Yep, another post about Shaq!

[primetime]

I know folks, you're probably asking why am I posting yet ANOTHER post about Shaquille Oneal. I will tell you why. Ever since that lazy fool left the Lakers, I had to endure others insulting the Laker organization and bashing Kobe Bryant in the process. Despite all the FACTS I gave people about who was really to blame for Shaq leaving (SHAQ!!!!!), people still thought Shaq was not at fault. It was "Kobe is evil! The Lakers are stupid! Shaq can do no wrong!".

Now, remember when Shaq got to the Heat and a lot of my detractors on this same forum told me that Shaq was playing for a good team and he will make them better. Need I remind you that it was Dwyane Wade that won that title (as well as Alonzo Mourning) and that eventually, fans will see the REAL Shaq. LA fans saw the REAL Shaq, which is why we take every opportunity to say "I told you so".

Now, Shaq is in Phoenix and Shaq has been bashing a former team. Is it the Lakers? NO. It is the Miami Heat? *Gasp* Huh? Shaq bashing the same team he claimed was a "real" team, with a "real" coach, a "real" owner and a "real" great player (Wade)? Say it isn't so. Well, it is. It seems as though Shaq has been bashing the Heat. The same team that got him a 4th championship. Pat Riley, who Oneal himself claimed was the "greatest coach he has ever played for", responded to Oneal's criticisms.

Read and weep the article from the Associated Press TODAY.


NEW YORK (AP) - Pat Riley can't understand why Shaquille O'Neal keeps talking about the Miami Heat.

Riley responded to O'Neal's criticisms Wednesday with some of his own, saying his former center was wrong to disparage some of his old teammates and trainers in a Boston Globe story.

"It's sad that he says those things. We shared so much here, together, for three years, good and bad, 3½ years," Riley said, referring specifically to the Heat's 2006 NBA title. "I just think it's sad that he's got to do that."

Riley dealt O'Neal to Phoenix before the trade deadline, allowing the 36-year-old center the chance to compete for another title instead of sticking around Miami for a last-place finish. O'Neal made it clear how much he prefers his new teammates.

"I love playing for this coach and I love playing with these guys," O'Neal told the Globe. "We have professionals who know what to do. No one is asking me to play with Chris Quinn or Ricky Davis. I'm actually on a team again."

After Phoenix's loss to Boston, O'Neal elaborated, saying that defenses would sag off of Quinn and Davis and he wasn't able to get the ball. Of Riley's comments, O'Neal said colorfully, "I don't (care) how he interpreted it."

Reminded that reporters couldn't use the quote because of the expletive, he said, "Sure you can. You can quote me, brother. You can put an 's,' then the tic-tac-toe, the 'at' sign and then the other symbols."

O'Neal was critical about shots — as in, not getting enough of them — often during his tenure with the Heat. This year, he expressed those sentiments in the days that followed a 110-101 loss at Utah on Dec. 3 — a game where Quinn didn't play and O'Neal and Davis were on court together for 16 minutes, 2 seconds.

He also complained about not getting enough touches two days after going 8-for-15 in a 120-99 loss against Orlando, another game where he and Quinn never were on the court at the same time. Plus, O'Neal got into an argument with Riley during an early season practice, and words got so heated that Alonzo Mourning intervened to keep the two separated.

Keep in mind, O'Neal is the one who repeatedly referred to his Miami coach as "the great Pat Riley" during his time in South Florida. But he also was clearly miffed when Riley pulled him in the first minute of a game at New Jersey earlier this season for blowing a defensive assignment.

Riley said he doesn't have "anything but good feelings for Shaq" and wasn't bothered by any criticism leveled at him. But he said O'Neal has no reason to blame anyone else in the organization for his unhappiness.

"When you're 9-40, we're all frustrated. I mean everybody's at fault, we all were. Everybody was feeling bad and nobody wants that," Riley said.

"He didn't want to be there, he didn't want to play for that kind of situation, 35 years old. He wanted to go to a contender and we sent him there. We sent him to Utopia and we're left here with the carnage and I don't know why he's not happy."

Riley also defended the work of veteran trainer Ron Culp and the team's medical staff, saying O'Neal was out of line to speak poorly of them.

"It's really a shame that he would insult those people like that because they gave him care. They cared," Riley said. "They didn't kiss his butt. They cared about him.

"He can do whatever he wants to do to me. That's OK, I don't care. But those men, they tried. ... That upsets me more than anything."









Now Kobe/Laker haters, I TOLD YOU SO. Shaquille Oneal is nothing but a lazy slob who claims he is on a great team, then gets mad when he is no longer useful. Everyone thought it was the Lakers who made a bad move. They didn't. They made the RIGHT move and remember, a lot of you thought I was crazy and didn't make any sense. Well, I guess I was right. I tried to tell you about Shaq, you didn't believe me and here we are once again looking at a Shaq article blasting his former team. He did the same to Orlando. He did the same to the Lakers. He WILL do the same to the Suns. Are your eyes open now?

 

[jaba]

i think the guy is definitely doing damage to his legacy, Prime. If you want to leave a team, fine, but Shaq is alieniating so many former fans with his mouth that few may want to wish him well at his retirement. The guy disses penny hardaway, then kobe, then wade. at some point hes going to run out of people to blame for the misfortunes of his teams.

and isnt it remarkable how Shaqs numbers and his health magically improve as soon as he gets a new team? they must give him magic miracle health pills whenever he changes uniforms..but as long as someone other than the lakers has Shaqs salary and the headaches, no problems here...

 

[tickletoy3]

I have to laugh at this post. All I can say is Shaq has really done a psych job on Laker fans. Trust me, Shaq is in no way losing sleep over the Lakers or anything LA related, Miami related or even Orlando related. He moved on with life. Yet Laker fans still bring up his name despite the fact he left YEARS ago. Get over it. Shaq certainly did.

Bottom line is Shaq wants to win. He doesn't care about which team, which uniform or which player or which fan it's with. Shaq cares about Shaq. Shaq's loyalty is to Shaq. If Phoenix traded him tomorrow, his new best friend would be the new team and his new enemy would be anything Phoenix.

LA fans need to get over Shaq. To say "I told you so" about somebody's actions in 2008 in relation to their actions YEARS ago is totally idiotic. It's like Giants fans saying "I told you so" about Brett Favre's last play being an interception because he misread a similar defense in 2005.

Shaq packed his bags in LA and moved to Miami. He and his team won yet another NBA title. He moved on with life.

If the Lakers and Laker fans could get over him the way he obviously got over them, well.. you get the point.

Get over it. As someone said, this is getting funnier and funnier..

 

[primetime]

Ah tickletoy, I was waiting for your reply. This post isn't to bash Shaq per se. It is my "retribution" to the people who decided that I had no idea on what I was talking about in regards to Shaq. I could care less what Shaq does nowadays. He is washed up. However, I still remember in vivid detail the debates that took place. I told you that eventually the truth will come out about Shaq (which takes years obviously) and I will prove my point. Looks like I did.

Only now you are saying "Shaq only cares about Shaq". You weren't saying this 4 years ago. You were blaming Kobe Bryant and the Laker organization years ago. My whole point of posting is for me to rub it in to the people who thought I had no clue on what I was talking about. Petty? HELL YEAH! But, it is a very sweet feeling laughing at those who tried to debate me from several years ago. It is sweet to know that people were completely wrong and where are they now? I posted a Shaq post every year and people came out of the woodwork to defend the fat ingrate and take the opportunity to bash the Lakers. Now they are nowhere to be found. Well, looks like I get the last laugh. That is why I am posting. A lot of true blue Laker fans are getting the last laugh because we had to endure a bunch of ignorant haters spew their hatred towards our favorite organization. Learn a lesson. I DO KNOW WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT.

Jaba, you're right. Shaq is tarnishing his legacy. No doubt he is one of the greatest players of all time, but he continues to badmouth the people who got him where he is. All those haters claimed Kobe Bryant was the selfish one, but it turns out that Shaquille was just as much or even more selfish than Kobe ever will be. It was Shaq that left the Lakers, not the Lakers leaving Shaq.

 

[tickletoy3]

Only now you are saying "Shaq only cares about Shaq". You weren't saying this 4 years ago. You were blaming Kobe Bryant and the Laker organization years ago.

This is my point Prime. Four years ago Shaq was a different person and player than he is now. Everyone changes in four years. I was blaming Kobe Bryant and the Lakers - and I still do - just as much as Shaq.

I don't blame Shaq for his selfish attitude. He helped bring the Lakers multiple titles. He helped bring Miami a title. Yet as soon as the winning stops, suddenly Shaq is the blame. It's all his fault. He's the lone wolf who caused it all. To me the teams are just as much an ingrate. Shaq did not win those titles alone so why is it suddenly all his fault when those teams lose?

If it was all Wade that won Miami a title, then why do they have such a losing record? Is Wade not playing? As long as he on the court then Miami should compete, afterall he won a title by himself. In the finals with Miami, Shaq was not only hitting free throws, he was diving at loose balls. You think I'm making it up? As you say, watch the tape.

It was all Kobe that won in LA, right? If not for Kobe then LA doesn't even get past San Antonio, right? Kobe throws up a prayer that goes in and LA gets a parade. Shaq had nothing to do with LA winning that game, right? Who was it that hit two free throws that set up that shot? Guess what, if Shaq misses even one of those free throws, Kobe's shot doesn't even matter. But that's ok. Kobe did it all by himself. That's how it works in LA.

Let's blame Shaq for Miami's problems. Let's see, Shaq is injured himself, Wade had a major operation, Alonzo has a disease, and basically Miami is a decimal of what it was when it won the title and somehow this is all Shaq's fault.

Shaq could go out every night and bust his two ton frame, probably injure himself even further and Miami would still stink. So he does the smart thing and says "why bother". Shaq has a crappy attitude and no work ethic because he refuses to injure himself further in a meaningless, worthless effort on a court with no help. Yeah that makes sense.

On the other hand, Kobe whines and bitches about not having any help and his team being injured and hey.. it's alright Kobe. Score your 80 points a game and we still lose. Gee, it's not your fault.

Shaq is aged, injured and way past his prime years. Yet he's expected to play like he just came out of LSU.

And now you wonder where Shaq gets his attitude?

See, Shaq can't win. I totally see his viewpoint. Shaq cares about Shaq. He's learned it's the only way to survive. As soon as Kobe has aged, served his usefulness and the next generation star comes their way, the Lakers trade him away he will have the same attitude.

 

[jaba]

I have to laugh at this post. All I can say is Shaq has really done a psych job on Laker fans. Trust me, Shaq is in no way losing sleep over the Lakers or anything LA related, Miami related or even Orlando related. He moved on with life. Yet Laker fans still bring up his name despite the fact he left YEARS ago. Get over it. Shaq certainly did.

Bottom line is Shaq wants to win. He doesn't care about which team, which uniform or which player or which fan it's with. Shaq cares about Shaq. Shaq's loyalty is to Shaq. If Phoenix traded him tomorrow, his new best friend would be the new team and his new enemy would be anything Phoenix.

LA fans need to get over Shaq. To say "I told you so" about somebody's actions in 2008 in relation to their actions YEARS ago is totally idiotic. It's like Giants fans saying "I told you so" about Brett Favre's last play being an interception because he misread a similar defense in 2005.

Shaq packed his bags in LA and moved to Miami. He and his team won yet another NBA title. He moved on with life.

If the Lakers and Laker fans could get over him the way he obviously got over them, well.. you get the point.

Get over it. As someone said, this is getting funnier and funnier..

well, Shaq can balloon up to 400 pounds during the off season, average half a season of court time a year due to out of shape injury, and delay off season surgery until the start of the season for any other team he plays for in the league, as long as its not the lakers, I dont care. dissing your former team is tacky and classless, and as coach riley says, Shaq didnt have to diss the Miami Heat trainers, who tried their best to keep his out of shape ass healthy and on the court.

andrew Bynum posterized Shaq with a turnaround dunk on Shaq in Bynums rookie season, and the kid is only getting better. the lakers have moved on.

as soon as Shaq leaves, the suns will be the new team on Shaqs " diss" list...

 

[primetime]

Tickletoy, are you even paying attention to what you are writing? Why is it hard for you to see that Shaq is AT FAULT for how his career is turning out? He dissed the Orlando Magic, he dissed the Lakers, he is now dissing the Miami Heat.

As for his tenure with the Lakers. You obviously didn't pay attention to my posts in the past when you are writing that I said it was because of Kobe that they won the titles. I NEVER said that. Go back and find the posts from the pasts. Show me a quote where I actually did not give any credit to Shaq for helping, (key word: HELPING) the Lakers win those titles. Your whole argument was Shaq was the SOLE reason why the Lakers got those three rings. I talked about Kobe and the Spurs is because Kobe was the main reason why they got past the Spurs. Shaq has never had a good series against the Spurs. They knew how to contain him.

Man, I guess you were sleeping during the Dallas-Miami Finals. First of all, Dallas choked. Second, Fat Shaq was on the freakin bench watching Dwyane Wade beating the Mavericks. Why else did he get Finals MVP? Why was Shaq on the bench? He wasn't in foul trouble. Why?

Also keep in mind, when the Heat did win, Shaq said on National TV, "Pat Riley is the greatest coach I have ever played for." Now, didn't he say the same about Phil Jackson? Ask yourself this question. Why would TWO Hall Of Fame coaches all of the sudden "turn against Shaq"? Maybe it's because Shaq doesn't work hard, but wants all the credit. Maybe Shaq should realize he is not the whole show and actually work at his game. You take Shaq out more than 5 feet from the basket and he is useless. He has no real shot. Everything he does is within 5 feet of the basket. He is constantly injury prone. The man is done. Yet, it's the organizations' fault for his misfortune. You don't see a pattern?

You say people expect Shaq to play like he did when he was at LSU. Well damn, reading your posts, why shouldn't the public expect that? After the comments Shaq makes, why shouldn't we expect him to be dominant? You still make it seem like Shaq is this unstoppable player and everyone should fawn over this lazy ingrate.

Honestly, can you really explain why Shaq is disrespecting the Heat?

Jaba, you are right. Lakers fans could care less about Shaq and I am actually enjoying his decline. As for the Lakers, we will be okay once Bynum and Gasol get healthy. We are running on tired legs right now with the slew of injuries...

 

[tickletoy3]

Prime, are you paying attention to anything you write?

"Why is it hard for you to see that Shaq is AT FAULT for how his career is turning out?"

Umm.. let's see.. multiple titles in Los Angeles, another title in Miami and oh yeh, in case you missed it, the Suns have won 9 of their last 11 games. Might just be me, but I'm guessing 80% of the NBA wished their careers could involve those accomplishments and "turn out" that way.

Why does Shaq 'diss' his former teams?

You mean those same teams that shoved a knife in his back with thanks for his help in gaining those huge golden trophies they proudly display in their front office? The same trophies that lend validation that Phil Jackson is the "guru" of the NBA? That Pat Riley actually can win a title without Magic Johnson?

Phil wins most of his titles with probably the greatest player to ever play the game (Jordan), one of the best rebounders to play the game (Rodman) and one of the most unselfish yet complete players (Pippen) and Riley wins his with what is without a doubt one of the most complete teams in NBA history.

Wow. How did those teams ever win a title? That's what I call hard work for a coach. Just ask Barry Switzer.

But once again, purple and gold glasses see that as even more of an accomplishment, seeing as the Lakers won those trophies in spite of Doughnut Head and yes, in spite of his NBA Finals MVP self. Get rid of his fatass, he's getting powdered sugar on the Phil's illustrious trophies!!

Their 80 point hero Mike Tyson wannabe - don't worry. He was innocent too - just ask him ("Trade me! Trade me! Wah! Wah!) now has the spotlight all to himself and he has once again advanced the Lakers past San Antonio and to the Finals. Afterall, according to Lakers fans Shaq was a non-factor against the Spurs, so it doesn't really matter he's gone. And in the NBA Finals Kobe scored.. oh wait. Never mind. But ok, let's be fair and not blame it all on Kobe. The "guru" was there and he has multiple trophies in the front office to prove his genius. Surely, he could get them to the finals in all his management, trading, wheeling and dealing and basketball wisdom. He's done it before with Kobe. Just look in the trophy case.. see they are still there.

Meanwhile, Lardass has returned to the Finals and helped win another trophy with yet a totally different team, system and coach. That's right folks. An out of shape, lardass, can't hit a free throw to save his life injured knee blubberboy shows up and suddenly the Miami Heat land in the Finals. Wow. Maybe every franchise should try that strategy. Is that a huge coincidence or what??? Then that team makes no attempt to rebuild following that championship, that team gets obliterated with injuries and has the worst record in the NBA. But that's Shaq's fault. Just ask Riley, that Hall of Fame genius coach who took the New York Knicks to several championships in all his wisdom.. oh wait. Again, never mind.

And don't let Riley pull one over your eyes with that innocent "why does he talk about our trainers? They only tried to help him stay in shape." routine.

What he really means is "we wanted him to be in shape so we would ditch his fatass in gratitude for helping me win yet another NBA trophy for my record of validation to my genius."

Why is Shaq being talked about by two "Hall of fame" coaches?

Did you ever stop to think a huge reason they are "Hall of Fame" coaches is because of what Shaq did on the court during his stay with those teams? Yes, he did it with teammates. But the point is, he was part of that team. Something for which he has yet to be given credit, and instead only insults. The trophies are still there.. honest. Go check.

I don't blame Shaq one damn bit for his attitude. I'm just curious if he placed the knife from his back next to the trophies in the front office.

 

[primetime]

Are you serious? You know, I think you write what you write in order to continue this discussion. You know you make no sense. You're just writing those posts in order to keep the "primetime vs Laker haters" threads alive. You crack me up.

Get this. This same Shaq who was stabbed in the back mouthed off at Orlando when he left too. You know what he said about Orlando? "He called it a dried up little pond." The reason for his displeasure? They didn't make the Lakers offer sheet back in 1996. The Lakers gave Shaq 120 million, the Magic "only" offered 106 million.

Let's see. Two franchises. Same Shaq. Shaq cries about "give me the ball" in both places, but it's the management and coaches who are at fault. Shaq even said he doesn't want to be the primary scoring option in Miami, he just wants to make Wade look good and be a "role" player. Now, he is complaining he wasn't getting enough touches.

Just for kicks, could you explain how the management of the Magic, Lakers and Heat "stabbed Shaq in the back"? I also noticed you never seem to talk about the simple fact that Shaq was mainly on the bench during the Dallas-Miami Finals, especially during key moments of the game. Why? How come Shaq wasn't Finals MVP when the Heat won. After all, he is the only reason why the Lakers won right?

Tickletoy, it is painfully obvious that you are writing what you're writing just to have conversation going. You and I both know you are making no sense and are playing "devil's advocate". Good show man, good show.

 

[jaba]

Shaq's "MVP"?

you know what? every time I want to hate Shaq for trashing laker fans, he goes and says something like this....

Shaq says Kobe MVP, puts Stoudemire ahead of Garnett




When asked for his thoughts on the MVP race, Phoenix Suns center Shaquille O'Neal didn't hesitate.

"The Kobester," he said, referencing his old teammate and occasional foil, Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers. "He's an assassin, with LeBron [James] coming in right behind. After that, I really haven't been paying attention."

So some brave soul raised the possibility that the guy across the hall in TD Banknorth Garden — Boston Celtics forward Kevin Garnett -- might be in the discussion as well. O'Neal shook his head. No way.

"I'm going to have to go with my guy before him," he said, motioning to teammate Amare Stoudemire's locker. "All day, every day. Garnett doesn't play defense".
Source: Boston Globe

maybe Shaq is saying don't hate the "player", hate the "game"?.....

 

[tickletoy3]

Keep in mind Jaba that players often do just that. "Talk".

It means very little no matter what they say or who said it. Far too often the media takes anything said out of context or tries to manipulate it to their advantage to sell papers or magazines or whatever brings them income.

That's why I laugh every time I see a quote from a famous athlete. I laugh even more when someone uses those quotes to prove something. It's all a joke and "here-say". We don't know what was truly said, or actually implied.. but we do always know what the media wants us to think was said or implied.

Truth be told, Kobe and Shaq are probably best of friends and probably have code names for each other like "81" or "Fat Ass". But we will never hear of it because it won't sell papers.

Last I heard, just after the huge trade that shook the NBA, Shaq was seen all alone at mid-court of US Airways Arena. He was staring at the Phoenix Suns logo and had a look of happiness mixed with confusion. A reporter approached him and asked him why the look? Was he happy to be in Phoenix? What was the one thought on his mind about his new home in the NBA?

Shaq smiled and kept staring at the logo.. he drooled the words.. "Mmmmmm.. orange flavored doughnut.. with extra middle filling."

The confused reporter tried to investigate further.. "Is there anything here to be offered, that wasn't offered in Miami?"

Shaq added.. "Mmmm.. more doughnuts."

The reporter gave up and walked towards the Phoenix team that was beginning to arrive for practice. He got a quick word with Stoudemire and tried to dig deeper for more dirt on Shaq..

"Is there any truth to the rumor that Shaq has feelings that the Miami Heat "stabbed" him in the back?"

Surely that would get a response..

Amire laughed.. "If they did it was to deflate his lard ass. Everyone knows Wade carried that team. Heck, Wade and Riley HAD to get rid of Shaq. He was eating all their profits.. and anything else he could lay hands on."

The stunned reporter quickly added "What about the trainers trying to get him in shape?".. Amire smiled..

"Shape for what? To play the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man in the remake of 'Ghostbusters'? Shaq hasn't been in shape in four years and you bring that up now?"

The reporter turned off his mike and quickly left.

But.. we will never hear that story because it won't sell papers.

 

[jaba]

Keep in mind Jaba that players often do just that. "Talk".

It means very little no matter what they say or who said it. Far too often the media takes anything said out of context or tries to manipulate it to their advantage to sell papers or magazines or whatever brings them income.

That's why I laugh every time I see a quote from a famous athlete. I laugh even more when someone uses those quotes to prove something. It's all a joke and "here-say". We don't know what was truly said, or actually implied.. but we do always know what the media wants us to think was said or implied.

Truth be told, Kobe and Shaq are probably best of friends and probably have code names for each other like "81" or "Fat Ass". But we will never hear of it because it won't sell papers.
..

yeah, I think Shaq and kobe have made peace. they will never be best buddies, they will always be two different kind of people. Shaq was always more outgoing, kobe more private. but even when they were butting heads with each other on the the lakers, Shaq always respected kobe's game, and called him the best player in the nba. I heard that from Shaqs own mouth in an interview, but you are right, the feud between the two makes better headlines.

no one player can get it done on his own. michael jordan, who i think was the best ever because of his total team game, did not win anything until he teamed up with scotty pippen. Shaq looks like hes elevating Stoudemire's game, and Gasol and Bynum will make kobe an mvp someday.

I just want to see some good basketball battles for the western conference title.

 

[tickletoy3]

I just want to see some good basketball battles for the western conference title.

I totally agree jaba. We always make fun of Shaq and Kobe, call them names and hurl comical insults, but it's only because we respect them. They both are great athletes and a credit to the ability of NBA players. While true Shaq has a leg out the exit door, Kobe still has years to come..

How did you like the Manchester United vs Liverpool game? Ronaldo is just unreal.

 

[storm7400]

SHAQ RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nah just riling up my boy primetime. 😉

Shaq always bashes his former team just as is expected IMO. Its further proof that the NBA is more about the individual then the team. (With the obvious exception of the Spurs, yes I said it count the rings) Honestly there's no reason for Shaq to do this other then to sell papers and create fodder for sports analysts. To me its whatever quite frankly. As for the Lakers, who can honestly fault them for choosing to pay Kobe over Shaq? Kobe is going to be around far after Shaq is retired and any other team would have done the same thing if they were in the Lakers position.

 

[jaba]

I totally agree jaba. We always make fun of Shaq and Kobe, call them names and hurl comical insults, but it's only because we respect them. They both are great athletes and a credit to the ability of NBA players. While true Shaq has a leg out the exit door, Kobe still has years to come..

How did you like the Manchester United vs Liverpool game? Ronaldo is just unreal.

you know, I really dont follow futbol, except during maybe world cup. There was some buzz in california when david beckam came to the los angeles Galaxy team, but Im afraid I dont know much about the sport.

But I will say this, american baseball, basketball and football teams talk about being " world champions" when they win the championship, but soccer is the only sport that everybody in the world plays, rich and poor countries alike , and I think the best athletes in soccer can make a compelling case for being truly the best athletes in the world.

 

[primetime]

You know what folks? Despite all the crap news that Shaq makes, you have to admit, he knows how to stay relevant in the NBA. His career is pretty much over, yet, he knows how to draw audiences. I always said he was fat and lazy, but one thing is for sure. He isn't stupid....

Honestly, if Shaq was a Laker, of course I wouldn't rip him so much. I would still think he was fat and lazy (I was saying that during the 3-peat), but he would be a Laker. Because of stupid economics, the REAL reason why he left, Shaq was no longer a Laker, so to hell with Shaq. I constantly speak with other Laker fans and we all remember the alley-oops. We remember the "gorilla" walk after dunks. We remember the fun we had. We just wish all of the stupid crap didn't happen.

I also think that Shaq and Kobe never really "hated" each other. I remember when they were supposedly enemies, the LA Times had a photo of Kobe and his wife attending Shaq's New Year's Eve party. I found it funny, because just the week before, they "hated" each other. I really think the media played it too much. They were never the best of friends, but I don't think they truly hated each other.

This year's Western Conference playoffs will be memorable. There will be no upset in the 1st round. Every team that makes the playoffs will probably be a 50 game winner. That is unheard of. I just hope the Lakers get healthy, then everyone can hate us again as we make it to the NBA Finals and defeat the evil empire known as the Boston Celtics....