to coach the los angeles lakers next season and can u imagine ray allen in a purple and gold jersey?
wow, someone obviously doesnt like shaq. i doubt phil jackson will return and seriously doubt ray allen going to the lakers
This should read more like... "Dear Shaq,thank you for all the championships you brought us.We really miss your overwhelming presense in the post and your witty personality.As a fan I enjoy kobe's style of play more than yours and sadly,so did management.We were ignorant and we're sorry,please come back."
How about: "Dear Shaq, Please come back! Its not the same with just Kobe! We miss your awesoem offensive presence, and ability to grab any pass out of the air."
What about: Shaq, we are sorry for kicking you out of LA. Kobe sucks, is a ball hog and can't doesn't make his teammates better. Shaq, you dominate, get your teammates the ball and make them better. You give your team a chance to win the title every year. Kobe gives his team to get in the lottery every year without you. PLEASE PLEASE SHAQ! COME BACK! COME BACK!
personally, i don't think shaq's game is ugly. watching defenders try to stop him as he backs down and plays down low is always entertaining. plus, what's wrong with a big man playing big, using his size, and posting up? basketball is a physical sport, contrary to popular belief. and jump steps are legal, as far as i know. kobe does it too, and he gets away with travels. point is, shaq is good. if he were 6-1, maybe he wouldn't be. but he ain't, and there's nothing anyone can do about it.
I'm sure Shaq and his 27 million a year salary, 3 rings and his mansions with super sized pools are very sad that you feel this way.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Troy Wingate:</div><div class="quote_post">What about: Shaq, we are sorry for kicking you out of LA. Kobe sucks, is a ball hog and can't doesn't make his teammates better. Shaq, you dominate, get your teammates the ball and make them better. You give your team a chance to win the title every year. Kobe gives his team to get in the lottery every year without you. PLEASE PLEASE SHAQ! COME BACK! COME BACK!</div> LMAO!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AllNet:</div><div class="quote_post">I'm sure Shaq and his 27 million a year salary, 3 rings and his mansions with super sized pools are very sad that you feel this way.</div> Look at what the Lakers are doing compared to the Miami Heat. That's all I have to say.
Shaq would have nothing without Kobe. If it wasn't for Kobe's clutch play, Shaq would still be ringless. I would like to see Shaq win a ring without having any real star players on his team. I can't believe that Allen Iverson actually said that Shaq is the best player of all time. Shaq is nothing. He was lazy and overweight when he was in LA, and he didn't deserve to win a ring for the last two seasons because of his poor work ethic. He didn't win any either. Could you imagine this line up: C-Shaquille O'Neal F-Lamar Odom F-Brian Grant G-Caron Butler G-Chucky Atkins This lineup is slow and would be in a worse posistion then the Lakers are right now.
Just like MJ wouldn't have any titles without Pippen. To win titles you need good enough pieces around you but the difference is Shaq like MJ makes guys look better than they really are. Something Kobe will never be able to do. Shaq is still the most dominant force in the game today, he makes anyone a factor in this league. The Lakers would be at least a playoff team If they dumped Kobe for him. Big men rule this league.
I still love shaq.... am i the only person who actully likes shaq and Kobe? Kobes my alltime favorite....but reguardless, i been rollin wit shaq since he was drafted and ill always love shaq. I only wish LA could have contained the greatest duo ever.......and i dont care what anyone says, look at the stats... Kobe and Shaquille are the greatest 1-2 punch in NBA History. Seperate teams, still my boys.
You also need other players apart from the 1-2 punch. Look at Chicago with Rodman, the Lakers with Fox, Fisher and Horry.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AllNet:</div><div class="quote_post">Just like MJ wouldn't have any titles without Pippen. To win titles you need good enough pieces around you but the difference is Shaq like MJ makes guys look better than they really are. Something Kobe will never be able to do. Shaq is still the most dominant force in the game today, he makes anyone a factor in this league. The Lakers would be at least a playoff team If they dumped Kobe for him. Big men rule this league.</div> Never is such a strong word to use. Whether you're a fan of Kobe or not, you underestimate Jerry Buss's desire to be a winner. Throughout the entire existance of the Lakers they've only missed the playoffs 5 times! After Magic Johnson retired everyone thought the Lakers would never get back. But they only had 2 seasons of mediocrity before they were right back in the mix. Jerry Buss might not have Jerry West anymore, but Jerry Buss will win at all costs and put the right people back in the front office and on the court. Why do people keep saying Kobe doesn't make players around him better? Take a look at the numbers, Butler, Mihm, Atkins, and Odom are all having career years with Kobe. HE MAKES THEM BETTER. The problem is they don't make Kobe better, so changes need to be made, and for these players to have a career years and still be a team below .500, the Lakers are in trouble. But never fear, Buss is still the owner and the man knows and wants to win. As for the write up, it was entertaining. I still appreciate what Shaq brought to the franchise. I lost a lot of respect for the way he handled the situation and blasted the franchise that made him a winner and a multi-millionaire. That right there showed the selfishness and ego of Shaq. I'm also pulling for Phil Jackson to comeback to the Lakers. He knows Kobe's game the best and what pieces the Lakers need to build around him. I wouldn't mind him scrapping the entire team to build it the way he wants. Of course, Mitch Kupcake needs to be relieved of his duties, so Phil can have a GM who can actually make the right trades. The icing on the cake will be Shaq eating his words if PJax returns. "The only coach I'll ever play for is Phil." So I ask you Shaq, "Do you plan on being a Laker again?"
I love the fact that as an LA fan, you know that we will be back on top in a little while because we have Dr.Buss as the owner.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Shaq would have nothing without Kobe. If it wasn't for Kobe's clutch play, Shaq would still be ringless. I would like to see Shaq win a ring without having any real star players on his team. I can't believe that Allen Iverson actually said that Shaq is the best player of all time. Shaq is nothing. He was lazy and overweight when he was in LA, and he didn't deserve to win a ring for the last two seasons because of his poor work ethic. He didn't win any either. Could you imagine this line up: C-Shaquille O'Neal F-Lamar Odom F-Brian Grant G-Caron Butler G-Chucky Atkins This lineup is slow and would be in a worse posistion then the Lakers are right now.</div> r u kidding this team would at least be in the playoffs. And all Kobe does is brakes up his team, hes the worst leader in the NBA. Kobe will never win a championship ever again with his horrible attitude.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Can you imagine a 6-foot NBA point guard who: -couldn't shoot from beyond 10 feet? -had hit one 3-pointer in 10 years? -had no handles? -had a negative assist-turnover ratio? -averaged less than a steal a game? -shot 53 percent from the line for his career? -missed five free throws per game? -couldn't make a spin in traffic? -couldn't shoot a left-handed layup? -couldn't play defense 15 feet from the basket?</div> This is so irrelevant, you could say that about almost every big man in the league <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">C-Shaquille O'Neal F-Lamar Odom F-Brian Grant G-Caron Butler G-Chucky Atkins</div> Championship contenders? <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Kobe will never win a championship ever again with his horrible attitude.</div> What is the Lakers drafted a big man that became the next Amare Stoudemire, never say never, who knows what will happen. He doesn't have to single handedly lead them to a championship, but if he get's a good team with 2 stars, and other good player, why can't they?
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">C-Shaquille O'Neal F-Lamar Odom F-Brian Grant G-Caron Butler G-Chucky Atkins </div> Uhh...Championship Contender? That team wouldn't be together because 3 of those players were traded in the Shaq trade anyways. But that team will atleast be in the playoffs. Any team with Shaq and a decent squad is guranteed a playoff spot in any conference...
