Shaq, in Hindsight

[ennui]

In response to the general NBA discussion thread, I specifically wanted to know Laker fans and long-time Angeleno's perspectives concerning Shaq.

Personally, I am a huge fan of Shaq, for what he had accomplished here in his relatively short tenure, and the larger-than-life personality he portrayed.

I understand many people remain disgruntled due to numerous issues ranging from disrespect to the ownership, petty remarks and commitment to his health. Are there things he could have done to mitigate anything negative attributed to him?

To what extent do each of you think he should be honored? Is his number retired enough, or was it excessive? What are your feelings about him possibly getting a statue?

[seoulman]

I was disappointed that he went to the Celtics.

I was pissed at both Shaq AND Kobe for not making it work because I thought they could have done so much more.

I'm still a Shaq fan. I'm glad he's getting his jersey retired. I'm not sure about a statue though since he didn't finish his career with the Lakers.

[EnigmaticProblem]

I've always been iffy about Oscar De La Hoya, and his statue. By "iffy", I mean "on the edge". I think it's 'cause I've never been able to accurately rank him as a boxer. Personally, I don't think Wayne Gretzky deserves a statue, whereas Oscar has me undecided. What do y'all think?

I think if those guys have statues, then Shaquille O'Neal deserves one. He has done more for Los Angeles than either of those men, combined.

Which brings me to my final train of thought. I think Staples Center statues should be reserved for Laker legends. I mean, what's the first thing you think of when you think of the Staples Center? Home of the Lakers, right? Just my personal opinion, though.

[StarneyBinston]

I was disappointed that he went to the Celtics.

I was pissed at both Shaq AND Kobe for not making it work because I thought they could have done so much more.

I'm still a Shaq fan. I'm glad he's getting his jersey retired. I'm not sure about a statue though since he didn't finish his career with the Lakers.

Pretty much my thought too. I always thought that Shaq alone could have done/been so much more had he had even half of Kobe's dedication.

Jersey retired always was a lock for me. Statue is different, especially since he went to Boston...

Regarding other athletes than Lakers players getting statues in front of Staples, I also feel that it sounds weird and gives a weird feel to the whole thing. I personally don't care at all about Gretzky or de La Hoya though. You also have to remember that Staples isn't owned by the Lakers.

[Sofa King]

I like Shaq. Wouldn't mind if he got a statue. However long it took Kareem to get one, I say double that for Shaq.

[EArl]

I like Shaq. Wouldn't mind if he got a statue. However long it took Kareem to get one, I say double that for Shaq.

At that pace he will be dead by the time he gets one.
They should make a #24 Kobe statue followed by a #8/Shaq statue to commemorate our three peat!
Hell they could throw in the Zen master in there.

[Josephpaul]

A love& hate relationship with him. Him getting us 3 rings , obviously was super great, than 04 came around when when came out of shape. I was very disappointed at him for that. Then later in his career he joined the one team he had no business being with. As a laker fan I thought it was very disrespectful to do that. He could of easily joined the hawks. A great player for us that turned sour. He literally went to dark side.

[ShanesFM]

You can only retire his Jersey. Nothing else.
Statues are for Lakers Legends. Key word...LAKERS!
When he went to the Celtics I literally cut him off. Yea...me and Shaq haven't talked since. lol jk

[Wavy Q]

Shaq is top 4, (arguably #1) of my favorite Lakers of all time, i'd be ecstatic if he got a statue.

[DEEP3CL]

It's like this......Shaq made the Lakers have to make an " Executive Decision", his separation from us was his doing but if he stayed we would've lost Kobe in the process. But it's been 8 years now, I was over it after year 1. Shaq is a Laker period weather people like it or not, glad he's getting his jersey on that wall and looking forward to his statue too.....one day.

[semi-sentient]

I started disliking Shaq for his attitude back in 2002. I felt that he was unprofessional, immature, and a very poor leader. I always tried to avoid taking sides between him and Kobe, but quite frankly Shaq himself made the choice for me.

Perhaps my memory is fogged but I seem to recall Kobe always taking the high road and not firing back at all the shots Shaq would take at him... Until late in the 2003 season when things sort of soured between the two.

Anyway, I was ready for Shaq to leave. He'd worn out his welcome and there was no fixing what was wrong. I didn't really hate him though. If anything I was more annoyed about his continued trash talking of both Kobe and the Lakers, which didn't really effect the Lakers so not particularly relevant.

He should definitely have his jersey retired but a statue is out of the question for obvious reasons.

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[Sedale Threatt]

Said what I had to say on the GB. Love Shaq, grateful for everything he did, don't really hold anything against him, still don't think it was enough to warrant the honor of all honors, mainly because he wasn't here quite long enough to establish himself as a true franchise icon.

Personally, I could not care less about him signing with Boston, and I despise the Celtics as much as anyone. Once we traded him, he didn't owe us squat.

[Speedlot]

If Kareem barely got a Statue, then i'm sure as hell shaq won't be getting one.

Regardless the whole celtic thing ruined it for him.

[what would jack bauer do?]

As a person shaq has always been kind of a douche in my opinion. He always has an agenda, he never gives you his honest opinion. He talked trash about the lakers, kobe, wade, riley... whatever organization he just left he always has sh** to talk. It seems like everything he says he contradicts a year later.

But we're not fans of the game of media personalitites, we're fans of the game. As a bball player he brought us 3 championships. That's an accomplishment elite few have ever done in basketball. Of course he's deserving of his jersey retired.

I will say this though if prime shaq ever played against dwight... shaq would sh** all over dwight. The gap in talent is tremendous. But yeah shaq is a hall of famer that got us 3 rings, he's one of the greats. I don't like him outside the game though.

[Imadogg]

Personally, I could not care less about him signing with Boston, and I despise the Celtics as much as anyone. Once we traded him, he didn't owe us squat.

Same, I was thinking I was the only one thinking him signing with the Celts didn't really affect anything at all.

Love Shaq for what he did here, didn't like his personality or his pettiness. But one of the greatest players ever and one of the most dominant forces by far (most dominant ever in a Lakers jersey) so glad he's getting his jersey retired (though timing is weird) and would be ok with a statue one day

[snaquille oatmeal]

even girls know better

Jeanie Buss ‏@JeanieBuss
Saw a cute skirt by Stella McCartney. Only problem=it was GREEN plaid. Can't wear green. #ONLYproblembeingaLakersfan #purple&gold
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[NOODLESTYLE]

Shaq had his best years as a Laker and will be going into the HOF as a Laker. I didn't like how he bad mouthed others, but I got over it. He's included on the list as one of the great Laker centers, so if they want to give him a statue it's all good.

One more time for Shaq.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRYtYOWJCpU[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4MCImBLVn0[/youtube]

[Mamba Venom]

I loved Shaq. I loved his attitude. I laughed when he was on Curb You Enthusiasm. I even bought his CDs w/ Peter Gunz. I was a huge Shaq and Kobe fan. It should never be either or.

(1) I am a little bitter about the public break up. I thought Kobe was doing his job as captain after losing in 2003 when he criticized Shaq's work ethic, specifically the 'I will heal on company time'. Kobe did what Phil Jackson taught him to do. A captain is suppose to have that reaction to such an anti-Laker-anti-team statement. Shaq responded from going from point A (basketball issues) to point B (personal attacks).

(2) I don't like how Shaq killed his trade value by going public with his trade demands. But we understand why Shaq did it. Hurting Shaq's value helped Shaq play with more talent on his next team.

(****) I regret that Shaq couldn't pass the torch to Kobe a year and a half earlier than when he passed it to Wade. Shaq called Kobe the greatest as early as 2001 but jealousy and other issues got in the way. The torch should have been passed to Kobe in 2002-2003 when Shaq was getting ready to turn 32 but didn't work on vet moves to extend his dominance.

[john248]

For as long as Kareem waited, Shaq should wait a bit longer for his statue. Kobe's should be up before his. I don't have anything against the guy because he did bring 3 championships to LA. Could he have been apart of a couple more? Sure if his attitude was better and he kept himself in shape. But who cares about what coulda shoulda woulda. He was great during his time here, and I don't really care how he is personally. He talked a bunch of ****, but whatever, that's just him being immature. I never held it against him for not getting along with Kobe or management as not everyone has a cozy relationship with their employers.

As for Gretsky, he's regarded as the greatest hockey player of all time, so I understand why his statue is up. I don't know crap about hockey, but even a casual sports fan has at least heard of him and where he ranks.

[USA]

His jersey being retired is enough of an honor, imo. I believe statues should be reserved for 'lifelong' Lakers, something Shaq isn't. He played less than half of his career for the Lakers and he has had no working relationship with them after. This is strictly my opinion but Shaq never struck me as a 'true' Laker. He always gave off the impression to me that he was in LA more for Hollywood than to play for the Lakers. The Lakers just gave him the avenue to pursue his other interests. I will admit though, I am a Shaq hater so I am a little biased. I hated Shaq when he played in Orlando. I hated Shaq when he was a Laker. I hated Shaq no matter where he was. I do recognize his dominance and appreciate the 3 championships he helped bring to the Lakers though.