Shaq to Spurs: Don't count on it

[nbaman99]

http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/17963/shaq-to-spurs-dont-count-on-it

By Marc Stein
Archive There is no debate about who ranks as the most provocative free-name still available on the open market: Shaquille O'Neal.

The notion that Shaq is going to wind up in San Antonio, though, continues to be overstated.

It would obviously be fascinating theatre to see Shaq backing up Tim Duncan, playing for Gregg Popovich and returning to the city where he dominated high school ball after all those years at the forefront of a rivalry that has often prompted Pop to liken the Lakers to the Soviet Union.

However ...

This isn't merely a long shot because the Spurs aren't exactly known for chemistry experiments. The reality is that San Antonio has devoted all its energies (and available free-agent cash) to finally bringing Tiago Splitter over from Europe and re-signing Matt Bonner.

And it's safe to say that Shaq isn't looking to sign anywhere on a low-dollar leftovers with a team short of minutes, too.

He's still getting interest from the Atlanta Hawks -- where he would likely be a ticket-seller in addition to a Dwight Howard foil -- and would naturally love to finally land in Dallas after maintaining a longtime friendship with Mavs owner Mark Cuban.

But the prospect of Shaq winding up in black and silver, tantalizing as that sounds as a sidebar to everything happening in Miami, realistically can't happen.

P.S.: I'm not buying Shaq as a Heat target, either. Not a likely chemistry experiment on Pat Riley's radar.

[Seventyniner]

I'm not surprised. The most the Spurs would be willing to offer is the LLE (if even that), and Shaq would be leaving several million on the table to take that.

[mookie2001]

who are the idiots counting on this?

[HarlemHeat37]

If money is the issue, then obviously that's understandable, Shaq is no longer worth more than the LLE..if Bonner is the issue, then that would annoy me..

[DesignatedT]

yup.

[timtonymanurich]

Shaq is the player that when he's on your team, you love him, when he's on anyother team, you hate him. I'm open to liking Shaq on the Spurs, as I am open to not hating The Big Fiesta. As I'm sure he'll be know if he comes to S.A..

[My Fault]

Shaq and Duncan would be a very slow frontline that would be PnR to death.

[ohmwrecker]

Duh.

[Agloco]

P.S.: I'm not buying Shaq as a Heat target, either. Not a likely chemistry experiment on Pat Riley's radar.

Shows how dumb this guy really is: Shaq's played with Wade and LBJ already (AND been coached by Riles), with no major on or off court issues. The only forseeable problem would be with Bosh or Chalmers........

I call bullshit.....he's going back to South Beach.

[Andy25]

Shows how dumb this guy really is: Shaq's played with Wade and LBJ already (AND been coached by Riles), with no major on or off court issues. The only forseeable problem would be with Bosh or Chalmers........

I call bullshit.....he's going back to South Beach.

He called Chris Bosh Rupaul.

[SenorSpur]

The mere prospect of "Shaq-to-the-Spurs" was an idiotic proposal to start with.

[tuncaboylu]

We could use Shaq against Bynum. We still don't have an answer against him, Shaq addition would be nice.

[jag]

The man belongs in a circus where he can give himself all the nicknames he can dream of. I've always laughed at opposing fans who become giddy over the idea of adding shaq to their roster. Now isn't any different...and the spurs don't need his corpse taking up their bench.

[The_Worlds_finest]

Jag that sig is classic. I never knew there was so much red neck white trash in Cleveland.

[hater]

The reality is that San Antonio has devoted all its energies (and available free-agent cash) to finally bringing Tiago Splitter over from Europe and re-signing Matt Bonner.

:lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao

[Kindergarten Cop]

Jag that sig is classic. I never knew there was so much red neck white trash in Cleveland.

Are we looking at the same picture? Perhaps our definition of "red neck" and "white trash" are different - or is it simply because he is white (which is obvious) and ignorant (which is pretty obvious, as well)?

[SenorSpur]

Shows how dumb this guy really is: Shaq's played with Wade and LBJ already (AND been coached by Riles), with no major on or off court issues. The only forseeable problem would be with Bosh or Chalmers........

I call bullshit.....he's going back to South Beach.

If you think that Shaq's tenure and subsequent departure from South Beach was a rosy one, then you clearly haven't been paying attention.

During his last year with the Heat, Shaq, as he usually does, started to bristle from Riley's firm hand. His penchant for being a lazy fat-ass didn't sit well with the coach either. Missed practices, sitting out games, subtly criticizing the staff. As a result, tensions grew - so much so, that Riley was forced to throw the Big Faker out of one practice. The problem is Shaq wouldn't leave. A near fight ensured. Zo had to step in and make peace and usher Shaq out of the facility.

It was time for him to go and the coaches and players were ready for him to go. Trust me. There's no way Riles will invite his big ass back to the team. It's kind of ironic because he's just the piece they need to storm through the East. If you're waiting for Riles to make that call. Forget it. It aint happening.

On the heels of all that, everyone seems to be forgetting the pertinent question of "if Shaq is still such a dominant force and such a good guy, why does he find himself on the street the past 2 summers?"

His divisive nature and sheer dominant personality are not worth the gamble now that his skills have declined. Smells a lot like Terrell Owens.

[SenorSpur]

If you think that Shaq's tenure and subsequent departure from South Beach was a rosy one, then you clearly haven't been paying attention.

During his last year with the Heat, Shaq, as he usually does, started to bristle from Riley's firm hand. His penchant for being a lazy fat-ass didn't sit well with the coach either. Missed practices, sitting out games, subtly criticizing the staff. As a result, tensions grew - so much so, that Riley was forced to throw the Big Faker out of one practice. The problem is Shaq wouldn't leave. A near fight ensured. Zo had to step in and make peace and usher Shaq out of the facility.

It was time for him to go and the coaches and players were ready for him to go. Trust me. There's no way Riles will invite his big ass back to the team. It's kind of ironic because he's just the piece they need to storm through the East. If you're waiting for Riles to make that call. Forget it. It aint happening.

On the heels of all that, everyone seems to be forgetting the pertinent question of "if Shaq is still such a dominant force and such a good guy, why does he find himself on the street the past 2 summers?"

Anyone that has followed him closely the past few seasons knows that his divisive nature and sheer dominant personality are not worth the gamble now that his skills have declined. Smells a lot like Terrell Owens.

[itzsoweezee]

good. dude is washed up anyway.

[slick'81]

never saw it happening agree go after a sf with that lle please

[Agloco]

If you think that Shaq's tenure and subsequent departure from South Beach was a rosy one, then you clearly haven't been paying attention.

During his last year with the Heat, Shaq, as he usually does, started to bristle from Riley's firm hand. His penchant for being a lazy fat-ass didn't sit well with the coach either. Missed practices, sitting out games, subtly criticizing the staff. As a result, tensions grew - so much so, that Riley was forced to throw the Big Faker out of one practice. The problem is Shaq wouldn't leave. A near fight ensured. Zo had to step in and make peace and usher Shaq out of the facility.

It was time for him to go and the coaches and players were ready for him to go. Trust me. There's no way Riles will invite his big ass back to the team. It's kind of ironic because he's just the piece they need to storm through the East. If you're waiting for Riles to make that call. Forget it. It aint happening.

On the heels of all that, everyone seems to be forgetting the pertinent question of "if Shaq is still such a dominant force and such a good guy, why does he find himself on the street the past 2 summers?"

His divisive nature and sheer dominant personality are not worth the gamble now that his skills have declined. Smells a lot like Terrell Owens.

Red - Clearly.

Blue - I'm not holding my breath, but stranger things have happened.

[montgod]

Red - Clearly.

Blue - I'm not holding my breath, but stranger things have happened.

I have to agree. Shaq definitely wore out his welcome in Miami. Not only that, DWade wasn't a big fan of his and made his own subtle negative comments about him in the media... I believe that was last year.

Not only that, Lebron hasn't even lifted a finger to give him a call. He never seemed happy about him coming to Cleveland last year either.

Shaq ain't going to the Heat and he knows it This is why he publicly stated where he would like to go; Boston, Dallas, or San Antonio. All of these have a strong enough cast to compete with the Heat and Lakers.

Atl is a last resort if he wants the money.

[SenorSpur]

I have to agree. Shaq definitely wore out his welcome in Miami. Not only that, DWade wasn't a big fan of his and made his own subtle negative comments about him in the media... I believe that was last year.

Not only that, Lebron hasn't even lifted a finger to give him a call. He never seemed happy about him coming to Cleveland last year either.

Shaq ain't going to the Heat and he knows it This is why he publicly stated where he would like to go; Boston, Dallas, or San Antonio. All of these have a strong enough cast to compete with the Heat and Lakers.

Atl is a last resort if he wants the money.

I remember Wade seemed rather "cool" on the subject of Shaq after he left. I'm quite sure Wade and LeBron have had their summer conversations about the Big Diesel. Can't imagine either one would be thrilled to have him as a teammater - EVER AGAIN.

[Obstructed_View]

I've yet to see anyone "overstating" it or "counting on" it. Wonder who Stein's been talking to?

[rmt]

Well, since Miami basically has only Bosh as a big, Wade, Lebron and Riley might sacrifice further for the team and bring back Shaq. There's not much else out there as far as big men and Shaq does do well against Bynum. The Heat (as is) are not going to cut it against the big front line of the Lakers.

Shaq is not going to waste his last 2 years in Atlanta. After all the money he's made, the difference between MLE and LLE (or even vet min in Miami) is not much for him. He wants that 5th ring - even to the extent that he wouldn't mind getting it with Duncan if he's mentioning the Spurs. Man, his must really hate Kobe.

[mystargtr34]

I would love Shaq on the team, really. Putting Shaq next to Duncan completely neutralises the Lakers front court advantage - thats the only thing the Spurs should be looking at IMO...

[EIC]

This isn't merely a long shot because the Spurs aren't exactly known for chemistry experiments. The reality is that San Antonio has devoted all its energies (and available free-agent cash) to finally bringing Tiago Splitter over from Europe and re-signing Matt Bonner.

:bang

[Spurs Brazil]

The Hawks haven’t offered Shaq a contract yet. There’s still the open question of what kind of role he’s willing to accept on his new team. The Hawks also are said to be looking at Brad Miller, Ilgauskas, Kurt Thomas, Kwame Brown and Anthony Tolliver.

http://blogs.ajc.com/hawks/2010/07/10/atlanta-hawks-camp-chatter/?cxntfid=blogs_hawks

[DrSteffo]

He is fat.

[ATXSPUR]

I think Shaq is fool's gold. But at the same time, if Bonner is what keeps him from coming here, that would really fucking piss me off.

[dbreiden83080]

Don't want him anyway

[JustinJDW]

I never was.

[Gino2882]

Shaq in limited minutes is still an effective player. He did put up 12 and 7 last year.

[Nathan Explosion]

Shaq wants his 5th and 6th rings. If he can deny Kobe in the process before the Finals, he'd love that. I always contended that had the Cavs won the title this year by beating the Lakers, he would have retired with this speech.

"I'm so happy to be the first with my 5th ring (among Kobe, Shaq and Duncan). Just one thing I have to say, 'Kobe, tell me how my ass taste?' I retire right now."

He wants to beat Kobe one more time, twice if possible. I wouldn't mind him helping the Spurs do that, but I don't see how it happens with the money and he wants and the lack of money the Spurs have.

[boutons_deux]

http://thehoopdoctors.com/online2/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/shaqtim.jpg

Shaquille O’Neal Wants to Play With Tim Duncan and the Spurs

http://thehoopdoctors.com/online2/2010/07/shaquille-oneal-wants-to-play-with-tim-duncan-and-the-spurs/

Please pass the salt.

[Kindergarten Cop]

http://thehoopdoctors.com/online2/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/shaqtim.jpg

Shaquille O’Neal Wants to Play With Tim Duncan and the Spurs

http://thehoopdoctors.com/online2/2010/07/shaquille-oneal-wants-to-play-with-tim-duncan-and-the-spurs/

Please pass the salt.

No reporter holds more credibility, knowledge or insight than the author of that article, Dr. Anklesnap. :lol

[CaptainLate]

The Hawks haven’t offered Shaq a contract yet. There’s still the open question of what kind of role he’s willing to accept on his new team. The Hawks also are said to be looking at Brad Miller, Ilgauskas, Kurt Thomas, Kwame Brown and Anthony Tolliver.

If, as Shaq claims, he wants one more title, and he is serious, he may not sign with the Spurs, but he certainly won't sign with Atlanta. :nope

[rayray2k8]

another shaq thread for the noob! :spin