Shaq calls Lakers "My Team"

[SaltwaterChaffy]

By Marc Stein
ESPN.com

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Lakers will open the season Tuesday night at home with all four of their future Hall of Famers starting against the Dallas Mavericks ... but nothing even close to total harmony.

That's because Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant are feuding anew, out in the open, after a long thaw in their historically icy relationship.

O'Neal and Bryant seemed to be interacting comfortably Sunday on the practice floor, sharing the ball freely during an afternoon workout. Then they traded nasty verbal jabs after the session -- arguably their harshest comments since L.A.'s second championship season -- all stemming from O'Neal's suggestion Friday night in Las Vegas that Bryant "should probably look to be more of a passer until he gets his legs strong."

Bryant, recovering from offseason knee and shoulder surgeries, didn't welcome the suggestion, saying: "I definitely don't need advice on how to play my game."

Not even advice from O'Neal?

"Definitely not," Bryant continued. "I know how to play my guard spot. He can worry about the low post, and I'll worry about the [perimeter]."

When apprised of Bryant's reaction, O'Neal lashed out harder.

"As we start this new season, we want [expletive] done right," Shaq said. "If you don't like it, then you can opt out next year. As long as it's my team, then I'll voice my opinion. If you don't like it, then opt out."

That was a reference to Bryant's plan to exercise an option in his contract at season's end and test the free-agent market next summer, a stance Bryant has said he won't change in the wake of his felony sexual assault charge in Colorado.

Asked to clarify his "my team" remark, O'Neal added: "Everybody knows that. You [media] guys may give it to [Bryant] like you've given him everything else his whole lifetime, but this is the Diesel's ship. So ... if you ain't right [physically], don't be trying to go out there and get right on our expense. Use the people out there, then when you get right you [can] do what you do."

Not since the middle of the 2001-02 season -- the second of L.A.'s three consecutive championships -- have O'Neal and Bryant sparred in the press like this. Their relationship seemed to blossom into friendship during the third championship and also appeared to survive last season's 11-19 start and subsequent crash out of the playoffs with a second-round loss to San Antonio.

Throughout this first month back to work, however, there have been thinly veiled hints from O'Neal that problems have resurfaced, starting from the veterans' first day of training camp in Hawaii. Bryant did not fly on the Lakers' team charter and reported to camp a day late. O'Neal said at the time that "the full team is here," leading some to speculate that he preferred to play this season without the distractions attached to Bryant's court case.

Days later, explaining why he was sitting out an exhibition game with a sore left heel, O'Neal said: "I want to be right [in the regular season] for Derek, Karl and Gary.'' He was referring to Derek Fisher and new teammates Karl Malone and Gary Payton -- and O'Neal ommitted Bryant's name from the conversation more than once.

Malone and Payton, by contrast, have publicly supported Bryant as strongly as anyone in Lakers circles. But even Payton has urged Bryant to ease his way back into the team flow, after Bryant fatigued quickly and shot poorly in the second half of the Lakers' final two exhibition games.

Eyebrows were also raised when Bryant, for Thursday's exhibition in Anaheim against the Clippers, rode his motorcycle to and from the game instead of riding on the team bus.

Yet O'Neal, when pressed, insisted that the Lakers can play through any problems he's having with Bryant.

"I don't really worry about that," O'Neal said when asked about the state of the relationship. "I'm here to do a job. ... If he's open, I'm going to give it to him. If I'm open, I expect him to give it to me. I don't care about [expletive] else he does, and I know he don't care [expletive] else I do."

What's clear is that Lakers coach Phil Jackson, who spoke to reporters before his stars started volleying barbs, has his first real challenge of the season, less than 48 hours before the season opener. And it's right in his own locker room, not in a Colorado court room.

Asked about how he plans to play against the Mavericks on Tuesday night, Bryant said: "No change in my game whatsoever."

Said O'Neal: "Just ask Karl and Gary why they came here. One person, not two. One. Period. ... I'm not telling [Bryant] how to play his position. I'm telling him how to play team ball."

Marc Stein is the senior NBA writer for ESPN.com. To e-mail him, click here. Also, click here to send a question for possible use on ESPNEWS.

Edit: Typo; add thoughts

just what the lakers need when everyone is talking about chemistry for their new players. A lack of chemistry from the old players.

[Murphy3]

Shaq's right. The lakers are his team.

I think it's hilarious. I hope they get into a fight and shaq knocks the living hell out of Kobe. Someone needs to.

[AdamAMMP]

Originally posted by: Murphy3
Shaq's right. The lakers are his team.
I hope they get into a fight and shaq knocks the living hell out of Kobe. Someone needs to.

hopefully it happens tuesday

[Murphy3]

the best thing that could happen for the rest of the West would be for Kobe to think that it's his team

[Max Power]

all stemming from O'Neal's suggestion Friday night in Las Vegas that Bryant "should probably look to be more of a passer until he gets his legs strong."

But this is a horrible comment. Did Kobe make comments like this LAST year when Shaq was fat and slow to rehab? Shaq is increasingly becoming a shrill old woman. The "pay attention to ME" type comments are getting old. He sounds like Barkley without the wit.

Could Kobe have won those championships without Shaq? Of course not. Would Shaq have won without Kobe? Probably not. But now Shaq feels like he can win without Kobe (because of Malone and Payton) so he is letting his true feelings out.

[WayOutWest]

Why am I not surprised by these two going at it.

Hopefully Kobe will come to his senses, like he has for the past 4 years, and realize that Shaq is right in regards to who's the man in L.A. and back down and step away from the Daddy. Still, Shaq crossed the line with some of his comments and should have kept his mouth shut to the press and checked little brother Kobe in private. Jerry West is probably having mixed feelings about this situation.

Then again with the Zen-hen at the helm it's not surprising they play out thier little games in the press.

On the bright side it will be fun to watch the Lakers hand EVERYBODY thier @sses this year, especially in the playoffs.

[LRB]

Sounds like Shaq and Kobe are having an immaturity contest. If they keep it up I don't know who will win, but the Lakers will be the losers. This is really the main reason why I dislike both Kobe and Shaq. Of course this does nothing but help the Mavs cause. Still it would be nice to play and beat the Lakers at their best. That opportunity may or may not occur.

And I definitely think that Shaq is jealous of all the attention that Kobe is getting even if a lot or even most of the attention is bad. Seems like Shaq is really insecure.

[Murphy3]

I really don't think Shaq would have a problem getting along with 99% of the players in the NBA. Hell, almost all of his teammates have always loved him.

Kobe, on the otherhand... few of his teammates have even liked him according to all reports. Shaq's just a guy that speaks his mind. He doesn't like Kobe and he has no problem with people knowing.

It's rather humorous seeing Shaq voice his displeasure with Kobe knowing that NONE of Kobe's teammates would ever come to his aid.

[MavsFanFinley]

I have a hard time with a lot of what Shaq says, but I've always agreed with him that this is his team. Kobe still doesn't realize how good he has it being able to play alongside a big man like that.

[Shaq Attack2]

Agreed. Kobe has absolutely no room to instigate a fight through the media right now. He's woefully out of shape, and his sexual escapades could single handedly derail the Lakers hope of a title this year. It's certainly no surprise that Shaq has the maturity of an 8 year old and lashes out at Kobe like he did, but Kobe knew very well what he was doing when he made these comments. Even Payton is telling Kobe to back down, and rightfully so.

[dirno2000]

The media is funny the way the run back and forth with the he said/he said. I know it's their job but I'm sure even they would admit it pretty juvenile.

Shaq is right in that it's his team, but I'm surprised he's so willing to openly jab Kobe. Kobe wants to be the best ever so bad that it's like Shaq turning the knife every time says it. Shaq might want to tap the breaks. While he is the most rare commodity in the league, Kobe's aren't growing on trees either. If Kobe opts our and refuses to do a sign and trade just to screw the Lakers, they won’t win it all with Shaq, a 41 year old Karl Malone and some mid level exception free agent.

[Simon2]

If the Mavs don't win it this year, they'll be in great shape next year when Kobe and Shaq are no more with Payton and Malone a little older. Yes!

[bogey]

Kobe needs to sit out. He's only a distraction...and a big one at that.

[FilthyFinMavs]

I laughed when Mavs fans where suggesting that the Lakers could implode. I didn't think it was possible while having the best roster in basketball. Looks like I was wrong and it may happen.

[bogey]

Too many egos...not enough beat writers. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

[ReDIRKulous]

Has anyone seen an article with these new comments from Kobe and Shaq? Such as "Shaq isn't really like my big brother" etc. etc.

[superheadcat]

Originally posted by: ReDIRKulous
Has anyone seen an article with these new comments from Kobe and Shaq? Such as "Shaq isn't really like my big brother" etc. etc.

“HE IS NOT MY big brother,” Bryant said of O’Neal in an interview with ESPN. “A big brother would have called me to lend support.”
He pointed out that other teammates have called him, and even non-Laker athletes like Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan have voiced their support. O’Neal, however, has not.

“It doesn’t matter whose team it is. Nobody cares. But since it is his team, no more coming into camp fat and out of shape.”
“Leaders don’t beg for a contract extension and negotiate a $30 million contract in the media,”

“My knee is not strong enough to play yet. I know it,” Bryant told ESPN on Monday, “But I don’t need Shaq’s advice on how to play hurt. ... I don’t miss 15 games because of a toe injury that everybody knows isn’t that bad.”

[Murphy3]

If shaq was Kobe's big brother..you can rest assured that Kobe would have been put in his place a long time ago...

Personally, I DON'T think Shaq owes him his support in this situation. This is a LEGAL situation where Kobe is accused of a very serious crime. Perhaps Shaq actually thinks that Kobe's guilty. Why would he give him his support?

[ReDIRKulous]

Thanks superheadcat.

Here is the full article if anyone missed it.

http://msnbc.com/news/985536.asp?0sl=-23

Point, counterpoint: Kobe rips Shaq

Bryant says teammate is ‘not my big brother’
Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant have been exchanging nasty words through the media.

Oct. 26 — The war of words between Los Angeles Lakers stars Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal escalated on Monday, as Bryant took time in an interview to point out that if he leaves via free agency after this season, it will be because of the childlike actions of his teammate.

“HE IS NOT MY big brother,” Bryant said of O’Neal in an interview with ESPN. “A big brother would have called me to lend support.”
Bryant was referring to his legal troubles this summer. Bryant has been charged with sexual assault, and is set for trial sometime next year. He pointed out that other teammates have called him, and even non-Laker athletes like Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan have voiced their support. O’Neal, however, has not.
Bryant also countered remarks made by O’Neal on Sunday, in which the center said the Lakers were “his team.”
“Just ask Karl Malone and Gary Payton why they came here,” O’Neal said on Sunday. “One person, not two. One. Period. ... I’m not telling [Bryant] how to play his position. I’m telling him how to play team ball.”
On Monday, Bryant told ESPN that “It doesn’t matter whose team it is. Nobody cares. But since it is his team, no more coming into camp fat and out of shape.”
He also disputed O’Neal’s insistence that he is the Lakers’ leader. “Leaders don’t beg for a contract extension and negotiate a $30 million contract in the media,” Bryant said.
The latest edition of the feud between the stars began when O’Neal offered Bryant advice — through the media — that he should be more of a passer than a scorer until he is up to full strength.
“He’s going to have to take his time,” O’Neal said on Friday. “If he is going to be on the court, he has to make sure everybody else is involved and not really try to do too much until he’s ready. But we’re going to be fine.
“I think he has a lot of help out there. When he has a lot of help he should use them. While he’s playing like he’s playing, he should probably look to be more of a passer until he gets his legs strong. When he gets his legs strong, he can do what he does.”
Bryant did not take kindly to the advice, and addressed the topic again on Monday, saying that he did not expect to play in the Lakers’ opener on Tuesday against Dallas.
“My knee is not strong enough to play yet. I know it,” Bryant told ESPN on Monday, “But I don’t need Shaq’s advice on how to play hurt. ... I don’t miss 15 games because of a toe injury that everybody knows isn’t that bad.” Bryant has stated in the past that he will test the free agent market following the 2003-04 season. On Monday he said that if he leaves, it will be because of O’Neal’s behavior. If you judge O’Neal’s comments on Sunday, he may not care.
“As we start this new season, we want [expletive] done right,” O’Neal said. “If you don’t like it, then you can opt out next year. As long as it’s my team, then I’ll voice my opinion. If you don’t like it, then opt out.”
__________________________________________________ __________________


Does anyone else think this sounds like more than one of their little tiffs?

[Murphy3]

For the love of God...Kobe's knocking shaq for not playing with injuries.

Is there a bigger pansy in the league than Kobe?