Shaq Responds To Kobe's Diss From A Few Weeks Ago

[Mr. I'm So Rad]

Old wounds were opened up a few weeks ago when Kobe Bryant was on a promotional tour through Europe. During a radio interview, Kobe trashed Shaq for the lack of time he put in during practices and workouts during the Lakers run. Same old story, as Shaq's conditioning was always a major point of contention for the duo. Shaq responds in a Q&A session with the 'New York Times' below.

According to nytimes.com:


Question:
Kobe Bryant reportedly criticized you when he was in Italy recently.
“I like players who workout,” Bryant said, according to a post on Sportando. “I use to do that 6, 7 hours per day. I cannot stand players who practice for 30 minutes. I need to say something to them.” Any response?

Shaquille O'Neal:
No. I don’t need to work out. My numbers speak for itself. My three Finals M.V.P.s speaks for itself.

:oldlol:

http://offthedribble.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/18/qa-with-shaquille-oneal/?partner=rss&emc=rss

[King24]

Kobe worked about 10X harder...and Shaq was still the much better player.

Sad.

[SourGrapes]

Kobe worked about 10X harder...and Shaq was still the much better player.

Sad.

There's nothing sad about either player's career, with the possible exception of shaquille not being as great as he could have been

[Legends66NBA7]

Here we go again...

[LA_Showtime]

There's nothing sad about either player's career, with the possible exception of shaquille not being as great as he could have been

The same could be said about Kobe.

[King24]

There's nothing sad about either player's career, with the possible exception of shaquille not being as great as he could have been
So the fact that Kobe worked much harder and yet was never close to prime Shaq as a player...That's not a little sad? I disagree.

Career=/player

[SourGrapes]

The same could be said about Kobe.

Not if the topic is work accumulated

[G-train]

Who in their right mind would work out excessively at 7'1 320, when you are dropping 30/15 in finals games and winning chips?

[SourGrapes]

So the fact that Kobe worked much harder and yet was never close to prime Shaq as a player...That's not a little sad? I disagree.

Career=/player

They are different players in different positions with different responsibilities. So, no

[Yung D-Will]

Kobe got the most out of his talents. Shaq didn't

However there was no point in Kobe's carer where he was as good as peak shaq

[pegasus]

So the fact that Kobe worked much harder and yet was never close to prime Shaq as a player...That's not a little sad? I disagree.

Career=/player

There is no shame in not being amazingly gifted in terms of athleticism and talent.

Kobe was gifted in both areas, but not as much as Shaq was. He ended up having a better career because of his work ethic. That's not sad, it's inspiring.

[CAstill]

Kobe got the most out of his talents. Shaq didn't

However there was no point in Kobe's carer where he was as good as peak shaq
:facepalm
Garbage. Kobe on his hottest night>Shaq on his. No matter what.

[SourGrapes]

:facepalm
Garbage. Kobe on his hottest night>Shaq on his. No matter what.

An elite wing player doesn't have the impact of an elite post player. That's not really the discussion here

[Yung D-Will]

:facepalm
Garbage. Kobe on his hottest night>Shaq on his. No matter what.
What the hell is a hot night for Shaq? He shot above 55% like every night in his peak

[Big#50]

:facepalm
Garbage. Kobe on his hottest night>Shaq on his. No matter what.
Big Man>Wing

[CAstill]

What the hell is a hot night for Shaq? He shot above 55% like every night in his peak

A hot night for Shaq is when he actually cares and run down the floor plays solid D and hits more than 65% of his freethrows.

[CAstill]

An elite wing player doesn't have the impact of an elite post player. That's not really the discussion here

Not when we're talking about the Best that ever played the game period.

[Big#50]

Not when we're talking about the Best that ever played the game period.
An elite big>elite wing

[Positive]

Not when we're talking about the Best that ever played the game period.
http://www.threadbombing.com/data/media/20/LOL.gif (http://www.threadbombing.com/details.php?image_id=5590)

[AMISTILLILL]

Not when we're talking about the Best that ever played the game period.

:facepalm
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c11/miabiboy_14/GIFs%20And%20Funny%20Stuff/AwHereItGoesKenanAndKel.gif

[SourGrapes]

Not when we're talking about the Best that ever played the game period.

You = ish cancer

[creepingdeath]

Not when we're talking about the Best that ever played the game period.
http://www.gifsforum.com/images/gif/negged/grand/83218497_negged_gif.gif

[swi7ch]

If I were averaging 30 pts, 15 rebs, 3 blocks, 3 assists per game, I'd work out for 5 mins and call it a day. You can work out all you want and you still wouldn't touch Shaq's non-workout numbers.

[CAstill]

An elite big>elite wing
Nope my statement still stands.

[CAstill]

You = ish cancer
For what? For killing the dummie cells that multiply round here?
Get your game up.

[Gotterdammerung]

An elite wing player doesn't have the impact of an elite post player. That's not really the discussion here
Correct.

A dreadnaught at center affects the game far more than even the greatest shooting guard.

Had Jordan and Shaquille played together in their respective primes, Shaquille himself would be option number one.

Even MJ himself agrees.

Next!

[RRR3]

For what? For killing the dummie cells that multiply round here?
Get your game up.
Shaq>>>Poor man's Monta Ellis

[sosolid4u09]

shaq is a gee

[Doranku]

Shaq>>>Poor man's Monta Ellis

Poor man's Monta Ellis? :facepalm That shit doesn't even make sense considering they play in the same era and Kobe is clearly better.

Tony Allen, on the other hand, never had the opportunity to play against early to mid 90's trash competition and become a GOAT candidate like Poor Man's Tony Allen did.

[SourGrapes]

For what? For killing the dummie cells that multiply round here?
Get your game up.

No. For being 1) stupid and 2) needy and being intransigent to basic basketball principles.

Skill closer to the hoop on offense and defense is more impactful than skill farther away

[SourGrapes]

Shaq>>>Poor man's Monta Ellis

You shouldn't joke like that. People will think you're trolling

[MichaelCheazley]

Poor man's Monta Ellis? :facepalm That shit doesn't even make sense considering they play in the same era and Kobe is clearly better.

Tony Allen, on the other hand, never had the opportunity to play against early to mid 90's trash competition and become a GOAT candidate like Poor Man's Tony Allen did.



http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lnYNFOzjSOs/Ta0vSRbRavI/AAAAAAAAFmE/6rQd6L6lYu0/s400/Know-your-role-and-SHUT-YOUR-MOUTH.jpg

[RRR3]

Poor man's Monta Ellis? :facepalm That shit doesn't even make sense considering they play in the same era and Kobe is clearly better.

Tony Allen, on the other hand, never had the opportunity to play against early to mid 90's trash competition and become a GOAT candidate like Poor Man's Tony Allen did.
Kobe better than Monta Ellis :roll: :roll: :roll: Get out of here, son.

[hawkfan]

Shaq actually would have that 7 championships that LeBron talks about if he had worked out better and smarter.

[rodman91]

Ownage.
http://www.yaysports.com/nba/images/shaq%20kobe.jpg

[Legends66NBA7]

Kobe better than Monta Ellis :roll: :roll: :roll: Get out of here, son.

http://media.gamerevolution.com/images/misc/obvious-troll.jpg

[RRR3]

http://media.gamerevolution.com/images/misc/obvious-troll.jpg
:D Less ridiculous than calling Jordan "Poor man's Tony Allen", though.

[CAstill]

Correct.

A dreadnaught at center affects the game far more than even the greatest shooting guard.

Had Jordan and Shaquille played together in their respective primes, Shaquille himself would be option number one.

Even MJ himself agrees.

Next!
:facepalm
Playing inside out is the more effective strategy but that doesn't mean your center is the best player.

[SourGrapes]

:facepalm
Playing inside out is the more effective strategy but that doesn't mean your center is the best player.

No but in this case, that is the case

[SunsCaptain]

What the hell is a hot night for Shaq? He shot above 55% like every night in his peak

I think what is he is trying to say is if you filter through all the games where Kobe shoots 27% and 35% or 40% you might find a game that comes close to what Shaq did every night.

[CAstill]

No. For being 1) stupid and 2) needy and being intransigent to basic basketball principles.

Skill closer to the hoop on offense and defense is more impactful than skill farther away
:roll:
Nah you just don't know basketball just what you been told.
I agree that playing Inside out which makes your Center or PF the first option
is correct but that doesn't mean that person is a better player.

[RRR3]

Monta goin' ham on dat fake ass niqqa Kobe doe: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzSsgkE5yI4

[catch24]

Shaq = alpha; Kobe = beta. Just as it was in LA.

[SourGrapes]

:roll:
Nah you just don't know basketball just what you been told.
I agree that playing Inside out which makes your Center or PF the first option
is correct but that doesn't mean that person is a better player.

Depends on how you define better. Most measures show Shaquille to be "better" than Kobe during much of the threepeat and as such, the inside out paradigm was optimal

[SourGrapes]

Shaq = alpha; Kobe = beta. Just as it was in LA.

Ah, a truly profound post

[catch24]

Ah, a truly profound post

Breath of fresh air, isn't it?

[MichaelCheazley]

http://www.nydailynews.com/img/2009/02/16/alg_shaq-kobe.jpg
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VTEvtQDWTI4/SU19J8dSjdI/AAAAAAAAAC0/h3IKezYrdFs/S660/Shaq_Kobe_Trophy%5B1%5D.jpg
http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lhf0pite9X1qdi785o1_500.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRGd0gD0QNE

[Deuce Bigalow]

Big Man>Wing

false

[Big#50]

false
Only like two championships have been won without a great big. MJ's Bulls and probably when Barrry won.
Bigs can do more out there. They impact the game way more.

[AlphaWolf24]

Only like two championships have been won without a great big. MJ's Bulls and probably when Barrry won.
Bigs can do more out there. They impact the game way more.

I didn't know Bill laimbeer was a great Big man??...nor Ben wallace??...and the early 90's Bull's had Horace Grant who is a much better interior defender and rebounder then Pau Gasol...:confusedshrug:


Basketball math fail again...



and..






Shaq still talking about those FMVP's.....sad really....that's all he has....knowing darn well that Kobe caried him in the 4th quarter...and he never ever Dominated like he did when he played with a Top 5 alltime player who was Voted the player of the decade...


shoot.....most fans don't even think Shaq is a better basketball player then Lebron.....and he aint.

got carried in the 4th because he was too lazy to ever develop a game 5' beyond the hoop...







next

[RRR3]

I didn't know Bill laimbeer was a great Big man??...nor Ben wallace??...and the early 90's Bull's had Horace Grant who is a much better interior defender and rebounder then Pau Gasol...:confusedshrug:


Basketball math fail again...



next
Pau Gasol has a higher career RPG than Grant and a better total rebound percentage. Basketball math fail again...








Get back in my pocket, son
















Next.

[Maniak]

shoot.....most fans don't even think Shaq is a better basketball player then Lebron.....and he aint.


I've never heard anyone say this. Aside from somebody who was, say, trying to downplay the #1 of a team to make the #2 look better.

[MichaelCheazley]

All of you're arguments are agenda driven and it makes it pointless to even argue. You're all too convinced that your opinions are true to look into other arguments with an open mind. Geez and yet people keep going on with these posts.

[AMISTILLILL]

I've never heard anyone say this. Aside from somebody who was, say, trying to downplay the #1 of a team to make the #2 look better.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rvaAL1L_55s/SOgETmGbmOI/AAAAAAAAFWk/RFWNH863-vQ/s400/nail+on+the+head.jpg

[rodman91]

Don't even compare Grant and Gasol.

Grant was useful PF on championship caliber teams. But Gasol is most likely a HOF.

[Asukal]

Shaq could've been much more if he put in the work ethic but he is top 10 all time so leave it at that. I'd still take someone good who works hard over someone gifted but lazy. Heart does go a long way, Kobe is an over achiever.

[Big#50]

Shaq could've been much more if he put in the work ethic but he is top 10 all time so leave it at that. I'd still take someone good who works hard over someone gifted but lazy. Heart does go a long way, Kobe is an over achiever.
Kobe is an over achiever, how so? Since HS he was supposed to be the next MJ.

[AlphaWolf24]

Pau Gasol has a higher career RPG than Grant and a better total rebound percentage. Basketball math fail again...








Get back in my pocket, son


















Next.


oh...you using career's??...Grant has 3,000 more rebounds then Gasol...:confusedshrug: ..seee what I did?

and what about the defensive side of the ball?...Grant was much better.











2EZ

[Asukal]

Kobe is an over achiever, how so? Since HS he was supposed to be the next MJ.

Come on man, from 13th pick to 5 time champion that's not over achieving? Lose the Jordan comparison and look at Kobe for what he is as a player then you'll realize he did over achieve.

[AlphaWolf24]

Don't even compare Grant and Gasol.

Grant was useful PF on championship caliber teams. But Gasol is most likely a HOF.


Grant should get in if gasol gets in...

BR has Grant as more probable to be a HOF then Gasol right now....

if that means anything.

[AlphaWolf24]

Kobe is an over achiever, how so? Since HS he was supposed to be the next MJ.


meh..Phil said Kobe is better.

[Big#50]

I didn't know Bill laimbeer was a great Big man??...nor Ben wallace??...and the early 90's Bull's had Horace Grant who is a much better interior defender and rebounder then Pau Gasol...:confusedshrug:


Basketball math fail again...



and..






Shaq still talking about those FMVP's.....sad really....that's all he has....knowing darn well that Kobe caried him in the 4th quarter...and he never ever Dominated like he did when he played with a Top 5 alltime player who was Voted the player of the decade...


shoot.....most fans don't even think Shaq is a better basketball player then Lebron.....and he aint.

got carried in the 4th because he was too lazy to ever develop a game 5' beyond the hoop...







next
Even if you dont consider Bill a great, he was pretty damn good. I'll give it to u. Three championships then, maybe even four. But Wallace is a great. More to bball than scoring.

[RRR3]

Grant should get in if gasol gets in...

BR has Grant as more probable to be a HOF then Gasol right now....

if that means anything.

Stop making up lies. Basketball reference has Gasol at a 63.1 percent change of making the HOF. Grant is at 8.8% :roll: :roll:

[Big#50]

Come on man, from 13th pick to 5 time champion that's not over achieving? Lose the Jordan comparison and look at Kobe for what he is as a player then you'll realize he did over achieve.
Wasn't he like 17 when he was drafted? Kobe did what he was supposed to do. Become of the best ever.

[Big#50]

Stop making up lies. Basketball reference has Gasol at a 63.1 percent change of making the HOF. Grant is at 8.8% :roll: :roll:
He must have missed that with Kobe's pee pee in his mouth.

[AlphaWolf24]

Stop making up lies. Basketball reference has Gasol at a 63.1 percent change of making the HOF. Grant is at 8.8% :roll: :roll:


:roll: my fault....it said .08....not .8....


but dang...No love for Grant???...he was a beast!

[DRose1899]

Grant should get in if gasol gets in...

BR has Grant as more probable to be a HOF then Gasol right now....

if that means anything.
Thanks for confirming yourself as an dumbass, u moron.

This is basketball HOF, Pau have excellent international career and he's must be the best player from spain ever, no chance to him not make it to HOF.

[Asukal]

Wasn't he like 17 when he was drafted? Kobe did what he was supposed to do. Become of the best ever.

And how many other 13th picks became top ten all time aside from Kobe? He became great because of his work ethic and hunger to become the best, of course he soon found out he is not cut from the same cloth as those guys in the top 5. :cheers:

[Big#50]

:roll: my fault....it said .08....not .8....


but dang...No love for Grant???...he was a beast!
Yet, you fail to give Laimbeer his props.

[G-train]

http://cdn.pimpmyspace.org/media/pms/c/hc/xl/yw/rollsfeed1.jpg

[rodman91]

Pau has been almost 20 & 10 guy in his career.Has been franchise player for a long time.Then 2 time NBA champion as 2nd best guy.4 Allstar.ROY.FIBA MVP.Eurobasket MVP.7 time best european basketball award.

...Horace Grant had cool googles.

[RRR3]

Pau has been almost 20 & 10 guy in his career.Has been franchise player for a long time.Then 2 time NBA champion as 2nd best guy.4 Allstar.ROY.FIBA MVP.Eurobasket MVP.7 time best european basketball award.

...Horace Grant had cool googles.
B-b-b-b-b-but Kareem, Hakeem, Moses Malone and James Worthy wore goggles too! Goggles=Hall of Famer!!!

[talkingconch]

Shaq>>>Poor man's Monta Ellis

what a dumbass lol monta ellis

[Hondo]

Who in their right mind would work out excessively at 7'1 320, when you are dropping 30/15 in finals games and winning chips?

I would be working out like mad, trying to best Wilt's best seasons, that would be more goal after winning a championship in dominating fashion.

[G-train]

I would be working out like mad, trying to best Wilt's best seasons, that would be more goal after winning a championship in dominating fashion.

You can't do it at that size with his feet problems. He is naturally a much heavier man than Wilt.

And Shaq worked his ass off. He just didnt train to Kobe's liking.

[ZenMaster]

Grant should get in if gasol gets in...

BR has Grant as more probable to be a HOF then Gasol right now....

if that means anything.

Gasol is an international basketball legend already, he's won so much playing for his national team. Grant has none of that.

[Myth]

People talk about Shaq as if he would have had a better career if he worked out more. But the dude had some serious longevity considering his size. It is very possible that if he did long workouts, it would have taken a greater toll on his body and he could have had more health issues, thus a worse career. This seems overlooked a lot.

[G-train]

People talk about Shaq as if he would have had a better career if he worked out more. But the dude had some serious longevity considering his size. It is very possible that if he did long workouts, it would have taken a greater toll on his body and he could have had more health issues, thus a worse career. This seems overlooked a lot.

I'd say it was a certainty. If he worked out like Bryant every day he would have had an 8 year career.

[Mr. I'm So Rad]

I don't think people are saying he should have worked out crazy like Kobe. They are talking about times he would come into camp fat and out of shape, or not working on his FT shooting, delaying coming back from injuries, etc.

[Deuce Bigalow]

Only like two championships have been won without a great big. MJ's Bulls and probably when Barrry won.
Bigs can do more out there. They impact the game way more.

Shaq, the best big man for the last couple of decades won 0 without Kobe or Wade

[SourGrapes]

People talk about Shaq as if he would have had a better career if he worked out more. But the dude had some serious longevity considering his size. It is very possible that if he did long workouts, it would have taken a greater toll on his body and he could have had more health issues, thus a worse career. This seems overlooked a lot.


shaquille delayed surgeries, would show up out of shape, and didn't add to his game after a certain point.

swimming in the off season wouldn't have undermined his longevity and yet would have helped him stay in good shape. i don't buy the longevity argument much.

arguments have gone back and forth about the merits of improving his free throw shooting, but what's the worst thing improvement could have done, there?

he got by on more talent and less work, and he could have worked more to the betterment of his team and his evolution as a player. that much seems pretty clear to me

[SourGrapes]

I don't think people are saying he should have worked out crazy like Kobe. They are talking about times he would come into camp fat and out of shape, or not working on his FT shooting, delaying coming back from injuries, etc.

exactly

[NBASTATMAN]

Kobe worked about 10X harder...and Shaq was still the much better player.

Sad.


I won't hate on Shaq but imagine how good Shaq would have been if he had kobe's work ethic... That is the sad part IMO... Though Shaq is clearly a top 10 player of all time...

You can't hate on Kobe for wanting to be the best and going after it... That in my opinion is what makes him a great one... And rating him 7th in todays NBA is a Joke... He is still in my top 5 ...

[SourGrapes]

Shaq, the best big man for the last couple of decades won 0 without Kobe or Wade

it's hard to compare players who play different roles on a team. it's a bit harder to find elite post players than it is to find elite wing players. i think that is what sums up most arguments positing shaquille being "better" than a wing

[The_Yearning]

I don't think people are saying he should have worked out crazy like Kobe. They are talking about times he would come into camp fat and out of shape, or not working on his FT shooting, delaying coming back from injuries, etc.

Whether he came back earlier from injuries or not doesn't make a difference, he is still going to suck at free throws no matter what, and he will always be out of shape. The guy has never been in shape ever since he got to LA. What you see of Shaq is what he is, no ifs or nothing. It's not like a T-Mac situation where if his back wasn't hurt, or Grant Hill didn't get injured, or if they didn't rig the 2002 Sacramento series etc.

[KingLeBronJames]

Kobe better than Monta Ellis :roll: :roll: :roll: Get out of here, son.
Wait...you think Monta is better than Kobe?

[PistonsFan#21]

Shaq, the best big man for the last couple of decades won 0 without Kobe or Wade

How many did Kobe win without Shaq or Gasol?

whats your point? :confusedshrug:

[King24]

That you need both elite guard and big-man to win?

:confusedshrug:

[Legends66NBA7]

Wait...you think Monta is better than Kobe?

He trollin, man. He admitted right after too :P.

[PistonsFan#21]

That you need both elite guard and big-man to win?

:confusedshrug:

who was the elite guard the year the Spurs won it with Tim Duncan and David Robinson?

[CAstill]

How many did Kobe win without Shaq or Gasol?

whats your point? :confusedshrug:
:facepalm
For one get Shaq and Gasol out the same sentence.
Second Gasol ain't no championship franchise guy. What are you doing
bringing his name up like he even won a playoff game before gettng with Kobe.
Kobe won championships without a great big man deal with it.

[Deuce Bigalow]

How many did Kobe win without Shaq or Gasol?

whats your point? :confusedshrug:

Shaq won with Kobe and Wade, who were elite of the elite
Kobe won without Shaq 2 times, Gasol is elite, but he isnt in Kobe/Wade's league
although Shaq's 2000 run was the only ring with an elite of the elite superstar (Kobe was a 21/4/5 guy in 00, made all d team, but wasnt to the top yet)

[Deuce Bigalow]

:facepalm
For one get Shaq and Gasol out the same sentence.
Second Gasol ain't no championship franchise guy. What are you doing
bringing his name up like he even won a playoff game before gettng with Kobe.
Kobe won championships without a great big man deal with it.

Gasol is a great big man, but not like a dwight howard, or shaq back then

[G-train]

shaquille delayed surgeries, would show up out of shape, and didn't add to his game after a certain point.

swimming in the off season wouldn't have undermined his longevity and yet would have helped him stay in good shape. i don't buy the longevity argument much.

arguments have gone back and forth about the merits of improving his free throw shooting, but what's the worst thing improvement could have done, there?

he got by on more talent and less work, and he could have worked more to the betterment of his team and his evolution as a player. that much seems pretty clear to me

I think all that is bit exaggerated by the media.

[SourGrapes]

I think all that is bit exaggerated by the media.

i doubt it

even if it was, there were issues there didn't need to be

[Rooster]

How many great players did not have any HOF player on his side to win a championship?

These 2 guys need one other to win those 3 rings and also proven they can win without the another.

I believed Shaquille would been the greatest player if he has Kobe work ethic.

His problem was he always come to training camp out of shape. He could have work hard on his free throws too.

If you take out Jordan comparison, Kobe is an overachiever. He utilized all his skills to one of the greatest.

Shaquille was the better player in his prime, he has more impact.

But the end will justify the means.

I think when it's all said and done , Kobe will be the greater player,

[Rooster]

I think all that is bit exaggerated by the media.

No, Shaq did his part. There would have no question on his work ethic if he really work hard. Phil occasionally take a jab on him on tactful way about his work ethic.

[Vienceslav]

Kobe got the most out of his talents. Shaq didn't

However there was no point in Kobe's carer where he was as good as peak shaq
Yea he was not as good a center as Shaq! What a scrub.:banana:

[Nick Young]

5 Rings>4 Rings

Mamba >>>Shaq.

Shaq's career high is only 63:roll:
Never scored 35 points a season:roll:

Got carried by Wade through the playoffs and in the finals for his final ring:roll:

GTFO SNACKILLE

[CAstill]

Gasol is a great big man, but not like a dwight howard, or shaq back then
No, Gasol plays great and is good for his era but he isn't a great big man.

[brisbaneman]

"prime shaq" on ISH is the most hilarious myth.

this is a guy who could barely get past an 80 yr old Sabonis and Blazers without serious ref intervention. he's suddenly turned godlike in retrospect.

[creepingdeath]

Shaq, the best big man for the last couple of decades won 0 without Kobe or Wade
Kobe won 0 without Fisher. :pimp:

[Allstar24]

KB was making a general statement...he doesn't like players who don't work out because that's his thing. Not sure why Shaq got his panties in a bunch...maybe because it hit close to home? At the end of the day, KB is already a bigger legend than Shaq and his career is far from over. Shaq should thank KB for always getting us through the difficult 3 rounds in the west so he could beat up on the weak teams in the finals and get his finals mvps. Dumbass.

[RRR3]

KB was making a general statement...he doesn't like players who don't work out because that's his thing. Not sure why Shaq got his panties in a bunch...maybe because it hit close to home? At the end of the day, KB is already a bigger legend than Shaq and his career is far from over. Shaq should thank KB for always getting us through the difficult 3 rounds in the west so he could beat up on the weak teams in the finals and get his finals mvps. Dumbass.

Shaq doesn't owe poor man's Monta Ellis anything. Yup, u mad. :oldlol:

[Rnbizzle]

I agree, Shaq with Kobe's work ethic could quite possibly have become the GOAT.

[DirtySanchez]

I agree, Shaq with Kobe's work ethic could quite possibly have become the GOAT.

THIS right here.

IMO Shaq should of been better then Wilt, Kareem, Russell....and dare I say...Jordan.

Lot of younger kids on the boards now a days but everyone who remembers Shaq's 99 to 02 run.......nobody could stop him period.
It was almost unfair having Shaq on the team and Hack a Shaq did not work.
Imagine if Shaq worked out etc. Lakers could of won a couple in more titles...sh*t could of won 5 or 6 in a row.

[csklmf]

Free throw can be practiced. Shaq said he couldnt do that. Cause he never practiced. We all knew that.

[ShaqAttack3234]

When it comes to Shaq's work ethic, I particularly wonder what he could've done with a better attitude and work ethic in years like 1999, 2003 and especially his last 2 years in Miami.

At the same time, it's a miracle that his body held up that long considering his size and playing style. Especially looking at Oden, Yao, Walton, Sampson and numerous other big men who've had injury problems.

He definitely worked in 2000. Even Phil said that Shaq realized that season that the only way to win a title was going to be to work his ass off. Phil told him to take it easy over the summer prior to the 2000-2001 season and he started slower than 2000, but was back in his 2000 form after the first couple of months.

Putting on extra weight after the 2nd title definitely didn't help, but not pushing himself through certain nagging injuries was probably better for him in the long run when it came to the playoffs. With that being said, delaying the surgery prior to '02-'03 was the most childish, selfish, inexcusable thing he did during his career and played a huge part in ending that Laker team's run for a variety of reasons.

But it's hard to tell how much better he could've been, or if his longevity could've been much better. Don't forget that during his first season in Miami, he was his lightest weight since the 90's, played a career low in minutes per game and then broke down by the playoffs and missed playoff games for the first time in his career.

I also have to add that those who claim he never worked on his free throw shooting didn't follow Shaq's career. He was hiring shooting coaches and at several points saw big jumps in percentages. He also did add to his game over the years. He was nowhere near the passer or low post player he became when he entered the league.

His work ethic definitely could've been better, but to portray him as a guy who just coasted on natural ability throughout his entire career, never worked or added to his game ect. shows that you didn't follow his career. Any who watched him season to season could see the improvements in his post game until about '98, maybe slight improvements after that, and his passing game until about '00-'02 range.


Shaq won with Kobe and Wade, who were elite of the elite
Kobe won without Shaq 2 times, Gasol is elite, but he isnt in Kobe/Wade's league
although Shaq's 2000 run was the only ring with an elite of the elite superstar (Kobe was a 21/4/5 guy in 00, made all d team, but wasnt to the top yet)

Right, because the 2nd best player on a team makes up the entire cast.

Kobe was clearly better in 2001 and 2002 than Gasol was in 2009 and 2010, but even that doesn't tell you the story. The Lakers have as little chance of winning in '09 and '10 without Gasol as the '01 and '02 Lakers do without Kobe.

Gasol joined a Bynum-less Laker team in 2008, and the Lakers without Gasol or Bynum were 11-10, but they were 22-4 with Gasol excluding a game he left after 2-3 minutes. And keep in mind that Gasol played much better in '09 and '10 than he did in '08.


KB was making a general statement...he doesn't like players who don't work out because that's his thing. Not sure why Shaq got his panties in a bunch...maybe because it hit close to home? At the end of the day, KB is already a bigger legend than Shaq and his career is far from over. Shaq should thank KB for always getting us through the difficult 3 rounds in the west so he could beat up on the weak teams in the finals and get his finals mvps. Dumbass.

:oldlol: Kobe was the MVP of 2 total series during that 3 year run which were the 2001 and 2002 Spurs series. 2 out of 12 series.....and neither was the toughest series they played in either year.

I'm surprised to see such a poor post from you. From what i remembered, you always seemed pretty reasonable and objective.

[Myth]

I don't think people are saying he should have worked out crazy like Kobe.


imagine how good Shaq would have been if he had kobe's work ethic...

..

[24r2]

There is no shame in not being amazingly gifted in terms of athleticism and talent.

Kobe was gifted in both areas, but not as much as Shaq was. He ended up having a better career because of his work ethic. That's not sad, it's inspiring.

:applause: