Shaq Calls Spurs Cowards, Disses Nash and Amare

[Xylus]

You can listen to the audio at the bottom. Shaq's comments come after Matt Barnes and Coach Porter.


http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2008/10/14/635150/shaq-calls-spurs-cowards-a


Shaq calls Spurs Cowards and Disses Nash and Amare

Audio from after today's practice. You can hear the following tidbits...

* Barnes talks about fitting in with the Suns

* Porter talks about Barnes fitting in and how things are going and about Tucker's strained calf which might keep him benched for the next game but isn't serious

* Shaq calls the Spurs cowards for employing the hack-a-Shaq while leading by 10 and claims that the tactic didn't work since the Spurs didn't get past the Lakers. Huh?

* Shaq takes credit for Posey's and Capono's contracts and how guys just need to play off him and he will make them rich

* Shaq talks about how his guards don't stay in front of their man which makes him have to cover guys like Tony Parker and that he makes Tony take a tough shot but his team mates then have to box out Duncan so he doesn't get the board

* Shaq talks about how poor the Suns rotations were against the Spurs leading to Duncan hitting a "fucking three" (Amare - he might be talking to you)

* Shaq explains how being a great team mate and leader means always supporting his guys and how he never gets down on those around him and how he wouldn't ever hand out blame to his fellas and how he's going to shoot 80% from the line...or not

Audio below:

http://www.switchpod.com/users/phoenixstan/Sunspractice101408.mp3


The ego on this guy... I swear...

I don't particularly care one bit what he says about the Spurs, but what the fuck is he thinking blaming Amare and Nash for the loss? Even if they were at fault, you don't do that shit to your teammates. Take some fucking responsibility, Shaq. Way to be a team player.

[honestfool84]

a suns fan!
haha.

[Allanon]

I wonder how Amare's gonna respond to this:

" Shaq talks about how poor the Suns rotations were against the Spurs leading to Duncan hitting a "fucking three" (Amare - he might be talking to you)"

[Xylus]

I think Amare's matured to the point where he'll simply respond, "Shaq's right, I should have covered Duncan's three."

You guys talk a lot of shit about Stoudemire, but he says all the right things these days, and seems committed to learning Porter's new philosophy. He was tired of losing because of D'Antoni's poor defensive schemes. Amare just wants to win.

[ShoogarBear]

Actually, the three Amare should have covered was Finley's.

[ShoogarBear]

And hey, what if Shaq had hit some free throws?

[Xylus]

The fact is, he didn't hit his free throws, and Popovich's tactic (as cheap as it was) worked. Shaq deserves as much blame as anyone else on the Suns for the series loss.

[DMX7]

LOL, this is good stuff.

[honestfool84]

weird thing is: amare doesn't even appear to be on the floor for that shot.

6DYJKoCjWrQ

[Manufan909]

Shaq's a dumbass, the only way he can stop Tony is if he tricks him into colliding with his 400lb body. And maybe the Spurs were smart, someoe who has been in the league as long as Shaq should be breaking 60% in free-throw shooting. Watching the Spurs employing that trick was shiity, I'll admit. Really killed the flow of the overall game, but it worked.

[Xylus]

He might not have been blaming Amare, then. Regardless, Shaq needs to learn to take some responsibility. He should have hit his free throws, it's his job to control the paint, and he probably should have been guarding Duncan when he hit the 3.

[ShoogarBear]

weird thing is: amare doesn't even appear to be on the floor for that shot.



Actually, the three Amare should have covered was Finley's.

WrPn4PDTFws

[AC#21_TD ERA]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with what the Spurs did, if a player has a weakness then you every right to exploit that weakness as long as it's in the rules. That's why the Spurs are a well drilled championship side. Shaq has only got himself to blame. Instead of running his mouth every second he should be working on his weaknesses.

[honestfool84]

WrPn4PDTFws

yeah.
you were right.


i think it's lame how shaq comes in, and starts blaming everyone, acting like it is HIS team, and not amare's or nash's to start with.

[timtonymanu]

Shaq's gonna ask for a trade to a good team again this year if the suns dont play well.

[Allanon]

weird thing is: amare doesn't even appear to be on the floor for that shot.


WTF? You're right, Amare wasn't even on the floor, that was Diaw.

I can't figure out whose fault that was... that was a team breakdown

Shaq showed too much
Nash cut too high
Diaw rotated too slow
Bell was slow on the rotation
Grant Hill was face-guarding Finley without keeping an eye on the ball

EDIT: Ah, Shoog got that other video. I could've sworn I remembered Amare missing a defensive assignment.

Yeah, in this video, Amare totally blows it. He lost track of Oberto and then when he saw the pass, he didn't react, just watched it go up.

[Bartleby]

Snaq = cancer

[ShoogarBear]

Shaq showed too much


Shaq apparently was waiting on the help from Amare.

I guess he didn't realize that Amare's gotten a little shy about leaving the bench.

[Spuradicator]

Shaq is gay

[birdy219]

I love it. Maybe the Spurs are getting in Snaq O'meal's head too. :whine

First, he talks about Timmy. Now Pop and his own no defending teammates. Who's next? :rollin :flag:

[honestfool84]

Shaq apparently was waiting on the help from Amare.

I guess he didn't realize that Amare's gotten a little shy about leaving the bench.

:lmao

[dbreiden83080]

"Shaq takes credit for Posey's and Capono's contracts and how guys just need to play off him and he will make them rich"

:rolleyes

Someone tell Shaq it isn't 2000 anymore

[Allanon]

Shaq apparently was waiting on the help from Amare.

I guess he didn't realize that Amare's gotten a little shy about leaving the bench.

That was pretty good... it took me a minute to get the punchline :D

[dbreiden83080]

Now you guys are seeing what Kobe dealt with... guys like Shaq are never happy.

Kobe and Shaq were equally assholes at different times during that run. I actually think Kobe would deal with it better now, he was very immature back then.

[FromWayDowntown]

WTF? You're right, Amare wasn't even on the floor, that was Diaw.

I can't figure out whose fault that was... that was a team breakdown

Given the disorganized nature of D'Antoni's defenses, it's hard to say who was supposed to do what. What seems apparent in the replay, however, is that Shaq accepted the ball off the screen and attempted to stay in front, but that Nash didn't switch back to Duncan when Shaq went with the ball -- obviously because Shaq had no chance to stay with the ball. When both Shaq and Nash went with the ball, Bell is late rotating out to the top, though with the Spurs down 3, ideally you'd think that the backside guy who should have been looking to rotate out on a three point shooter was the guy defending Thomas (Diaw?) and not Bell, who was defending Parker.

If the primary blame on that play isn't on Shaq -- why the hell is he chasing the ball on the drive with his team up 3, and was that really his best show in defending a play like that? -- it's got to be on Nash, who also didn't recognize the situation very well. The Suns should have conceded the layup since only a 3 could have beaten them and if Ginobili beats Shaq to the cup, it's not that big a deal.

Breaking down that play aside, what's bizarre about the reported comments from Shaq is his insistence that being "a great team mate and leader means always supporting his guys and how he never gets down on those around him and how he wouldn't ever hand out blame to his fellas," follows closely on the heels of bashing his guys, getting down on those around him, and handing out blame to his fellas.

[SenorSpur]

Shaq's a dumbass, the only way he can stop Tony is if he tricks him into colliding with his 400lb body. And maybe the Spurs were smart, someoe who has been in the league as long as Shaq should be breaking 60% in free-throw shooting. Watching the Spurs employing that trick was shiity, I'll admit. Really killed the flow of the overall game, but it worked.

Exactly. I don't like the strategy either. Hated it when Nellie employed it. Hated it even more watching Pop employ it. But the fact is IT WORKED. Otherwise, Pop would've gone away from it. If Shaq had any personal accountability or desire to improve his weaknesses, he'd commit to becoming an average to above average FT shooter. Instead, he bitches and moans to the media, like a jealous, whiny, lil' girl. In his mind, his issues are ALWAYS the fault of someone else.

The remedy to all this is simple enough that even a dumb-ass like him should be able to understand. If he wants coaches to stop using the hack-a-Shaq strategy - he should hit his fucking FTs.

[SenorSpur]

Kobe and Shaq were equally assholes at different times during that run. I actually think Kobe would deal with it better now, he was very immature back then.

Shaq is equally as immature now - even at his advanced age.

His lame-ass rap attack on Kobe is a testiment to that fact.

[sook]

shaq is a douchebag, my cock is bigger than his

[Allanon]

Given the disorganized nature of D'Antoni's defenses, it's hard to say who was supposed to do what. What seems apparent in the replay, however, is that Shaq accepted the ball off the screen and attempted to stay in front, but that Nash didn't switch back to Duncan when Shaq went with the ball -- obviously because Shaq had no chance to stay with the ball. When both Shaq and Nash went with the ball, Bell is late rotating out to the top, though with the Spurs down 3, ideally you'd think that the backside guy who should have been looking to rotate out on a three point shooter was the guy defending Thomas (Diaw?) and not Bell, who was defending Parker.

I think you're right, this one lies on Diaw. He should have helped on Manu, I think that's why Shaq was just showing at top because he though he had backup.



it's got to be on Nash, who also didn't recognize the situation very well.
This was also a breakdown, either he guards Duncan or cuts to the hole instead of going to the backside of Shaq. Nash was in no man's land.



Breaking down that play aside, what's bizarre about the reported comments from Shaq is his insistence that being "a great team mate and leader means always supporting his guys and how he never gets down on those around him and how he wouldn't ever hand out blame to his fellas," follows closely on the heels of bashing his guys, getting down on those around him, and handing out blame to his fellas.

This has always been his problem, he instigates alot of shit.

[dbreiden83080]

Shaq is equally as immature now - even at his advanced age.

His lame-ass rap attack on Kobe is a testiment to that fact.

I'm sayng Kobe is more mature. Shaq is every bit the asshole today as he was 15 years ago.

[Extra Stout]

The funniest part is where Shaq blames his teammates for the Duncan 3 when it was Shaq's fault Duncan was open. He's just an old player in decline who has to run his mouth to appear relevant because he can no longer do it with his game.

[SenorSpur]

The funniest part is where Shaq blames his teammates for the Duncan 3 when it was Shaq's fault Duncan was open. He's just an old player in decline who has to run his mouth to appear relevant because he can no longer do it with his game.

I hope the Spurs draw their asses again in this year's playoffs. It'd be a pleasure to watch his bitch-ass go out again.

[dbreiden83080]

I hope the Spurs draw their asses again in this year's playoffs. It'd be a pleasure to watch his bitch-ass go out again.

They'll go out again for sure. Maybe not by the Spurs but the Suns window was slammed shut officially last year

[FromWayDowntown]

Didn't he foul out shortly before that?

That's what I thought, and we're right:

Stoudemire Foul:Offensive (6 PF) 0:12
Stoudemire Turnover:Foul (6 TO) 0:12
Barbosa Substitution replaced by Diaw 0:12
Stoudemire Substitution replaced by Hill 0:12
[SAS 104-104] Duncan 3pt Shot: Made (38 PTS), Assist: Ginobili (5 AST) 0:03

[Spork KIller]

You can listen to the audio at the bottom. Shaq's comments come after Matt Barnes and Coach Porter.


http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2008/10/14/635150/shaq-calls-spurs-cowards-a




The ego on this guy... I swear...

I don't particularly care one bit what he says about the Spurs, but what the fuck is he thinking blaming Amare and Nash for the loss? Even if they were at fault, you don't do that shit to your teammates. Take some fucking responsibility, Shaq. Way to be a team player.

Shaq is right, cowards and cheaters, I'm glad the Lakers took care of your miserable team!!!

[SenorSpur]

I'm sayng Kobe is more mature. Shaq is every bit the asshole today as he was 15 years ago.

I understood your point and agree.

[JamStone]

Steve Nash should crack back that his tandem bike ride with Baron Davis was cooler than Shaq's tandem bike ride with Hakeem.

jSd4WZ72P9U

JnyWar8uOTI

[SpursFanFirst]

what the fuck is he thinking blaming Amare and Nash for the loss?[/B] Even if they were at fault, you don't do that shit to your teammates. Take some fucking responsibility, Shaq. Way to be a team player.

I can't listen to the audio because my computer is shot, but....
I doubt that happened, Xylus...maybe you forgot the following point:


* Shaq explains how being a great team mate and leader means always supporting his guys and how he never gets down on those around him and how he wouldn't ever hand out blame to his fellas

Shaq sucks. He needs to retire already.

[completely deck]

I want Steve Nash to be a Spur so bad

[IronMexican]

Steve Nash should crack back that his tandem bike ride with Baron Davis was cooler than Shaq's tandem bike ride with Hakeem.

jSd4WZ72P9U

JnyWar8uOTI

:wow No way in hell you find something like that for 70 cents anymore:depressed

[HORNSWOGGLE]

Shaq is right, cowards and cheaters, I'm glad the Lakers took care of your miserable team!!!
and who took care of the suns? dumbass

[Tully365]

Typical Suns' defense on that play-- they're up by 3, but two guys doubleteam Manu going to the basket, increasing the likelihood that he'll be fouled, and they leave a guy wide open at the three point line. If Manu scores without drawing a foul, the Suns are up by one, with the ball, and there's only 3 seconds left in the game. Thanks for the gift, Phoenix!

[T Park]

It literally is a simple solution to the hack a shaq and don't want to see it done.

Make the free throws.


Its that simple. Call it cheap, whatever, be stupid about the fact that its a tried and true method.

[Xylus]

I can't listen to the audio because my computer is shot, but....
I doubt that happened, Xylus...maybe you forgot the following point:

He didn't say that in the clip, I don't think. That was a sarcastic bit added by the blogger.

[anakha]

If Rappin' Shaq does not make an appearance in this thread, I will be very disappointed.

[m33p0]

"I'm the greatest fucker here! and you snivelling shits would die without me! haa hahaha!"

[Anti.Hero]

Pop should do it the entirety of the 1st game of the season :lmao

[remingtonbo2001]

Shaq apparently was waiting on the help from Amare.

I guess he didn't realize that Amare's gotten a little shy about leaving the bench.

:lol Best joke of the week.

[AC#21_TD ERA]

If Rappin' Shaq does not make an appearance in this thread, I will be very disappointed.

That's not going to happen. Rappin Shaq is finished, done like the real Shaq. Plus even if he decides to start a rap in this thread he'll be scared that we'll employ the Hack a Rappin Shaq.

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

Does he cover the subject of how the Suns got worked over repeatedly on the pick and roll due in no small part to the fact that he's a broken down tub who is incapable of moving more then three feet from the rim? Because I didn't see that in the list of topics. Strange omission.

[duncan228]

That's not going to happen. Rappin Shaq is finished, done like the real Shaq. Plus even if he decides to start a rap in this thread he'll be scared that we'll employ the Hack a Rappin Shaq.

Rappin' Shaq made an appearance this morning in the beno udrith > kobe!!! thread.

http://spurstalk.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2825398&postcount=46

[Harry Callahan]

What SA did to Shaq and PHO was a complete mind F. The Suns had know idea what to do. That was not a cowardly move but one of the smartest strategies I have ever seen the Spurs use. The assistant coaches urged Pop to do it, and it couldn't have worked any better than it did.

Shaq says stupid stuff and that has always been the case.

It's funny that now his immense physical abilities have eroded to the extent that he is unable to "make the Spurs pay" for what they did last year. If he doesn't realize that is is too late for that team, then he is fooling himself.

The Shaq trade is going to be an albatross around Steve Kerr's neck for the next couple of years because that team is a 6-8 seed at best and a 1st round exit for the forseeable future.

[Texas_Ranger]

Shaq is a bitch!

[Sissiborgo]

Shaq sucks fat grumpy ass

[SpursFanFirst]

He didn't say that in the clip, I don't think. That was a sarcastic bit added by the blogger.

Sorry...I meant to add a :lol . I was only messing with you.

[We born to be bad]

Shaq is a bitch!

c'mon!!! do you get offended when he calls you cowards? it's shaq!
he's still motivated and that's the way it goes with him. take it or leave it.

[I Love Me Some Me]

Shaq is irrelevant.

[Red Hawk #21]

What SA did to Shaq and PHO was a complete mind F. The Suns had know idea what to do. That was not a cowardly move but one of the smartest strategies I have ever seen the Spurs use. The assistant coaches urged Pop to do it, and it couldn't have worked any better than it did.

Shaq says stupid stuff and that has always been the case.

It's funny that now his immense physical abilities have eroded to the extent that he is unable to "make the Spurs pay" for what they did last year. If he doesn't realize that is is too late for that team, then he is fooling himself.

The Shaq trade is going to be an albatross around Steve Kerr's neck for the next couple of years because that team is a 6-8 seed at best and a 1st round exit for the forseeable future.

:toast

[duncan228]

Shaq is irrelevant.

Slam on line agrees.

O’Neal: Hack-a-Shaquin’ Spurs are ‘Cowards’ (http://slamonline.com/online/2008/10/oneal-hack-a-shaquin-spurs-are-cowards/)
by Marcel Mutoni

Shaquille O’Neal is clearly not handling his painful decline into total irrelevance very well.

The man will do just about anything to stay in the limelight - he’ll gladly perform a disparaging rap freestyle in a pathetic attempt to re-ignite a past feud, and calling arguably the most dominant team of his career a bunch of cowards is certainly not beneath him.

Here’s the audio (it’s a bit long, but worth it), and the highlights via Bright Side of the Sun:

Shaq calls the Spurs cowards for employing the hack-a-Shaq while leading by 10 and claims that the tactic didn’t work since the Spurs didn’t get past the Lakers. Huh?

I would love for O’Neal to explain how it’s less cowardly to employ Hack-a-Shaq when trailing than when ahead.

Shaq was feeling extra frisky on this day, as he also threw his teammates under the bus for failing to stay in front of the Spurs guards and not properly rotating on Tim Duncan’s stunning three-pointer to force double-overtime in the epic series opener between Phoenix and San Antonio last season.

Shaq talks about how poor the Suns rotations were against the Spurs leading to Duncan hitting a “f*cking three” (Amare - he might be talking to you.)

To be fair, STAT wasn’t even on the court (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trdsKp94Io0) when the play occurred. But Nash certainly was, and I believe he qualifies as one of those guards who couldn’t keep up with Tony Parker. Oh yes, it’s going to be a fantastic year in the Valley of the Sun…or not.

[Sigz]

Shaq is the biggest fucking faggot ass baby I've ever seen in my life.

What a 400 lbs sack of pathetic shit.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

If only Big Dave had given Shaq that autograph he asked for in high school then perhaps he wouldn't hold such bitterness against the Spurs.

[Fingaroll44]

Shaq's gonna ask for a trade to a good team again this year if the suns dont play well.

He should be traded to the Grizzlies or Bobcats

[xtremesteven33]

He should be traded to the Grizzlies or Bobcats



that would be friggin awesome....haha:lol

[SenorSpur]

What SA did to Shaq and PHO was a complete mind F. The Suns had know idea what to do. That was not a cowardly move but one of the smartest strategies I have ever seen the Spurs use. The assistant coaches urged Pop to do it, and it couldn't have worked any better than it did.

Shaq says stupid stuff and that has always been the case.

It's funny that now his immense physical abilities have eroded to the extent that he is unable to "make the Spurs pay" for what they did last year. If he doesn't realize that is is too late for that team, then he is fooling himself.

The Shaq trade is going to be an albatross around Steve Kerr's neck for the next couple of years because that team is a 6-8 seed at best and a 1st round exit for the forseeable future.


:toast :toast

[platenuts]

its just typical moronic shaq rant...im so over him

[dbreiden83080]

Slam on line agrees.

O’Neal: Hack-a-Shaquin’ Spurs are ‘Cowards’ (http://slamonline.com/online/2008/10/oneal-hack-a-shaquin-spurs-are-cowards/)
by Marcel Mutoni

Shaquille O’Neal is clearly not handling his painful decline into total irrelevance very well.

The man will do just about anything to stay in the limelight - he’ll gladly perform a disparaging rap freestyle in a pathetic attempt to re-ignite a past feud, and calling arguably the most dominant team of his career a bunch of cowards is certainly not beneath him.

Here’s the audio (it’s a bit long, but worth it), and the highlights via Bright Side of the Sun:

Shaq calls the Spurs cowards for employing the hack-a-Shaq while leading by 10 and claims that the tactic didn’t work since the Spurs didn’t get past the Lakers. Huh?

I would love for O’Neal to explain how it’s less cowardly to employ Hack-a-Shaq when trailing than when ahead.

Shaq was feeling extra frisky on this day, as he also threw his teammates under the bus for failing to stay in front of the Spurs guards and not properly rotating on Tim Duncan’s stunning three-pointer to force double-overtime in the epic series opener between Phoenix and San Antonio last season.

Shaq talks about how poor the Suns rotations were against the Spurs leading to Duncan hitting a “f*cking three” (Amare - he might be talking to you.)

To be fair, STAT wasn’t even on the court (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trdsKp94Io0) when the play occurred. But Nash certainly was, and I believe he qualifies as one of those guards who couldn’t keep up with Tony Parker. Oh yes, it’s going to be a fantastic year in the Valley of the Sun…or not.

I have to believe that Shaq's act is wearing very thin on some of his teammates these days. He could get away with acting and saying whatever the hell he wanted when he was the dominant force that is sending him to the HOF. He is maybe 40% of what he was in his prime. He plays lousy D, can't rebound like he used too, can't command the double team like he used too, is always hurt, yet he is every bit the fucking baby he was 10 years ago. He better retire after his current deal is up because i can't imagine anybody wanting his sorry behind around. Knowing Shaq, in a few years he'd probably still demand 20 mil a year.

[duncan228]

ESPN chimes in. Nothing new, it just continues to show how much of an impact Shaq is in the sports world. It's all over the place, which I'm certain was Shaq's goal when he said it. He loves attention and like any toddler it doesn't matter if it's positive or negative attention.

I never liked him, and his ego made it difficult for me to appreciate any game he may have once had. Now I just think he's ridiculous. And watching Duncan and the Spurs take him out last year was one of the sweetest playoff victories of Duncan's career for me.

Shaq tells radio station he will make Spurs pay for 'Hack-a-Shaq' (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3644779)

Shaquille O'Neal says he'll get back at the San Antonio Spurs for using the "Hack-a-Shaq" strategy in games where they lead handily in last season's playoffs.

"The only thing I call cowardly is when you're up by 10 and do it," O'Neal told Phoenix radio station KTAR. "That's a coward move and [Spurs coach Gregg Popovich] knows that and I'll make them pay for it."

O'Neal said he thinks the "Hack-a-Shaq", where teams foul O'Neal, a notoriously poor free throw shooter, whenever possible late in games, makes the game less appealing to fans. He said he didn't have a problem with the ploy, only the timing.

O'Neal shot 59 percent from the field last season, but only 50 percent from the free-throw line.

There was talk that the NBA might change the rules on the "Hack-a-Shaq" during the offseason, but that didn't happen. O'Neal was asked if he was disappointed the rules weren't changed. "[The strategy] doesn't work," O'Neal said on KTAR. "You know San Antonio tried it but they went home a couple weeks after we went home.

"I just have to go to the line and hit them and make them pay, and I will, I'm not worried."

[smeagol]

And people still support Shaq. They say he is funny . . . :rolleyes

[Avitus1]

I wish Shaq would shut the hell up. He seems to have an opinion on everything lately, very stupid opinions.

[jack sommerset]

The Hack A Shaq set the tempo for that series. It threw the entire Suns team off. Took away any chance at putting together runs. I thought it was rather pathetic and didnot make the NBA look good. Its the rules and the Suns knew there was a chance another team would take advantage. Spews did and moved on to the next round. The Cowardly Lion Pop won that series for the Spews. Just win baby.

[z0sa]

ESPN chimes in. Nothing new, it just continues to show how much of an impact Shaq is in the sports world. It's all over the place, which I'm certain was Shaq's goal when he said it. He loves attention and like any toddler it doesn't matter if it's positive or negative attention.

I never liked him, and his ego made it difficult for me to appreciate any game he may have once had. Now I just think he's ridiculous. And watching Duncan and the Spurs take him out last year was one of the sweetest playoff victories of Duncan's career for me.

Shaq tells radio station he will make Spurs pay for 'Hack-a-Shaq' (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3644779)

Shaquille O'Neal says he'll get back at the San Antonio Spurs for using the "Hack-a-Shaq" strategy in games where they lead handily in last season's playoffs.

"The only thing I call cowardly is when you're up by 10 and do it," O'Neal told Phoenix radio station KTAR. "That's a coward move and [Spurs coach Gregg Popovich] knows that and I'll make them pay for it."

O'Neal said he thinks the "Hack-a-Shaq", where teams foul O'Neal, a notoriously poor free throw shooter, whenever possible late in games, makes the game less appealing to fans. He said he didn't have a problem with the ploy, only the timing.

O'Neal shot 59 percent from the field last season, but only 50 percent from the free-throw line.

There was talk that the NBA might change the rules on the "Hack-a-Shaq" during the offseason, but that didn't happen. O'Neal was asked if he was disappointed the rules weren't changed. "[The strategy] doesn't work," O'Neal said on KTAR. "You know San Antonio tried it but they went home a couple weeks after we went home.

"I just have to go to the line and hit them and make them pay, and I will, I'm not worried."

All that should have been said.

[dbreiden83080]

And people still support Shaq. They say he is funny . . . :rolleyes

I've never got that he was funny. People call Duncan boring to interview, even when Shaq won titles, he just sat up there without even cracking a smile, spewed some arrogant nonsense and left the podium. His personality sucks.

[Cherry]

I want Steve Nash to be a Spur so bad

+1

[duncan228]

Jeff McDonald: Shaq still hacked, vows revenge on Spurs (http://blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblogs/courtside/archives/2008/10/jeff_mcdonald_s_16.html)

Way back in May, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich reached into his boy Don Nelson's bag o' tricks and dusted off the "Hack-a-Shaq" tactic in a first-round playoff series against Shaquille O'Neal and the Phoenix Suns.

Six months later, you would think O'Neal would be over it. If so, you don't know Shaq.

O'Neal was on a radio station in Phoenix this week, still talking about the Spurs' decision that series to foul him early and often -- on the offensive end, at midcourt, occasionally while getting off the bus at the arena -- in a cruel and unusual effort to make him make a free throw.

Shaq was steamed in May. And, apparently, he's still steamed now.

O'Neal claims now he has no problem with the strategy itself. Just the timing of it.

"The only think I call cowardly is when you're up by 10 and do it," Shaq told KTAR in Phoenix. "That's a coward move."

Of course, O'Neal isn't worried about more teams employing the strategy going forward.

"It doesn't work," O'Neal said, ignoring the fact that it kind of did. "You know San Antonio tried it but they went home a couple weeks after we went home."

During the playoffs, we here at Courtside -- and others -- argued that O'Neal's best defense against Hack-a-Shaq would be to, you know, practice shooting some free throws or something. It seems like O'Neal is finally agreeing with us.

"I just have to go to the line and hit them and make them pay," he said in the radio interview.

So it appears Shaq's plan for revenge involves morphing into Mark Price. Somehow we don't think Popovich is going to be losing much sleep at night.

[td4mvp21]

:lol I'm so glad we beat them in the playoffs.

[spursfan09]

o yeah I forget. its never Shaq's fault, just everyone elses.

[dbreiden83080]

:lol I'm so glad we beat them in the playoffs.

He'll be losing the rest of his career and talking shit all the way out the door. Just the way he is.

[td4mvp21]

He'll be losing the rest of his career and talking shit all the way out the door. Just the way he is.

Yeah, it's still funny to see him bitch though. The funniest thing is the Suns thought they were going to beat us and the Spurs turned around after losing the season series 3-1 and bitchslapped them.

[Budkin]

Shaq is just adjusting to being irrelevant in today's NBA.

[T Park]

If only Big Dave had given Shaq that autograph he asked for in high school then perhaps he wouldn't hold such bitterness against the Spurs.

I know your kidding, but wasn't that found to be like 100% not even close to being true, like Robinson wasn't even IN San Antonio when the dumbass was in high school?

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

I know your kidding, but wasn't that found to be like 100% not even close to being true, like Robinson wasn't even IN San Antonio when the dumbass was in high school?

Yeah, I think DRob was either at the Academy or doing his military service. I just thought I'd throw that out there as another Shaq-ism.

[T Park]

I'm in Phoenix, and I'm very much toying with the idea of calling these braindead retards here and fucking with them.

[Chucho]

Here's the thing about Shaq, while the media may adore he and his ill-spoken words, the general public doesn't revel the guy. I remember reading some money mag (Forbes or Money etc) a few years back and it confirmed what I noticed as a pattern: that Shaq was a bust as a endorser, as no comapny made more than a 9% profit increase from using him in endorsements. He doesn't connect with the general public or appeal to them. His Reebok contract gone after four years and his sneakers are sold in WalMart discount bins across the country, but Shaq will probably tell the media Stephon Marbury stole his idea of affordable shoes for youth. Then he lost his Taco Bell deal to a fucking talking chiuaua campaign, which interestingly enough took TB out of the red and into the black (imagine that) and then we don't need to point out the fact the each of his movies flopped (with only ONE turning a 5% profit to budget ratio) and his rap career, well..just as everything he touches outside of a basketball, it sucked. The guy is a black hole of appeal to the general public and for all of his accomplishments on the court, we are subjected to the media's continuous coverage of the "Big Fat Hasbeeneezy" and his obvious attempts to garner attention. He is the new washed up Mike Tyson making stupid remarks about his superiors, and the Spurs are Lennox Lewis and Evander combined and we knocked him out of contention the rest of his career.

Bottom line is Shaq is a piece of garbage who can't deal with the fact that one of the two reasons for his success, (the other being having a top 5 player as a sidekick) his athletic ability, is decreasing at such an alarming rate that he has to resort to name calling and lame threats and now throwing his more talented teammates under the bus to remain in the limelight.Its just pathetic to see someone who is regarded as "great" deal with such inferiority complexes, on the other hand its very telling of our society that a big, fat stupid idiot is so highly touted by the media, while the classy, intelligent, silent warrior with the highest win % in modern history sits in San Antonio sans the slob's celebrity. I'm still riding with the guy who gets out of the first round every year.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

I'm in Phoenix, and I'm very much toying with the idea of calling these braindead retards here and fucking with them.

Do it!!! Sportstalk radio guys in Phoenix loves the Spurs!! :lol

[Slomo]

Do it!!! Sportstalk radio guys in Phoenix loves the Spurs!! :lol

:tu
All you have to do is get your message across in 2 seconds or less! :lol

[SenorSpur]

Shaq's threats are the reason Pop has grown the beard and entered Witness Protection Program

[Anti.Hero]

More like Pop has found his inner wilderness man and will send Shaq to the line himself this year.

[diego]

i love it! keep humiliating yourself fat boy.

and i hope the suns end up having to waive or salary dump him, that will be the cherry on top.

the bigger they are, the harder they fall, indeed!

[T Park]

Do it!!! Sportstalk radio guys in Phoenix loves the Spurs!! :lol

Yeah they're unretaliated attacks will not go unnoticed anymore.

[TDMVPDPOY]

this fagot earns 20m, and your telling me you cant hire a shooting coach for a fraction of ur salary to improve urself at the ft line.

[T Park]

Shaq's threats are the reason Pop has grown the beard and entered Witness Protection Program

Pfft.

Pop is a milltary man. He could probobly take him down with one hand.

[SenorSpur]

Pfft.

Pop is a milltary man. He could probobly take him down with one hand.

:lol

[angelbelow]

shaq being shaq

[SenorSpur]

Shaq thinks he's cleverly funny. To me, everytime he opens his mouth, he keeps making it apparent how immature and stupid he really is.

Remember the old saying,

it's better to remain silent and be thought of as an idiot, rather than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt.

Shaq leaves absolutely no doubt.

[T Park]

Its a shame Shaq does this stuff, because he really is a good guy and does alot of great things in the community.

[Galileo]

Shaq is done. he's an albatross.

[xtremesteven33]

Shaq is for entertainment only.

its kinda like cable television. If you dont like it. find something else to watch.

[Spork KIller]

ESPN chimes in. Nothing new, it just continues to show how much of an impact Shaq is in the sports world. It's all over the place, which I'm certain was Shaq's goal when he said it. He loves attention and like any toddler it doesn't matter if it's positive or negative attention.

I never liked him, and his ego made it difficult for me to appreciate any game he may have once had. Now I just think he's ridiculous. And watching Duncan and the Spurs take him out last year was one of the sweetest playoff victories of Duncan's career for me.

Shaq tells radio station he will make Spurs pay for 'Hack-a-Shaq' (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3644779)

Shaquille O'Neal says he'll get back at the San Antonio Spurs for using the "Hack-a-Shaq" strategy in games where they lead handily in last season's playoffs.

"The only thing I call cowardly is when you're up by 10 and do it," O'Neal told Phoenix radio station KTAR. "That's a coward move and [Spurs coach Gregg Popovich] knows that and I'll make them pay for it."

O'Neal said he thinks the "Hack-a-Shaq", where teams foul O'Neal, a notoriously poor free throw shooter, whenever possible late in games, makes the game less appealing to fans. He said he didn't have a problem with the ploy, only the timing.

O'Neal shot 59 percent from the field last season, but only 50 percent from the free-throw line.

There was talk that the NBA might change the rules on the "Hack-a-Shaq" during the offseason, but that didn't happen. O'Neal was asked if he was disappointed the rules weren't changed. "[The strategy] doesn't work," O'Neal said on KTAR. "You know San Antonio tried it but they went home a couple weeks after we went home.

"I just have to go to the line and hit them and make them pay, and I will, I'm not worried."


Cheaters mother fuckers!!!

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

Shaq is for entertainment only.

its kinda like cable television. If you dont like it. find something else to watch.

I think of Shaq more like reality television for unlucky sports fans. It's shit, but you're stuck seeing it on every damn channel.

[SenorSpur]

Here's the thing about Shaq, while the media may adore he and his ill-spoken words, the general public doesn't revel the guy. I remember reading some money mag (Forbes or Money etc) a few years back and it confirmed what I noticed as a pattern: that Shaq was a bust as a endorser, as no comapny made more than a 9% profit increase from using him in endorsements. He doesn't connect with the general public or appeal to them. His Reebok contract gone after four years and his sneakers are sold in WalMart discount bins across the country, but Shaq will probably tell the media Stephon Marbury stole his idea of affordable shoes for youth. Then he lost his Taco Bell deal to a fucking talking chiuaua campaign, which interestingly enough took TB out of the red and into the black (imagine that) and then we don't need to point out the fact the each of his movies flopped (with only ONE turning a 5% profit to budget ratio) and his rap career, well..just as everything he touches outside of a basketball, it sucked. The guy is a black hole of appeal to the general public and for all of his accomplishments on the court, we are subjected to the media's continuous coverage of the "Big Fat Hasbeeneezy" and his obvious attempts to garner attention. He is the new washed up Mike Tyson making stupid remarks about his superiors, and the Spurs are Lennox Lewis and Evander combined and we knocked him out of contention the rest of his career.

Bottom line is Shaq is a piece of garbage who can't deal with the fact that one of the two reasons for his success, (the other being having a top 5 player as a sidekick) his athletic ability, is decreasing at such an alarming rate that he has to resort to name calling and lame threats and now throwing his more talented teammates under the bus to remain in the limelight.Its just pathetic to see someone who is regarded as "great" deal with such inferiority complexes, on the other hand its very telling of our society that a big, fat stupid idiot is so highly touted by the media, while the classy, intelligent, silent warrior with the highest win % in modern history sits in San Antonio sans the slob's celebrity. I'm still riding with the guy who gets out of the first round every year.

:toast

I remember reading somewhere that every one of his recorded rap albums failed to reach even minimum number of album sales required to break even - much less turn a profit. You can find them in Wal-Mart too. The guy is a commerical loser. I guess he's only left with Icy Hot now.

[ShoogarBear]

:tu
All you have to do is get your message across in 2 seconds or less! :lol
I thought it was seven seconds . . .

[ShoogarBear]

All these things being said, the Kobe rap was still the funniest thing I saw all summer.

[TwelveGs210]

The ego on this guy... I swear...

I don't particularly care one bit what he says about the Spurs, but what the fuck is he thinking blaming Amare and Nash for the loss? Even if they were at fault, you don't do that shit to your teammates. Take some fucking responsibility, Shaq. Way to be a team player.[/QUOTE]

lets not forget this genius shaq said he remembers growing up as a boy and being "way up in the nosebleeds of the alamodome watching the david robinson led spurs"...

the spurs used the alamodome starting in the 93-94 season, and shaq was born in 72' meaning he was a 21 y/o child growing up while also playing professional ball with the orlando magic, WHILE traveling back to san antonio to watch the spurs play..busy guy..

I rememember Robinson being told by a local newscaster about the comments shaq made about him in his book (he said he also remembered robinson dissing him for an autograph when he 1st met him also, thats why he never liked him) robinson instantly smiled and said something like, "he has a book? what is it a picture book?" lol that was classic..

[duncan228]

Hey, Shaq, just get even! (http://www.azcentral.com/sports/heatindex/articles/2008/10/15/20081015p2mainON.html)
There are several ways to combat the hacking strategy
by Bob Young - The Arizona Republic

By now, you've probably heard all about Shaquille O'Neal's rant about the "Hack-a-Shaq" tactics employed in last season's playoffs by San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich.

Responding to several questions from The Arizona Republic's Suns beat guy, Paul Coro, about the NBA's decision to leave the current rules alone, Shaq called it "cowardly" to hack him with a lead, and added that he's going to "make 'em pay for it."

Now, seriously, we know the Big Bricklayer isn't going to make the Spurs pay by hitting free throws. If he could, he'd have done it in the playoffs.

That being said, we believe Shaq can get even. He's just going to have to do it in other ways. For instance:

• Steal one of those championship trophies from Popovich. That will just kill him. Of course, he'd still have three others just like it.

• Maybe finish at the basket, taking down rims and backboards in classic Shaq Diesel form again. Then opponents won't need to foul when they're ahead by 10 points because they won't be ahead by 10 points.

• Learn to shoot free throws left-handed. We know he has that wrist problem from an injury as a kid, and this might be a bit embarrassing.

But it isn't as embarrassing as shooting them underhand like Rick Barry.

So you can retain some dignity.

• Stalk Commissioner David Stern until he changes the rule.

Send him an email that says, "I don't know who the (expletive) u think u dealin wit u will neva be heard from. One phone call is (all) I gotta make now try me. Sho me."

After that, call him several times and hang up. Seriously, if it will work on a female rapper from Atlanta, why not on the commissioner?

Oh, it didn't work on the rapper?

• Open up on Popovich in your next free-style rap.

"Pop, you know you couldn't do it without foulin' me.

"You can't do it without hackin' me.

"That's the difference between first and last place.

"Now, tell me how my relativistic mass tastes.

"Yeah, I went to physics class spaced.

"Thank you. Brick City in the house."


Come to think of it, maybe that's going to be hard on all of us.

[spursfan09]

Hey, Shaq, just get even! (http://www.azcentral.com/sports/heatindex/articles/2008/10/15/20081015p2mainON.html)
There are several ways to combat the hacking strategy
by Bob Young - The Arizona Republic

By now, you've probably heard all about Shaquille O'Neal's rant about the "Hack-a-Shaq" tactics employed in last season's playoffs by San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich.

Responding to several questions from The Arizona Republic's Suns beat guy, Paul Coro, about the NBA's decision to leave the current rules alone, Shaq called it "cowardly" to hack him with a lead, and added that he's going to "make 'em pay for it."

Now, seriously, we know the Big Bricklayer isn't going to make the Spurs pay by hitting free throws. If he could, he'd have done it in the playoffs.

That being said, we believe Shaq can get even. He's just going to have to do it in other ways. For instance:

• Steal one of those championship trophies from Popovich. That will just kill him. Of course, he'd still have three others just like it.

• Maybe finish at the basket, taking down rims and backboards in classic Shaq Diesel form again. Then opponents won't need to foul when they're ahead by 10 points because they won't be ahead by 10 points.

• Learn to shoot free throws left-handed. We know he has that wrist problem from an injury as a kid, and this might be a bit embarrassing.

But it isn't as embarrassing as shooting them underhand like Rick Barry.

So you can retain some dignity.

• Stalk Commissioner David Stern until he changes the rule.

Send him an email that says, "I don't know who the (expletive) u think u dealin wit u will neva be heard from. One phone call is (all) I gotta make now try me. Sho me."

After that, call him several times and hang up. Seriously, if it will work on a female rapper from Atlanta, why not on the commissioner?

Oh, it didn't work on the rapper?

• Open up on Popovich in your next free-style rap.

"Pop, you know you couldn't do it without foulin' me.

"You can't do it without hackin' me.

"That's the difference between first and last place.

"Now, tell me how my relativistic mass tastes.

"Yeah, I went to physics class spaced.

"Thank you. Brick City in the house."


Come to think of it, maybe that's going to be hard on all of us.


:lol wow and, thats an Arizona paper to. Come on Shaq this should open your eyes to how stupid you look.

[Xylus]

Suns fans are tired of the excuses, and we certainly don't want to hear them from our players. Just put up and shut up.

[lefty]

Rick Barry tried to advise Shaq on his FT shooting but Shaq said he had too much pride to be shooting underhanded free throws.. Barry was a 90% Ft shooter mind you..

[samikeyp]

What a tool.

Honestly, do we really care what the Big Dumbass has to say?

Hit your FT's or shut your fucking mouth.

[Cry Havoc]

Suns fans are tired of the excuses, and we certainly don't want to hear them from our players. Just put up and shut up.

:toast

That's an attitude of a winner, and I mean that in all seriousness.

Now if I could just get my Cubbies to follow it.... :depressed

[spursfan09]

Suns fans are tired of the excuses, and we certainly don't want to hear them from our players. Just put up and shut up.

:tu

very true. it'll be interesting to see if it really was dantoni holding the team back. They were always very good, but the defense wasn't always there. Even if the defense does turn around, does Nash have enough in the tank? Shaq?

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Shaq is projecting - HE was the one who foolishly followed Manu, Timmy was HIS responsibility. What a freakin tool!

BTW, Xylus, you're a trooper, a true standout from the average whining Suns fan... come to the Dark Side! You know you're not like them... join us, and together we will rule the Universe! :lmao

[spursfan09]

Shaq is projecting - he was the one who foolishly followed Manu, Timmy was HIS responsibility. What a freakin tool!

! :lmao


I just don't think Shaq thinks that logically.

[td_tp_manu]

wasn't amare fouled out?

[lefty]

Mike d'Antoni to Shaq, last season, during a Suns fast-break:

Mike: " Go, go, go! "
Shaq: " Where? "

During the ensuing time out:

Mike: " Shaq, when I tell you to gogogo, it means that you have to follow your teammates on the fast-break "
Shaq: " fast-break? I thought you said breakfast "

[Xylus]

BTW, Xylus, you're a trooper, a true standout from the average whining Suns fan... come to the Dark Side! You know you're not like them... join us, and together we will rule the Universe! :lmao

But if I become a Spurs fan, that means I'll have to start posting over at Arizona Sports Fans, and that won't be nearly as fun.

[Spuradicator]

Shaq is a sad broken down old fuckhead.

[timtonymanu]

Shaq's the real coward for selling out his team every time they dont win titles. i feel sorry for the suns (well actually i dont) because they could lose Shaq midway through this season and Amare's gonna have to play C again.

[SpursFanFirst]

I thought it was seven seconds . . .

:lol

[Manufan909]

Hey, Shaq, just get even! (http://www.azcentral.com/sports/heatindex/articles/2008/10/15/20081015p2mainON.html)
There are several ways to combat the hacking strategy
by Bob Young - The Arizona Republic

By now, you've probably heard all about Shaquille O'Neal's rant about the "Hack-a-Shaq" tactics employed in last season's playoffs by San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich.

Responding to several questions from The Arizona Republic's Suns beat guy, Paul Coro, about the NBA's decision to leave the current rules alone, Shaq called it "cowardly" to hack him with a lead, and added that he's going to "make 'em pay for it."

Now, seriously, we know the Big Bricklayer isn't going to make the Spurs pay by hitting free throws. If he could, he'd have done it in the playoffs.

That being said, we believe Shaq can get even. He's just going to have to do it in other ways. For instance:

• Steal one of those championship trophies from Popovich. That will just kill him. Of course, he'd still have three others just like it.

• Maybe finish at the basket, taking down rims and backboards in classic Shaq Diesel form again. Then opponents won't need to foul when they're ahead by 10 points because they won't be ahead by 10 points.

• Learn to shoot free throws left-handed. We know he has that wrist problem from an injury as a kid, and this might be a bit embarrassing.

But it isn't as embarrassing as shooting them underhand like Rick Barry.

So you can retain some dignity.

• Stalk Commissioner David Stern until he changes the rule.

Send him an email that says, "I don't know who the (expletive) u think u dealin wit u will neva be heard from. One phone call is (all) I gotta make now try me. Sho me."

After that, call him several times and hang up. Seriously, if it will work on a female rapper from Atlanta, why not on the commissioner?

Oh, it didn't work on the rapper?

• Open up on Popovich in your next free-style rap.

"Pop, you know you couldn't do it without foulin' me.

"You can't do it without hackin' me.

"That's the difference between first and last place.

"Now, tell me how my relativistic mass tastes.

"Yeah, I went to physics class spaced.

"Thank you. Brick City in the house."


Come to think of it, maybe that's going to be hard on all of us.

#7 is easily the best one.
:rollin

[SenorSpur]

He claimed that when he's pissed, he does things like "win championships". Right. :sleep He should go back to being in charge of the "Amare Stoudamire" project, as he calls it. If Amare makes the All-NBA team, I'm sure he'll take credit for it. His egomaniacial ass is probably is trying to take credit for Steve Nash's 2 MVP trophies - despite the fact that he wasn't there at the time.

Isn't it about time for him to come up with one of his annual, mysterious injuries that will render him unavailable for 20-25 games?

[ambchang]

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/2008/10/15/20081015spt-boivin.html

Who says you can't teach an old Shaq new tricks? Every time the Suns center questions opponents' Hack-a-Shaq tactics, he sounds like someone making excuses for not hitting his free throws.

Forgive me, Mr. Supersized Saguaro, but please don't turn into a purveyor of fine whines and flambéed excuses. Your history as one of the NBA's more dominating and entertaining players doesn't mean it's OK to shoot from the hip but not from the line.

On Tuesday, Shaquille O'Neal called a team's decision to intentionally foul him when it has a 10-point-or-more lead "cowardly." His frustration is understandable. The tactic walks the fine line of sportsmanship and mocks the spirit of the game.
It's also well within NBA rules, and every time O'Neal reacts to it he sounds like someone with an accountability issue.

Does 16-plus years in the league mean there's no room for improvement?

"No," said Ed Palubinskas, a well-known shooting coach and former Olympian. "Shaq's a great guy, but I just don't think it matters to him anymore."

Doesn't matter? That sounds a bit harsh. O'Neal cares. He often would stay after practice last season with then-Suns assistant Phil Weber and work on free-throw drills. But it does seem he's given up going that extra mile because he feels all the coaches - and words of wisdom - over his long NBA career have done him little good.

Palubinskas helped O'Neal during the 2000-01 season when his free-throw percentage with Los Angeles had dropped to 38 percent. It appeared to work, and he shot 68 percent over the last 15 games of the season. When O'Neal was left to his own devices, his struggles continued.

His free-throw progression is a study in erraticism. Last season's 50.3 percent mark is worse than his rookie effort of 1992-93, when he hit 59.2 percent.

He incrementally shot worse Seasons 2 through 5, stayed around 52 percent Seasons 6 through 10 and hit his career high in 2002-03, when he shot 62.2 percent. He's remained below 50 percent since, until last season. That number was the worst percentage in the NBA for those who qualified for league rankings based on participation. This preseason, he's missed 8 of 12 attempts.

It's a curious phenomenon that many athletically gifted athletes - O'Neal certainly isn't the only one - can stand 15 feet from their target with no one in their faces and miss. Sometimes badly.

"The athleticism really has nothing to do with their shooting technique," said Florida State assistant basketball coach Andy Enfield, the former NCAA record holder in free-throw percentage. "Some of it is hand-eye coordination, judging distance, things like that, but most of it is technique."

Enfield, who has worked with more than 100 NBA players, said one of his better pupils was the Suns' Grant Hill. Early in his career, Hill, with Enfield's guidance, changed his form from shooting from the left side of his face with a low release, to the right center of his body with a higher release point. It paid off. Hill steadily improved and last season's 86.7 percent effort was the best of his career.

"I've never worked with someone who worked as hard as Grant did," Enfield said. "He was determined to get it right."

The Suns had two players rank at the top of the league last season in free-throw percentage. Steve Nash finished fifth (.906) and Hill 13th.

It doesn't take a physicist to see what O'Neal is doing wrong. He often delivers on an arc that's almost flat.

Over the years he has offered a variety of explanations for his struggles, including a short tendon in his shooting hand, a product of a childhood injury that did not heal properly.

Others have suggested that his hands are too large to be successful at the line.

"Nah," Palubinskas said. "It's simply a mastery of physical and technical techniques."

He believes if O'Neal could average just. 2.5 more free throws per quarter "he'd score 10 more points per game, be one of the NBA leaders in scoring, sit more and add two more years of playing time to his career."

Maybe. It certainly would help the Suns, who could use a little consistency in this era of changes.

[SenorSpur]

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/2008/10/15/20081015spt-boivin.html

Who says you can't teach an old Shaq new tricks? Every time the Suns center questions opponents' Hack-a-Shaq tactics, he sounds like someone making excuses for not hitting his free throws.

Forgive me, Mr. Supersized Saguaro, but please don't turn into a purveyor of fine whines and flambéed excuses. Your history as one of the NBA's more dominating and entertaining players doesn't mean it's OK to shoot from the hip but not from the line.

On Tuesday, Shaquille O'Neal called a team's decision to intentionally foul him when it has a 10-point-or-more lead "cowardly." His frustration is understandable. The tactic walks the fine line of sportsmanship and mocks the spirit of the game.
It's also well within NBA rules, and every time O'Neal reacts to it he sounds like someone with an accountability issue.

Does 16-plus years in the league mean there's no room for improvement?

"No," said Ed Palubinskas, a well-known shooting coach and former Olympian. "Shaq's a great guy, but I just don't think it matters to him anymore."



Nuff said.

Thanks for posting. :toast

[SpursDynasty]

When is Shaq going to learn that he can't beat the Spurs without Kobe?

[cornbread]

The real season hasn't even started and the Spurs are already in Shaq's head. Not bad.

[wisnub]

Shaq's gonna ask for a trade to a good team again this year if the suns dont play well.


Shaq didnt realize his age...he is 36 so next year he will be 37 years old. Might as well join PJ Brown in the retirement land and playing golf somewhere. He was the most dominant player in the game, but his glory days are over. He should retired, and start acting like an adult...he is a legend and he should start acting like one. He is also really old..almost all of his draft class already retired and enjoying their life. While still battling there and talking like a teenager?
I will bet $1000 he will SUCKS next year. 37 years old,with his weight..its only willpower waiting to break if not careful. I admire his courage but its time he handle the truth. This year is going to be the same like last year as well. If he didnt act like a totally insecure A.D.D child he will be considered a class act. Why trade your legacy to the mouth full of shit? At this point nobody will take him seriously anymore....Go ahead ask for trade, we'll see who will be stupid enough to spend that kindda money on 37 years old center.

[Spurtacus]

Shaq has his rings. He has the HOF. Now he's letting that massive ego take over. Shitting on his team, teammates, and fans of the NBA. Just retired already.

[Strike]

:toast

That's an attitude of a winner, and I mean that in all seriousness.

Now if I could just get my Cubbies to follow it.... :depressed

From one Cubs fan to another...:bang

Remember the Cubs fans' mantra: Wait 'till next year.

[DROB4EVER]

Why r we talking about this fag! First he wants Kobe to eat his ass now he wants to talk crap about the spurs. Hey Shaq we fouled you to slow down your team mates not you ya fuckin has been!

[xtremesteven33]

Would any of you Spurs fans take Shaq on the Spurs to stand next to Timmy?

Honestly.......

[phyzik]

Would any of you Spurs fans take Shaq on the Spurs to stand next to Timmy?

Honestly.......

at this point in his career? no.

3 years ago, definately.

[duncan228]

Has anyone in sports media agreed with Shaq yet? They're still talking about it and he's still being made the fool for saying it. This one's from New Orleans.

DeShazier: Big Emperor has no clothes at the line (http://blog.nola.com/johndeshazier/2008/10/big_emperor_has_no_clothes_at.html)
Posted by John DeShazier

Absent clothes, the emperor looks like a guy that can't make foul shots, but takes issue with opponents who have the audacity to challenge him to make foul shots. Especially under conditions other than the conditions the he considers fair.

That's how Shaquille O'Neal comes to call the tactics of Spurs coach Gregg Popovich cowardly. And it's consistent with the stance Shaq has adopted throughout his career when opponents have gone to the Hack-a-Shaq defense and dared O'Neal, a career 52.4 percent foul shooter in the regular season and a 50 percent bricker in the playoffs, to make free throws rather than stand in the lane and dunk.

By the way, the former LSU All-American, four-time NBA champion, three-time Finals MVP and first-ballot Hall of Fame center shoots 58 percent from the field in his regular-season career, 56.4 percent in the playoffs.

So the numbers demonstrate why he'd prefer that opponents play him man-to-man. Then, he could batter their post players to a pulp instead of having opponents grab hold of him before his team can get into its offense, get him the ball in the post and watch him batter an undersized foe to a pulp.

"The only thing I call cowardly is when you're up by 10 and do it," O'Neal told Phoenix radio station KTAR. "That's a coward move and (Popovich) knows that and I'll make them pay for it."

That's ridiculous.

First, a team winning by 10 might go there as a way to keep the Suns, one of the league's highest-scoring and best 3-point shooting teams, from making a comeback via a barrage of 3-pointers. If I'm the Spurs or any other opponent, I'd rather watch Shaq stand at the line and miss one of two uncontested foul shots than watch Steve Nash, Raja Bell or Leandro Barbosa drain a contested 3. I'd prefer the option of a two-for-one points swap in my favor to the possibility of a three-for-two exchange for Phoenix.

Second, it's a way to get into to the head of O'Neal and his team. If Shaq is a liability he's less likely to be on the court clogging the lane on defense, blocking the occasional shot, grabbing a rebound here and there. And once he starts missing them, he usually keeps missing them.

Third, it works. In five playoff games against San Antonio last season, O'Neal made 32 of 64 free throw attempts; the Spurs won the series 4-1. The number of times Shaq has made a team "pay for it" hasn't gotten to the point where we need fingers and toes to tally the count.

Shaq said the strategy makes the game less appealing to fans, that he didn't have a problem with it but that he had a problem with the timing.

Of course, he makes no mention of the fact that if he made a few more foul shots (say, seven out of 10 instead of five out of 10), opponents wouldn't bother him nearly as much. If he shot them as well in the clutch as he always has claimed - and he always has claimed that he makes them when he needs to - the ploy would be useless. Opponents would be more inclined to play it straight on defense and take their chances.

But Shaq gives opponents an advantage late in close games, and they'd be foolish to not exploit an advantage. Same as he presses the advantages he holds.

"(The strategy) doesn't work," Shaq told the radio station. "You know San Antonio tried it but they went home a couple of weeks after we went home."

The operative words there are "a couple of weeks after we went home." Because that means that, ahem, the strategy was effective against Phoenix in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs and it might have worked against the Lakers in the conference finals if Los Angeles, too, had a key player with such an Achilles.

The Spurs tried it against Hornets center Tyson Chandler in the conference semifinals. It wasn't nearly as effective against Chandler, so San Antonio packed up the ploy.

Sure, it's not a pretty strategy. To some, it stinks of gamesmanship. But the players who are targeted and don't like it know there's an uncomplicated solution. They know it'll end if they make foul shots more than 50 to 60 percent of the time.

Otherwise, players like Shaq are naked emperors, more irritated by a smart opponent than by their own failing.

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

He's finding out the hard way the truth of what Patton said: "Americans love a winner." You win a championship you can go around calling a team the Queens and people will laugh right along with you. You make a first round exit and call the team that beat you cowards, you look like a punk.

[Galileo]

Shaq: Last 5 years in the playoffs:

633 free throw attempts
268 free throws made
67 games

42.3%

5.4 free throws missed per game
only 4 made per game

Hideous!

[Brutalis]

I hope Shaq does try to make us pay and maybe show some A game for a change. Shaq and his ego are old now. An ego that typically would peak with the Lakers. Now this is the part where everyone groans "go figure".

[lefty]

"(The strategy) doesn't work," Shaq told the radio station. "You know San Antonio tried it but they went home a couple of weeks after we went home."

Or we can look at it this way: he went home a couple of weeks before we did

[Strike]

Would any of you Spurs fans take Shaq on the Spurs to stand next to Timmy?

Honestly.......

No.
Fucking.
Way.

I don't care what point of his career you suggest. I've despised The Big AteYoTaco for over a decade and the day he sported a Spurs uniform would be the day I'd no longer be a Spurs fan.

[sexinthatsx]

a few days ago, this made headline news in yahoo, espn, and all other sports websites. Clearly shaq doesn't have enough love from phoenix fans so he tries to sell himself by dissing other teams, their coaches, and the like.

Although I must say, the whole feud he had between kobe was warranted!