http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-shaq7jun07a,1,3228367.story?coll=la-headlines-sports In his first extensive interview since the Lakers' championship run died at three, O'Neal, dressed in end-to-end blue, stood in a parking lot and said, "I don't need a personal trainer. I need the ... ball." Just Thursday, an acquaintance of O'Neal's approached and told him he looked good. "Nah, man," he said. "I ain't done nothing yet." "I'm very excited," he said. "I'm excited because there's a lot of doubters out there, a lot of people who think they know me." It was Jackson who suggested another MVP award. "And I told him he has to put me in a position to do that," O'Neal said. "He can't let me run up and down the court for 15 minutes and not touch the ball. If he puts me in a position where I can [be an MVP], I'll do that. You know me, I just like to follow rules." He laughed, but lowered his head, as if to say, "Seriously." Of the blame, and there was plenty to go around after a 50-victory season during which the bottom fell out of just about everything for the Lakers, O'Neal said, "I'm going to carry all of it. I accept that. Being the general of this team, that's how it goes." When it was all done, O'Neal didn't think enough of the exit meetings to attend, though he said Thursday, "I had to work." Besides, he said, "Man, the season was over. I'm not into meetings. Just tell me what you need me to do and I'll get it done.... Now we just gotta come back. The good thing about this, [we have] next year. Also, the good thing about it, the next day, nobody's going to care. Just like us. So, whoever wins it this year, it'll be like, 'You going to get another one next year?' So, they're going to win, we're going to clap for a day. But, then it's time to think about next year." Asked about free agents Juwan Howard and Gary Payton in particular, O'Neal said, "I would like to get them both. Hopefully we can. I'm hoping for a power forward and Payton. This year, we didn't really have any discipline on the team." According to O'Neal, veterans -- free agents-to-be P.J. Brown, Karl Malone and Scottie Pippen also have been on the minds of Laker executives -- would bring the Lakers stability and discipline, along with a fresh enthusiasm for winning. "They want it," he said. "Have I talked to any [free agents about it]? Yeah. But you know what it comes down to. If they want to be here, it comes down to the business part of it." "Am I sad? I'm a little sad. We messed up," he said. "When you break the rules of humbleness, you have to be humbled. So, right now, we're humbled and we have to start all over."
Juwan Howard and Gary Payton would be cool. Plus it would keep them Spurs from do what the Rockets did, back to back championships.
Oooohhh.....the championship would be so hard to win with Gary Payton and Juwon Howard! Seriously, is that all Shaq wants? Shaq Howard Kobe Payton Then he can definitely brag about he carried his team to the championship. Dumb ass.
What someone who is only concerned about winning? No way in he11 do we EVER want that type of player in Houston!
He is done being a dominant player, he will continue to get fatter and fatter, and will be out of the league in 3 years. DD
don't ya'll think shaq's really seen his best playing days?? he strikes me as someone who isn't long for this game...like he might be on his way out sooner rather than later. he just doesn't have the heart for it.
Doesn't mention Shaq complaining about exercise in the excerpt there anywhere... Plus, he's working with Tracy McGrady's trainer this offseason in Orlando. He'll be in shape, and the only way he'll be out of the league in 3 years is by his own choosing and not his weight.
Shaq never think before he speaks....'haven't seen anything yet' please, can you BE any more full of yourself? As for asking Phil to 'put him in a position' to get the MVP...i'm sorry but that's not what MVPs do...they will themselves into MVP status...Shaq needs to reconsider what means more to him--trying to sound smart in interviews or just shut up and show that you really want to be in this league.
Unless Shaq works his ass off this summer, he won't see a MVP trophy again in his career. BTW, there is a rumor circling around the web that the lakers are working on a trade to get Theo Ratliff from Atlanta for Fisher, Horry, Rush, and a draft pick.
BOTH GP and JuWann? They'll get there for the two exceptions? C'mon. One may, but the Lakes would be better off with Howard. Shaq will be done when Shaq wants to be done. I suspect three years may do it. He can't possibly spend all his money now, and he does not like to pay the price of being in shape. MVP? Sure. Unless Kobe defects (not likely).
I think Shaq has 3-5 years left. He has carried a lot of extra weight and I think it will really hurt his body in the next few years. That said, I think you have to put a lot of blame on Kobe for the Lakers playoff exit. Against SA, he shot 43% and had more turnovers than assists. If his shoulder was hurting him, then don't jack up 27 shots per game to Shaqs 17.
They call him the most dominant palyer cause all he is is FAT!! Has anybody noticed how his Jerseys is always tight!! He has about 3-4 years left in him!! He is getting to that age too aint he like 31 soon he is going to be too tall and too FAT!!
Why would Atlanta do this trade? I think even the usual combination of Rocket trade bait (Moochie, EG and Collier) would be better than that. The Hawks majorly underachieved last year and I don't think the addition of Fisher, Horry and Rush will make them any better. IMHO, PJ Brown is probably the most likely candidate to be the Lakers PF next year.
Agreed. I think he will constantly be breaking down with injuries because of the weight. Let's face it, being over 300 lbs and playing at a high level like the NBA is something that a body can't sustain for a long period of time. As much as I hate the guy, I think it is a testament to how good of an athlete he is that he has lasted this long.
