Lakers : Shaq Is Back

[Tony tha Mavs fan]

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]

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]

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

[MavKikiNYC]

"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]

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

[EricaLubarsky]

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]

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]

<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]

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]

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

[Nash13]

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]

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.

[Hitman]

Originally posted by: MavsFanatik33
Should everyone on this site put our money together and hire a hitman to kill Shaq?

Done deal.

[MavsFanFinley]

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]

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]

Shaq is a with a wimpy toe. F'em.

[Fidel]

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]

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]

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

[LakerMania]

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.

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]

Originally posted by: LakerMania

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]

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?

[Shaq Attack]

Originally posted by: Nash13

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]

[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.

[Nash13]

Originally posted by: Shaq Attack
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?

The Lakers having no depth is still their biggest problem, and the reason why they won't win the title next year.

Devean George was only out for two games and Kobe was still averaging over 20ppg after he was injured.

And exactly how does Shaq get better by losing 10lbs? The only thing Shaq has accomplished over the summer is weight loss. I'm proud of him.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img] And as far as his free throw shooting, he did improve, but it was still bad.

[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

[Drbio]

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

[mmmfast]

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]

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]

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]

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

[jacktruth]

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]

[Psychedelic Fuzz]

The lakers nearly won last year's title??
As I remember it, they nearly didn't even make the playoffs. By your logic one could argue that the mavs nearly won the title 2 seasons ago.

[Shaq Attack]

Originally posted by: Psychedelic Fuzz
The lakers nearly won last year's title??
As I remember it, they nearly didn't even make the playoffs.

Uh, yeah. 5th seed and 50 wins was really cutting it close. [img]i/expressions/rolleye.gif[/img]

OK, first off, regular season doesn't mean crap, the postseason means everything. And in the postseason, the Lakers were one Horry 3-pointer away from taking a 3-2 series lead and very likely winning from there, or at least taking it to 7 games. The Lakers would have had a great chance at beating the Mavs in the WCF, and of course the Finals would have been a joke against the Nets.

By your logic one could argue that the mavs nearly won the title 2 seasons ago.

Hardly.

[Drbio]

woulda coulda shoulda.


The Lakers did not "nearly" win the title last year. Fact is the Lakers lost to San Antonio and no amount of analysis, pissing or whining will change that.

[Shaq Attack]

Originally posted by: Drbio
woulda coulda shoulda.


The Lakers did not "nearly" win the title last year. Fact is the Lakers lost to San Antonio and no amount of analysis, pissing or whining will change that.

Yeah, OK final word. [img]i/expressions/rolleye.gif[/img]

[Drbio]

Good. Glad to hear it.

[Shaq Attack2]

Originally posted by: kg_veteran
I've about had it with troll morons invading my message board...

It’s not your message board.

Excuses are what losers make. Shut the hell up.

Interesting analysis.

Horry didn't make a three, the Lakers lost. Shut the hell up.

Profound.

You're right. The postseason means everything. The Spurs beat the Lakers in the postseason. Shut the hell up.

Insightful.

Excuses are what losers make. Shut the hell up.

Again, interesting analysis.

You totally failed to address the point. Which is, Horry <u>doesn't get to shoot the shot</u> if he wasn't lucky. Someone turned your own stupid logic around on you, and you couldn't take it. Shut the hell up.

LMAO! If any statement deserves the childish responses you’ve been making, it’s this one; “Excuses are what losers make.”

Who cares how much luck they had? They won it all. Shut the hell up.

Intriguing.

Sure you do. Shut the hell up.

Masterful.

And you do? Shut the hell up.

No, no one does, that’s the point.

Shut the hell up.

No.

Next…

Originally posted by: Drbio
If you want to enter the medical arena on arthritis....feel free. You are patently wrong though.

*kisses*

Doc

Uh, OK. Do you have any questions? Is there something about arthritis that makes it untreatable, because the medicine I’ve been taking is certainly helping.

You're on the borderline of being called ignorant. Most of those players were starters on other teams before(Best, Carter, Ginobli was on the bench last year, Mills, Miller, Fortson, Horry, peeler, and Mercer)

And Fisher and Fox were starters too. Does that make them good or even decent? Of course not, it all depends on the team. Fox and Fisher are decent players overall; they’ll be most effective in limited minutes (i.e. 20ish per game). If you honestly think that being a former starter, regardless of the team, makes a player good then, well, you’re wrong.

Ok, you are now officially ignorant. You are looking for all stars for starters, not a person to fill in the 5th spot.

Who said anything about All Stars? I’m looking for players that can backup their guy well enough that they make their bench deep, which is originally what you were arguing that other teams had over the Lakers, yes? Alright, so lets look at your stats:

Career Stats
Mills- 11ppg 4.9rpg
Best- 8.2ppg 3.8apg
Carter- 5.5ppg 4.3apg
Miller- 10.5ppg 6.5rpg
Fortson- 9.9ppg 8.8rpg
Horry- 8.0ppg 5.4rpg
Peeler- 10.4ppg 2.7rpg 2.5apg
Mercer- 14.8ppg 3.3rpg

Well first of all, it’s ridiculous to list a player’s career numbers. No coach really cares what their players did 5, 6, 7…10 years ago. They care what they can do now, and the best way to gauge that is by looking at their most recent season (2002-2003). Here are the stats of each of those players’ latest season:

Mills- 4.8ppg 2.4rpg
Best- 8.4ppg 3.5apg
Carter- 4.1 ppg 4.1apg
Miller- 13.1 ppg 8.3rpg
Fortson- 3.5ppg 4.3rpg
Horry- 6.5ppg 6.4rpg
Peeler- 7.7ppg 2.9rpg 3.0apg
Mercer- 7.7ppg 2.1rpg

We see that Mills, Fortson, Horry, Peeler, Mercer, and Carter to a degree all have considerably lower stats from last season then your career averages show. There’s a reason for that; most of these guys aren’t spring chickens anymore (some are) and their best days are behind them (even if they are spring chickens actually). This doesn’t mean they can’t be effective, but this does not make the bench they play on deep by default. As I said before, Miller is probably the best bench player in the league next to Bojax, and that definitely makes the Kings bench deep. Comparing guys like Mercer, Peeler, Carter, etc. to truly great backups isn’t sensible. I actually think Travis Best would make any bench fairly deep, and after seeing him play last year I’d say he’s a good pickup, but by no means great.

Anyway, you also have to consider the fact that stats do not tell the whole story. You actually have to watch some of these guys play. For example, having watched Fortson quite a bit, I think he’ll do quite well this year for the Mavs, despite his injury plagued seasons 2 of the last 3 year. However, he’s a one dimensional player for the most part (monster rebounder, but nothing else at all) with injury issues.

Every one of those player make up what they lack in one area. Now I've posted actual stats, something you have yet to do. All you've posted was your jaded opinions.

Call them whatever you will, but at least admit that stats do not mean everything (especially career stats) and that you actually have to watch these guys play, meaning it's tough not to talk about a deep bench without having an opinion about how they've played on the court.

Originally posted by: OutletPass
I'll also go rhyme and verse with you on arthritis treatment, Fat Attack, and so will the esteemed physician Dr. Mrs. OutletPass...by the end, you'll be dropping your pants when she says "Turn your head and cough"...and getting your nuts caught in a vise.

What grade are you in?

If you have Doctor level credentials, then bring it on. If not, quit the "short bus" posturing.

LOL! Like I actually need “Doctor level credentials” to tell you that arthritis is treatable. [img]i/expressions/rolleye.gif[/img]

I'm posting under this new handle because apparently I've been banned. If the mod is sure they don't want me here, I'll leave peacefully right now. I already sent them an email.

[Evilmav2]

Shaq Attack wasn't banned from this site was he? If that is the reason "Shaq Attack II" has surfaced and I just didn't have a good grasp on his origination, that doesn't say anything good about our board...

I certainly won't agree with everything SA has argued on this thread, but I can't argue against the fact that most of his claims are based upon reasonable argumente... Folks: Let's extend a little bit of respect to folks who will argue logically in favor ot their favorite team's individual strengths...

Shaq Attack isn't making any cardboard-piece-gingerly-wiping-his-ass-statements while defending his Lakers, so I say the man deserves a bit of respect on this board. Maybe it is a terrible thing to realize, but the fact remains, that next year the NBA Hall-Of-Fame roster that the darned Lakers are going to possess are going to dominate the unanswered question of who will be NBA champion...

Our dramatically improved Mavs will certainly have a chance to smash the old-timer Lakers and the never-timer Kings next year, but it is just as likely that our championship dreams will take small steps forward and our ultimate glory will unfortunately be deferred by a year or two... Regardless of what happens this season, we are still richer in talent than any team save the aged Lakers, so our future is shining and bright...

We may not be able to forestall the LA train in the playoffs this year, but we have a darned, darned good chance of burying the rapist's squad, and barring that eventuality, we have a darned good chance of climbing that mountain sometime during the next couple of years...

[Mandyahl]

i try to be nice, superheadcat. i just don't like being mean.