1. Welcome! Please take a few seconds to create your free account to post threads, make some friends, remove a few ads while surfing and much more. ClutchFans has been bringing fans together to talk Houston Sports since 1996. Join us!

Shaq is ready for Yao Ming's challenge

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by windandsea, Sep 14, 2002.

  1. windandsea

    windandsea Member

    Joined:
    May 19, 2002
    Messages:
    1,441
    Likes Received:
    1
    Nothing special.

    From ESPN


    O'Neal feeling some pain, but eager to return

    Associated Press

    LOS ANGELES -- Shaquille O'Neal said he still has some pain since undergoing surgery this week on his arthritic right big toe, but he is eager to return to the basketball court.


    But don't let the competition know, the Los Angeles Lakers' center said during an interview with KCBS-TV on Thursday.


    "You can't let the Sacramentos and Yao Mings see that you're hurting a little bit,'' he said, referring to Western Conference rival Sacramento Kings, and the 7-foot-4 player who was the NBA's No. 1 overall draft pick and tapped by the Houston Rockets.


    "I'm coming back with a vengeance and determination and I'll be ready,'' he said.


    Surgeons removed bone spurs from a joint in his toe at UCLA's Outpatient Medical Center Wednesday.


    O'Neal recalled seeing Lakers head coach Phil Jackson by his bedside.


    "I know that we're close now because when I woke up yesterday (Wednesday) he was the first guy I saw,'' he said. "I felt his hand and I felt his voice and he was there.''


    Doctors expected O'Neal's recovery to last 6-to-8 weeks. That means he could miss the three-time defending NBA champion Lakers' regular-season opener against San Antonio on Oct. 29.


    "If I go one day and it doesn't hurt, I'm going to be ready to go full speed,'' he said. "So hopefully, I don't miss that many games.''


    The NBA Finals MVP for the past three years as he led the Lakers to three titles, O'Neal was hampered by the toe during most of the regular season and playoffs.


    "I was in a lot of pain,'' O'Neal said. "But I'm the general, my troops needed me. And during the playoffs, if you can walk and you can run, then you can play. That's always been my motto.''


    He missed 15 games and was on the injured list twice last season because of his toe. He averaged 27.2 points and 10.7 rebounds -- both slightly below his career averages -- and usually wasn't as mobile on defense as in past years.


    "This year I have something to prove,'' O'Neal said. "I'm going to put my thoughts back to when I didn't have any championships. This is an important year ... for the franchise. We all have something to prove.''
     
  2. bigboymumu

    bigboymumu Member

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 1999
    Messages:
    3,421
    Likes Received:
    1
  3. LeGrouper

    LeGrouper Member

    Joined:
    May 24, 2002
    Messages:
    2,423
    Likes Received:
    5
    Yeah, Phil really cares about Shaq. I mean he's not looking after his assets or anything. He is just thinking about Shaq as a person. Those big toe surgeries can be scary........
     
  4. Truth

    Truth Member

    Joined:
    May 27, 2002
    Messages:
    1,094
    Likes Received:
    1
    Shaq claims that he's not worried about ol' Yao, but it seems to me he's looking over his shoulder. Maybe he's watched Yao and knows he isn't some publicity stunt, he's for real.:D
     
  5. Yetti

    Yetti Member

    Joined:
    May 20, 2002
    Messages:
    9,589
    Likes Received:
    529
    What a surprise for Shaq when he meets Yao Ming and finds he is 7'6'' and if he wears thoes shoes with the big heels that Shaq has on, then he might be even 7'7'' by that time. I can't wait to see Yao Ming develop the sky hook, Shaq won't be able to do anything about it!
     
  6. RocketForever

    RocketForever Member

    Joined:
    Jun 3, 2002
    Messages:
    5,017
    Likes Received:
    37
    a lot of respect from a future hall of famer to a 22 years old rookie who has not played a single NBA game
     
  7. Sofine81

    Sofine81 Member

    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2002
    Messages:
    1,706
    Likes Received:
    5
    I think shaq might be nervous, I mean if not why would he mention him in the same breath with the Kings?
     
  8. RocketForever

    RocketForever Member

    Joined:
    Jun 3, 2002
    Messages:
    5,017
    Likes Received:
    37

    Exactly. I was very surprised when I read that.
     
    #8 RocketForever, Sep 14, 2002
    Last edited: Sep 14, 2002
  9. DavidS

    DavidS Member

    Joined:
    May 17, 2000
    Messages:
    8,605
    Likes Received:
    0
    Me too. That caught my attention!

    Hmmm...

    I think it has to do with the fact that everyone was hyping Yao
    before the draft and after the draft before seeing him in action.

    Most NBA players said, "Uh, it's all hype..."

    Now, after the WBC...
    It took this long to find out that Yao is for real and he's no fluke;
    ask Ben Wallace and Antonio Davis.

    Then, add the fact that Team USA got knocked out of the WBC
    just reenforces that international players are here to stay.
     
  10. Sofine81

    Sofine81 Member

    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2002
    Messages:
    1,706
    Likes Received:
    5
    I think a man with a mantle; a gift of domination and or control over a situation, can feel when his time is nearing an end, or when his successor has stepped on the sence, and I think that down in the pit of Shaq's stomach he knows his successor has come, and that his day of domination is nearing its climax.

    The denouement is soon to be detertined!
     
  11. DavidS

    DavidS Member

    Joined:
    May 17, 2000
    Messages:
    8,605
    Likes Received:
    0
    The official stat for Yao is 7'5". Shoes shouldn't be a part of the equation.

    Although, a lot of times the NBA will lie about a players hight; Hakeem
    is 6' 10" 3/4. Not a 7-footer.

    Wilt was 7'1" 3/4 (He was almost 7'2"). He was a real giant; long arms
    and large hands.

    Shaq IS NOT 7'1". He's like 6'11" 1/2, or something like that.
    Next time, look at at Kevin Garnett next to Shaq. Kevin was 6'11"
    when he came into the league. He's now around 7'0".
    Kevin looks the same hight as Shaq. Also, look at Shaq next to Hakeem.
    Not much difference; Shaq is just a little *bit* taller. Hakeem being 6'10"
    3/4 should tell you something about Shaq's hight.

    Kareem was just over 7'2".

    Sampson was a real 7'4" (note: at 230lbs!!! Talk about skinny!)

    Smits was a real 7'4".
     
  12. Nolen

    Nolen Member

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 1999
    Messages:
    2,719
    Likes Received:
    1,262
    Yao Ming actually measured 7 foot 5 and 1/2 inches in socks in the Chicago workout.
     
  13. harumph

    harumph Member

    Joined:
    Jul 8, 2001
    Messages:
    592
    Likes Received:
    0
    I agree with you 100%. I remember Hakeem saying stuff about shaq after we swept his sorry butt in 95 :D
     
  14. Timing

    Timing Member

    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2000
    Messages:
    5,308
    Likes Received:
    1

    Talk about reading something from nothing. Whoa...
     
  15. Sofine81

    Sofine81 Member

    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2002
    Messages:
    1,706
    Likes Received:
    5
    Well I heard it straight from his mouth? He said it didnt he? :D I mean do you know something that we dont? Are you an insider into the life of Shaq?

    I think we have a new Miss Cleo!
     
  16. DavidS

    DavidS Member

    Joined:
    May 17, 2000
    Messages:
    8,605
    Likes Received:
    0
    I think we are kicking Shaq when he is down...but given a year
    to heal, Shaq still has 4 years left. Shaq is only 30.

    Hakeem won his 1st title at 31, in 1994. Shaq has won his
    3rd title in 2002, at 30.

    But, Shaq's words about SAC and Yao are about threats in the future,
    and he knows it.

    Longevity: Makes you wonder how Kareem Jabbar was able to play until 42!
     
  17. B-Bob

    B-Bob "94-year-old self-described dreamer"
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2002
    Messages:
    35,986
    Likes Received:
    36,841
    Yes, longevity. What did Jabbar and Robert Parrish have in common... Hmm.. Can't seem to find the little face for someone smoking hippie lettuce. So with Shaq's law enforcement image, we know he won't go that route, so I give him three years tops.:p
     
  18. xlr817

    xlr817 Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2002
    Messages:
    790
    Likes Received:
    72
    I don't know why SHAQfu is soo worried about Yao Ming, I think it's just bcuz ALL of the attention he craves is NOT focus on him more!!:cool: :p :cool: Shaq should worry more about his arthritic toe,......during a game, Ming should step on it a few times...oopppps.....if Shaq keeps insisting on using his elbow!:( :cool: :D
     
  19. off_welfare

    off_welfare Member

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2002
    Messages:
    579
    Likes Received:
    0
    Shaq will feel the PAIN!:mad:
     
  20. Truth

    Truth Member

    Joined:
    May 27, 2002
    Messages:
    1,094
    Likes Received:
    1
    Good Idea. Step on the toe, that's how I get easy rebounds during free throws.:D
     

Share This Page