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Saturday, September 18, 2004
Sayson: Shaq’s exit not about weight, off-games, money
By Homer Sayson
Second overtime
CHICAGO – Mike of Torrance in Southern California (MMarcus1@socal.rr.com) had a few things to say about the growing rift between Kobe and Shaq, which I featured here in last Monday’s column, “East Coast versus West Coast Rap.”
Mike is a confessed Shaq fan, smitten by the 7-foot-1 giant’s “personality, playfulness, humor, and not to mention his awesome ability.” And that is why he looks forward to seeing “an in-shape, monster-dunking and truly dominating play from Shaq this upcoming season.”
But Mike also believes that the dirty finger of blame on Shaq’s trade shouldn’t be pointed toward Kobe: “To claim that Kobe stuck a dagger in Shaq’s back and had him traded is far from the truth as well as a misconception that Shaq and the media are passing along.”
Mike offered the following reasons why Shaq was shipped to Florida: “1) He stopped maintaining his weight and getting in shape years ago, 2) He would have off games much more frequently, and 3) He was trying to get extra million dollars on top of the 30-something he was already being offered that would have hamstrung the Lakers from putting any decent players around him.”
Although Shaq has a battery of lawyers and an army of PR people to help him with his image, I’d volunteer to be his public defender today. Having said that, allow me to rebut Mike’s arguments:
1) Weight has become a recurrent problem with Shaq in recent years, and that’s no secret. But thank goodness, Shaq’s poundage issues isn’t about gorging on junk foods and toeing the buffet line far too often. The guy can’t keep his weight down because an assortment of injuries – toes, knees, abdominal strain, etc. – frequently relegated him to the injured list.
The fact is, whether he’s 15 pounds overweight or in tip-top shape, Shaq never fails to deliver, especially in the post-season.
2) Mike, if you want to argue about Shaq’s alleged “off games,” throw me some numbers as a reference point. But since you didn’t, allow me instead to use this as Exhibit A: Although Shaq has missed 15 games in each of his last three seasons in LA, the big guy’s numbers last season were simply fabulous – 21.5 points, 12.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.6 blocks per game.
For Exhibit B, I want you to focus your attention in the 2004 NBA Finals. In that ill-fated series against the Pistons, Shaq seemed to be the only Laker with a pulse. The Big Diesel ripped the Pistons defense apart, scoring 26.6 points per game while still grabbing 10.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists and .04 blocks. It wasn’t Shaq’s fault that the rest of the Lakers fell apart.
3) Shaq’s pay last season was $26,517,858. And for your info Mike, the rules of the 1999 NBA collective bargaining entitles Shaq to at least a 10 percent raise from his last salary. Shaq was merely demanding his just due, what’s wrong with that?
For the record, Mike, Shaq was never tendered a contract extension. If Shaq’s demand for more manna would “hamstrung” the Lakers, what do you think does this freshly-signed $139.4 million contract to Kobe do to the team?
WHO’S THE BEST? Ray Saguin (rmas316@yahoo.com) – “1) Who do you think is the best player in terms of leadership and talent in the league today? How is he better than most of the outstanding players in the NBA?
Well Rey, the members of the beat reporters regularly covering the NBA had already actually voted for this “leader” and “talent” that you’re talking about. It’s called the MVP. And like my sportswriting brethren here in the US of A, I also pick Kevin Garnett.
Garnett is head and shoulders above the rest because he gives more than he asks. And he doesn’t ask his teammates to do things he himself wouldn’t do. His desire to win is infectious and his quest for a championship is as real as Amparito Lhuillier’ diamonds. To demonstrate that, Garnett even volunteered a pay cut so that Minnesota could use the money to obtain better parts around him.
The 6-foot-11, 240-pound Garnett normed 24.2 points, 13.9 rebounds and five assists per game last season. He leads by example and maintains a solid relationship with every Timberwolf on and off the court.
Tim Duncan, a former back-to-back MVP is another guy I’d gladly choose to lead my team. Quiet and reserved, Tiny Tim seldom talks, opting instead to let his game do the talking. But if any Spur sleeps on the job, or if the team under-performs, expect Tim to raise hell.
LAST WORD. From Alfie Arcayan (alf_arc@yahoo.com) – What do you think of the Orlando Magic now that they have Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley and their 2004 first round pick?”
Not much. Orlando was the worst team in the NBA last season, surrendering 101.1 points per game. Defense is obviously a problem and acquiring Steve Francis et al., clearly did not address that.
(e-mail: homsay@hotmail.com)
(September 18, 2004 issue)
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