Just when the Los Angeles Lakers actually had a chance to get even taller and sign Shaquille O'Neal earlier this off-season, the Lakers would rather have someone else get him. Once they signed Theo Ratliff to a one-year deal, it showed that the Lakers still have a grudge on Shaq.
On Wednesday, the Boston Celtics signed the 15-time all-star and four-time NBA champion O'Neal to the veteran's minimum, which is a two-year, $3 million deal.
Even though Shaq's skills has clearly diminished in the last three years, adding him will help them get bigger in the center position, teaming up with Jermaine O'Neal while Kendrick Perkins is rehabbing from his three torn ligaments in his right knee. He is one of the replacements for Rasheed Wallace who retired shortly after the NBA finals.
The Celtics could have used a guy like O'Neal last year when they were out-rebounded 53-40 by the Lakers in game 7 of the NBA finals last season. Losing Perkins was a big loss for the Celtics in that game as they were stuck with rotating Wallace and Glen Davis at center which they ended up being manhandled by Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant as they recorded 33 rebounds between them, propelling them to come back from a 13-point deficit to win the big dance.
Shaq, 38 is still a liability on the fast-break offense and free-throw shooting, but playing him for 20 minutes a game may not hurt. He is still a pretty decent scorer and will help with blocking shots and rebounds, a stat that hobbled the Celtics all of last season, including the playoffs.
The reason why the Lakers did not pick up O'Neal was because of the feud between Shaq and Kobe was so bad that they had to chose to keep one of them or neither of them. After the 2004 season, Kobe was a free agent while Shaq had two years left on his contract. Both superstars caused just as much drama as "Days of our Lives", making public comments about each other. Shaq thought Kobe "should look to be more of a passer than a scorer until Bryant's knee was fully healed." Kobe then said that "[O'Neal] came into training camp "fat and out of shape", that O'Neal blamed others for the team's defeats, and that O'Neal previously exaggerated the degree to which injuries had affected his game as a cover for simply being out of condition." The public war of words continued to get worse as time went on.
After Phil Jackson was not offered a new contract, Shaq was very upset about it, eventually asking the team for a trade. Kobe signed a new deal and then Shaq was sent to the Heat for Lamar Odom, Caron Butler, Brian Grant and a first-round draft pick. They did make up in 2006, but their relationship is now professional.
It is a shame that the feud happened between the two superstars because Shaq clearly was the best player on the team when he was there, not Kobe. During the Laker's three-peat from 2000-2002, Shaq won NBA finals MVP in each year, Kobe won zero. Shaq future of breaking down was meant to happen because of his tremendous size, but trading him because of a tiff with Kobe was dumb, which set the Lakers three-four years back.
The Lakers could have used Shaq. Just think how much better they could be if they have yet another 7-footer posting up and then grabbing offensive rebounds?
It is true that trading Shaq eventually made the Lakers better in the long run, but no matter what Kobe does in the rest of his career, he will never be a more dominant player than Shaquille O'Neal was in his prime, no matter how many more titles Kobe wins. Don't forget, Shaq made Kobe become the great player he is today. When Kobe and Shaq both retire, people will always talk about the "Shaq and Kobe" days, not "Kobe and Shaq".
Shaq highlight mix
Comments
Shaq didn't ask for a trade. He tried to make Dr. Buss look like a fool and made public demands for his big pay day. So Buss pulled the trigger. And it was the right choice--since he left LA, he has not been the center of the offense (and some would argue he already lost that position in LA in his last year).
the lakers got better in the offseason and as far as shaq is concerned they can win without him and don't need the drama he brings wherever he goes as his career is on its last leg.
the lakers have been there and done that and have enough sense not to go there again.
Stupid writing from dumb person. How stupid is it to suggest Lakers missed chance of getting Shaq. They got everything that they need, so why Shaq? Embarassing
I think it's idiotic to say that Shaq was more dominant in his prime than Kobe was/is. Kobe is definitely the best player in the NBA and maybe in the history of basketball. Shaq might have been good, but during the last few seconds of a game, I would certainly choose Kobe over Shaq. This article makes no sense. The Lakers don't need Shaq and didn't even need him.
Huge Laker fanatic here, and I have to say - risking taking some heat from others on the board here - I'd like to have seen Shaq come back and return to L.A., where he clearly had his biggest successes with.
I think Kobe would have been for the idea if it would have been proposed to him, he would have been assured of having more rings than Shaq if he came to L.A.
Frankly the Lakers signed no spring-chicken in Ratliff, who happens to be only a year younger than Shaq. Theo is also a one-dimensional player, basically they will be getting defensive help from him.
Yes, there is no reason to revisit a bad spot, but bottom line if Paul Pierce and his wheelchair could help the Lakers win, I'm sure as day that Kobe would approve.
OK, maybe Shaq wouldn't have been the wisest signing, fitness becoming an issue as well as injuries. Shaq isn't able to give more than 20 or so minutes either these days - but for old times sake, say for a season, it would have been fun.
Oh well, wishful
Ratliff was a better get. A true shot blocker and much better free throw shooter. Shaq is more dominant than Kobe ever was??? Kobe is the ONLY rival to Magic as the greatest Laker ever.
Don't forget, Shaq made Kobe become the great player he is today----
This is the most ignorant statement made in the history of mankind. Kobe would have been Kobe with or without Shaq. I guess according to you Kobe's talents were given by Shaq, Kobe's work ethics were modeled after Shaq's, Kobe's clutchness is because of Shaq, Kobe's creativity is from Shaq. You might as well say something ridiculous as Kobe's black because of Shaq. Kobe's ring count may be different today without Shaq (just as Shaq's would be without Kobe), but Kobe as a player is who he is because of only himself. That's what Jerry West saw when he drafted Kobe, a player only out of high school but was already beating great NBA players.
Didn't Shaq say "Kobe, how does my ass taste?"......why would we want someone like that to join the lakers and screw up their chemistry? He is done and everyone knows it. Sasha Vujacic gets paid more than him now, what does that tell you.
WHO'S THE IDIOT WHO WROTE THIS GARBAGE? WAS IT SHAQ?
failed article. Kobe>Shaq, and he has been ever since he left the team. End of story, good bye
It's hard for me to take an article with so many grammatical errors seriously.
"Don't forget, Shaq made Kobe become the great player he is today."
ROFL. W T F? Dude lay off the crack pipe. What nonsense is this. I know Shaq was great back then but come on he didn't make nobody become who they are today. Get that garbage out of here.
Kobe made Kobe not Shaq. By the time the arguing started Kobe's skill level had surpassed Shaq. Shaq should have been humble and recognize the new focus of the team. Much like Kareem did when Majic came. He didn't so he got the boot rightfully so
Dumbest article ever and a complete misrepresentation of the past on so many levels I won't waste my time responding to each point.
Actually, he did ask for a trade, but it was after the lakers stated publicly that they would entertain any trade offers - that did not include Kobe. Vince is correct, however, as this was after Shaq tried to call out Dr. Buss and demand $30 million per year. The great misunderstanding about the Shaq trade is that it was primarily because of the rift between He and Kobe. In reality, Buss did not want to pay Shaq, knew he would lose Kobe if he did, and he was not about to be publicly taunted by an employee and keep him. And I agree, it was the right choice.
you are an idiot.
You have no basketball knowledge whatsoever.
No contending team wanted him. Only teams he never played for.
Lakers coming from back to back championships definitely don't need Big Cancer in the locker room.
C's took gamble for minimum wage, he'll be 3rd center behind Perk
and J.O'Neil.
Should not be considered a loss. Shaq's interest in BB hasn't been the same since his first Ring. He's since only been an entertainer. Team chemistry has been an issue everywhere he's been. KOBE is the champion and the true leader.
Why does the Examiner allow little kids to write on it's site? Will finger painting be next? Fire the editor that allowed this as a an excuse for journalism. What a waste.
i hoped shaq would sign with the heat so it would be a shaq vs kobe in the finals this year. but no the heat will beat everyone in the east and the lakers everyone in the west. but with the good support the heat have behind the trio, the heat will win no doubt.
What a childish, petty, gossipy,TMZ-ish article. Does this guy even understand basketball? Apparently not. I think at this point that's all I will say to even give this KOBE HATERAIDE garbage credence. Meanwhile I look forward to the 3-PEAT!
This is like saying that you "missed out" on spending time with your ex-wife, when you're already dating a hot European model and your ex-wife has gained 100 lbs, talked smack about you, and taken half of your money.
Non-sense.
"SIMPLE PLEASURES FOR SIMPLE MINDS", YOU ARE A KOBE HATER, YOU NEED TO WAKE UP AND GO BACK TO SLEEP. THIS MUST BE A BAD DREAM FOR YOU WRITING GARBAGE LIKE THIS "WOW" SO SAD:( MAYBE YOUR MOMMY HAS A COOKIE FOR YOU LOSER.
Seriously? Is this what you pass off as journalism? I'm befuddled. Are you hiring off the street?
This article is one of the most ridiculous things I've ever read on so many levels. It's an embarrassment to third grade literacy. Why even bother teaching children to read when they have this to look forward to?
Examiner, please expunge your cranium from your alimentary canal and cull this type of stuff from your website before you lose all credibility.
This is by far one of the stupidest articles I have ever read. Shaq made Kobe? did Shaq teach Kobe how to score 81 points? did Shaq teach Kobe how to win 5 World Championships? Did Shaq teach Kobe how to become a star player on Team USA? Did Shaq teach Kobe how to score over anyone in the NBA?
answer to all of the above: Nope.
let me tell you this, No I am not a Lakers fan but I do have the balls to admit that when I see a great player I appreciate his effort and devotion to the game. Kobe is an athlete looking for success. He does not EVER get himself involved with all the irrelevant drama that occurs in the media but rather he uses that time to perfect his game more and more. Every time the guy plays he astonishes the world. Retired players themselves talk about how great Kobe actually is and how people love to hate on him because they have no other option. Just like how Michael Jordan had his doubters/haters during his playing years, Kobe has his. Simple as that.
Came across your article and observed how pathetic some writers can be.
Kobe + Shaq = 3 Consecutive Championships
Shaq - Kobe = 1 Championship
Kobe - Shaq = 2 Consecutive Championships
hmmmmmmm. Is it really that hard to figure this out? Do you suffer from severe stupidity?
There is a very good reason why the Lakers kept Kobe and let Shaq go, that reason is now concrete evidence, 2 Championships. Period.
I hate the lakers. reason why? They shutout every other team in the NBA, over and over again. If Pau Gasol was healthy 3 years back when the Lakers lost to Celtics, the Lakers would have already achieved their 3-peat... They push for success and take their team to the red-line limit every year. Dr. Jerry Buss knows exactly what he's doing.
where have you been? cant you tell that nobody wants shaq. and the lakers dont need him they just one two championships in a row. if any thing shaq needs the lakers.
shaq is the one looking around for a championship team.
From being on Shaq's nutzack? You clearly have a thing for Shaq, but too bad you have zero basketball knowledge
Do the Lakers look like they needed two 38 year old centers to win another championship? Surely one will be enough to fill the 5mpg void left by Mbenga and Powell.
Never in my lifetime have I seen such a horrendous article.
I seriously can't wait to meet him in a few years as I'm sure, as a fellow journalist, I will.
I'll tell him these things in the interview:
Iced Tea
Ranch Dressing
The Ribeye.
Medium Rare.
More tea please.
No I don't want any dessert. Just the check please.
well idk really i just wont shaq to be on the lakers cause shaq and kobe makes a good time
Looks like the Examiner is very short on journalists.
worst article ever
Wow this journalist must be dumb
Yea definetly he probably doesnt know anything about basketball. Instead he juss decided to write a BS article about how he loves
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