<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The long-rumored deal is finally reality. Franchise center Shaquille O'Neal has been traded to the Miami Heat, it was announced Wednesday. In return, the Lakers get Lamar Odom, Caron Butler, Brian Grant and a first-round pick. O'Neal agreed to the trade Saturday, but it could not be completed until today, when a two-week leaguewide moratorium on trades and free-agent signings expired at midnight. Last season, O'Neal averaged a career-low 21.5 points with 11.5 rebounds and 2.48 blocks. Over 12 seasons, he has averaged 27.1 points, 12.1 rebounds and 2.6 blocks.</div> <div align="center">Link</div>
Even though Shaq is cocky, arrogant, and selfish the man had an excellent career in Los Angeles with the seven years he spent with our proud Laker franchise winning three championships. And I'd like to thank him for all the good times that was spent as a Laker, and I wish him the very best with the Miami Heat. And to the newcomers that are coming in next year: Welcome to LA, Caron, Lamar, and Brian!!
I already posted my opinions in the NBA forum on this. I agree though, he did have a great 7 year run as a Laker and I personally, don't think they win any of those 3 titles without him. I do wish him the best for the Heat and hope he does have success even though I really didn't like the way he managed this situation at all. It seemed like he was dictating the trade and not Laker management. But, yea, welcome to the newcomers, especially Odom and Caron. Can't wait to see how this new team works together next season.
I still dont like the trade. He was the only person in the finals who the pistons couldnt stop or slow down. He still has a lot of basketball left in him IMO. Its a shame it had to end this way. Good luck in miami shaq (except when you play us)
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Emo:</div><div class="quote_post">Even though Shaq is cocky, arrogant, and selfish the man had an excellent career in Los Angeles with the seven years he spent with our proud Laker franchise winning three championships. </div> Gee, if that is how Shaq is, what is Kobe like? I think you are mistaken when it is Kobe who is like that. You should read Phil Jacksons comments about Shaq, and then read what he has to say about Kobe. Basically Kobe is a Jordan wannabe. And after this season, you can see how he will never hold a candle to Jordan in regards to class, sportsmanship, and overall attitude. All Jordan cared about was winning. Winning was not enough for Kobe. That says it all right there. As far as the trade goes, good for LA. They got a rookie of the year candidate in Caron Butler. Yes he had a slightly sophmore slump, but he will get better. Lamar Odum is a walking triple double and will make your team better. And Brian Grant is tough low post player. He gave yall fits when he played for Sacramento a few years ago. Plus, you get another first round pick. Yall made a killing. This will help the team alot longer than if you would have kept Shaq. Now I hope Kobe stabs the Lakers in the back and signs with the Clippers.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Warriorfansnc93:</div><div class="quote_post">Gee, if that is how Shaq is, what is Kobe like? I think you are mistaken when it is Kobe who is like that. You should read Phil Jacksons comments about Shaq, and then read what he has to say about Kobe.</div> If you come into the Laker forum on a daily basis, and see what I write between these two great players, I think of Kobe the same way I think of Shaq. Pride written all over their faces, cocky arrogant type of attitudes day in and day out, not willing to share the spotight and wanting all the glitzes and glamour, and basically just being selfish. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Warriorfansnc93:</div><div class="quote_post">Basically Kobe is a Jordan wannabe. And after this season, you can see how he will never hold a candle to Jordan in regards to class, sportsmanship, and overall attitude. All Jordan cared about was winning. Winning was not enough for Kobe.</div> C'mon. This is nothing new. We've all heard the Kobe/Jordan comparisons like crazy. Kobe might not have the attitude that Jordan had on the basketball court, but coming close to a 4th ring at 25 years old isn't bad right?
Well, I just gotta say, I don't like this trade. But I am really excited to see Odom play in LA. And maybe along with Kobe, I hope.
I really feel bad for Lamar Odom. 4 years in LA,1 in Miami and now he's going back to Los Angeles but if Malone returns as a Laker next season and Lakers get Kobe back,will there be a trade including Lamar Odom or Caron Butler plus Gary Payton for a decent PG? or C? IMO this is a good trade for Los Angeles as they get rid of a dominant but aging big man,who would've opted out after next season if he would've not been traded.
wow. Kobe must be peeing himself right now. Having seen how he performs under pressure when the defense sends more than one guy at him like detroit did in the finals. Imagine when he's opopssing D's main concern and not shaq. he's gonna be........paul pierce.....still a heck of a player but all this "MVP" and "GOAT" cries are gonna vanish very quickly
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Warriorfansnc93:</div><div class="quote_post">Basically Kobe is a Jordan wannabe. And after this season, you can see how he will never hold a candle to Jordan in regards to class, sportsmanship, and overall attitude. All Jordan cared about was winning.</div>I suggest you watch Beyond the Glory: Michael Jordan...yes all he cared about was winning but at times he was so obsessed with it he even punched his teammates. Not exactly the Mr. Picture Perfect that you're portraying him to be. Its a shame that two big egos tore up one of the best duos in basketball. Of course I wanted Shaq to stay with the Lakers, but its a little hard to respect a guy that has such a child-like mentality. Ever notice how when the Lakers were winning he proclaimed himself as "the real GM"...and then when the Lakers lost he says "the team was bad to me." And how can Shaq expect to be on a team of good role players when he gets paid 50% of the team's salary? KG took a huge paycut to bring help bring in Cassell & Sprewell...and that brought great success to the franchise this past season. Shaq could learn a lesson or two from that. He may be the biggest guy in the league but he still has a lot of growing up to do.
This is probably going to work out in the Long run for everyone involved 1.Shaq..He always felt that all of the attention was about Kobe,and he felt he acomplished some of the sucess's for the Lakers,but felt Kobe always got credit.now he can have a team bulit around him,so this will work out great 2.The Lakers get young blood in the mix,and Odom will enjoy himself here,plus draft picks.so the Lakers will have youth going for them This works for everybody in the long run!
people talk about jordan like he is Jesus or something...pisses me off so bad...Jordan had just as many if not more faults than Kobe...and if you want to compare their skill levels at 25 from a completely unbiased standpoint, kobe is favorably better than jordan at the same age...of cours ethis can always be argued but if you're gonna post stats and shit in this argument, then dont even bother talking to me because basketball has much more to it than just stats...although i will agree it is a good gauge at times...just not when comparing 2 players from different eras of the game... shaq was by far the most selfish player in teh laker organization...it doesnt show because he tries to keep things behind the scenes, but when you look at things that happened, and who team insiders always sided with, it was always kobe even though shaq was the one that bought them all nice watches and stuff...anyone who doesnt realize that shaq was most likely more selfish and harder to deal with than kobe is a fool... kobe not being able to handle defensive pressure? detroit focusing in on shaq and not kobe? how were they focusing their defensive efforts on shaq...tell me...cuz i think you're a moron...they were playing shaq single coverage almost the entire series...why? because they could...because nobody else on teh laker team could get shaq the ball since they can't shoot...lets see a team triple team when they've got sasha vujacic, lamar odom, and caron butler to worry about instead of devean george and a gary payton that ran around in the triangle offense like a chicken with its head cut off...and why was it that the lakers didnt have more able players in the lineup and on the floor..oh yah thats right...cuz of shaqs fat ass and his fat 29 million dollar contract... whatever...i hate shaq...i never have liked shaq even when he was at his prime in LA...im glad hes gone...the lakers are kobes team, always have been and always should have been...good riddance to you shaq...go mess up miamis team and dwyane wades career like you tried to mess up kobes...cuz you know everyone in miami is gonna love wade more than you still...sucker...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting SCBrian:</div><div class="quote_post">people talk about jordan like he is Jesus or something...pisses me off so bad...Jordan had just as many if not more faults than Kobe...and if you want to compare their skill levels at 25 from a completely unbiased standpoint, kobe is favorably better than jordan at the same age...of cours ethis can always be argued but if you're gonna post stats and shit in this argument, then dont even bother talking to me because basketball has much more to it than just stats...although i will agree it is a good gauge at times...just not when comparing 2 players from different eras of the game... shaq was by far the most selfish player in teh laker organization...it doesnt show because he tries to keep things behind the scenes, but when you look at things that happened, and who team insiders always sided with, it was always kobe even though shaq was the one that bought them all nice watches and stuff...anyone who doesnt realize that shaq was most likely more selfish and harder to deal with than kobe is a fool... kobe not being able to handle defensive pressure? detroit focusing in on shaq and not kobe? how were they focusing their defensive efforts on shaq...tell me...cuz i think you're a moron...they were playing shaq single coverage almost the entire series...why? because they could...because nobody else on teh laker team could get shaq the ball since they can't shoot...lets see a team triple team when they've got sasha vujacic, lamar odom, and caron butler to worry about instead of devean george and a gary payton that ran around in the triangle offense like a chicken with its head cut off...and why was it that the lakers didnt have more able players in the lineup and on the floor..oh yah thats right...cuz of shaqs fat ass and his fat 29 million dollar contract... whatever...i hate shaq...i never have liked shaq even when he was at his prime in LA...im glad hes gone...the lakers are kobes team, always have been and always should have been...good riddance to you shaq...go mess up miamis team and dwyane wades career like you tried to mess up kobes...cuz you know everyone in miami is gonna love wade more than you still...sucker...</div> SCBrian, nice post. But who are you talking to homie?
haha i really have no idea...just whenever i hear shaq's name and people talking about jordan and kobe i just start going off...umm but yah my bad if i offended anybody...just the way i feel i guess...i dont really know who i was talking to haha
I really don't like this trade! Kobe really struggled this year when teams put more than one player on him. So I guess the laker's new offense is going to be Kobe running around and trying to dribble out of double and triple teams then throw up a wild shot with no time left on the clock. Shaq was the best player on this team by far against the pistons. Alot people are talking crap about Shaq but if you listen to Karl and Gary they became lakers bc of Shaq and they won't stay if he's not here.
