Lakers : Shaq Is Back - Dallas-Mavs.com Forums

Tony tha Mavs fan · 09-01-2003, 02:35 PM

by Fanball Staff - Fanball.com
Monday, September 1, 2003

News
According to the LA Daily News, Shaquille O'Neal is having a great offseason. He and his new trainer are bragging about the fact he has shed 15 pounds and 5 percent of body fat--from 20 percent down to 15. The new physique has the man-child talking about the dominant Shaq of old. "I'll tell you what. If I wasn't in shape last year, I must be the greatest," O'Neal said. "To have to put up with five, 10 people every night and still get 27 (points) and 10 (rebounds) and play on a messed-up foot and play on a messed-up knee, and never complain. In the words of Muhammad Ali, 'I must be the greatest.' " Shaq went on to challenge all the Western Conference teams that improved in the offseason. "It's not going to matter," Shaq said. "You know that. The whole world knows it's not going to matter. You know why? Because I'm back now. Last year, I was a little banged up. But no team is a powerhouse, and no team scares me. And I'm upset and I'm (ticked) o! ff. A lot of people doubting me. The old Shaq will be back, talking (smack), starting fights, getting my legs up when I dunk. I'm back now. I'm mad now."

---------------------------------

Hmmm Looks like Raef and Bradley can put "dunked on" stickers on their foreheads for the Laker game.

I wonder if Larry Allen is available 4 nights out of the year to keep Shaq away from the basket, he'd make a great Hack a Shaqer for the Mavs.. just a thought

superheadcat · 09-01-2003, 02:43 PM

well, the media already hailed "shaq is back" when he came back from the toe surgery last year.
kobe already bragged about his added muscle (his photo was even on the front page of espn) last year.

nothing new this time.

one long blue sock · 09-01-2003, 02:43 PM

Oh yeah, I bet you will say that, when it is half way through the season, and your foot is in a cast.

MavKikiNYC · 09-01-2003, 02:50 PM

Quote:

"To have to put up with five, 10 people every night and still get 27 (points) and 10 (rebounds) and play on a messed-up foot and play on a messed-up knee, and never complain. In the words of Muhammad Ali, 'I must be the greatest.' "

If you mention that you didn't complain, are you complaining?

I think I speak for both Raef and Mantis when I say, "Bring it on, Fat Boy!"

jayC · 09-01-2003, 03:27 PM

Looks like that would have been the case with all the centers in this league.

EricaLubarsky · 09-01-2003, 03:34 PM

Shaq doesnt have it anymore. He may have a few good games, but the refs supposedly trying to be more collegiate, and with his aging toe and heart, Shaq is on the way out. Even last year, the younger Kobe was taking over the lead, and Shaq didnt like it one bit. Remember when he told reporters that the Lakers just needed to "pass him the f@#$ing ball more?" and that would solve their problems? Well, I dont think that is going to be the solution after Karl Malone and Gary Payton suit up. How do you spell implosion?

MFFL · 09-01-2003, 04:37 PM

Shaq seemed to mention that knee and toe a lot last year. I guess mentioning it isn't the same as complaining about it.

JamisonJigga · 09-01-2003, 05:02 PM

<In the words of Muhammad Ali, 'I must be the greatest.' ">

That sounds a little one sided if you ask me. Shaq will do all the banging he wants on Raef, but watch as Dirk, Tawn, Nash, and Fin get together and beat down the Lakers.

Tony tha Mavs fan · 09-01-2003, 05:45 PM

In MY OPINION i still think Shaq can be the most dominant center in the league, there isn't much competition against him , except , as of lately , Yao Ming. And although i don't agree with his comparing himself to being the greatest , he did go through alot of injuries last year and was fatter than ever, and still had alot of 20pnts, 15 rbs games. One thing Shaq thrives on is motivation, and last year, i don't think he had that. This year he has something to prove, especially after sitting all summer hearing about how fat he is, and how much effect he had on the Lakers not 4 peating.

Although I want the Mavs to kick the crap out of the Lakers, I still give credit to Shaq for getting in the gym and losing some weight, and being more content on taking his team to the Championships again. I really hope Lafrentz and Bradley are somewhere hearing what Shaq is saying and come out more motivated than him.

MavsFanatik33 · 09-01-2003, 09:04 PM

Should everyone on this site put our money together and hire a hitman to kill Shaq?

Nash13 · 09-01-2003, 10:20 PM

Sometimes, i really get enough of Shaq's mouth. He's too cocky.

To be honest, i don't think that Shaq can get any better, b/c his game doesn't require actual skill or talent, it's just his size. He can get more athletic, but what will he really accomplish? The only way he can get better is if he were to work on his free throw shooting.

And no matter how much weight or body fat he loses, that toe will still be a factor.

Speedy · 09-01-2003, 10:40 PM

Good. I hope Shaq comes back and has his best season ever. I want Kobe to be able to play, and play lights out. I would love to see Karl and Gary keep their production from last year and mesh perfectly with Shaq and Kobe. I want Phil to write up perfect game plans. I hope the Staples Center sells out every night, and the fans don't stop cheering from the start of the game until the end. I wish for the Laker dancers to execute flawless routines during halftime. But above all, I want the Mavs to go into L.A. and beat their a$$ straight up. Then sit back and laugh as all of these oh yeah....well if Maverick hating, asterisk key punching cry babies break out in cold sweats as they reach into their rusty bucket of excuses and come up empty handed.

MavsFanFinley · 09-01-2003, 11:00 PM

Shaq may be a step or two slower, but he's still the most dominant big man.

He's right, all the Lakers need to do is throw it down low to him and let him draw the double-teams and kick out to Kobe, Malone, or Payton. If other teams don't double, he can still put it in the basket.

The only thing that can stop Shaq is his toe.

Simon2 · 09-01-2003, 11:28 PM

Shaq will need to be in shape when he runs around trying to cover Raef on the three point line. Who cares if he comes back in shape? That's good. No excuses when the Mavs win it all.

Drbio · 09-01-2003, 11:35 PM

Shaq is a

with a wimpy toe. F'em.

Fidel · 09-01-2003, 11:44 PM

If Shaq is in good shape next season he´ll dominate. With the center position being as depleted as it is I don´t see anyone being even slightly able to stop him. Robinsons gone. Deke and Divac are probably the two players who where the most successfull in trying to defend him over the last few years. Deke is done and Divac, well stop smoking dude. The only thing that could stop Shaq is his own health. That´s just my opinion on Shaq though. I´m not at all convinced that the Lakers will be that Uber team that all the media hype suggests. I think a couple teams (including our Mavs) have a good chance to beat them in the playoffs.

tekrider · 09-02-2003, 06:46 PM

when was the last time raef consistently made 3 pointers? shaq will happily let him jack up threes while he's down low grabbing the boards and swatting shots... it's funny how nellie RARELY puts bradley into the game when shaq is in, as soon as shaq walks to the bench for a breather you will see bradley take the warmups off this skinny white ass!

Mandyahl · 09-02-2003, 06:55 PM

when was the last time shooting 40% from the 3 was not consistently making 3 pointers?

LakerMania · 09-02-2003, 09:02 PM

Quote:

I think I speak for both Raef and Mantis when I say, "Bring it on, Fat Boy!"

You're gonna hve to say it for them cuz I guarantee they ain't gonna say it to him.

Quote:

TextShaq doesnt have it anymore.

27 ppg on 57% shooting in the regular season. 27 ppg/54% fg/15rpg/4apg/2.8 bpg in this year's playoffs. Explain in more detail why he doesn't have it anymore.

MavKikiNYC · 09-02-2003, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by: LakerMania

Quote:

I think I speak for both Raef and Mantis when I say, "Bring it on, Fat Boy!"

You're gonna hve to say it for them cuz I guarantee they ain't gonna say it to him.

Precisely, L-Mania. Don't be such a literalist. Activate your irony detector.

Nash13 · 09-02-2003, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by: LakerMania
27 ppg on 57% shooting in the regular season. 27 ppg/54% fg/15rpg/4apg/2.8 bpg in this year's playoffs. Explain in more detail why he doesn't have it anymore.

So now that it wasn't Shaq's performance, what's the exuse for the Laker's for not winning their fourth straight last year? Was it Devean George? Rick Fox? Where they the reasons why?

Psychedelic Fuzz · 09-02-2003, 10:00 PM

We should designate someone to "accidentally " step on his toe. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]
Just like when Tim Duncan got poked in the eye in two separate games

Drbio · 09-02-2003, 10:02 PM

Kiki- you should know by now that leaker fans can't take chiding....even in obvoiusly sarcastic form.

mmmfast · 09-02-2003, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by: Psychedelic Fuzz
We should designate someone to "accidentally " step on his toe. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] Just like when Tim Duncan got poked in the eye in two separate games

I'm pretty close to LA so if everyone on this board pulls together to get me a courtside seat...I'll stomp his toe.[img]i/expressions/devil.gif[/img]

Murphy3 · 09-03-2003, 08:20 AM

shaq doesn't have it anymore?

please tell me that you're joking. if not, you're losing alot of credibility. How good do you have to be to "have it"?

Drbio · 09-03-2003, 08:28 AM

I suppose that it's possible that Shaq doesn't have it.

(If by "doesn't have it" you mean can still dominate the NBA at will)

Murphy3 · 09-03-2003, 11:07 AM

ok..so maybe he's slipped to the second or third most dominant player in the league instead of the most dominant.

hmm

the only player that's more dominant is probably duncan..there's no shame in that

kg_veteran · 09-03-2003, 11:45 AM

Shaq is the best player in the league. Period. It pains me to say it, but the truth is the truth.

Murphy3 · 09-03-2003, 11:54 AM

when shaq is healthy, he is without a doubt..but, last year i'd give the edge to TD.

this year, i expect it to be shaq

kg_veteran · 09-03-2003, 12:21 PM

Duncan did have the better year last year. But it seems that some people believe that Duncan has surpassed Shaq; that's just not the case. Shaq simply had an off year last year and was not healthy.

It is fair to say, though, that when you rank the players in the league, it goes something like this:

Tier 1
Shaq

Tier 2
Duncan

Tier 3

Everybody else.

Murphy3 · 09-03-2003, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by: kg_veteran
Duncan did have the better year last year. But it seems that some people believe that Duncan has surpassed Shaq; that's just not the case. Shaq simply had an off year last year and was not healthy.

It is fair to say, though, that when you rank the players in the league, it goes something like this:

Tier 1
Shaq

Tier 2
Duncan

Tier 3

Everybody else.

Tier 4
Backup NBA Power Forwards such as a player possibly like Raef Lafrentz

Tier 5
Spare NBA players such as Popeye Jones and Evan E.

Tier 6
Mark Madsen

Tier 7
Hank Dudek

Tier 8
other big men coming out of UT such as Chris Mihm, Locksley Collie, Dexter Cambridge, and Gabe Muoneke

Tier 9
All high school players over 6'4 that don't play college basketball

Tier 10
Eddie Najera

kg_veteran · 09-03-2003, 01:31 PM

Classic.

kg_veteran · 09-03-2003, 01:31 PM

I bet a lot of the guys you mentioned could get 3 defensive rebounds in 20+ minutes a game.

Drbio · 09-03-2003, 11:22 PM

hahahaha

Murphy3 · 09-04-2003, 12:04 PM

bump for my own amusement

TripleDipping · 09-04-2003, 03:51 PM

Cruel, so very cruel.

Shaq Attack · 09-05-2003, 03:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by: Nash13

Quote:

Originally posted by: LakerMania
27 ppg on 57% shooting in the regular season. 27 ppg/54% fg/15rpg/4apg/2.8 bpg in this year's playoffs. Explain in more detail why he doesn't have it anymore.

So now that it wasn't Shaq's performance, what's the exuse for the Laker's for not winning their fourth straight last year? Was it Devean George? Rick Fox? Where they the reasons why?

Um, how about not having your starting small forward (Rick Fox) and then having your backup small forward go down on a Lakers team with no depth last year. I won't even mention the fact that Kobe was playing with an injured shoulder that required surgery last June.

Shaq wasn't in great shape during the playoffs last May, but he was still able to bring the stats and dominate. Now that Shaq is thinner and is shooting better than he ever has from the FT line, do you really think he's not going to tear up the league this year, especially with help from Malone and Payton? Can you say unanimous MVP?

dirno2000 · 09-05-2003, 10:46 AM

Quote:

[i]Now that Shaq is thinner and is shooting better than he ever has from the FT line, do you really think he's not going to tear up the league this year, especially with help from Malone and Payton? Can you say unanimous MVP?

How do you know how he's shooting from the free throw line? Anyone can shoot free throws in an empty gym. It's a different story with 17,000 people over you. Especially when you already have a mental block when it comes to shooting free throws.

jacktruth · 09-05-2003, 12:45 PM

Well, Raef is lifting 265.

If Raef keeps increasing what he can lift and Shaq keeps dropping weight. . .

Look out LA!!!

[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

Shaq Attack · 09-05-2003, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by: dirno2000

Quote:

[i]Now that Shaq is thinner and is shooting better than he ever has from the FT line, do you really think he's not going to tear up the league this year, especially with help from Malone and Payton? Can you say unanimous MVP?

How do you know how he's shooting from the free throw line? Anyone can shoot free throws in an empty gym. It's a different story with 17,000 people over you. Especially when you already have a mental block when it comes to shooting free throws.

Did you notice that Shaq improved his FT% very noticably last year, and that before the season started he said he got better at FTs? Did you know he's hinting at the same thing now? Well, I'll wait this one out until October/November.