The dude is just plain nice and funny. Note the fact that he rented out 400 apartments for the victims in Dallas. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2157772 IAMI -- Sweat dripping from his head as he worked in the midday South Florida sun, Shaquille O'Neal loaded the last item into a cavernous 18-wheel trailer and pointed to the generous stranger. AP Photo/Alan Diaz Shaquille O'Neal loaded tractor trailers with donations on Saturday. "Give the man a hug," he urged his children, who quickly obliged. "Tell him thank you." For the last week, O'Neal and his wife have coordinated efforts to help those in Louisiana and Mississippi whose lives were ripped apart by Hurricane Katrina. And Saturday, O'Neal was on the front line, personally accepting medical items, toiletries, clothes and other items from those inclined to help. The tractor-trailers hired by the O'Neal family are expected to begin rolling Tuesday toward Baton Rouge, La. -- where O'Neal, the Miami Heat center, attended LSU. "I commend everybody who's helping out in some way," O'Neal said. "Whether it's monetarily or going to the stores and buying cases of water, bundles of ice ... there's a lot of people chipping in, and my hat goes off to every American and non-American that's helping." O'Neal spent two days in Louisiana shortly after the storm struck, returning home deeply moved by what he saw. And donating money, he said, simply wouldn't be enough. So for several days, he and his wife Shaunie have teamed with the El Dorado furniture stores in South Florida and urged people to give whatever was possible. The response, Shaunie O'Neal said, has been overwhelming. A warehouse commandeered to store the donations is nearly filled to capacity. There's 10,000 gallons of water, piles of diapers, peroxide, personal items and clothing, plus even some donations of refrigerators and beds -- which will be used to help furnish 400 apartments the O'Neals' plan to rent for refugees in Dallas and other areas. "The refrigerators and beds weren't expected," Shaunie O'Neal said. "But they definitely can be used. They'll definitely come in handy." The O'Neals are unclear what will exactly happen once the trucks leave South Florida. They're finding that the process of distributing items throughout the ravaged region is perhaps the most difficult part of the plan. Red Cross Shaunie O'Neal said she's been told that the trucks, when they arrive in Louisiana, will be emptied for inspection and the items will be sent to various locations -- depending on what is needed where, and logistics in place for the distribution. She fears it could be a lengthy process. "It's just frustrating," Shaunie O'Neal said. "All you're trying to do is help and get help to people in need and you see these people on TV just begging for help and whoever, I'm not going to point any fingers, but ... it's very, very, very difficult." While the 12-time All-Star was manning the dropoff location, Edesio Biffoni, a Swiss man who works in finance and now lives in the Miami suburb of Coconut Grove, came with his sports-utility vehicle loaded with car seats, baby strollers, clothing, toys and other items. Other citizens -- all unknowing they were about to meet O'Neal -- brought cases of soap and deodorant, plus toothbrushes, toothpaste, baby wipes and numerous other items. "Everybody should be helping out. ... There's people who need these things more now," Biffoni said, moments after O'Neal gave the man a firm handshake and whispered appreciative words. O'Neal said the damage he saw during his visit to Louisiana was unimaginable. So he returned home "to devise a plan," he said, and urged his friends and corporations he works with to provide immediate help. "I'm just doing what I've been taught by my parents to do," O'Neal said. "This is the right thing to do, and I'm trying to urge other people to do it."
I don't think most people hate on Shaq. Everybody who is successful will have some haters. It comes with a territory. When you're the most dominant player in the world, people will look for anything negative to knock you down. He is a kid at heart and a very generous person. He is the most charismatic NBA player ever (probably behind Jordan). His combination of size and athleticism has never been seen before in any sport. He is a champion. We tend to hate on Shaq a little bit on this board to show our support for Yao. Other than that, he's all right.
Great job by Shaq there, I admire his actions. But when the Rockets play him, I'll continue "hating" him.
I love Shaq, and I have never 'hated' him, although I have often cheered against him when he played for the opponent. Nothing against him personally, it's just 'sports'. As a person, however, to borrown what Shaq himself said once: If you don't like Shaq, there's something wrong with you. He's a very generous person, very likeable guy, charismatic, and committed to his communities and is always doing charitable work one way or another. Heck, even Yao likes Shaq, so I don't have a problem with him. Kudos to him for all the charitable work he does, he's a genuine guy.
as a player i question is lack of conditioning at times but as a person i've always admired him. i met him twice out here in la and he was a nice guy both times. its really cool to hear what he has been doing for these victims
I guess you have to take the good with the bad. The bad being his motor mouth the good being his compassion and values. I respected that the guy went to school and got his MBA, don't know how many guys in the NBA making 30 mill a year would go back to school. LeBron and KG should follow Shaqs example.
He kicked the Queens' ass three times in the playoffs, so I'm not shocked you don't like him. However, for everybody else it's actually very HARD not to like him. Hate on Divac for flopping and giving Horry the game winning 3, not Shaq.
Oh my, he said "Queens." I guess my feelings are supposed to be hurt, or something... hang on, give me a second... :: squeezes out tear :: Now you've done it; you made me cry. Happy? This may come as a surprise to you, but my dislike for Mr. O'Neal preceeds his playing for the Lakers. I didn't like him when he played for Orlando. Hell, I didn't like him when he played for LSU, so why should I change my mind now? And, by the way, I work with fans of all teams, from all across the country and, as I said before, you'd be amazed by how easy it is to not like Shaq. In fact, the last time I asked, Laker fans weren't too fond of him, either.
I didn't say Queens to hurt your feelings. I said that, because it's the best word to describe the team. They're a bunch of finesse players without any heart and gonads (with the exception of Bibby and Jackson). I can appreciate their talent, but they have a bit of what I like to call "sissy factor". Shaq changed the way of life in Miami. They adore him and so did LA. The fact that you don't like Shaq could be your inability to relate to people and see them for who they are. For all I know, you may not like anybody. It has nothing to do with Shaq, because he's been an exemplary ambassador for basketball.
It's easy to dislike anybody. It's pretty damn difficult to come up with a legitimate reason to personally dislike Shaquille O'Neal. But if you can easily provide some reasons I'd be happy to hear them.
We agree on everything but your choice of words; I consider "Queens" to be derogatory. Not as severe as a racial slur, or anything, but not a term to be used towards people that you don't actively dislike. We clearly don't converse with the same Laker fans. Right... because the only possible reason that someone might not like Shaq is because they can't relate to other people...
*shrug* I was a Laker fan and I have always loved Shaq. The man takes a tremendous beating every single night and I have rarely seen him lose his temper. He is a big goof ball with a heart of gold; I can't imagine anyone hating that guy.
I started to like Shaq then he did the "voice" about YAO and I got to watch that PUNKED a few weeks ago..so I'm still am not sure if I like him or not..
Shaq is a great person. Anyone that has a problem with the things he says(usually in jest), need to lighten up and quit being so serious.
I don't like Shaq because he does things like: 1. Calling the Kings babies for whining about the officiating, and then whining about the officiating himself the very next game. Hypocritical much? 2. Yelling at Buss about a contract extension DURING A GAME. Be a man, and keep that **** in house. 3. Waiting until the last minute to have surgery. 4. Magically getting injured just in time for seemingly every second all-star game. 5. Being arrogant enough to suggest he himself might be the greatest player ever.
I notice he didn't answer this question. I went to a Yankees/White Sox game a few weeks ago, and the Sox fans were giving Derek Jeter a horrible time from the stands. An eight-year old a row behind me asked his Dad/uncle/older brother/life partner, "why are they booing Jeter," and the Dad goes "because he's better at baseball than they are." I liked that.
They dislike because Shaq doesn't play for them, if Shaq plays on their team, they would wash his balls and lick them dry everyday. If you have Shaq on your team and you don't like him, you must be an idiot.
