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Originally posted by GameOver:Originally posted by LA9erFan:
FYI guys...if we clinch on Sunday, the parade would be on Wednesday, and if we clinch on Tuesday, it would be on Friday. Dunno what happens if it goes 7.
f**k, then im cheering for a Tuesday clincher...because itd be easier for me to go to the parade on a Friday than a Wednesday...damn...lol
Originally posted by dman:Originally posted by LA9erFan:
I just re-read this interview from 2003, which is when the Kobe/Shaq feud really blew up out of control. (Shaq made comments before this that sparked this reaction, btw) Anyway, it's interesting to read this almost 6 years later.
GRAY: What was your reaction to Shaq saying the Lakers are his team, and everybody knows it?
BRYANT: It doesn't matter whose team it is. Nobody cares. I don't, Karl [Malone] doesn't, Gary [Payton] doesn't, and our teammates and the fans don't either. There's more to life than whose team this is. But this is his team, so it's time for him to act like it. That means no more coming into camp fat and out of shape, when your team is relying on your leadership on and off the court. It also means no more blaming others for our team's failure, or blaming staff members for not overdramatizing your injuries so that you avoid blame for your lack of conditioning. Also, "my team" doesn't mean only when we win; it means carrying the burden of defeat just as gracefully as you carry a championship trophy.
GRAY: Do you consider Shaq to be a leader?
BRYANT: Leaders don't beg for a contract extension and negotiate some 30 million [dollars] plus per year deal in the media when we have two future Hall of Famers playing here pretty much for free. A leader would not demand the ball every time down the floor when you have the three of us [Malone, Payton, Bryant] playing beside you, not to mention the teammates you have gone to war with for years -- and, by the way, then threaten not to play defense and rebound if you don't get the ball every time down the floor.
GRAY: Shaq says that you have not been a team player. Is he right?
BRYANT: That's ridiculous. I have been successfully sacrificing my game for years for Shaq. That's what Phil [Jackson] wanted me to do, so I did it. Last year Phil told me Shaq was not in physical condition to carry the trust of our offense, so he asked me to do it. But then he saw Shaq was getting upset that the team wasn't running through him, so Phil asked me to pull back and I did. This year is no different; my role is whatever Phil wants it to be. Period.
GRAY: Through out the preseason, your leg and conditioning has been lagging. Are you in the proper shape to start the season?
BRYANT: My knee is not strong enough to play yet. I know it. When it is I will play.
GRAY: Does that mean you will miss the opener [Tuesday] night and other games?
BRYANT: I probably won't play tomorrow night or until I'm ready. But I don't need Shaq's advice on how to play hurt. I've played with IVs before, during and after games. I've played with a broken hand, a sprained ankle, a torn shoulder, a fractured tooth, a severed lip, and a knee the size of a softball. I don't miss 15 games because of a toe injury that everybody knows wasn't that serious in the first place.
GRAY: Kobe, Shaq said if you didn't like what he had to say you can opt out and leave next season. Will you leave the Lakers?
BRYANT: I won't make that decision until the end of the season. I told Shaq last year that I was planning on opting out. He knew before anyone. I told him out of respect for what we have been through together. I thought he should be the first to know. The fact that he acts like this is such a big shock is a mystery to me. If leaving the Lakers at the end of the season is what I decide, a major reason for that will be Shaq's childlike selfishness and jealousy.
GRAY: Do you feel Shaq has been supportive in regards to your legal situation?
BRYANT: He is not my quote unquote "big brother." A big brother would have called to lend his support this summer. I heard absolutely nothing from him. I spoke to Devean [George], Rick [Fox], Mitch [Kupchak], Phil, and our owner Jerry Buss. And Shaq's own Uncle Jerome called and left three messages. Other teammates like Derek [Fisher], Mark [Madsen], and [Stanislav Medvedenko] left messages as well. Opponents called like [Chris] Webber, [Mike] Bibby, and many others. So did a lot of coaches. Michael Jordan, who didn't have my home phone, tracked it down to lend his support. So did Tiger Woods. But yet from my so-called big brother, I heard nothing.
GRAY: Why not resolve this behind closed doors? Why is this so public?
BRYANT: I asked Phil on Sunday [yesterday] to say something to calm this situation down before it boiled over. But he backed away, so now here we are. I have been a bigger person every time something happened with Shaq, and I don't expect this to be any different. But somebody in this organization had to speak up, because his unprofessionalism hurt us last year, and I don't want it to hurt us this year.
Im still not sure how Kobe is considered the bad guy in all this.
Its funny that Shaq STILL runs his mouth and its OK, Kobe still gets blamed.
Originally posted by crzy:Originally posted by dman:Originally posted by LA9erFan:
I just re-read this interview from 2003, which is when the Kobe/Shaq feud really blew up out of control. (Shaq made comments before this that sparked this reaction, btw) Anyway, it's interesting to read this almost 6 years later.
GRAY: What was your reaction to Shaq saying the Lakers are his team, and everybody knows it?
BRYANT: It doesn't matter whose team it is. Nobody cares. I don't, Karl [Malone] doesn't, Gary [Payton] doesn't, and our teammates and the fans don't either. There's more to life than whose team this is. But this is his team, so it's time for him to act like it. That means no more coming into camp fat and out of shape, when your team is relying on your leadership on and off the court. It also means no more blaming others for our team's failure, or blaming staff members for not overdramatizing your injuries so that you avoid blame for your lack of conditioning. Also, "my team" doesn't mean only when we win; it means carrying the burden of defeat just as gracefully as you carry a championship trophy.
GRAY: Do you consider Shaq to be a leader?
BRYANT: Leaders don't beg for a contract extension and negotiate some 30 million [dollars] plus per year deal in the media when we have two future Hall of Famers playing here pretty much for free. A leader would not demand the ball every time down the floor when you have the three of us [Malone, Payton, Bryant] playing beside you, not to mention the teammates you have gone to war with for years -- and, by the way, then threaten not to play defense and rebound if you don't get the ball every time down the floor.
GRAY: Shaq says that you have not been a team player. Is he right?
BRYANT: That's ridiculous. I have been successfully sacrificing my game for years for Shaq. That's what Phil [Jackson] wanted me to do, so I did it. Last year Phil told me Shaq was not in physical condition to carry the trust of our offense, so he asked me to do it. But then he saw Shaq was getting upset that the team wasn't running through him, so Phil asked me to pull back and I did. This year is no different; my role is whatever Phil wants it to be. Period.
GRAY: Through out the preseason, your leg and conditioning has been lagging. Are you in the proper shape to start the season?
BRYANT: My knee is not strong enough to play yet. I know it. When it is I will play.
GRAY: Does that mean you will miss the opener [Tuesday] night and other games?
BRYANT: I probably won't play tomorrow night or until I'm ready. But I don't need Shaq's advice on how to play hurt. I've played with IVs before, during and after games. I've played with a broken hand, a sprained ankle, a torn shoulder, a fractured tooth, a severed lip, and a knee the size of a softball. I don't miss 15 games because of a toe injury that everybody knows wasn't that serious in the first place.
GRAY: Kobe, Shaq said if you didn't like what he had to say you can opt out and leave next season. Will you leave the Lakers?
BRYANT: I won't make that decision until the end of the season. I told Shaq last year that I was planning on opting out. He knew before anyone. I told him out of respect for what we have been through together. I thought he should be the first to know. The fact that he acts like this is such a big shock is a mystery to me. If leaving the Lakers at the end of the season is what I decide, a major reason for that will be Shaq's childlike selfishness and jealousy.
GRAY: Do you feel Shaq has been supportive in regards to your legal situation?
BRYANT: He is not my quote unquote "big brother." A big brother would have called to lend his support this summer. I heard absolutely nothing from him. I spoke to Devean [George], Rick [Fox], Mitch [Kupchak], Phil, and our owner Jerry Buss. And Shaq's own Uncle Jerome called and left three messages. Other teammates like Derek [Fisher], Mark [Madsen], and [Stanislav Medvedenko] left messages as well. Opponents called like [Chris] Webber, [Mike] Bibby, and many others. So did a lot of coaches. Michael Jordan, who didn't have my home phone, tracked it down to lend his support. So did Tiger Woods. But yet from my so-called big brother, I heard nothing.
GRAY: Why not resolve this behind closed doors? Why is this so public?
BRYANT: I asked Phil on Sunday [yesterday] to say something to calm this situation down before it boiled over. But he backed away, so now here we are. I have been a bigger person every time something happened with Shaq, and I don't expect this to be any different. But somebody in this organization had to speak up, because his unprofessionalism hurt us last year, and I don't want it to hurt us this year.
Im still not sure how Kobe is considered the bad guy in all this.
Its funny that Shaq STILL runs his mouth and its OK, Kobe still gets blamed.
Shrug. Kobe is still less likeable than Shaq.
Shaq might be a giant child, but at least he has a likeable personality.
Originally posted by GameOver:Originally posted by crzy:Originally posted by dman:Originally posted by LA9erFan:
I just re-read this interview from 2003, which is when the Kobe/Shaq feud really blew up out of control. (Shaq made comments before this that sparked this reaction, btw) Anyway, it's interesting to read this almost 6 years later.
GRAY: What was your reaction to Shaq saying the Lakers are his team, and everybody knows it?
BRYANT: It doesn't matter whose team it is. Nobody cares. I don't, Karl [Malone] doesn't, Gary [Payton] doesn't, and our teammates and the fans don't either. There's more to life than whose team this is. But this is his team, so it's time for him to act like it. That means no more coming into camp fat and out of shape, when your team is relying on your leadership on and off the court. It also means no more blaming others for our team's failure, or blaming staff members for not overdramatizing your injuries so that you avoid blame for your lack of conditioning. Also, "my team" doesn't mean only when we win; it means carrying the burden of defeat just as gracefully as you carry a championship trophy.
GRAY: Do you consider Shaq to be a leader?
BRYANT: Leaders don't beg for a contract extension and negotiate some 30 million [dollars] plus per year deal in the media when we have two future Hall of Famers playing here pretty much for free. A leader would not demand the ball every time down the floor when you have the three of us [Malone, Payton, Bryant] playing beside you, not to mention the teammates you have gone to war with for years -- and, by the way, then threaten not to play defense and rebound if you don't get the ball every time down the floor.
GRAY: Shaq says that you have not been a team player. Is he right?
BRYANT: That's ridiculous. I have been successfully sacrificing my game for years for Shaq. That's what Phil [Jackson] wanted me to do, so I did it. Last year Phil told me Shaq was not in physical condition to carry the trust of our offense, so he asked me to do it. But then he saw Shaq was getting upset that the team wasn't running through him, so Phil asked me to pull back and I did. This year is no different; my role is whatever Phil wants it to be. Period.
GRAY: Through out the preseason, your leg and conditioning has been lagging. Are you in the proper shape to start the season?
BRYANT: My knee is not strong enough to play yet. I know it. When it is I will play.
GRAY: Does that mean you will miss the opener [Tuesday] night and other games?
BRYANT: I probably won't play tomorrow night or until I'm ready. But I don't need Shaq's advice on how to play hurt. I've played with IVs before, during and after games. I've played with a broken hand, a sprained ankle, a torn shoulder, a fractured tooth, a severed lip, and a knee the size of a softball. I don't miss 15 games because of a toe injury that everybody knows wasn't that serious in the first place.
GRAY: Kobe, Shaq said if you didn't like what he had to say you can opt out and leave next season. Will you leave the Lakers?
BRYANT: I won't make that decision until the end of the season. I told Shaq last year that I was planning on opting out. He knew before anyone. I told him out of respect for what we have been through together. I thought he should be the first to know. The fact that he acts like this is such a big shock is a mystery to me. If leaving the Lakers at the end of the season is what I decide, a major reason for that will be Shaq's childlike selfishness and jealousy.
GRAY: Do you feel Shaq has been supportive in regards to your legal situation?
BRYANT: He is not my quote unquote "big brother." A big brother would have called to lend his support this summer. I heard absolutely nothing from him. I spoke to Devean [George], Rick [Fox], Mitch [Kupchak], Phil, and our owner Jerry Buss. And Shaq's own Uncle Jerome called and left three messages. Other teammates like Derek [Fisher], Mark [Madsen], and [Stanislav Medvedenko] left messages as well. Opponents called like [Chris] Webber, [Mike] Bibby, and many others. So did a lot of coaches. Michael Jordan, who didn't have my home phone, tracked it down to lend his support. So did Tiger Woods. But yet from my so-called big brother, I heard nothing.
GRAY: Why not resolve this behind closed doors? Why is this so public?
BRYANT: I asked Phil on Sunday [yesterday] to say something to calm this situation down before it boiled over. But he backed away, so now here we are. I have been a bigger person every time something happened with Shaq, and I don't expect this to be any different. But somebody in this organization had to speak up, because his unprofessionalism hurt us last year, and I don't want it to hurt us this year.
Im still not sure how Kobe is considered the bad guy in all this.
Its funny that Shaq STILL runs his mouth and its OK, Kobe still gets blamed.
Shrug. Kobe is still less likeable than Shaq.
Shaq might be a giant child, but at least he has a likeable personality.
I love Shaq...still...
Originally posted by crzy:Originally posted by GameOver:Originally posted by crzy:Originally posted by dman:Originally posted by LA9erFan:
I just re-read this interview from 2003, which is when the Kobe/Shaq feud really blew up out of control. (Shaq made comments before this that sparked this reaction, btw) Anyway, it's interesting to read this almost 6 years later.
GRAY: What was your reaction to Shaq saying the Lakers are his team, and everybody knows it?
BRYANT: It doesn't matter whose team it is. Nobody cares. I don't, Karl [Malone] doesn't, Gary [Payton] doesn't, and our teammates and the fans don't either. There's more to life than whose team this is. But this is his team, so it's time for him to act like it. That means no more coming into camp fat and out of shape, when your team is relying on your leadership on and off the court. It also means no more blaming others for our team's failure, or blaming staff members for not overdramatizing your injuries so that you avoid blame for your lack of conditioning. Also, "my team" doesn't mean only when we win; it means carrying the burden of defeat just as gracefully as you carry a championship trophy.
GRAY: Do you consider Shaq to be a leader?
BRYANT: Leaders don't beg for a contract extension and negotiate some 30 million [dollars] plus per year deal in the media when we have two future Hall of Famers playing here pretty much for free. A leader would not demand the ball every time down the floor when you have the three of us [Malone, Payton, Bryant] playing beside you, not to mention the teammates you have gone to war with for years -- and, by the way, then threaten not to play defense and rebound if you don't get the ball every time down the floor.
GRAY: Shaq says that you have not been a team player. Is he right?
BRYANT: That's ridiculous. I have been successfully sacrificing my game for years for Shaq. That's what Phil [Jackson] wanted me to do, so I did it. Last year Phil told me Shaq was not in physical condition to carry the trust of our offense, so he asked me to do it. But then he saw Shaq was getting upset that the team wasn't running through him, so Phil asked me to pull back and I did. This year is no different; my role is whatever Phil wants it to be. Period.
GRAY: Through out the preseason, your leg and conditioning has been lagging. Are you in the proper shape to start the season?
BRYANT: My knee is not strong enough to play yet. I know it. When it is I will play.
GRAY: Does that mean you will miss the opener [Tuesday] night and other games?
BRYANT: I probably won't play tomorrow night or until I'm ready. But I don't need Shaq's advice on how to play hurt. I've played with IVs before, during and after games. I've played with a broken hand, a sprained ankle, a torn shoulder, a fractured tooth, a severed lip, and a knee the size of a softball. I don't miss 15 games because of a toe injury that everybody knows wasn't that serious in the first place.
GRAY: Kobe, Shaq said if you didn't like what he had to say you can opt out and leave next season. Will you leave the Lakers?
BRYANT: I won't make that decision until the end of the season. I told Shaq last year that I was planning on opting out. He knew before anyone. I told him out of respect for what we have been through together. I thought he should be the first to know. The fact that he acts like this is such a big shock is a mystery to me. If leaving the Lakers at the end of the season is what I decide, a major reason for that will be Shaq's childlike selfishness and jealousy.
GRAY: Do you feel Shaq has been supportive in regards to your legal situation?
BRYANT: He is not my quote unquote "big brother." A big brother would have called to lend his support this summer. I heard absolutely nothing from him. I spoke to Devean [George], Rick [Fox], Mitch [Kupchak], Phil, and our owner Jerry Buss. And Shaq's own Uncle Jerome called and left three messages. Other teammates like Derek [Fisher], Mark [Madsen], and [Stanislav Medvedenko] left messages as well. Opponents called like [Chris] Webber, [Mike] Bibby, and many others. So did a lot of coaches. Michael Jordan, who didn't have my home phone, tracked it down to lend his support. So did Tiger Woods. But yet from my so-called big brother, I heard nothing.
GRAY: Why not resolve this behind closed doors? Why is this so public?
BRYANT: I asked Phil on Sunday [yesterday] to say something to calm this situation down before it boiled over. But he backed away, so now here we are. I have been a bigger person every time something happened with Shaq, and I don't expect this to be any different. But somebody in this organization had to speak up, because his unprofessionalism hurt us last year, and I don't want it to hurt us this year.
Im still not sure how Kobe is considered the bad guy in all this.
Its funny that Shaq STILL runs his mouth and its OK, Kobe still gets blamed.
Shrug. Kobe is still less likeable than Shaq.
Shaq might be a giant child, but at least he has a likeable personality.
I love Shaq...still...
You should man. I don't understand how any Lakers fan could not love Shaq. He won you guys 3 titles. The rest of the stuff is irrelevant.
Joe Montana could talk all the s**t he wants about Frank Gore and Patrick Willis.....and twitter about how Matt Ryan is a fake imposter and could never be as good as him. And I'd still wear his jersey with pride
Originally posted by crzy:Originally posted by GameOver:Originally posted by crzy:Originally posted by dman:Originally posted by LA9erFan:
I just re-read this interview from 2003, which is when the Kobe/Shaq feud really blew up out of control. (Shaq made comments before this that sparked this reaction, btw) Anyway, it's interesting to read this almost 6 years later.
GRAY: What was your reaction to Shaq saying the Lakers are his team, and everybody knows it?
BRYANT: It doesn't matter whose team it is. Nobody cares. I don't, Karl [Malone] doesn't, Gary [Payton] doesn't, and our teammates and the fans don't either. There's more to life than whose team this is. But this is his team, so it's time for him to act like it. That means no more coming into camp fat and out of shape, when your team is relying on your leadership on and off the court. It also means no more blaming others for our team's failure, or blaming staff members for not overdramatizing your injuries so that you avoid blame for your lack of conditioning. Also, "my team" doesn't mean only when we win; it means carrying the burden of defeat just as gracefully as you carry a championship trophy.
GRAY: Do you consider Shaq to be a leader?
BRYANT: Leaders don't beg for a contract extension and negotiate some 30 million [dollars] plus per year deal in the media when we have two future Hall of Famers playing here pretty much for free. A leader would not demand the ball every time down the floor when you have the three of us [Malone, Payton, Bryant] playing beside you, not to mention the teammates you have gone to war with for years -- and, by the way, then threaten not to play defense and rebound if you don't get the ball every time down the floor.
GRAY: Shaq says that you have not been a team player. Is he right?
BRYANT: That's ridiculous. I have been successfully sacrificing my game for years for Shaq. That's what Phil [Jackson] wanted me to do, so I did it. Last year Phil told me Shaq was not in physical condition to carry the trust of our offense, so he asked me to do it. But then he saw Shaq was getting upset that the team wasn't running through him, so Phil asked me to pull back and I did. This year is no different; my role is whatever Phil wants it to be. Period.
GRAY: Through out the preseason, your leg and conditioning has been lagging. Are you in the proper shape to start the season?
BRYANT: My knee is not strong enough to play yet. I know it. When it is I will play.
GRAY: Does that mean you will miss the opener [Tuesday] night and other games?
BRYANT: I probably won't play tomorrow night or until I'm ready. But I don't need Shaq's advice on how to play hurt. I've played with IVs before, during and after games. I've played with a broken hand, a sprained ankle, a torn shoulder, a fractured tooth, a severed lip, and a knee the size of a softball. I don't miss 15 games because of a toe injury that everybody knows wasn't that serious in the first place.
GRAY: Kobe, Shaq said if you didn't like what he had to say you can opt out and leave next season. Will you leave the Lakers?
BRYANT: I won't make that decision until the end of the season. I told Shaq last year that I was planning on opting out. He knew before anyone. I told him out of respect for what we have been through together. I thought he should be the first to know. The fact that he acts like this is such a big shock is a mystery to me. If leaving the Lakers at the end of the season is what I decide, a major reason for that will be Shaq's childlike selfishness and jealousy.
GRAY: Do you feel Shaq has been supportive in regards to your legal situation?
BRYANT: He is not my quote unquote "big brother." A big brother would have called to lend his support this summer. I heard absolutely nothing from him. I spoke to Devean [George], Rick [Fox], Mitch [Kupchak], Phil, and our owner Jerry Buss. And Shaq's own Uncle Jerome called and left three messages. Other teammates like Derek [Fisher], Mark [Madsen], and [Stanislav Medvedenko] left messages as well. Opponents called like [Chris] Webber, [Mike] Bibby, and many others. So did a lot of coaches. Michael Jordan, who didn't have my home phone, tracked it down to lend his support. So did Tiger Woods. But yet from my so-called big brother, I heard nothing.
GRAY: Why not resolve this behind closed doors? Why is this so public?
BRYANT: I asked Phil on Sunday [yesterday] to say something to calm this situation down before it boiled over. But he backed away, so now here we are. I have been a bigger person every time something happened with Shaq, and I don't expect this to be any different. But somebody in this organization had to speak up, because his unprofessionalism hurt us last year, and I don't want it to hurt us this year.
Im still not sure how Kobe is considered the bad guy in all this.
Its funny that Shaq STILL runs his mouth and its OK, Kobe still gets blamed.
Shrug. Kobe is still less likeable than Shaq.
Shaq might be a giant child, but at least he has a likeable personality.
I love Shaq...still...
You should man. I don't understand how any Lakers fan could not love Shaq. He won you guys 3 titles. The rest of the stuff is irrelevant.
Joe Montana could talk all the s**t he wants about Frank Gore and Patrick Willis.....and twitter about how Matt Ryan is a fake imposter and could never be as good as him. And I'd still wear his jersey with pride
Originally posted by crzy:
You gotta just be in awe of Shaq. There has never been (and there will never be) a professional athlete who managed to win four championships with little to no work ethic.
Originally posted by GameOver:Originally posted by crzy:
You gotta just be in awe of Shaq. There has never been (and there will never be) a professional athlete who managed to win four championships with little to no work ethic.
Thats my boy...one of the greatest of all time in my book...SHAQUILLE MOTHERf**kING O'NEAL
Originally posted by crzy:Originally posted by GameOver:Originally posted by crzy:
You gotta just be in awe of Shaq. There has never been (and there will never be) a professional athlete who managed to win four championships with little to no work ethic.
Thats my boy...one of the greatest of all time in my book...SHAQUILLE MOTHERf**kING O'NEAL
In his prime, the most dominant player in NBA history.
Originally posted by GameOver:Originally posted by crzy:Originally posted by GameOver:Originally posted by crzy:
You gotta just be in awe of Shaq. There has never been (and there will never be) a professional athlete who managed to win four championships with little to no work ethic.
Thats my boy...one of the greatest of all time in my book...SHAQUILLE MOTHERf**kING O'NEAL
In his prime, the most dominant player in NBA history.
Indeed crzy...indeed...good to know that Im not the only one who thinks he was more than just a fat f**k for 18 years...
Originally posted by LA9erFan:Originally posted by GameOver:Originally posted by crzy:Originally posted by GameOver:Originally posted by crzy:
You gotta just be in awe of Shaq. There has never been (and there will never be) a professional athlete who managed to win four championships with little to no work ethic.
Thats my boy...one of the greatest of all time in my book...SHAQUILLE MOTHERf**kING O'NEAL
In his prime, the most dominant player in NBA history.
Indeed crzy...indeed...good to know that Im not the only one who thinks he was more than just a fat f**k for 18 years...
You guys both know how hard I've been on Shaq over the years, but really...my issue is with how he's been pampered by the media and fans in contrast to Kobe. And like crzy said, it's because he's easily a more likable personality.
But when Shaq cared on the court? GOAT by a mile. He was much, much more than just some fat f**k. He was a once in a generation (and maybe lifetime) player. A combination of size, agility, speed, and skill that the league's never seen.
And all that being said, I think his career was kinda disappointing. There's an old saying, "To whom much is given, much is required." As gluttonous as it sounds (I can almost see crzy grimacing while reading this), those 4 championships should have been 7-8. That one MVP shoulda been 7-8. He was given an almost indescribable amount of talent. IMO, he was required to respect it by just trying hard at almost all times. And he didn't.
It's harder for me to root for a happy-go-lucky guy who gave a half-assed effort than it is for me to root for a prick who works his ass off.
Originally posted by StOnEy333:Originally posted by LA9erFan:Originally posted by GameOver:Originally posted by crzy:Originally posted by GameOver:Originally posted by crzy:
You gotta just be in awe of Shaq. There has never been (and there will never be) a professional athlete who managed to win four championships with little to no work ethic.
Thats my boy...one of the greatest of all time in my book...SHAQUILLE MOTHERf**kING O'NEAL
In his prime, the most dominant player in NBA history.
Indeed crzy...indeed...good to know that Im not the only one who thinks he was more than just a fat f**k for 18 years...
You guys both know how hard I've been on Shaq over the years, but really...my issue is with how he's been pampered by the media and fans in contrast to Kobe. And like crzy said, it's because he's easily a more likable personality.
But when Shaq cared on the court? GOAT by a mile. He was much, much more than just some fat f**k. He was a once in a generation (and maybe lifetime) player. A combination of size, agility, speed, and skill that the league's never seen.
And all that being said, I think his career was kinda disappointing. There's an old saying, "To whom much is given, much is required." As gluttonous as it sounds (I can almost see crzy grimacing while reading this), those 4 championships should have been 7-8. That one MVP shoulda been 7-8. He was given an almost indescribable amount of talent. IMO, he was required to respect it by just trying hard at almost all times. And he didn't.
It's harder for me to root for a happy-go-lucky guy who gave a half-assed effort than it is for me to root for a prick who works his ass off.
Can you imagine if Kobe all of the sudden before the season starts saying "Well, I changed my mind. I'm going to have that thumb surgery after all. Gonna miss a chunk of the season. Yeah, my bad."
Originally posted by LA9erFan:Originally posted by StOnEy333:Originally posted by LA9erFan:Originally posted by GameOver:Originally posted by crzy:Originally posted by GameOver:Originally posted by crzy:
You gotta just be in awe of Shaq. There has never been (and there will never be) a professional athlete who managed to win four championships with little to no work ethic.
Thats my boy...one of the greatest of all time in my book...SHAQUILLE MOTHERf**kING O'NEAL
In his prime, the most dominant player in NBA history.
Indeed crzy...indeed...good to know that Im not the only one who thinks he was more than just a fat f**k for 18 years...
You guys both know how hard I've been on Shaq over the years, but really...my issue is with how he's been pampered by the media and fans in contrast to Kobe. And like crzy said, it's because he's easily a more likable personality.
But when Shaq cared on the court? GOAT by a mile. He was much, much more than just some fat f**k. He was a once in a generation (and maybe lifetime) player. A combination of size, agility, speed, and skill that the league's never seen.
And all that being said, I think his career was kinda disappointing. There's an old saying, "To whom much is given, much is required." As gluttonous as it sounds (I can almost see crzy grimacing while reading this), those 4 championships should have been 7-8. That one MVP shoulda been 7-8. He was given an almost indescribable amount of talent. IMO, he was required to respect it by just trying hard at almost all times. And he didn't.
It's harder for me to root for a happy-go-lucky guy who gave a half-assed effort than it is for me to root for a prick who works his ass off.
Can you imagine if Kobe all of the sudden before the season starts saying "Well, I changed my mind. I'm going to have that thumb surgery after all. Gonna miss a chunk of the season. Yeah, my bad."
"I got hurt on company time, so I'm gonna heal on company time."
