tsherkin wrote:Myth_Breaker wrote:Had no idea that "clowning around in rap" completely relieves you of any responsibility for your words here (though why then Shaq apologized for his words towards Kobe recently?)
It was a foolish thing to do, but it's no different than making an off-hand comment about it to a friend in jest and having it taken out of context. Shaq apologized because he knew it'd make a stink and realized it after he'd already done it because the media has nothing better to do.Shaq has the least respect towards his rivals out of ALL NBA greats and gave the corresponding evidence so many times. You may try to justify him due to being Shaq's fan, but it doesn't change the simple fact he's the biggest jerk (both figurally and literally) you may find around in this league.
I'm inclined to disagree, that's an overly harsh characterization. I'd say yeah, he's had his chemistry issues because he's been immature and selfish at times and had ego-burn, but with regards to respecting the NBA greats, there's a difference between not having a warm relationship with Kareem (who has never been a terrifically approachable person, even after he 'warmed up') and not having nice things to say about Bill Walton, and being extremely disrespectful.
Let's not forget, for example, that Kareem wasn't terribly supportive of Shaq. Anyone remember this quote from back in '95?Kareem wrote:"Shaquille is certainly a force to be reckoned with. And he's going to be around for a long time. But I think Hakeem is clearly a better player. He can do more things on the court," Abdul-Jabbar observed.
I'm not necessarily disagreeing here, but it's not the kind of thing that would make Shaq want to cozy up to him and be best friends, especially at that time in his career and especially in February of a season he'd eventually make the Finals while winning a scoring title. He was averaging around 30/11 at the time, on about 59% FG. Not the greatest of times to receive criticism of that type, especially from an icon of the league.
Of course, later on in his career, Kareem would also say this:“I’ve had nothing but respect for him the whole time I’ve known him. I’m surprised he took some sort of offense. I remember he was out there one game and he made a hook shot and he pointed to me in the crowd. I think he’s the best center of his generation.”
And the quote where he "took offense" was really quite mild:"“I’ve probably only spoken two times to Mr. Kareem and once to Mr. Chamberlain,” said O’Neal, comparing them to former centers Bill Russell and Hakeem Olajuwon, who, according to O’Neal, continue to befriend him. “Coming in there, playing under [Abdul-Jabbar preceded by Chamberlain], I wanted at least to be on the same page… . It was vital that I had to make a name for myself in that organization. Why they don’t talk to me, I don’t know. I don’t have any hard feelings for them.”
This is not exactly "*BLEEP* Kareem and Wilt," you know?
So, there's some level of evolution in their relationship.
My point is this: Shaq has showed a similar amount of respect as to what has been shown him and that means his opinions and comments haven't always been flattering to the greats yes, but it's really only due fairness (though his relationship with Penny and Kobe was plainly inexcusable).
Kobe dropped his name in a police station to try and sully his name and the two had been bickering for years. Ewing was a rival and one that Shaq generally got the better of, someone who hadn't been especially nice to him either. Kareem had constantly voiced his opinion that others were better. Walton has taken every opportunity to trash Shaq. Russell? Shaq's endlessly respectful of Bill. Wilt and Shaq weren't that close, probably because of the direct comparisons and probably because Shaq spent nearly a half-decade in Orlando, which wasn't really anywhere near Wilt's territory.
I'm a Shaq fan, so I'm obviously biased, but looking at what's actually been said on both sides, I don't see a great deal of real disrespect between Wilt (RIP) and Shaq and Kareem, just an absence of friendship, very different from Shaq/Ewing and Shaq/Kobe. He's a problematic character, or has been during his career, certainly, but I think in this case (e.g. regarding the other great bigs), I think it's overblown.
1. Nope, saying something to friend in jest is completely different because you have to realize then your words aren't supposed to get through to mass-media, unlikely when you talk to journalists.
2. Suggesting that Shaq had every right to feel offended by Kareem claiming that Olajuwon>Diesel is both weak and inexcusable; if KAJ said the other way around, would you also excuse Hakeem talking crap about Jabbar? While Kobe being under heavy stress when being questioned by police had much better excuses to say what he said than Shaquille.
3. And anyway, no matter what you posted, even you, despite being a Shaq's fan, didn't really deny that O'Neal was the least respectful out of all NBA greats. What is quite understandable considering he was so ignorant during all his career, Mister I-Didn't-Know-Lenny Wilkens-Was-Once-a Player and AI-Was-a Top-5-Player-Ever. BTW, what's your excuse about Diesel insulting Barry only because Rick dared to offer to learn Shaq about better FT technique?
