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loyalty4life · 03-22-2003, 01:45 AM

http://espn.go.com/nba/news/2003/0321/1527668.html

Quote:

LOS ANGELES -- The Lakers' Shaquille O'Neal left Sacramento with a spoiled souvenir of his 20,000th career point -- someone scribbled an insulting expletive on the ball used when he reached the milestone.

Then Shaq goes on to say this:

Quote:

"I will not hold the city of Sacramento responsible, but whoever did this shows no class. I'm not mad at all. I know the Maloofs allow a lot of stuff. If they do condone this, I'll be very disappointed in that organization.''

Shows no class?!

If this comment by Shaq isn't hypocritical, then I don't know what is. The man is known for his fat mouth and showing no class at all. Yet he's calling this person out saying that this act is a classless thing to do.

Look in the mirror before you open you mouth again, Shaq.

PorterIn2004 · 03-22-2003, 02:16 AM

Sorry, but I'm with Shaq on this one. One could argue that it's a case of the pot calling the kettle black, but that doesn't make the kettle any less black. Also, I'm willing to cut Shaq, Bonzi, and pretty much anyone else at least some slack for what they say in any particular moment. It seems like there's more time to stop and think before sneaking in, stealing a ball and defacing it. I'm no Shaq fan (and even less a Laker fan), but that was a pretty tremendous accomplishment and I'd hope that there aren't very many sports fans who'd applaud such actions. Shaq or not, it's needlessly rude, in my opinion.

Crazy Fan From Idaho · 03-22-2003, 09:09 AM

I think all of us see the rather twisted ironic justice in this situation.

It's an example of the proverb: "He who digs a pit for others will himself fall into that very pit". Shaq's classlessness caught up with him.

Still, two wrongs do not make a right.

It was a low thing to do. I'm with Porter in hoping that, even in our dislike for Shaq and the Lakers, we Blazer fans would not applaud or even condone this type of behavior.

**Dan** · 03-22-2003, 09:18 AM

I think it was pretty crass for Kings fan (those who did) to boo the announcement that Shaq got his 20,000th point.

It seems way to petty to boo for something like that. Sure, we all hate shaq and the lakers, and boo them when they're introduced, and will say "god I wish he would tear his acl"..but we're just saying it to be funny. If one of our players was in the same situation, I'd expect their crowd to give some polite applause, or maybe even a mild ovation.

Like when Drexler scored his 10000th point in a game against the Suns, they stopped the game I believe, and made the announcement, and he got an applause. During the 90 finals, after Joe Dumars dad died (I think) the fans in Portland gave him a warm ovation, to show we appreciated him, and were showing our support for him.

Of course, Joe Dumars is a class act.

Somethings you just put your petty behavior away, and show you're the bigger person, EVEN if the person is somewhat of a knucklehead sometimes.

PorterIn2004 · 03-22-2003, 09:32 AM

Yeah, it's probably true that if Shaq more regularly carried himself with more class the whole scene with the ball wouldn't have happened. And, sadly I'd be willing to bet he's not thinking of it that way.

jackiejackal · 03-22-2003, 09:38 AM

"most points in the paint"
he earns his points the easiest of any player i have ever seen.

largest man in the NBA with the easiest shots...
wow !
what an accomplishment.

Any of those other players worked a whole lot harder than he does.
I can't remember any other player who hangs in the paint like he does.
Has he ever made a hard shot in his life ??

PorterIn2004 · 03-22-2003, 09:54 AM

His free-throw percentage has been on the rise.

Dynasty Raider · 03-22-2003, 10:09 AM

It couldn't have happened to a more deserving person, IMO>

WHY, do you think anyone else should bow down and be a better person? Don't you think that is what has allowed Shaq, Kobe, and Phil to master their mistreatment of others? Everyone ELSE always looking for a way to show more class than them. What the hell do they care about class? And for HIM to use that word is utterly ridiculous.

I applaud the person that had the @@@@s to do it. Maybe if the Kings and other teams step up and stand up to them and their belittlement of others, the league would be much better off.

Shaq will be one of the fastest "50 Best" to be forgetten as soon as he leaves the league. Mark my words. He'll be one of those that is only as good as what he could do over a league vastly undersized in comparison to him. In other words, he has and have never had any competition. Don't give me "The Dream". The Dream was on his down side.

So, I say ... it's about time he felt some of the pain and shame he continues to dish out to others under the guise of "being funny".

trifecta · 03-22-2003, 11:13 AM

In agreement with most people here. Ruining the ball is a classless act even when it's done to a classless individual.

However, I have no problem with booing Shaq as a Sac fan. Shaq hasn't been funny regarding the Kings, he's been insulting.

**Minstrel** · 03-22-2003, 11:46 AM

I also don't think it's classless for Sacramento to boo. Shaq (and Phil Jackson) have been downright insulting about Sacramento. That is supposed to be put aside to cheer an accomplishment? I don't think so. Wasn't Shaq the one who was insulting a Sacramento player (Bibby) for a nice accomplishment (making the Olympic team)?

The irony is too rich. People who don't give any respect, don't deserve any respect, in my opinion.

And while I wouldn't condone or encourage such behaviour as the ball defacing (which means, I wouldn't do it, nor would I tolerate a child of mine doing it), I have to say I find it quite amusing and think Shaq certainly had such things coming. Let him reap some of the repurcussions of his behaviour.

TheRifleman · 03-22-2003, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Minstrel!
I also don't think it's classless for Sacramento to boo. Shaq (and Phil Jackson) have been downright insulting about Sacramento. That is supposed to be put aside to cheer an accomplishment? I don't think so. Wasn't Shaq the one who was insulting a Sacramento player (Bibby) for a nice accomplishment (making the Olympic team)?

The irony is too rich. People who don't give any respect, don't deserve any respect, in my opinion.

And while I wouldn't condone or encourage such behaviour as the ball defacing (which means, I wouldn't do it, nor would I tolerate a child of mine doing it), I have to say I find it quite amusing and think Shaq certainly had such things coming. Let him reap some of the repurcussions of his behaviour.

The irony of it all is amazing & amusing to this observer, also.

**Trader Ed** · 03-22-2003, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hap Shaughnessy!
During the 90 finals, after Joe Dumars dad died (I think) the fans in Portland gave him a warm ovation, to show we appreciated him, and were showing our support for him.

Of course, Joe Dumars is a class act.

Hap, I did not think you would be old enough to remember this. Almost 13 years ago....

I can bear witness to this event. Yes, we stood and cheered for Joe. The competition between our teams was intense ad wonderful. But I think both teams respected each other.

OT: I remember hearing in the preseason... Detroit telling us.... lets just play for all the marbles right here and now. Isiah knew we would be there in the end. And they were right.

Yes, Joe IS a class act. So is Isiah IMHO.

Booing is a part of sports, maybe even part of the overall phscho babble of future events (playoffs) between teams. The art of Zen! But I tend to agree.... although Shaq has his foot in his mouth a lot, he still made a milestone worthy of applause.

**Dan** · 03-22-2003, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Trader Bob!

Hap, I did not think you would be old enough to remember this. Almost 13 years ago....

what?? I was 13 at the time..what did you think I was, 5? I'm almost not sure if I shouldn't be insulted.

Of COURSE I remembered it. I also remember stuff from previous seasons..I lived and breathed Blazers then. I read the media guide like a bible.

Quote:

I can bear witness to this event. Yes, we stood and cheered for Joe. The competition between our teams was intense ad wonderful. But I think both teams respected each other.

OT: I remember hearing in the preseason... Detroit telling us.... lets just play for all the marbles right here and now. Isiah knew we would be there in the end. And they were right.

Yes, Joe IS a class act. So is Isiah IMHO.

I remember Glickman (I believe) saying how when he was at the Detroit game, in Detroit, someone found out who he was, and they talked during the game..and when they left, the guy extended his hand, thanked him for talking to him, and said "see you guys in June".

Quote:

Booing is a part of sports, maybe even part of the overall phscho babble of future events (playoffs) between teams. The art of Zen! But I tend to agree.... although Shaq has his foot in his mouth a lot, he still made a milestone worthy of applause.

BlayZa · 03-22-2003, 02:33 PM

shaq has earnt his disrespect and hate from the sactown fans, he made his bed and now is moaning about having to lie in it. anyways if bibby broke a milestone in LA u trying to tell me that LA fans wouldnt boo? dreaming.

FB · 03-22-2003, 02:37 PM

I have somewhat mixed feelings about what happened.

I think Shaq deserved the booing. He's said way too many disrespectful things about the Kings to expect anything else. I am a bit surprised the game wasn't stopped though. It would have been (and has in the past) for nearly anyone else with that kind of accomplishment.

As much as I don't like Shaq as a person and as a player, I think what the person/people did to his ball was disgusting. With that said, I still find it somewhat comical from a what-comes-around-goes-around standpoint. I guess it all just boils down to who actually did it. If it were just a resourceful fan then it remains somewhat comical and poetic justice. If it turns out it were a player or a member of the Kings organization then it's just plain unprofessional and truly sickening.

Either way it probably should have never happened though. That ball was something to commemorate a once in a lifetime achievement. I'm pretty surprised Shaq didn't have more to say about it. He actually said "I'm not mad"....and that's pretty shocking to me. I'd be pretty pissed off if I were him.

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