SHAQ listens to Russell and makes peace

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Shaquille O'Neal got the word from Hall of Famer Bill Russell to make peace with Kobe Bryant, just as Russell once did with Wilt Chamberlain.

O'Neal followed Russell's advice.

Bryant then went out and scored 12 of his 37 points in the last 8½ minutes to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 100-92 victory over O'Neal and the Miami Heat on Monday night.

Bryant said O'Neal first approached him while he was stretching before the game and congratulated him on the birth of his daughter and the impending birth of a second child.

"It made me feel good," Bryant said, adding he was surprised at O'Neal's gesture. "We've been through so many wars together. Now, just be able to move on, try to do the best for this team, wish him the best in South Beach.

"I think it's good for the city of Los Angeles, good for the NBA, good for the youth, being Martin Luther King Day."

After the initial contact, the longtime protagonists shook hands, embraced briefly and exchanged a few words at center court when the team captains and game officials met before the game. They exchanged another hug before the opening tipoff as the fans at the Staples Center voiced their approval.

"I had orders from the great Bill Russell," O'Neal said. "Me and him were talking in Seattle the other day, and he was telling me how rivalries should be. I asked him if he ever disliked anybody he played against, and he told me, 'No, never,' and he told that I should shake Kobe Bryant's hand and let bygones be bygones and bury the hatchet.

"Today is a day of peace. Dr. Martin Luther King was an ambassador of peace. So when I talked to Mr. Russell, he told me he said that him and Chamberlain spoke once or twice a week before he passed away. And even though people thought they hated each other, there was nothing but love there."</div>

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Guys, I know I keep saying it, but I can't tell you much I'm loving this, Shaq and Kobe finally cool.

I think this is WONDERFUL news for Kobe that he can finally move on, because I know he's always thinking about it in the back of his mind. I guarantee this will make him a better player (I know what you're thinking, how much better can this cat get?)

Big ups to Shaq man (despite the blow to Bynum) for doing what he did, now I can go back to liking and respecting Shaq again.

 

Anybody else think it's kind of ironic that Russell waited until after Shaq was traded to give him this advice? I guess the former Celtic wanted to make sure that Boston stays on top in terms of most championships .

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Jurassic:</div><div class="quote_post">Anybody else think it's kind of ironic that Russell waited until after Shaq was traded to give him this advice? I guess the former Celtic wanted to make sure that Boston stays on top in terms of most championships .</div>

lol, good point. If Shaq was a true classy character, he would of done it on his own same with Kobe. This has to take an enormous amount of pressure off Kobe's back from the media and alot off Shaq from the Laker fans. Now that these two "buried the hatchet" yesterday, I expect them both to play better now they have a feeling of relaxation from the media's "feud".

 

yeah, it definetly warmed my heart to see those two in the beginning shaking hands and just talking. this IMO, should have happened earlier than it did, but still, its better late then never. im glad to see that these two can finally cool off after winning 3 champoinships together.