Did Shaq Quit on the Heat: Yes or No?

[tkb]

he provoked Riley into trading him because he didn't want to play in his first non-playoff team.

Shaq's team didn't make the playoffs in 92-93 either, so that Heat is his 2nd lotto team.

[The Diesel]

Shaq did not want to play in Miami anymore. I don't think it qualifies as quitting as both Riley and Shaq were in it together. Their off-season, they let key role players of the 2006 championship team walk, and Riley wanted to rebuild with Wade as the face of the franchise as Shaq was clearly now in decline with a massive contract.

Riley's attitude towards Shaq in public was disgraceful and pushed and baited Shaq to leave. I love Riley for his visionary and forward thinking for the Heat, however to say it wasn't planned to outst Shaq is to put one's head in the sand.

It worked out very well for both teams, thanks Phoenix

Miami definitely got the better of that trade; they're going to be a very good team very soon while they got rid of Shaq's horrible contract and Phoenix got knocked out in the first round.

Miami is only going to get better while Phoenix is only going to get worse.

What was Steve Kerr thinking?

When Shaq misses his usual 20 games a season, the trade will only continue to look worse.

By the way, are you a Miami Heat fan? (Just asking...it seems that way)

If you are, it's cool that you admit/agree that Riley treated Shaq horribly last season.

I think he quit on Riley and I don't blame him.

[BBallFreak]

Wow, The Diesel can justify anything Shaq does, can't he?

Look, you're admitting that Shaq quit on the Heat, but you're justifying it by saying it was Riley he quit on, but that's not better! It's the same damn thing!

Riley told him to come out sharp on the pick and roll. He ignored Riley. Riley pulled him from a game. Guess what? It's Shaq's fault! If Shaq didn't want to get pulled from the game, he should have listened to his coach! That's how it works in the real world. Boss tell you to do something and you do it, or accept the consequences. That's all.

Let's not give Shaq a free pass for being a first class moron, OK?

[The Diesel]

No, I don't defend everything Shaq says and does, but I have and always will take his side in his feud with Riley.

Also, remember how Riley said Kerr called him and said he was "embarrassed" about Shaq's comments about Quinn and Davis ONLY to later admit he "misspoke" about their conversation?

Taking him out of that game that quickly was wrong...even Ira Winderman (who wrote that column) said that.

I have great respect for Riley as a Coach and a GM; his record speaks for itself, but he treated Shaq like garbage last season and that's why I've taken Shaq's side.