Will Shaq's career be going downhill all the way from last season? He played 2 pre-season games and already need an MRI? O'Neal has MRI on aching heel By BETH HARRIS, AP Sports Writer October 13, 2003 EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) -- Shaquille O'Neal requested an MRI on his aching left heel Monday because it hasn't improved since he injured it more than two weeks ago. ``I'm really not concerned at all about the injury,'' Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. ``I'm very surprised that he's got this type of an injury. Those are things that usually are minor.'' O'Neal participated in some half-court drills Monday, while Kobe Bryant only ran a bit as he continues rehabbing from offseason knee surgery. ``It's a disappointment for Shaq, if he's worked as hard as we've heard he's worked this summer to be in condition, that we haven't been able to build on that conditioning for the season,'' Jackson said. The Lakers will hold a shootaround Tuesday in El Segundo before heading to San Diego for an exhibition game against Phoenix that night. Jackson said he thinks O'Neal will play against the Suns. Bryant, however, isn't expected to play. He has to be back in Colorado on Wednesday for the second part of a preliminary hearing on the rape charges against him. ``Hopefully, he'll play a game before this week is up,'' Jackson said. Bryant's next chance to get into his first preseason game will come Thursday and Friday when the Lakers host Cleveland, Phoenix and the Clippers in a four-team round-robin event. Rookie Brian Cook will have surgery Tuesday to repair a fracture dislocation of his left ring finger. He is expected to be out a minimum of six weeks. Cook, a first-round draft pick out of Illinois, averaged 1.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 12 minutes in two preseason games. Horace Grant is finding that his comeback is tougher than expected. He rested Monday because of a tight hip flexor, which Jackson attributed to ``a little bit of creakiness going on.'' Grant, 38, hasn't played since being released by the Orlando Magic last December. He played only five games with them last season. ``He'll find his way,'' Jackson said. ``There may be situations where he'll miss a game here or there.'' http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-lakerscamp&prov=ap&type=lgns
As Shaq get older and fatter, his injuries will mount and the Lakers will be just another team. Am I being too optimistic?
He's 40 pounds lighter supposedly from last season. But you are right I think they are in a serious decline. I think that Kobe will be a shell of his former self and Payton and Malone have very little in the tank, maybe not enough to placate their egos if things don't go well.
Shaq requested an MRI? Thats a bit strange, especially since he's been pouting about not getting a contract extension. This has me thinking about the time Hakeem was accused of faking an injury due to unsatisfactory contract negotiatons he was having with with Rockets managment. Shaq's big fat ugly head is more than capable of doing something like that.
