buss did nothing to qualm shaq's concerns regarding who's team the lakers were. When kobe toyed with the clippers (of all teams...) publicly, everyone knew the laker's concern was kobe first, shaq second. Shaq is the reason that team was a dynasty. period. To disregard a great in favor of a young gun is understandable, but the way in which buss did it imo was disrespectful. He treated shaq with nonchalance, almost as if he were unneccessary.
I agree Buss should have attempted to resolve it, but why was shaq so upset that the franchise wanted to keep Kobe? It would be like the lakers putting their priorities straight with Magic and Kareem, with Kobe being Magic and Shaq being Kareem (i'm not comparing the careers of those 4 great players, but the passing of the torch is somewhat similar). I think the turning point with shaq and buss was in that preseason game, when shaq went down the court yelling at buss saying "pay me motherfucker". Now im not against swearing, but what generation is buss from? he's old school, no question. and in that generation, you never disrespect your boss like that, and you definately dont do it in public.
I'm not sold that Jackson and Shaq were told to pack their bags becuase of kobe. Kobe's a smart guy, i think he is a deeper thinker than what people give him credit for, which is why he doesnt explain himself to the media until the criticism reaches a point. The situation with shaq leaving, shaq demanded the contract extension and at the time, i dont totally blame buss for not giving shaq a raise (as oneal wanted) considering his age and decline). What i do blame him is if he traded shaq simply becuase he publicly "humiliated" him at that pre season game.
at that time shaq would instantly make any team he joined a contender.
Not any team. You saw how ineffective the lakers were at getting him the ball at certain times. Shaq isnt a messiah. He wouldn't have turned the knicks or raptors into a contender.
gp and malone signed with la for the chance to play with a contender. shaq is the reason the lakers were a contender (and, as you said, west deserves the credit for him being there, not buss). since you are so fond of believing everything the media says, surely as a laker fan the fact that shaq very actively pursued them (malone and gp) during that period hasn't escaped your memory. gp and malone were practically salivating at the thought of playing with shaq. hell even mj said he would have played a LOT longer if he had someone like shaq.
Kobe too was a reason the lakers were a contender. I think you have it very wrong when it comes to shaq and kobes importance for the lakers sucess. I have it 45 % shaq, 35% kobe, 10 % role players, 10% phil jackson.
simple. trade kobe for tmac or trade kobe to the clips. shaq, even now, is easily one of the two best centres in the game (unless you count duncan, in which case he is AT LEAST top 3).
Lol tracey mcgrady? he's a glorified loser, and i actually like the way he plays at times. Why would you trade kobe to please shaq, if you are criticising the laker management for doing the same thing with kobe (trading shaq, firing jackson just to please kobe).
). imo choosing kobe set the lakers up for long term mediocrity. la will always be around the 8 seed, which means they won't find the 2nd star they need through the draft, and I highly doubt their ability to attract free agents
The lakers have a nucleas of players begining to realise their potenital. Kwame, Smush, Mihm and Odom (especially odom) all have the talent to be a really good supporting cast and from their playoffs and end of season run, they are begining to do just that. I'm not convinced this team cant make the conference finals next season with the suns and mavericks as their top competition.
I don't believe la can attract free agents of any value because 1. there are no bigs of any consequence available in the foreseaable future (via free agency), and 2. guards will be drawn to markets with a big not a guard, and 3. kobe is not exactly someone other players drool over playing with.
How do you know that though? Look at the impact kobe has had with chris mihm, odom, kwame brown, smush parker. he has helped their game just as much as shaq is helping wade, haslem and co in miami.
shaq, in my mind, single-handedly attracts teammates much in the same way mj did, td does, and lebron seems to be doing.
The way kobe does too.
imo if la had kept shaq they would be a contender right now, rather than a bad 76ers of old clone for the next decade.
You don't know this. The lakers made huge strides over last year this season and playoffs, and considering the players they have still havent even come close to their potential, this laker team could very easily be back in the finals 3 years from now. just as easily as them falling apart at least.
Do you go around trying to flame me? I did not dream up this scenario, it is something that has been going around a lot here. It is something that McHale and Taylor both have publicly said they were after. Sixers management says they are open to dealing anyone and many sources, not just Wolves, have said that Sixers will deal Iverson this summer. I'm giving my opinion and my prediction that he will land on the Timberwolves. I am by no means making it up. All this stuff I have heard from legit sources with the Timberwolves and with the Knicks.
