Shaq, in Hindsight

[Josephpaul]

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.

this sums it up.

[Anklebreaker702]

I didn't too much like Shaq's end results. He handled himself very poorly. I respect & appreciative what he did during his tenure here but for me that's where it stops. I still like Shaq & love him as a commentator, but no on the statue for me.

[TarktheShark]

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.

crazy Wayne has one. Oscar is a LA LEGEND. He also is a hero to mexican americans who have big numbers of residents in LA

[LApwnd]

not a player fan 1st and foremost, Eddie Jones was as close to a fav Lakers as I've gotten now with Pau just a bit but I will still rag on Pau when he's a no show over the last 2 playoff runs. The Bos thing also urked me but personally I've enjoyed his failures and have rooted against him ever since he left. With that said the jersey retirement is deserved although I wouldn't have done it so soon, honestly would've done Kobe's 1st then Shaq. He ISNT deserving of a statue IMO, the 2 and now the 3rd in KAJ were more Laker representative than Shaq in terms of their careers in LA, I feel like KAJ while being a top 3 player of all time got his statue this late was just because he wasn't a Laker all his life and Magic/West both worked for the franchise even after their playing days. Kaj was just a big mans coach here and there and he seem to have alterior motives for doing it (to garner more notariety for his coaching quest).

[Sedale Threatt]

Waiting would have been low-rent, especially until Kobe retired. The fact that they're doing it immediately is yet another reason why the Lakers are a class organization. They're taking the high road, and it's going to make for a wonderful evening. Shaq's going to be at his best, the fans are going to eat it up and finally we can put all the crap behind us and bring one of the best players to ever wear our uniform back into the fold.

[Mamba Venom]

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.

great posts.

MJ, Hakeem, Malone, Stockton and Red have statues. Lakers don't need to give everyone a statue unless we go Yankees style and make a Museum hall.

OT LOL Do we put the Shaq statue near Kobes?

[LApwnd]

Waiting would have been low-rent, especially until Kobe retired. The fact that they're doing it immediately is yet another reason why the Lakers are a class organization. They're taking the high road, and it's going to make for a wonderful evening. Shaq's going to be at his best, the fans are going to eat it up and finally we can put all the crap behind us and bring one of the best players to ever wear our uniform back into the fold.

or how bout till he actually in the hall of fames? Thats not to much right? He' s sure 1st ballot I know that but wait for that considering the crap he gave the organization and calling LA "FAKE" after he left.