Shaq: "I've Done The Most. The Only One Close Is Mr. Duncan"

[duncan228]

Backhanded compliment.

Shaq says he's the 'shogun' of centers (http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/2008/10/27/20081027sunspre-shaq1028.html)
Suns star, 36, believes he still is best big man
by Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
Note: "Shogun" is the Japanese word for commander.

The Big Cactus was planted in the Sonoran Desert to make the Suns the best.

Shaquille O'Neal can talk the topic of supremacy, having climbed the NBA mountaintop four times and believing that he still sits above all centers.

"Because I've done the most," O'Neal said. "I'm not worried about guys winning dunk contests and doing stuff like that. You still have to outdo the shogun to become the shogun. When I leave, it'll be because my time is up, not because someone is outplaying me or someone has done more than me. The only one who has even done close, and I don't really consider him a center, is Mr. (Tim) Duncan. Any other center, the things that they have done, I invented."

In his 17th season, O'Neal has the perspective of having logged more games (1,042) than any active NBA player for the first time in his career.

"I just try to pace myself every 20 games," O'Neal, 36, said. "When I was younger, I had a different mentality, so I really haven't mastered the mentality of being an old guy yet."

Suns coach Terry Porter has talked about picking spots in certain back-to-back situations to hold out O'Neal, particularly against a team without a conventional big man.

"Of all the big guys in this league, he's probably got the most wear and tear just because he's been pounded on for so long," Porter said.

Missing one-third of the games in the past three seasons will attest to that. O'Neal calls his recent years' problems "knickknack" injuries that he can avoid under Suns head athletic trainer Aaron Nelson's unique approach.

The Suns are going to lean on O'Neal's 325-pound frame.

Porter believes in a low-post presence to force defenses to commit to doubling or playing one-on-one coverage.

"Like I always tell the guys, I'm lifetime 55-60 percent down there," O'Neal said. "I ain't going to be shooting jumpers. I ain't going to be facing up. So if I get a guy on my back, I'm going to take the high-percentage shot. If I get doubled, I'm going to get everybody else involved. That's how you win. You've got to go through the big man."

O'Neal said he told Suns General Manager Steve Kerr he would oblige with nights off if requested but he wouldn't be the one asking for any. After finishing tied with Amaré Stoudemire last season for the second most fouls per game in the NBA, O'Neal is more concerned with staying in games. He said this new Suns defensive scheme exposes him to fouls more often.

Many cite a decrease in O'Neal's jumping ability. This is no revelation for him.

"I've just got to try to be smarter," he said.

"I really didn't start winning until I started losing my lift. When I was doing all the spectacular (stuff), I was going home early, too. The day I got 30 and 31, started losing my lift and started getting smarter, that's when I started winning. Jumping high and being exciting is not going to get you a win. It may get you some press, but it's not going to get you where the shogun is at."

[InRareForm]

Shaq is a very insecure individual.

[xtremesteven33]

here it goes......

[IronMexican]

Getting his team to 6 NBA Finals is no easy task.

[tp2021]

The only way Shaq can beat Tim is in a rap battle. Tim's verses would be too intellectual to understand, and his delivery too stoic to invoke a response from the crowd.

[robbie380]

http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/9052/douchebagep7.th.jpg (http://img512.imageshack.us/my.php?image=douchebagep7.jpg)http://img512.imageshack.us/images/thpix.gif (http://g.imageshack.us/thpix.php)

[PURO SAN ANTO 210!]

Shaq Is Jus Always Bin A Big Hater! Talkin Bout Robinson N Timmy, Fuck That Fool!!!!!!!!!! Sayin The Spurs Whut The Wnba! Hell He's Payed For It Every Time. Shyt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SenorSpur]

I just wish people would stop putting a mike in front of his face. But that aint happening.

Can't wait for Tim to get his 5th

[PURO SAN ANTO 210!]

Foo Shooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Obstructed_View]

:sleep zzz huh?

:sleep

[m33p0]

this is actually closer to the truth than his previous proclamations.

so he wants to be called "the shogun" now, huh? well, he can't call himself "ninja" or "geisha". :lol


"I really didn't start winning until I started losing my lift. When I was doing all the spectacular (stuff), I was going home early, too. The day I got 30 and 31, started losing my lift and started getting smarter, that's when I started winning. Jumping high and being exciting is not going to get you a win. It may get you some press, but it's not going to get you where the shogun is at."it's what mr duncan has been preaching his entire career.

[Obstructed_View]

so he wants to be called "the shogun" now, huh? well, he can't call himself "ninja" or "geisha". :lol

How about "sumo"?

[benefactor]

:sleep zzz huh?

:sleep

[mathbzh]

In France we call him HippopoShaq

[polandprzem]

In poland - fatman or fatass

[SoCalSpursFan]

It's amazing how whenever Shaq's dumbass says something it has to be published one way or another. I can't say he hasn't earned that much with all his accomplishments, but my god does it get old.

[m33p0]

How about "sumo"?
:lol

[TheProfessor]

For Shaq, that's pretty damn complimentary :lol

[EvaLongoria]

Timmy will put his big St. Croix banana into your dirty mouth!!!! I hate you Shaq, you will pay for your words, Timmy will abuse you once again in playoffs.

[galvatron3000]

Actually, Shaq is not the Shogun. He was saying that when David and Hakeem were still in the league and David had his second title. Hakeem and David beat Shaq to a title and Robinson won his last sending Shaq home. Tim was the guy who MOTIVATED Shaq after severly outplaying him one on one in the final game of a sweep in 1999. The following year, with Phil and an emerging Kobe Shaq dominated for a full season.

I respect Shaq for what he has done but his facts are wrong. He should thank Tim for being so good.

[HarlemHeat37]

I don't understand this hate for this particular comment..he didn't say anything bad about Tim, it's actually a huge compliment that he said Duncan is close to him..this is Shaq, remember?..this was a subliminal at Dwight Howard, with the dunk contest remark, and the Superman nickname..

[lefty]

When I leave, it'll be because my time is up, not because someone is outplaying me or someone has done more than me. The only one who has even done close, and I don't really consider him a center, is Mr. (Tim) Duncan. Any other center, the things that they have done, I invented."


" because my time is up " ummm.....it has been the case for a long time

[MoSpur]

He just needs his attention fix and since the game is tomorrow, he wants TNT or ESPN to talk about him during pre-game.

[galvatron3000]

no, Shaq says this stuff for motivation. I understand that but I also make it a point to state facts for the people who believe what Shaq says and take this to another level. Shaq was addressing Dwight with those comments, probably based on the conviently left out question from the reporter.

He has to motivate himself, he has always used this tactic to do so. No surprise!!

Tim doesn't come close, he is on par with Shaq's accomplishments and after winning 2 MVP's maybe ahead.

[Avitus1]

Whenever Shaq opens his mouth all that seems to come out now adays is bullshit.

[Mister Sinister]

Shogun? Bitch, please. He's not even a ronin.

[Slydragon]

Shaq = NBA Live

Duncan = NBA2k

Just like Shaq NBA Live has big commercials and puts it's face everywhere, But at the end of the day NBA2k always comes out on top even tho just like Duncan there isn't much hype for it every year.

[lefty]

Shaq = NBA Live

Duncan = NBA2k

Just like Shaq NBA Live has big commercials and puts it's face everywhere, But at the end of the day NBA2k always comes out on top even tho just like Duncan there isn't much hype for it every year.


:tu

[I. Hustle]

He looks more like Sho'nuff.

Who's the mastah?

[samikeyp]

Shaquille O'Neal can talk the topic of supremacy, having climbed the NBA mountaintop four times and believing that he still sits above all centers.

"Because I've done the most," O'Neal said. "I'm not worried about guys winning dunk contests and doing stuff like that. You still have to outdo the shogun to become the shogun. When I leave, it'll be because my time is up, not because someone is outplaying me or someone has done more than me. The only one who has even done close, and I don't really consider him a center, is Mr. (Tim) Duncan. Any other center, the things that they have done, I invented."


Hmm...I think Bill Russell might have something to say about that. :)

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

Seems he finally found a nickname that fits. Taking on an ancient title of a group that has been out of power for centuries seems oddly fitting for the man who appears to have eaten all seven samurai.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

Hmm...I think Bill Russell might have something to say about that. :)

Wilt and Kareem weren't too shabby either.

[The Franchise]

I look forward to this walrus retiring.

[IronMexican]

Hmm...I think Bill Russell might have something to say about that. :)

I am pretty sure he is talking about in this generation.

[IronMexican]

Shaq = NBA Live

Duncan = NBA2k

Just like Shaq NBA Live has big commercials and puts it's face everywhere, But at the end of the day NBA2k always comes out on top even tho just like Duncan there isn't much hype for it every year.

Shaq was on the cover of 2k twice.

[Centaur of the Sun]

Not too bad of a backhanded compliment. He's talking about things that centers have done. So if he doesn't consider Duncan a center, and Duncan is the closest to him in regards to accomplishments by a center... that just proves how bad ass Duncan has been at both the PF and C spots.

[Mister Sinister]

Shaq was on the cover of 2k twice.
In a row?

[IronMexican]

In a row?

Maybe.

[dbreiden83080]

This man's insecurity and desperate need to hang onto to his fading Hall of Fame career is just staggering. When the press finally stops caring about what he has to say, he'll probably cry his eyes out.

[samikeyp]

I am pretty sure he is talking about in this generation.

Maybe but I doubt it. The only thing bigger than his ass is his ego and the only thing smaller than his brain is his respect for the game and those who came before him.

[duncan228]

I thought he meant this generation. Even his ego can't be big enough to think he influenced the greats that came before him. Or can it? :lol


Any other center, the things that they have done, I invented.

[DROB4EVER]

The man wants Kobe to eat his ass! Nuff said!

[Cry Havoc]

Seems he finally found a nickname that fits. Taking on an ancient title of a group that has been out of power for centuries seems oddly fitting for the man who appears to have eaten all seven samurai.

:lmao

Great comment.

[Spur-Addict]

The only way Shaq can beat Tim is in a rap battle. Tim's verses would be too intellectual to understand, and his delivery too stoic to invoke a response from the crowd.

:lol

[sexinthatsx]

you know... at first I thought it was a backhand compliment too. But for some reason both the article and/or the way shaq said it makes it sound like it's more of an insult than a backhand compliment...

[duncan228]

Tim Duncan Cut Off the Heads of 131 Lords (http://www.bothteamsplayedhard.net/2008/10/28/tim-duncan-cut-off-the-heads-of-131-lords/)

It was a bad time for the Suns Empire.

The Shogun (http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/sports/articles/2008/10/27/20081027sunspre-shaq1028.html) just stayed inside his castle and he never came out. People said his brain was infected by devils.

Groundhog Day would come home and he would forget about the killings. He wasn’t scared of the Shogun but the Shogun was scared of him.

Maybe that was the problem

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x282/duncan228/temp/shogun.jpg

[m33p0]

Tim Duncan Cut Off the Heads of 131 Lords (http://www.bothteamsplayedhard.net/2008/10/28/tim-duncan-cut-off-the-heads-of-131-lords/)

It was a bad time for the Suns Empire.

The Shogun (http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/sports/articles/2008/10/27/20081027sunspre-shaq1028.html) just stayed inside his castle and he never came out. People said his brain was infected by devils.

Groundhog Day would come home and he would forget about the killings. He wasn’t scared of the Shogun but the Shogun was scared of him.

Maybe that was the problem

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x282/duncan228/temp/shogun.jpg
:lol:lmao

[ShoogarBear]

Shaq was on the cover of 2k twice.


In a row?

They couldn't fit him on a single cover.

[lefty]

They couldn't fit him on a single cover.

:rollin

[Spurtacus]

All aboard the Ferry express!

http://x07.xanga.com/b0b821267366844243233/b8202379.jpg

[Phenomanul]

They couldn't fit him on a single cover.

zing!!!

[Slippy]

Coming from Shaq.. self-adulation at it's worst.

[JackArse]

i really wish shaq would just not talk.

and even then, how do they know that's what he said, no one can understand him anyways.

[Rummpd]

Shaq for 10-15 minutes a game is still the best big man (when motivated), the problem is that they need 30 minutes from him and won't get it. Overall, (albeit slightly) Duncan has had a better career - more MVPs, and the highest winning percentage of any superstar leading a team for 10 years in the history of any major league sports (was first reported by Sam Smith, when he was the Chicago Tribune).


Shaq and Duncan are by far the most significant NBA players of the last 15 years and other than Kobe with 3 championships no one else is even in the discussion!

[cornbread]

It's sad that he can't back up his bullshit on the court anymore so he has to live in the past.

[SAGambler]

"I really didn't start winning until I started losing my lift. When I was doing all the spectacular (stuff), I was going home early, too. The day I got 30 and 31, started losing my lift and started getting smarter, that's when I started winning. Jumping high and being exciting is not going to get you a win. It may get you some press, but it's not going to get you where the shogun is at."

Lol. Don't say much for his intelligence, does it? Took him all those years to figure out what Duncan knew coming in.

[hater]

did anybody see Shaq on Frank TV??

OMG that was hilarious

[pauls931]

Shaq is far from the best big man right now. Thanks to not being able to dunk with two people hanging on him, his freethrow incompetance becomes a huge factor. However he does make life rough on bigmen and IMO did a great job on Duncan, just that phoenix could not guard the pick and roll or high screen worth a damn last year. (or rotate on defense... Amare...)

[Tyger Neo]

Shaq's ego is making him trip, he shouldn't have been top 50 in his rookie year.

[Thomas82]

Hmm...I think Bill Russell might have something to say about that. :)

If Wilt Chamberlain were alive, so would he.

[lefty]

In France we call him HippopoShaq


In poland - fatman or fatass

In Algeria, we call him Smina Boutanza Aajina

[balli]

For Shaq, that's pretty damn complimentary :lol

That's what I'm saying. The ST hatred for anything and everything related to Shaq and KG is ridiculous. Out of all the players he's played with or against for 16 years, he just singled out only Tim Duncan in a complementary way. And the Spurstalk reaction is that Shaq is fat, over-rated and needs to shut up? :rolleyes

Edit: WTF? I hate seriously responding in threads I didn't realize were old & bumped.

[GSH]

Other centers have to use footwork in the low post, and go around defenders. But the league loves star sizzle, and they made the decision to allow Shaq to shove people with his ass and go through them.

Any other place on the court, and that is a charge. Any other player that just lunges into a stationary defender in the low block gets called for a charge. But Shaq is special, and gets to play a different game than everyone else. And that has created the illusion that he is the best big man in the league.

If he had to rely on his "post moves", he would have been known as a good rebounder who didn't have much of an offensive game.

[manufor3]

Edit: WTF? I hate seriously responding in threads I didn't realize were old & bumped.

me too. oh wait...

[ManuTP9]

Elson>Shaq

[Ghazi]

Shaq has 3 rings, Duncan has 4.

Duncan is All-NBA Defense, Shaq never has been

[duncan228]

Shaq has 3 rings, Duncan has 4.

Duncan is All-NBA Defense, Shaq never has been

For what it's worth, Shaq has 4 rings too.

And Shaq has never been All NBA Defensive first team but he has been second team a couple of times.

Edit: Three times: '99-'00, '00-'01, '02-'03.