OT: Shaq Retiring

[BlayZa]

gas is one thing.... but $6,730 in dry cleaning? lulz

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

I was looking forward to seeing him make his 100th career freethrow.

 

[Minstrel]

Up there with Chamberlain, Olajuwon, Abdul-Jabbar, Russell and Robinson as the most dominant center ever. He was nearly as unstoppable on offense, during his prime, as Jordan.

 

[barfo]

About to get his PhD.

That made me laugh.

barfo

 

[barfo]

Up there with Chamberlain, Olajuwon, Abdul-Jabbar, Russell and Robinson as the most dominant center ever. He was nearly as unstoppable on offense, during his prime, as Jordan.

Cute, yet evil. (Shaq, I mean, not your post.)

barfo

 

[MickZagger]

Most dominate big man I've ever watched play. The dude was a force in his prime.

 

[jlprk]

Tarnished his legacy later in his career when his abilities dwindled but his ego didn't. Basically called anyone who pointed out the obvious that he wasn't the player that he used to be a jealous bitch and threatened them. Real big man there. Never really enjoyed his attitude towards the game either, always considered himself bigger than it. Then again, he seems to have pushed that trend of pompous, selfish, inflated-ego superstars to the mainstream. Way to leave the game better than you found it, Shaq. Enjoy your HOF ceremony.

Totally agree. I've hated his personality since he was in college. "Jealous" is the one word which sums him up.

 

[illmatic99]

He didn't tarnish shit. Does anyone really think of Mourning acting like a bitch and refusing to go to Toronto when he was traded there? Does anyone remember Pippen raising shit in Houston when he wanted to be "the man?" Does anyone remember Hakeem actually playing in Toronto?

These are all minor blips on the radar of the over legacy that these guys will leave behind, that no one will recall when thinking of them years from now. Shaq will just be known as the most dominant player for a decade, and possibly ever in the history of the league.

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

Great career and he seems like a good guy who gives back.

 

[STOMP]

HOF career. One of the greatest centers of all time.

this is true. The other side of the coin is that he might be the greatest underachiever of all time. If he'd have kept his weight down to 280-300 he'd have been so much more agile while still being by far the biggest guy on the court. I saw him with his shirt off back when he was a Sun and was amazed at how soft/fat he was. Playing 75 pounds (or so) overweight speaks to his dedication to his profession... so does his FT shooting. His rookie year he shot 59% from the line. In 19 seasons he only topped that once finishing as a career 53% FT shooter. His lousy % + ridiculous form speaks to someone who just didn't care. Just think of how much more he would have scored if teammates weren't afraid to pass it to him in the 4th

If he'd kept his weight in check and mastered the FT to a league average level he'd be in the GPOAT discussion.

STOMP

 

[illmatic99]

So many of these plays were against us.

[video=youtube;ewBnHq04CRg]

 

[3RA1N1AC]

shaq MISSED 5317 free throws in his career lol, not mention a horrible 1-22 from 3

 

[alex42083]

He defines the term once-in-a-generation player. When you keep scrubs on your team like Joe Klein just to have six fouls to use during a game, then you know you're pretty much unstoppable.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

He didn't tarnish shit. Does anyone really think of Mourning acting like a bitch and refusing to go to Toronto when he was traded there? Does anyone remember Pippen raising shit in Houston when he wanted to be "the man?" Does anyone remember Hakeem actually playing in Toronto?

These are all minor blips on the radar of the over legacy that these guys will leave behind, that no one will recall when thinking of them years from now. Shaq will just be known as the most dominant player for a decade, and possibly ever in the history of the league.

He fucked over Orlando worse than James fucked over the Cavs. At least the cavs got something back.

I think if he stayed in Orlando his whole career he could have been a player as popular as Jordan. But he skipped around, went to the hated L*Kers and was a fucking asshole there on the team. Shit talking douchebag. Fuck Shaq.

and he was actually my favorite player in the league for many years when he was on the Magic.

 

[Minstrel]

He fucked over Orlando worse than James fucked over the Cavs.

So leaving a team as a free agent = fucking the team?

Why do you hate capitalism? Maybe there should just be one state team, and leaving the team is forbidden on pain of death, comrade. XERICX's approved road to serfdom.

 

[PapaG]

So leaving a team as a free agent = fucking the team?

Why do you hate capitalism? Maybe there should just be one state team, and leaving the team is forbidden on pain of death, comrade. XERICX's approved road to serfdom.

People forget that the elite NBA players don't get their employer when they enter the NBA. Players don't owe their original teams any loyalty, IMO. Unless, of course, the team should have the same loyalty to their players, and not get rid of a player who doesn't want to leave, be it by trade, free agency, or the waiver wire.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

So leaving a team as a free agent = fucking the team?

Why do you hate capitalism? Maybe there should just be one state team, and leaving the team is forbidden on pain of death, comrade. XERICX's approved road to serfdom.

Yes. Fucking them over. He fucked himself over IMO too in the process. I still think he would have won his rings, possibly more and not be such a pariah. He did it to get more "hollywood"...didn't really work out that well. SHAZAM!

 

[Minstrel]

Yes. Fucking them over. He fucked himself over IMO too in the process. I still think he would have won his rings, possibly more and not be such a pariah. He did it to get more "hollywood"...didn't really work out that well. SHAZAM!

Yes, I'm sure he'd have made more money, been more famous and won more than the three rings had he stayed in Orlando. Because there is nothing more true than "mindless loyalty to your first employer leads to fortune." That's why everyone gets a job at McDonald's at age 16 and never leaves.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

Yes, I'm sure he'd have made more money, been more famous and won more than the three rings had he stayed in Orlando. Because there is nothing more true than "mindless loyalty to your first employer leads to fortune." That's why everyone gets a job at McDonald's at age 16 and never leaves.

yes. hopping from job to job is much better.

he would continue to attract free agents and talent, they already were there. Its a good market. fuck the lakers.

 

[Minstrel]

yes. hopping from job to better opportunity is much better.

Once your statement is fixed for accuracy, it actually becomes a tautology. We'll have to agree...fuck the Lakers, but good decision by Shaq.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

Once your statement is fixed for accuracy, it actually becomes a tautology. We'll have to agree...fuck the Lakers, but good decision by Shaq.

Nope. Turrible move. would have still won his rings in his prime. even before perhaps. and would be more beloved instead of being a petty douche.

 

[VanillaGorilla]

Isn't Orlando not a very big/good market?

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

Orlando used to be pretty popular when Shaq daddy was there.

 

[Minstrel]

Orlando used to be pretty popular when Shaq daddy was there.

Yes, due to Shaq (and to a lesser extent, Penny Hardaway...but LA had Kobe). LA is a much better market. LA + Shaq >> Orlando + Shaq, from a national spotlight standpoint.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

I think he would have been more successful in Orlando. A lot of laker haters.

There he just became a big enemy. Always talking shit, too cocky. His schtick got tired, at least to me, a laker hater.

 

[Minstrel]

I think he would have been more successful in Orlando. A lot of laker haters.

There he just became a big enemy. Always talking shit, too cocky. His schtick got tired, at least to me, a laker hater.

Yeah, I don't think he cared about having "haters." His schtick, which you tired of, was designed to fuel confrontation and controversy. He just wanted people paying attention to him, and LA suited that need much better. Plus he probably made much more in endorsements and, considering Penny Hardaway had his career ruined by injury, it's likely he wouldn't have won any titles in Orlando.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

I disagree. would have gotten other free agents and the way he played during his championship run, he could have had the harlem globetrotters and still won championships.

I used to buy a lot of Shaq gear, actually. Like I said, I was a huge Shaq fan until he went to the urine and lilac. It seemed there were more "shaq" merchandise out there too. People cheered for him instead of against him.

 

[Minstrel]

I disagree. would have gotten other free agents and the way he played during his championship run, he could have had the harlem globetrotters and still won championships.

They got free agents because Shaq's leaving opened up imaginary cap space. I don't think they could have signed any major free agents if they had matched LA's offer and he had taken it. It was before the maximum contract went in and was grandfathered in.

 

[Shapecity]

I disagree. would have gotten other free agents and the way he played during his championship run, he could have had the harlem globetrotters and still won championships.

I used to buy a lot of Shaq gear, actually. Like I said, I was a huge Shaq fan until he went to the urine and lilac. It seemed there were more "shaq" merchandise out there too. People cheered for him instead of against him.

Did you wear T.W.I.S.M. gear?

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

Did you wear T.W.I.S.M. gear?

I think that shit was too expensive. might have had a jacket.