Shaq's desire for an extension...

[Andrew]

Shaq's Talks Are a Scream

There is an issue. O'Neal is under contract with the Lakers for only three more seasons. He believes he is due a three-year extension worth more than $100 million, so much so that when he blocked a Mike Dunleavy shot in the third quarter Tuesday, he turned to his bench and shouted, "Now you gonna pay me?"

If either missed the first flare of negotiations, then, O'Neal later plopped down on the bench, spat a profanity and said, "Pay me."

Now, I can understand Shaq wanting an extension, and obviously he's worth a lot of money. But if he truly believes he's underpaid and unappreciated by the Lakers...

[Vins15]

then there is a chance that another team that will win the championship i hope the big fella comes back to the eastern confrence and Toronto will appriciate u

[Robby]

I think Shaq's getting a bit jealous since guys like KG and AI are getting extensions.

[Andrew]

The way he acted seemed to imply he felt as though he wasn't being treated fairly.

[Jackal]

I already posted this story Andrew,--->http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/~nbalive/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=8990 the last piece: Side note...felt the forum was going too much in the Lakers direction...so I just posted it in there.

[Andrew]

So you did.

[Jackal]

It's no biggie, this is neater and all, better to have a discussion here then in that topic .

[Bourbon]

But if he truly believes he's underpaid and unappreciated by the Lakers...

Maybe Shaq just realizes he's the most dominate player in the game, and he should be paid accordingly, with a maximum extension.

The way he acted seemed to imply he felt as though he wasn't being treated fairly.

But what about Shaq's actual comments? From the LA Times ...

"It doesn't really bother me, because I'm blessed," O'Neal had said. "I'll never complain about what I'm getting or what I'm not getting. Things could be done. If they're not done, then other things can be done."

Wow, on second thought, maybe he's handling the situation well, and the on-court gestures were just Shaq being Shaq.

[Andrew]

Well, I don't think that justifies his other behaviour. I also think he's paid accordingly - he's the second highest paid player in the NBA. But in any event, it's my opinion, no one elses. You're quite welcome to view the situation otherwise.

[Bourbon]

Yeah, I guess I just didn't think his gestures were overly-menacing. Even Jerry Buss seemed amused.

From the article ...

Ohhhh-ho-ho-ho-ho," Buss said, nodding, "I think he looked over here a couple of times, didn't he?"

As to whether he got O'Neal's contract message, Buss said, "He really looked good tonight."

Like I said, it looks like Shaq was just being Shaq. Anyway, I guess we can agree to disagree.

[GForce11]

Maybe he should start blocking his own teammates shots, that should get Jerry's attention real quick.

[TheBob]

I already posted this story Andrew,--->http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/~nbalive/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=8990 the last piece: Side note...felt the forum was going too much in the Lakers direction...so I just posted it in there.

Well isn't that ironic...