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Originally Posted by The Outlaw
Actually, now that I think about it, the reason Shaq asked for a trade was because Phil Jackson was fired. Shaq was informed that Jackson was fired by...reading it on SportsCenter.  So he gave Kup (or Buss? memory is failing me here but I think it was Kup) a call and asked what was up and he said there was going to be some changes made. Shaq then said he wanted out, because any change that involved getting rid of one of the most successful coaches ever he didn't want to have anything to do with. He saw the writing on the wall. Jackson gone, he was next, so he might as well have asked for a trade because it was obvious they were going to do all they could to resign Kobe and make it his team. He didn't make a big fuss about it, all business to him. I'm sure he was a little...pissed to say the least over it but he is a business man. He's showing who the better leader is this year so he doesn't mind. |
Well we both watched the same thing on ESPN this afternoon I guess...
Your explanation doesn't really support the whole "Kobe forced Shaq out" argument either though. What it all comes down to is that Phil was gone regardless, which meant the Lakers were going in a completely different direction, Shaq got traded, the Lakers are rebuilding now, the Heat are a legit title contender, and Shaq is still talking. Everybody knows that he is better off on the Heat because the Lakers aren't the same team. He just took everything way too personally and because he is friendly to the media is being made out as a hero.
I like Shaq, he is hilarious in interviews and is one of the most effective players in the NBA, and now he could very easilly help lead this new team to the NBA finals. Its not very hard to recognize that Shaq thinks he is the best player in the NBA when you hear him in interviews, I have never heard Kobe say the type of things like Shaq does publically, its only through other people. You hear Woody Paige and Jay Mariotti saying that Kobe has an a big ego, but the way he has been playing and talking this season, to me Woody, Jay, Shaq, and Karl are the ones with the big egos and are the ones spreading all the bad word against Kobe. How about listen to his teammates and his fans?