Shaq dismisses Yaomania LOS ANGELES -- There is culture shock. And then there's culture Shaq. Both await Yao Ming, with every intention of leaving their mark. Caught up in his version of Yaomania, the league's most unforgiving test for a slender center said he was looking forward to welcoming the 7-5 Chinese center to the NBA. Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal, 7-1 and 335 pounds, almost sneered about the interest paid to Yao, the presumed favorite to be the Rockets' first pick of the NBA draft. "I'm a working-class hero. That's all I am," O'Neal said. "Guys are trying to make a superstar out of a guy from the Shanghai Sharks, make a phenomenon out of him already." O'Neal went on about his similarity to "the construction workers, the police officers, the firefighters," explaining he does not need accolades. "Don't give me the MVP like you gave it to Tim Duncan," he said. "Don't give me nothing. Just give me my fair share in American, because I'm American." He did say he would introduce the NBA to Yao by introducing Yao to his elbows. "Street," O'Neal said of what is awaiting Yao in the NBA. "Playing in a gym, shooting jumpers and all that ... that's fine. But I'm street. I'm how to take a 'bow to your nose and (make you) think about what I'm going to do next time down." -- JONATHAN FEIGEN http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/sports/1424295
I'm a Rocket guy but you just gotta love Shaq. I feel fortunate to live in a time when I can witness his play AND his talk. os
Look, one of the reasons I hate Shaq! Working-class hero? I'm not sure whether to bust up laughing or go strangle that idiot, or both. I'll do the first one, it's safer.
I don't understand your thinking here, fellas. The guy is a 1st class A-hole with an ego bigger than his 7'1" frame. I hate him, his style of play, and the marketing machine that kisses his size 32 ass. If he really didn't care about not getting the MVP, it wouldn't even have occurred to him not to mention it. What a jackass.
Ahhh is poor wittle Shaq upset that sombody is getting more attention than him. Poor wittle baby. We should draft Ming and put him on steriods and have him judo chop Shaq in the mouth. Working class hero??? How much does Shaq make a year??? Give me a break!!
The only thing I like about Shaq is that he studies from the best centers in the NBA, he has said he has watched Hakeem, and old film of Russell, Chamberlain and Jabbar. That being said Shaq is the biggest freakin' crybaby I've seen. The guy will back you down, turn and land an elbow in your chest on your nose and dunk over you. Thats it. No finesse. No style. Just dunking and hitting the difficult 3-5ft. shot. Then when defenders try to retaliate, or give O'Neal the same treatment, he whines to the official. What happened to the old days when you dished it out and took your fair share back. As gigantic as Shaq is, you'd think he would be that type of player. The only other thing I can't stand more than his play, is his mouth. Wilt Chamberneezy!?! The Big Aristotle!?! What a moron. Then he has Jan Brady syndrome, talking about how the league is trying to make Yao into a phenom. Then Shaq wants to say that he is just a simple hard-working American comparing himself to hard-working blue-collar workers who bust their @ss to make ends meet. I really don't see the similarity between a guy who averages 30G's a years and a guy who makes $30 million a season (when his extension kicks in thats how much he'll make). Shaq, get over yourself, long after you retire the league will still be going, you're not bigger than the game. Just remember eight simple words: Shut the hell up and play the game.
I guess Shaq will be pleased to see him tearing Yao apart during Yao's rookie years. But Yao can grow up and rival Shaq in 2-3 years time. Dunk straight for 10th time? No way even for a PF guarding shaq. Don't you know fouls?
I usually agree with and dont mind Shaq. What strikes me in these comments is the hypocracy hes spews throughout this whole article -Was it not Shaq who after an attempt to level Brad Miller, went on to grip about the amount of hard fouls he receives? Yet he goes on to boast of the Elbows Yao will be receiving and all but calling himself a thug. -He calls himself the working class hero. My interpretation (sp?) of working class heros are those who DONT need recognition. Those who dont get paid hundreds of millions of dollars, and especially those who dont go out and ridicule someone whos never said an ill word against you, much less even faced you in competition.
Yes, and we can see how his game is so similar... I mean he has the Olajuwon elbow to the chest, the Wilt turnaround elbow up your armpit, the Russell bowl you over, and the Jabbar 8 feet and in game down pat. If he studied their games, he didn't pass the test. Back to the books with ya...
That's probably the best set of quotes Shaq has ever put together. And you know, he really is a working-class hero. A gifted one at that, but his dad's heritage and his childhood certainly allows him to say that. Barkley still body-slammed his ass, and I saw it in person...Shaq has nothing on me.
Shaq was did an interview on fox sports tonight. He said he missed Brad Miller on purpose. Lying piece of ****. Then he went on to whine about all his little injuries and complain about the ref's. Then referred to himself as great. Yep he’s my working class hero. That was great when Barkley slammed his big a$$.
He has always given Hakeem the proper respect. I have always liked him and would wet myself if he were ever a Rocket. HE is without question a dominating force that is fun to watch as a basketball fan.
Shaq's a gasser. The LA media spoils him like a baby, but if anyone else wins two finals MVPs, you'd go Blineberry on him too... Most of the stupid stuff he says is on purpose so the writers can jot it down for the morning paper. And besides, he doesn't have to say something to look stupid. http://www.latimes.com/sports/baske...y06.story?coll=la-headlines-sports-nba-lakers (link expired)
For those people who hate shaq because of his game, well, that is a shame. He is the best player in the league. Shaquille is a great guy also. And, in my opinion, the funniest player in the NBA. Here is JBII's Neato Stat of the day. Every year since 94-95 (excluding the lockout), Shaq's teams have won 56 or more games. That is amazing and he is the reason behind it.
John Rocker is a good baseball player. That doesn't mean he isn't an a$$hole. I don't remember anyone here saying they hate Shaq for his game.
Shaq is funny? I guess if you find stupidity amusing. How exactly do you appreciate a guy who's game consists of throwing elbows to opponent's faces and sternum's, disloding them, and then dunking or throwing in a short hook? Effective? Of course. Easy to appreciate and enjoyable to watch? Hardly. As far as actual bball skills, Shaq is pretty average. He's been blessed with incredible physical ability. If he really had the drive and will to be the best of some of the NBA greats, he'd be far and away the best player in the history of the NBA, given his god given physical talent. Explain to me how someone 7'2" and 360 lbs playing in the weakest Center era in the history of the league fails to lead the league in rebounding a single season during his 10 years in the NBA? At that size, the guy should be ripping down 20 boards a game. That's why Shaq is hard to appreciate. As effective as his "game" is, he could be so much more if he truly wanted to be. Shaq is fortunate to play with Kobe. Without Kobe, the Spurs would have beaten LA each of the last 2 years. Kobe is always LA's MVP when they play SA (no offense to Robert Horry).
If he is so "street" shouldnt he learn how to punch rite first? He couldnt even hit a seven footer from point blank range. All that being said, Shaq is still the best player in the game.
