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.''
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........
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.
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!
a lot of respect from a future hall of famer to a 22 years old rookie who has not played a single NBA game
I think shaq might be nervous, I mean if not why would he mention him in the same breath with the Kings?
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.
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!
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".
Well I heard it straight from his mouth? He said it didnt he? 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!
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!
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.
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!! 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!