The Saddest Truth: Shaq is now The Big Embarrassment

To sports fans the hardest truths to face are often the ones that were in view the longest, these truths screamed from the rooftops yet we refused to hear, we refused to see them for what they are despite all efforts by the truth itself to enlighten us.

Instead as fans we make excuses…

“Ron Artest isn’t a cancer, he’s misunderstood”

“Dennis Rodman isn’t out of control, he’s a free spirit”

“Stephen Jackson isn’t a thug, he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time (again)”

Now we are faced with the truth once again, Shaquille O’Neal aka The Diesel, Superman or The Big Aristotle has become The Big Bitter.

In his latest attack on an ex-teammate Shaq raps “Kobe tell me how my ass tastes” while freestylin about the homeless, Kareem and of course himself in a New York City night club.

“Kobe tell me how my ass tastes”

Stop and think about this for a minute, listen to the words think about the big picture for once sports fan.

“Kobe tell me how my ass tastes”

Today thanks to our friend Shaq, on a playground filled with kids, “swish” “not in my house” and “in your face” was replaced with “tell me how my ass tastes” Shaq and his petty battles have overflowed onto the courts frequented by kids and that should not be excused nor should it be acceptable because he says he was “just kidding”.

Shaq has been the darling of beat reporters since the day he entered the NBA. His post game quips and soundbites have served the media well over the years, and in return a media starved for information has turned an non critical ear to his his public rants as he snipes insults and jabs at competitors, former teammates and coachs.

The list of players that have fallen from Mr. O’Neals graces is filled with names of some of the best the NBA has had to offer. Former teammate Penny Hardaway in Orlando then Kobe, Phil Jackson, Mitch Kupchak and Lakers owner Dr. Buss in L.A.

It’s been reported that his bench squawking in Miami led to the dismiss of then Heat coach Stan Van Gundy. In 2008 when a losing season in Miami reared it’s ugly head, Shaq got uglier and called his agent, forcing a trade to Phoenix. Once safely wrapped in the loving arms of his new team, former teammates Dwayne Wade, Ricky Davis and rookie Chris Quinn fell into Shaq’s verbal cross hairs.

Now he raps “Kobe tell me how my ass tastes”

The Big Aristotle has become the Big Embarrassment, on the court he has fallen from the ranks of the immortals to that of just another journeyman center. Shaq tell me how the bench feels.

Shaq’s life is a Hollywood movie told a thousand times in a thousand different ways. The kid from LSU who entered the league as a promising rookie became the talk of the town. A beast on the hardwood a clown in the locker room, the big man quickly became a fan favorite on and off the court.

Movies and endorsements fueled his massive ego while on the court his legend grew until the glory reached it’s zenith with multiple rings and parades in the early part of the new century. But as it always is in Hollywood, it was not enough, he wanted more, more fame, more money more attention.

Sharing a roster with rising star Kobe Bryant was too much, Laker coach Phil Jackson got too much credit for being the one who taught Shaq and Kobe how to win and the Lakers contract extension of 25 million per year wasn’t enough. Needing to be the center of everything he forced his way to Miami, where the movie is retold with a new cast, it’s the same story with all the pomp and glory of the first, ending with the same outcome as in LA, a trade demanded, a demand fulfilled.

Shaq in Phoenix begins just like all the other versions. Starting with the trade from Miami to the Phoenix Suns it looks like it was meant to be another remake, but this time the movies ending was different, no glory no praise, just seconding guessing by Suns fans and players, another coach fired.

With Shaq’s rap outing last weekend in New York the fall from Olympus is now complete, the latest remake has no happy ending, no parades, no glory. His wife has left him for the Cuban pool boy after years of marriage and the world knows he is no longer the the cure for a floundering franchise. In the words of 7 Mary 3 Shaq has become “Cumbersome” The once greatest player in the league the “most dominant ever” no longer is and the sad part is the movie could have had a better ending, he didn’t have to end up playing a bitter broken down jock who refuses to see what everyone else should. The very fact it ends the way it does falls on Shaq’s shoulders, he has been afterall the director of the Shaq story through all it’s remakes.

Tell me, Shaq how does your first bite of failure’s ass taste?

GTS/K.J.

Bravo...Great read...Keep 'em coming

[QUOTE]Tell me, Shaq how does your first bite of failure’s ass taste?[/QUOTE]
:oldlol:

Great article, because Shaq has basically turned himself as you said from the media's darling to the "Big Bitter". He also lost his sheriff's deputy badge: [url]http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-shaq-kobe-rap&prov=ap&type=lgns[/url]

I think gts could write for ISH... Jeff should consider it.

(gts, its perfect for when you are burning in an engine!) :D :D




:pimp:

gtsuccess.

Shaq-tas-tic!!!

[B]GTS, i tried to rep ya... but the system would not let me...

kudos on the great article..:applause: [/B]

Laker fan rep points don't count for articles like this.

I hate to interrupt the circle jerk here, but you guys' hero Bryant has done more than enough to deserve being ridiculed, mocked, etc. Hell, if it was up to him LA would have Jason Kidd on the team instead of next year's "saviour" Andrew Bynum. He threw the entire team under the bus with his childish tantrum last summer, but like abused wives Kobe Worshippers can't seem to get enough.

Opening his big mouth to the cops about Shaq was more than enough for Shaq to forever despise him, and anyone who says they wouldn't have been infuriated by it if it happened to THEM is a liar, plain and simple. You then take his petulance of trying to be "the man" on the team before his time and it's easy to see why Shaq (like many, many people) can't stand him.

Finally, the hypocrisy of talking about Shaq's relationships with coaches, players, etc. while not mentioning Kobe's is pitiful, but hardly unexpected from Bryant enthusists. Phil, Tex Winter and several players have all expressed disdain for Bryant, but of course it's Shaq who is the malcontent that can't get along with anyone. Even though by most accounts, people have loved playing with him. Can anyone say the same about Kobe? I'm sure he's had his conflicts with teammates (which is inevitable for any megastar player I'm sure) but you can bet that Kobe's outweigh Shaq's considerably.

I don't mind criticizing Shaq. That's all well and good. But the way in which Laker/Kobe fans gloss over Bryant while criticizing others is just disgusting to me. Bryant has been far worse over his career than Shaq, which is something any non Laker/Kobe fans sees clearly. Shaq has earned a spot in the top 5-10 players ever without question. Kobe road his coattails to three titles and has failed since.

Shaq forever "wins" this battle unless this changes. He knows it, and you can bet Kobe knows it too.

[COLOR=black]^ Once again, another person justifies bad behavior by one individual due to their hate for Kobe. [/COLOR]
[COLOR=black] [/COLOR]
[COLOR=black]Interestingly, my thoughts about Shaq are mutually exclusive to Kobe. When I think of Shaq in this league, and his legacy, I think of what could have been and also how poorly and immaturely he has behaved throughout his career, no matter which team he has played on. He is an incredibly insecure man for someone with so much. [/COLOR]
[COLOR=black] [/COLOR]
[COLOR=black]It

[QUOTE]
Sharing a roster with rising star Kobe Bryant was too much, Laker coach Phil Jackson got too much credit for being the one who taught Shaq and Kobe how to win and the Lakers contract extension of 25 million per year wasn

[QUOTE=SoCalMike][COLOR=black]^ Once again, another person justifies bad behavior by one individual due to their hate for Kobe. [/COLOR]
[COLOR=black] [/COLOR]
[COLOR=black]Interestingly, my thoughts about Shaq are mutually exclusive to Kobe. When I think of Shaq in this league, and his legacy, I think of what could have been and also how poorly and immaturely he has behaved throughout his career, no matter which team he has played on. He is an incredibly insecure man for someone with so much. [/COLOR]
[COLOR=black] [/COLOR]
[COLOR=black]It

[quote=Knoe Itawl]And yet, we never seen Laker fans write any articles like the above about [I]that.[/I] Why not? Because Bryant is a Laker and thus no matter how much of a prick he is, you can't point it out for him. But you can do so for Shaq, because he's not a Laker.

Bottom line is that if you think Shaq is so bad, you have to think Kobe is worse. Otherwise, you're just being a hypocrite.

But that's typical amongst Laker fans who are now so peeved at Shaq, can't stand Shaq, etc. but were cheering when he brought LA the titles you now worship Kobe over.

[/quote]

Logic that does not flow, once again. Sorry, but you should put me back on ignore because you are so jaded and tarnished that you cannot think logically anymore.



:pimp:

[QUOTE=Knoe Itawl]And yet, we never seen Laker fans write any articles like the above about [I]that.[/I] Why not? Because Bryant is a Laker and thus no matter how much of a prick he is, you can't point it out for him. But you can do so for Shaq, because he's not a Laker.

Bottom line is that if you think Shaq is so bad, you have to think Kobe is worse. Otherwise, you're just being a hypocrite.

But that's typical amongst Laker fans who are now so peeved at Shaq, can't stand Shaq, etc. but were cheering when he brought LA the titles you now worship Kobe over.

:pimp:[/QUOTE]

Laker fans know kobe is no saint. Quit stating the obvious. He gets enough hate on this site from guys like you so making yet another argument about it would be redundant. Give gts credit, pretty sure you couldnt put together an article of his caliber. Yea we were cheering Shaq on during his Laker years. You know why? Because we are Laker fans. Not kobe, shaq, or whoever else fans. If kobe was traded, i would root for the Lakers, not Kobe.

[QUOTE=SoCalMike]I would totally agree with his assertion, however, that Kobe is definitely not going to get the Eagle Scout award. He is polarizing, and he has not been a good "corporate citizen" to say the least. I would not invite him to dinner nor would I want to be his "friend." He is just a basketball player.[/QUOTE]

I never said he was.. the problem with kobe haters is they cannot separate shaq from kobe, they feel if someone blasts shaq they must blast kobe at the same time, which is wrong, shaq is perfectly capable of being an ass without kobe being involved ask any of the other victims of his "joking around".

the article i wrote was about shaq not kobe there's plenty of my posts blasting kobe for his behavior in the lakers froums and i'll remind everyone this is not a presidential race, i don't have to give equal time to the participants...

i have 3 daughters, when one is guilty of wrong doing i don't discuss it with all three, when one acheives something i am proud of i don't pat all on the back, i take each event in their lives on a case by case basis and praise punish or ignore as needed.

as for being a hypocrite..
knoe/loki or anybody else, if you find me so that's your perogative, you get me the way i am, but if you're going to judge, judge on the whole picture, not just a snapshot from one posting, take your time do a search and find my posts regarding kobe over the last year plus... until you do any critic of me or my posts is just so much hot air...

your quick to judgement is typical of those blinded by a passion or bias, it's ok that's your thing, it's what makes you happy, as long as you feel comfortable with yourself in the end that's all that matters...

as for judging all laker fans or kobe fans on my article, that shows a narrow minded view of your world and what fills it....

i asked for noones help in writing the article, asked no opinons of kobe/laker fans. I gts wrote the article, it is my view and no one elses.

like you, i know my values, i have faith that my views are fair and my day will not be any better or worse because somebody doesn't agree with me.


glad my article sparked some debate...

GTS

[quote=gts][B]I never said he was..[/B] the problem with kobe haters is they cannot separate shaq from kobe, they feel if someone blasts shaq they must blast kobe at the same time, which is wrong, shaq is perfectly capable of being an ass without kobe being involved ask any of the other victims of his "joking around". [/quote]

I am glad you said this. I was not going to speak for you, but that is how I had interpreted your article. It did not appear to me that you were taking linking Kobe to this at all in the way that it was suggested.

That is why I said:

[QUOTE=SoCalPimp]Interestingly, my thoughts about Shaq are [B]mutually exclusive[/B] to Kobe. When I think of Shaq in this league, and his legacy, I think of what could have been and also how poorly and immaturely he has behaved throughout his career, no matter which team he has played on. He is an incredibly insecure man for someone with so much.
[/QUOTE]

I wonder if that guy even read your entire article, or was he so intent on bringing kobe into the discussion to rip him rather than take it at its face value... ????


:pimp:

[QUOTE=SoCalMike]
I wonder if that guy even read your entire article, or was he so intent on bringing kobe into the discussion to rip him rather than take it at its face value... ????


:pimp:[/QUOTE] well i hope he read it, that's an awful lot of typing if he didn't...lol

i do have respect for knoe in that, though i do not agree with his views he is
A. consistent
B. he makes his case by expresing his views thoroughly, he doesn't just post an emoticon with rolling eyes like some.

that's why i'll read knoes posts and respond in kind, the emoticon posters are just a waste of time

[QUOTE=gts]well i hope he read it, that's an awful lot of typing if he didn't...lol

i do have respect for knoe in that, though i do not agree with his views he is
A. consistent
B. he makes his case by expresing his views thoroughly, he doesn't just post an emoticon with rolling eyes like some.

that's why i'll read knoes posts and respond in kind, the emoticon posters are just a waste of time[/QUOTE]

And I will admit that sometimes, because of all of the horrible Laker fans on this site, the reasonable decent ones get lost in the shuffle. So if I generalize sometimes, I recognize that there are a couple of quality Laker fan posters. They just happen to be few and far between.

Your article was well written from a technical standpoint. I guess I just find it puzzling how Laker fans seem to be so against Shaq now when he was the catalyst for three rings and by all accounts was a better teammates than Bryant.

It also puzzles me how Laker fans can't grasp just how much of a massive b!tch move it was for Kobe to bring Shaq's name up to the police for something that didn't concern him. That alone would be enough for Shaq to still hate him all these years later. You people really can't get that? Or are you just in denial?

Lastly, I really think that Laker/Kobe fans have blown this freestyle thing waaaaaaay out of proportion. Yes, it probably wasn't just all in fun and he maintains issues with Bryant (justifiable, in my opinion), however I don't think he ever meant for that whole episode to leave the nighclub he was at and become the news it did. I'm sure he respects Kareem and Ewing. He was just goofing off and having some fun, but leave it to Bryant fans to act like he ate babies or something because he dissed their idol.

Kobe DESERVES it. For being a petulant prick, for ratting out his teammate for no reason, for throwing his team under the bus and likely for other things (won't even bring up Colorado here).

Well, the saddest truth for we Nets fans is that our front office cares nothing but money and market. This is the only reason why we traded RJ to Milwaukee for nothing. We could have definitely gotten some better players or draft picks but it doesn't worth more than Yi's Marketing Value according to that idiot Bruce Ratner...

[quote=Knoe Itawl]And I will admit that sometimes, because of all of the horrible Laker fans on this site, the reasonable decent ones get lost in the shuffle. So if I generalize sometimes, I recognize that there are a couple of quality Laker fan posters. They just happen to be few and far between.

Your article was well written from a technical standpoint. I guess I just find it puzzling how Laker fans seem to be so against Shaq now when he was the catalyst for three rings and by all accounts was a better teammates than Bryant.

It also puzzles me how Laker fans can't grasp just how much of a massive b!tch move it was for Kobe to bring Shaq's name up to the police for something that didn't concern him. That alone would be enough for Shaq to still hate him all these years later. You people really can't get that? Or are you just in denial?

Lastly, I really think that Laker/Kobe fans have blown this freestyle thing waaaaaaay out of proportion. Yes, it probably wasn't just all in fun and he maintains issues with Bryant (justifiable, in my opinion), however I don't think he ever meant for that whole episode to leave the nighclub he was at and become the news it did. I'm sure he respects Kareem and Ewing. He was just goofing off and having some fun, but leave it to Bryant fans to act like he ate babies or something because he dissed their idol.

Kobe DESERVES it. For being a petulant prick, for ratting out his teammate for no reason, for throwing his team under the bus and likely for other things (won't even bring up Colorado here).[/quote]

[COLOR=black]You have a right to your [I][FONT=Verdana]ad nauseum[/FONT][/I] opinions on Kobe... you are welcome to that and I honestly don't care about them any longer other than you unfortunately posting in threads that I happen to read since they typically have Laker content. This article gts wrote was [U]not[/U] about Kobe - it was about Shaq. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=black]Personally, I could give a rats ass about Kobe or Shaq on a personal level (as well as many other players). They both show incredible lack of character in many ways on a personal level... you can go out of your way to obsess and expose whoever you hate more, thats fine with me.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=black]However, I do root for the Lakers... and if ISH had a search engine, you would see that I have always believed that the Lakers > than any one player, bar none. I do root for my team, so whether its Shaq, Kobe, Magic, West or whoever is contributing to the TEAM success, then I will always cheer for them as they are part of the team whether I like them or not. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=black]If you want to continue on your 2,000 posts and counting mission to generalize "laker fans" or "kobe fans" or whatever you seem to view with tunnel vision demonization of Kobe, I would say its a terrible shame because its a waste of time for someone who could actually be making good contributions to the forum and interacting in a more civilized manner.[/COLOR]



:pimp:

Some of it was suspect, pretty obviouse a Kobe fan wrote it, but it's a good read.

very neat read.
repped.

Why did Shaq leave the Laker's in the first place? BTW, Shaq was right about the Laker's not being to win another championship without him...Kobe without Shaq= no more championships. Also Shaq is way past his prime. I doubt he will be playing for anymore teams.

[QUOTE=ecthelion]very neat read.
repped.[/QUOTE]
Shaq's career is almost over.

Shaqtus

Recent play would suggest that a healthy Shaq is still a dangerous Shaq...Have you not forgotten that he got a championship in Miami without Kobe and his BS? Hes getting old i do admit, but Im not one to count him out for one last hurrah...:no:

[QUOTE=poido123]Recent play would suggest that a healthy Shaq is still a dangerous Shaq...Have you not forgotten that he got a championship in Miami without Kobe and his BS? Hes getting old i do admit, but Im not one to count him out for one last hurrah...:no:[/QUOTE]
One thing I never understood is why Shaq is so bad at freethrows.

shaq really thinks he is the best at everything he needs to start shutting up his trap.

[QUOTE=Kiddlovesnets]Well, the saddest truth for we Nets fans is that our front office cares nothing but money and market. This is the only reason why we traded RJ to Milwaukee for nothing. We could have definitely gotten some better players or draft picks but it doesn't worth more than Yi's Marketing Value according to that idiot Bruce Ratner...[/QUOTE]

GTFo of this thead. This doesnt concern you, the Nets or Bruce Ratner for that matter. I still cant believe how you havent been banned yet. You are a disgrace to Nets fans as some Kobe fans are to Lakers.

oh no to shaq to old now.....

This thread is so awesome. Shaq has arguably been the best player on the Suns so far this season.

[QUOTE=KeylessEntry]This thread is so awesome. Shaq has arguably been the best player on the Suns so far this season.[/QUOTE]
Yaaa, this thread officially FAILS:oldlol:

this thread = epic fail

[QUOTE=Firebrand333]oh no to shaq to old now.....[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=KeylessEntry]This thread is so awesome. Shaq has arguably been the best player on the Suns so far this season.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=Darius07]Yaaa, this thread officially FAILS:oldlol:[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=Rekindled]this thread = epic fail[/QUOTE]

where were you outspoken brave souls 7 months ago when this was posted?

[QUOTE=gts]where were you outspoken brave souls 7 months ago when this was posted?[/QUOTE]

agreed

[QUOTE=gts]where were you outspoken brave souls 7 months ago when this was posted?[/QUOTE]

Not making incorrect conclusions on players :confusedshrug:...

[QUOTE=brwnman]Not making incorrect conclusions on players :confusedshrug:...[/QUOTE]not a conclusion at all just an opinon, no right no wrong, just a point of view from watching shaq over his many years in the NBA... just an opinon...
thanks for sharing yours btw
peace

funny that this thread has re-emerged.... :oldlol:



:pimp:

I am glad someone bumped this (even for the wrong reason) because I had missed it when it was fresh. Good read.

I have mixed feelings regarding shaq. I love one part of him, pre laker, laker and post laker. The funny big goof, nicknamer, and amazing player. I even love his free throw's in a strange way.

I really don't like the throw former teammates under the buss part. It is [I]so unnecessary[/I].

Nice Story, I was a big fan of Shaq before, and now because of his childish behavior, I hate e'm. Someone need to give him a ***** slap once in a while.

"Shaq tell me how your ex-wife taste"

The saddest truth: Your Laker homerism made you write (albeit articulately) a hate spiel against one of the greatest players to ever don the purple, just a wee bit too soon.

"where were we all 7 months ago?" you inquire. Not hating on the Diesel my friend.

Yo GTS, tell me how our collective asses taste.



BTW Laker fans, isn't it just a wee bit hypocritical to be hating Shaq for his immaturity when your boy Kobe openly quit in a past playoff game and could never get on with his teammates?

[quote=JtotheIzzo]BTW Laker fans, isn't it just a wee bit hypocritical to be hating Shaq for his immaturity when your boy Kobe openly quit in a past playoff game and could never get on with his teammates?[/quote]

be careful to generalize too far... yes, there are laker and kobe homer fans, but not all think the way you suggest.

as i said earlier in the thread, on a personal level, neither one of them impress me. on a professional level, i am disappointed in Shaq because he could have been so much more (which is a scary thought) if his work ethic matched the other great players in nba history... as for kobe, i don't disagree with you at all... he's got as many personality flaws as shaq.

and finally, shaq should have never made the "ass tastes" comment in public in the first place... it was a scud fired to create controversy and visibility, even if it was in jest. but then again, that is shaq as we know him. i would have reacted the same if he had said it about wade, or any other marquee player... but to say it about kobe was just asking the media to jump on the story and over react...



:pimp: