Shaq officially traded to the Heat

[quote name='Archie Gates']This is not the Lakers' fault, it's Shaq. Unlike other stars like Garnett and Duncan who took a pay cut to allow their teams to acquire talent, Shaq's contract pays him about $30 million PER year the next two years. We have seen Shaq's numbers decline over the past couple seasons while his weight grows. But, rather than sign an contract extension for a fair amount (the Lakers offered $22.5 million per year) Shaq actually wanted a pay RAISE for 3-4 years from now, when he's well on the decline. The reason why the Lakers lost to the Pistons was because they didn't have anyone on the bench, because of Shaq's fat contract eating up 2/3 of the entire roster.

He has not played more than 67 regular season games the last few seasons because of injuries, and it's only going to get worse. One season ending injury and the Heat will be done for the year. Shaq has a couple good years left in him and then he will be just like Hakeem and Ewing past their prime.

The Lakers made a tough decision, but the right decision. They're paying the 25 year old superstar who will still only make HALF of what the aging Shaq was asking. Shaq will be retired for years while Kobe is in his peak playing for the Lakers, with better talent around him because of the lack of a 37 year old Shaq and his fat contract.[/quote]

Hey just want to make a point of clarification.. I love the T'wolves and KG but KG didn't exactly take a pay cut.. he signed his last contract before the salary cap went into effect.. so when that contract was up he HAD to sign for cheaper.. Although you are right as well that he COULD have signed for more but wanted to get Spree.
 
[quote name='anth0ny']i dont get why people conclude that the Lakers got rid of Phil. I commend him for the great run (4 finals in 5 years) but he was not looking forward to come back. He wasnt fired ; only wasnt invited back. He asked for the huge contract extension because he knows no one in the right mind would fulfill it. So he retired and went back to Montana.[/quote]

It probably had more to do with him no longer sleeping with the boss's daughter than anything else
 
[quote name='Archie Gates']This is not the Lakers' fault, it's Shaq. Unlike other stars like Garnett and Duncan who took a pay cut to allow their teams to acquire talent, Shaq's contract pays him about $30 million PER year the next two years. We have seen Shaq's numbers decline over the past couple seasons while his weight grows. But, rather than sign an contract extension for a fair amount (the Lakers offered $22.5 million per year) Shaq actually wanted a pay RAISE for 3-4 years from now, when he's well on the decline. The reason why the Lakers lost to the Pistons was because they didn't have anyone on the bench, because of Shaq's fat contract eating up 2/3 of the entire roster.

He has not played more than 67 regular season games the last few seasons because of injuries, and it's only going to get worse. One season ending injury and the Heat will be done for the year. Shaq has a couple good years left in him and then he will be just like Hakeem and Ewing past their prime.

The Lakers made a tough decision, but the right decision. They're paying the 25 year old superstar who will still only make HALF of what the aging Shaq was asking. Shaq will be retired for years while Kobe is in his peak playing for the Lakers, with better talent around him because of the lack of a 37 year old Shaq and his fat contract.[/quote]


A P.S. I think you are right on in your analysis. (Of Course I have just detested Shaqs play style ((note Shaq maybe fine as a human but I've never liked watching him play basketballl)). Shaq will be past his prime (especially with his weight) when his contract is up. I think he thinks he is back in the Blue Chip days when he can ask for anything and get it. Lakers would be dumb I believe to give a contract extension. It is always smarter to trade a GREAT player a year or 2 to early then keeping a great player a year or 3 too long
 
[quote name='CaseyRyback'][quote name='anth0ny']i dont get why people conclude that the Lakers got rid of Phil. I commend him for the great run (4 finals in 5 years) but he was not looking forward to come back. He wasnt fired ; only wasnt invited back. He asked for the huge contract extension because he knows no one in the right mind would fulfill it. So he retired and went back to Montana.[/quote]

It probably had more to do with him no longer sleeping with the boss's daughter than anything else[/quote]

Or perhaps he was not longer pleasing to her....?

(calling Mike ditka..)
 
[quote name='Lootr2Core'][quote name='Archie Gates']This is not the Lakers' fault, it's Shaq. Unlike other stars like Garnett and Duncan who took a pay cut to allow their teams to acquire talent, Shaq's contract pays him about $30 million PER year the next two years. We have seen Shaq's numbers decline over the past couple seasons while his weight grows. But, rather than sign an contract extension for a fair amount (the Lakers offered $22.5 million per year) Shaq actually wanted a pay RAISE for 3-4 years from now, when he's well on the decline. The reason why the Lakers lost to the Pistons was because they didn't have anyone on the bench, because of Shaq's fat contract eating up 2/3 of the entire roster.

He has not played more than 67 regular season games the last few seasons because of injuries, and it's only going to get worse. One season ending injury and the Heat will be done for the year. Shaq has a couple good years left in him and then he will be just like Hakeem and Ewing past their prime.

The Lakers made a tough decision, but the right decision. They're paying the 25 year old superstar who will still only make HALF of what the aging Shaq was asking. Shaq will be retired for years while Kobe is in his peak playing for the Lakers, with better talent around him because of the lack of a 37 year old Shaq and his fat contract.[/quote]


A P.S. I think you are right on in your analysis. (Of Course I have just detested Shaqs play style ((note Shaq maybe fine as a human but I've never liked watching him play basketballl)). Shaq will be past his prime (especially with his weight) when his contract is up. I think he thinks he is back in the Blue Chip days when he can ask for anything and get it. Lakers would be dumb I believe to give a contract extension. It is always smarter to trade a GREAT player a year or 2 to early then keeping a great player a year or 3 too long[/quote]


According to Shaq, he hasn't hit his prime yet :roll:
 
[quote name='anth0ny']i dont get why people conclude that the Lakers got rid of Phil. I commend him for the great run (4 finals in 5 years) but he was not looking forward to come back. He wasnt fired ; only wasnt invited back. He asked for the huge contract extension because he knows no one in the right mind would fulfill it. So he retired and went back to Montana.[/quote]

What does Phil Jackson have in common with the Unabomber?

They both have outrageous demands, have dorky facial hair, and live in montana.. (now if Will Ferrel would do a Phil Jackson impersonation..)
 
[quote name='anth0ny']According to Shaq, he hasn't hit his prime yet :roll: [/quote]

I don't know... we haven't seen a focused, angry, off-season trained Shaq, well ever.
 
[quote name='anth0ny']

According to Shaq, he hasn't hit his prime yet :roll:[/quote]

Nope he tripped over it and is falling away from it very fast.
 
[quote name='magilacudy']I don't know... we haven't seen a focused, angry, off-season trained Shaq, well ever.[/quote]

1999-2000 season was his year
 
I love how everyone from CA seems to rag on Shaq since he is gone. In his worst season he had over 20 PPG.

Also if anyone saw any of the Lakers games towards the end of the season, you notice Kobe taking a hell of a lot of shots and never looking for Shaq.

Just watch and see what happens when Shaq becomes the no.1 option again.
 
Shaq said it himself he's gonna be a monster in the east because he's pissed and the east has no big men, he got beat up and challenged in the west. I don't rag on shaq i just think he's closer to the end while kobe is closer to his prime. Do you want 7 years at less money or 2 years at an outrageous amount?
 
[quote name='CaseyRyback']I love how everyone from CA seems to rag on Shaq since he is gone. In his worst season he had over 20 PPG.

Also if anyone saw any of the Lakers games towards the end of the season, you notice Kobe taking a hell of a lot of shots and never looking for Shaq.

Just watch and see what happens when Shaq becomes the no.1 option again.[/quote]

not ragging on him cause he left, he lost whats left of his credibility because of his selfish attitude and showing disrespect towards the Lakers organization
 
[quote name='CaseyRyback']

Just watch and see what happens when Shaq becomes the no.1 option again.[/quote]


Whoa.. is that a threat there casey? WATCH OUT... he's gonna getya!

note to self... lock doors, load gun, and get ready for shaq!
 
[quote name='CaseyRyback']I love how everyone from CA seems to rag on Shaq since he is gone. In his worst season he had over 20 PPG.
[/quote]

In the Lakers' fans defense, they can't think of anything but these two points: Lakers are the best, anybody who isn't the Lakers sucks.

So to sum up what goes through their mind right now... Shaq = not Laker. Shaq = suck.

Any other logic doesn't work for those Cali heads. :wink:

not ragging on him cause he left, he lost whats left of his credibility because of his selfish attitude and showing disrespect towards the Lakers organization
Click to expand...

What Boozer did, that could be considered selfish. With Shaq, Lakers didn't bother to negotiate with him for the most part, and seemingly coddled Kobe throughout everything. If anything they disrespected Shaq for what he brought to the organization.
 
if the lakers can re-sign kobe bryant they will be in great shape. Rudy is a good coach and already has two nba titles, he is also well respected and can coach the lakers to another championship. Think of the chicago bulls when they had Jackson as coach, and Pippen and Jordan as their two stars....that trio along with their team brought in 6 nba titles during the 90s. Now look at it today....Kobe is considered the Jordan today and with help from another role player like Pippen (Odom) and with a great coach like Rudy the lakers are still a championship team. Not to mention they still have Payton and if Malone stays him as well. So bottom line for the lakers is just to get Kobe to stay and they will be fine. As for Shaq, he helped the city of LA win those three titles so you can't really say he ain't good. His ego just got the better of him, but I think he will help Miami out and make them title contenders. Wade and Eddie Jones are outstanding players that can help Shaq bring a title to Miami. All the heat need to do is get better fowards since they lost all of them to get shaq.
 
What Boozer did, that could be considered selfish. With Shaq, Lakers didn't bother to negotiate with him for the most part, and seemingly coddled Kobe throughout everything. If anything they disrespected Shaq for what he brought to the organization.
Click to expand...


shaq's fate was already set in stone once he declined Buss' generous offer back in February not to mention he ran his mouth and said Mitch is not the GM of the Lakers, and that he was. Shaq brought this all upon himself.
 
[quote name='anth0ny']
What Boozer did, that could be considered selfish. With Shaq, Lakers didn't bother to negotiate with him for the most part, and seemingly coddled Kobe throughout everything. If anything they disrespected Shaq for what he brought to the organization.
Click to expand...


shaq's fate was already set in stone once he declined Buss' generous offer back in February not to mention he ran his mouth and said Mitch is not the GM of the Lakers, and that he was. Shaq brought this all upon himself.[/quote]

C'mon. Since day one Kobe has been the chosen one. Never once have I heard Buss say he wants Shaq to finish his career with the Lakers, yet he wants Kobe to be a Laker for life. Where was Jerry Buss last Christmas? He was not at Shaq's house.

Shaq knows he is the most dominant player in the game, and that Kobe will always be the one the Lakers orginzation picks as their favorite. They would not have gotten rid of Phil had Kobe no been critical of him ( and to the person who said he wanted too much money, they offered Coach K 8 million a year, if we take that figure into account Phil is worth at least 15 as he only has one more finger to put a ring on and coach K still needs two just to fill up one hand).

When all you lakers fans rejoice at the signing of Kobe, just remember, it cost you the most dominant player and one of the best coaches the league has ever seen.
 
I don't think that the loss of Shaq will automatically lead to the downfall of the Lakers. LA was treated to having two of the greatest players in the game on the same team.

San Antonio only has one superstar, so does Minnesota. Their stars are surrounded by good talent. Kobe will have that talent in Odom and Butler. Gary Payton is under contract there as well and will play or be delt. Losing Shaq reduces the odds of Laker domination, but don't count the Lakers out since they know resemble the rest of the West. If Kobe truly is the next Michael Jordan then the Lakers will be a contender. I'm not a Lakers fan, but counting them out is silly at this point.

Now, if Kobe goes elsewhere the Lakers will be out of it for several years, but until then don't write off the Lakers just yet.

As for Shaq being in the East, he could have some of the most productive years of his career up ahead of him since no-one is a true threat to him. Add Wade and Jones to the mix and they do have a legit chance and should make it deep into the playoffs.

The only thing for certain this season is this - the Bobcats are doomed.
 
[quote name='captainfrizo']I don't think that the loss of Shaq will automatically lead to the downfall of the Lakers. LA was treated to having two of the greatest players in the game on the same team.

San Antonio only has one superstar, so does Minnesota. Their stars are surrounded by good talent. Kobe will have that talent in Odom and Butler. Gary Payton is under contract there as well and will play or be delt. Losing Shaq reduces the odds of Laker domination, but don't count the Lakers out since they know resemble the rest of the West. If Kobe truly is the next Michael Jordan then the Lakers will be a contender. I'm not a Lakers fan, but counting them out is silly at this point.

Now, if Kobe goes elsewhere the Lakers will be out of it for several years, but until then don't write off the Lakers just yet.

As for Shaq being in the East, he could have some of the most productive years of his career up ahead of him since no-one is a true threat to him. Add Wade and Jones to the mix and they do have a legit chance and should make it deep into the playoffs.

The only thing for certain this season is this - the Bobcats are doomed.[/quote]

the difference, their stars are over 6'11''
 
[quote name='Mustang O-Line 75']oh, I miss shaq already.

It's time to pick up all the clearanced target shaq merchandise.[/quote]

lol, i have a shaq figure and a picture of shaq,kobe,malone and payton....I wonder if they will be worth anything in a few years.
 
[quote name='captainfrizo']
San Antonio only has one superstar, so does Minnesota. Their stars are surrounded by good talent. Kobe will have that talent in Odom and Butler.
...
the Lakers out since they know resemble the rest of the West. If Kobe truly is the next Michael Jordan then the Lakers will be a contender. I'm not a Lakers fan, but counting them out is silly at this point.
[/quote]

There's more differences than meets the eye. SA has a commitment to team defense similar to the Pistons. Minnesota has 2 former all-stars complementing arguably the most versatile player in the NBA. Those scenarios are not likely to happen under Rudy T, who is not known as a defensive guru, and has won his titles with a dominant big man.

How easily LA natives forget Odom's stint in the Western Conference. He struggled while on the Clips, and was labelled soft. His breakout performance last season could be attributed to being moved to an undersized conference. Grant also is in over his head. He struggled to get boards against Eastern teams. I have respect for Butler, he was decent statswise in fantasy basketball.

With other West teams bulking up their front courts (read Utah, Denver even Memphis (!) ) the Lakers suddenly look pale and sickly, and I'm not talking about Luke Walton. You better pray to Jack Nicholson that Kobe re-signs because things are looking bleak from this side of the country.

Oh, and Hornets are pretty much doomed as well.
 
I still don't get how anyone can think that trading the most dominant player in the league is not a dumbass move. He may be "past his prime" or whatever you want to label him as just because he is not performing like he once did but even 80% of what he used to be is still miles better than every other center in the league. His presence in the middle affects the entire game around him like no other player.

Also, factoring in Kobe makes no sense right now because (1) he still might not sign with the Lakers, (2) he might sign with the Lakers and be watching from jail or (3) he might sign with the Lakers and perform merely above average instead of great because teams can now double team him the entire season without worrying about Shaq in the middle. Shaq was under contract. I still think the Lakers are dumbasses.
 
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