Shaq did not look as dominating in the playoffs this year as he did in previous years. Consider that he averaged 25.3 points in the Spurs series when he was matched up against an almost retired David Robinson, an undersized Malik Rose , and a 40 year old Kevin Willis. In 1995, Hakeem worked against the league MVP David Robinson and a still good Dennis Rodman and averaged 34.5 points per game and shut down Robinson at the other end. O'Neal is 31 years old this year and Olajuwon was 32 in 1995. Is Shaq on the decline or was Olajuwon just that much better?
Shaq just seems like he doesn't care anymore. I didn't see any fire from the big man, he doesn't even try.
Shaq looks like he's hurt. Shaq is probably done or maybe one more year. Even Shaq & Kobe come back, lakers is just not as dominant anymore. Shaq definitely is on decline. He also seems lost his focus and he doesn't have the motivation anymore.
Another thing is that he doesn't get the ball as much as he should. Hakeem got the ball nearly everytime down the court so he had a chance to put up huge numbers. Kobe takes so many shots that it really takes away from what Shaq could bring to the Lakers.
What is telling is that the Lakers actually thought that they would prevail against San Antonio, thus the tears. They really couldn't believe that it was over.
Yeah, he is getting old and soft isn't he. ;P They didn't have the firepower this year. Don't take this loss to mean that they are through. He looked more frustrated than anything to me. Defenders are bodying up on him more than ever and are getting away with more fouls than ever. I don't feel sorry for him but I don't think he's about to give it up either. WIthout a solid team around him they just couldn't get past a Spur's team that is playing very well with all the right pieces in place. Wait until the off season. They're in a lot better position cap wise than we are and are likely going to do more to improve as well. All of this could change is Phil decides to walk away however....
Shaq's been on the decline for a couple of years now. For one, he's a fat ass, which is partially responsible for his toe problems. He's also been injury prone. He's only had five season (not counting the lockout year) in which he's played more than 70 games. Add to the fact that he's accomplished pretty much everything a player can hope for...3 championships, MVP, Finals MVP, all star MVP, scoring title, hall of fame, all time top 50...I'd be suprised if he makes it through his current contract...
Shaq will be fine IMO. He just needs to lose some weight and get healthy or rather healthier. He is only 30 or 31. This loss humbled him and probably will spur him to greater heights. But the sad thing is that Yao is waiting on the wings to start eating his lunch. Anyway Shaq still has at leat 4 All Star calibre years ahead of him. It is all on him. He just needs to be motivated and willing.
Referees are not allowing Shaq to do the old things, elbowing and bumping to the basket. That's why Shaq appeared not active because that's the only thing he is really GOOD and DOMINANT at. Plus, this year, Jackson got sick and could not play his mind game with referees anymore. He used to will referees to call phantom fouls on opposing teams. Certainly, NBA does not want fans to be pissed again with officiating. Shaq has to reinvent himself in order to get another ring.
I don't believe Shaq was ever really in condition this year. If he dedicated himself to conditioning during the off-season, I have no doubt he would return to his previous unstoppable form.
i noticed he double-pumps alot nowadays. with all that weight, he cant jump as high anymore and he isnt as athletic as he used to be. as his legend begins to fade, i wonder where he will fall in the list of all time great centers.
Whenever Shaq shoots a 5-feet jumper or a hook shot, he does not appear dominant even he scores 30 points. For god sake, that's 30 points, but fans see it not as dominant! Shaq appears dominant when he elbows his defender to the ground and dunk in the defender's face. But this year, referees are calling it offensive fouls!!! and that's why people are saying: oh, my god, what happened to Shaq? There is nothing wrong with Shaq!!! It is the referees' that are not helping Shaq! All these referees should have a nice vacation during the off-season paid by the Lakers. Next season, Shaq will become dominant again!
I never saw Shaq cry or Horry for that matter.. I did see Kobe and Derek Fisher sobbing though. I kind of felt bad for Kobe even though I was ecstatic to finally see them lose.. For some reason, I took a lot of pleasure in seeing the tears stream down Fisher's face though!
Damn. After 3 championships I'm surprised to hear they were crying. You'd think they were content. I wonder why so much emotion.
Kobe and Derek Fisher crying at the end of the game were just as staged as Junior landing on the aircraft carrier.
Shaq has lost his motivation. You can clearly see it in some games were he does'nt care like Yao vs. Shaq I, and the we see the monster he once was in Yao vs. Shaq II. I don't know why but you would think he wants to lead the Lakers to so many titles as much as possible before they beakup the team. I did'nt see that in him this year. As for some of the players crying after winning 3 championships, i feel sorry for them because they got used to winning. I think we all got used to them winning. It was kinda a shock to me seeing them lose. It looks like Phil was trying to say after the game "well it was a nice ride, i am outta here". That is the type of coach he is when the going gets tough, at least Rudy is not like this.
IMO the biggest difference in Shaq is that this is not the same Shaq that was able to cut off a Mobley drive for a game saving and playoff series block. In other words it is his defense more than anything. He is on the deline--but don't be suprised if he is the league MVP next year. A little hunger so he gets in better shape going into next season so that he is quicker and has less weight on those legs and feet of his--and he will be close enough to old monster form where he is the most dominating player of the league. I'll say this though--I think he only has maybe 1 or 2 more dominante seasons left--if he is not dominant next year after going out this way this year that is a bad sign for the Lakers. But my honest bet is he has another playoff MVP or 2 left in him. We will see.
Desert Scar I could not agree more. I think Shaq will be MVP next year and he has 2 or so more years left until he will be medically advised to leave the game. Shaq's numbers were not bad but his lack of intensity and domination over other players was apparent. I think Lakers will regroup and will win 1 more title but no more then one. Duncan will dominate the rest of the decade in my opinion.
