Should The Lakers retire Shaq's number?

[Ashy Larry]

i doubt both Bean's numbers will be retired. if they are, thats the dumbest ever .....

[Ashy Larry]

shaq rescued the lakers form obscurity and won an mvp and three championships as a laker. laker fans may be idiotic enough to turn their backs on shaq but the FO understands shaq's contributions. the only thing keeping his number from retiring is pettiness.

so true ...... it's like this with Pete Rose; or people trying to keep LT out of the Hal of Fame ....... petty bull is tired and I doubt Doc Buss will let his ego keep him from doing what's right

[TheMACHINE]

no.

[TheMACHINE]

you burn bridges, you dont get rewarded regardless of what you did during your time at the job.

[HarlemHeat37]

Laker fans are so grateful..

[Darrin]

Los Angeles Lakers Franchise Rankings:
7th in field goals
9th in field goals attempted
2nd in field goal percentage
7th in free throws
6th in free throws attempted
3rd in offensive rebounds
4th in defensive rebounds
5th in total rebounds
2nd in blocks
7th in points
5th in minutes per game
2nd in points per game
5th in rebounds per game
2nd in blocks per game

Awards:
1999-00 Scoring Champion
1999-00 NBA MVP
7-time All-Star (1997-1998, 2000-2004)
2-time All-Star MVP (2000, 2004)
3-time NBA Champion (2000-2002)
3-time Finals MVP (2000-2002)
8-time All-NBA selection
6-time All-NBA 1st Team
Top-5 in MVP voting for 7 of 8 seasons

Statistics:
Regular Season: 514 games, 27.0 ppg (13,895), 11.8 rpg (6,090), 3.1 apg (1,593), and 2.49 bpg (1,278)
Playoffs: 122 games, 27.7 ppg (3,383), 13.4 rpg (1,630), 3.0 apg (360), 2.54 bpg (310).

There is no way that number 34 stays unretired. They would have to be off their rocker to keep him away because he made some bad comments on the way out the door AFTER BEING TRADED!

[Darrin]

you burn bridges, you dont get rewarded regardless of what you did during your time at the job.

Kobe and he made up. He's cheered for the Lakers every step of the way (once he's out of the postseason) in the last three years. It was look unprofessional and petty to leave his number un-retired.

[The Gemini Method]

The accolades are really hard to deny. In my opinion, I think the Lakers should retire his number for what he did before the end of the tumult of his trade. I mean, he will always be linked with Kobe and Kobe will forever be linked with him. But then again, I don't decide whose number hangs above the Staples Center' hardwood court. I, though, loathe to see him in Celtic green.

[milkshakeballa]

Being the best player on a team that won 3 straight NBA les should be enough to make you a legend in that city and for that franchise, let alone getting your jersey retired..it should be a lock..

The Lakers-Celtics "rivalry" is incredibly overplayed and overrated..it hasn't been a real rivalry since the 80s..when they have played each other in the Finals 2 of the last 3 years, the series' were good, but there was very little hatred and confrontation involved..there's no actual hatred or rivalry..it should have no bearing on Shaq's number getting retired..

You aren't a fan of either team. Actually..you are a fan of the Knicks AND Heat.

How would I expect you to know what a rivalry even is?

Trust me..the rivalry is VERY real today. The past 3 years have definitely rekindled the flame.

To say otherwise is to be ignorant.

[eisfeld]

This should be a no brainer. Even with his character issues - he was the main reason the Lakers won so many les at the beginning of the millenium.

[HarlemHeat37]

You aren't a fan of either team. Actually..you are a fan of the Knicks AND Heat.

How would I expect you to know what a rivalry even is?

Trust me..the rivalry is VERY real today. The past 3 years have definitely rekindled the flame.

To say otherwise is to be ignorant.

ignorant?..

There's no rivalry, sorry..no altercations, no big incidents, no heart breaking shots, no intense trash talking or shots taken..

I wasn't an NBA fan during the 80s, but just watching videos and do entaries about the Lakers-Celtics rivalry during the 80s entertains me a lot..this one doesn't compare in any way at all..

[TheMACHINE]

that....he dissed Jerry Buss and LA fans. Championships or not, it makes sense to put up Lakers players that actually appreciate what they had here.

[Darrin]

that....he dissed Jerry Buss and LA fans. Championships or not, it makes sense to put up Lakers players that actually appreciate what they had here.

Even if it makes the Lakers look bad and petty?

[21_Blessings]

Even if it makes the Lakers look bad and petty?

Well the Lakers could retire Kirk Gibson's number. Then they could look good like the Miami Heat.

[usdane]

Even if it makes the Lakers look bad and petty?

Let The Magic retire him. They don't have anybody in the rafters.

[TheMACHINE]

Even if it makes the Lakers look bad and petty?

Was Shaq not bad and petty? If Lakers dont retire 34. no one would give a .

[Darrin]

Well the Lakers could retire Kirk Gibson's number. Then they could look good like the Miami Heat.

[HarlemHeat37]

I don't see how it's Shaq's fault that Kobe snitched on him..that would sour any relationship..

Phil Jackson ripped Kobe to shreds, yet Laker fans instantly accepted him back when he returned..

[TheMACHINE]

I don't see how it's Shaq's fault that Kobe snitched on him..that would sour any relationship..

Phil Jackson ripped Kobe to shreds, yet Laker fans instantly accepted him back when he returned..

whos fault was it for Shaq to yell "PAY ME" to Jerry Buss?

[TheMACHINE]

If i was an owner of a company, i wouldnt honor an employee after he departs in that matter regardless if he gave me 3 good years of good sales.

[HarlemHeat37]

When does an athlete not ask to get paid a lot of money?..

[21_Blessings]

lol "I got hurt on company time, so I'll heal on company time..."

[TheMACHINE]

When does an athlete not ask to get paid a lot of money?..

you try to and yell at your boss "Pay me" and see what happens.

[HarlemHeat37]

Nobody will remember any of this in 5 years, TBH..the Lakers and Shaq will make up, they will have a big celebration, he will always be remembered as Laker IMO..

[HarlemHeat37]

you try to and yell at your boss "Pay me" and see what happens.

I'm my own boss, and I tell myself that all the time..everybody wants to get paid more..

Everybody is always looking out for more money and long-term security, especially Shaq, since he was still a superstar player at the time(albeit past his prime, obviously)..