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Shaq is a very insecure individual.
Backhanded compliment.
Shaq says he's the 'shogun' of centers
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."
Shaq is a very insecure individual.
here it goes......
Getting his team to 6 NBA Finals is no easy task.
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.
Shaq Is Jus Always Bin A Big Hater! Talkin Bout Robinson N Timmy, That Fool!!!!!!!!!! Sayin The Spurs Whut The Wnba! He's Payed For It Every Time. Shyt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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
Foo Shooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
zzz huh?
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".
it's what mr duncan has been preaching his entire career."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."
How about "sumo"?so he wants to be called "the shogun" now, huh? well, he can't call himself "ninja" or "geisha".
In France we call him HippopoShaq
In poland - fatman or fatass
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.
For Shaq, that's pretty damn complimentary
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.
Actually, Shaq is not the Shogun. He was saying that when David and Hakeem were still in the league and David had his second le. Hakeem and David beat Shaq to a le 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.
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..
" because my time is up " ummm.....it has been the case for a long timeWhen 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."
He just needs his attention fix and since the game is tomorrow, he wants TNT or ESPN to talk about him during pre-game.
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.
Whenever Shaq opens his mouth all that seems to come out now adays is bull .
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