do you even understand where the whole "fat, lazy and disrespectful to management" came from? no one has said Shaq was like this his entire career. after the 1999-2000 season, did Shaquille Oneal put up the same numbers he did that year? no. did he or did he not say "why should i heal my injuries on my vacation? i will get surgery and recover during the SEASON." did Shaq not say "i will always do what's best for ME."? did he or did he not say "PAY ME!!" to Laker management during training camp? did he or did he not say "i am the General Manager of the Lakers."? did he or did he not say "you have to feed the big dog the ball to keep him happy."? Shaq has said ALL of these things. is this or is this not the words of a SELFISH, ARROGANT player? because if Kobe Bryant said those same things, we both know how he would have been treated.
if you were truly a Shaq fan and honest, then you KNOW Shaq was fat and out of shape. did you or did you not read Phil's comments about Shaq's weight and how he needs to come into camp IN SHAPE? did you or did you not hear countless media people, players, Phil Jackson and fans, yes fans, talk about how Shaq is fat and out of shape. this "fat and out of shape" concept wasnt born AFTER he left, it was done WELL BEFORE he left. Shaq has even said he is "saving" himself for the playoffs. a TRUE leader doesnt take games off. a TRUE leader comes into camp IN SHAPE and ready to work. a TRUE leader works on his game in the offseason (like free throws) to improve himself. a TRUE leader doesnt go spouting off in the media about not getting the ball and how he is the real General Manager of the Lakers. a TRUE leader supports his teammates in a crisis. a TRUE leader is not a liability in the 4th quarter and *sometimes* makes free throws. Shaq is NOT a TRUE leader.
the ONLY reason Shaq is dominant is because there is no other player his size. because he realizes this, he feels he shouldnt have to work hard. it is a known fact that Shaq was lazy and out of shape. my goodness man, take the blinders off and realize that Shaq is a great player, but he did NOT carry the Lakers. since you are so fascinated by stats, can you please pull up the stats in the San Antonio series and tell me who is responsible for beating the Spurs. you make a silly argument about Shaq getting the Lakers to the playoffs. well, i can continue to make the argument that Kobe carried the Lakers in the San Antonio series. we can go around and around, but bottom line, no Kobe, no San Antonio victory. no chance for Shaq to be "dominant" in the Finals.
now as for the Laker management signing Kobe Bryant at all costs. here is a player who still hasnt hit his prime, already has made heroic save after heroic save for the Lakers, doesnt actually SAY arrogant things in the media, works hard at his game ALL the time and you would just let him go? and keep a guy who doesnt respect you as an owner? Shaq's 33 year old, lazy ass would be GONE if i was the owner. BUT, it was SHAQ who demanded the trade. i know, i know, Mitch Kupchak said "we would listen to offers.." but he never SAID they were going to trade Shaq. oh, it's implied huh? how come everyone's words but Shaq's are always bad, but Shaq opens his mouth in arrogant ways and no one cares.
your Detroit rebuttal is laughable. you say they figured they couldnt stop Shaq. okay, the rest of the league decides to triple team him on a constant basis and the Spurs actually do an effective job of stopping him, so Detroit throws that out the window. maybe that's what the league should do. let Shaq do whatever he wants, but stop everyone else. again, WHY would Larry Brown focus his attention on Kobe Bryant if the way to beat the Lakers is stopping Shaq. why not focus his attention on Derek Fisher? why not Rick Fox? no, he focused on Kobe. WHY? because who could hurt them more? Shaq or Kobe? an opposing coach doesnt use double teams for fun. there is a strategic reason for it. and as for Mr. Peyton Manning, did you bother to watch the New England game?
i know you love Shaq, but get real. without a PLAYMAKER on his team, Shaq might make the playoffs. put Shaq on the Atlanta Hawks. do the Hawks make the playoffs with the SAME roster they have now? if they do, they are #8 in the East. Shaq needs help. he isnt a player of Michael Jordan's caliber. he isnt even a Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Shaq is a great player, but his attitude the last few years as a Laker opened him to scorn. we Laker fans didnt come up with this on our own. Shaq isnt innocent. you know the story of the Laker season. hell, Kobe himself even said it was going to be a struggle before the season started. i find it amazing that everyone thinks they know what Kobe means, but Shaq flat out says things and no one seems to care. i am still waiting for Kobe to say something arrogant like Shaq. all you got is "i want to be the highest paid player...." gee, what superstar basketball player hasnt said that?
your argument is Shaq is THE reason the Lakers were successful, but now you change it to "Shaq needed help". that's MY argument. Shaq is not THE reason for the Laker's success or the Heat's. are you going to change it again?
