Kobe and Shaq at each other.... again

by **wangster** on Mon Oct 27, 2003 2:42 pm

Nothing new, but comments shared by both players are quite interesting.

Here's the link: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/s ... id=1647603

The gist of it is that Kobe and Shaq are renewing their hostility toward each other. Shaq says Kobe should take a passive role on the team until his legs become stronger, to which Kobe basically says mind your own business, to which Shaq retaliates further by saying the Lakers are his team and the players on it should conform to what he wants happening or else leave.

Not much of a big deal, I think.

YouTube · by **Andrew** on Mon Oct 27, 2003 8:54 pm

It will probably be blown out of proportion again, but it's further proof that despite on court success and moments of truly beautiful team basketball such as a well-executed fast break, NBA players aren't exactly the best of friends - and it doesn't always seem to matter.

Still, let's look at some of the things that have been said.

O'Neal's (suggested) Friday night in Las Vegas that Bryant "should probably look to be more of a passer until he gets his legs strong."

Perhaps he's right, but that should be Phil's call to make.

Bryant, recovering from offseason knee and shoulder surgeries, didn't welcome the suggestion, saying: "I definitely don't need advice on how to play my game."

Fair enough. Only Kobe knows how good his knee and shoulder are feeling.

"Definitely not," Bryant continued. "I know how to play my guard spot. He can worry about the low post, and I'll worry about the [perimeter]."

A little cold perhaps, certainly brutally frank. Shaq seems to get riled up pretty easy, so you can tell what's coming next.

"As we start this new season, we want [expletive] done right," Shaq said. "If you don't like it, then you can opt out next year. As long as it's my team, then I'll voice my opinion. If you don't like it, then opt out."

Typical Shaq, so it's better to think little of it. But the words a little harsh, considering it wasn't exactly Shaq's concern. Also makes you wonder, if Shaq can't co-exist with Kobe, a guy who he's won three championships with, how will he co-exist with Payton and Malone, who will want to take a few shots too?

Asked to clarify his "my team" remark, O'Neal added: "Everybody knows that. You [media] guys may give it to [Bryant] like you've given him everything else his whole lifetime, but this is the Diesel's ship. So ... if you ain't right [physically], don't be trying to go out there and get right on our expense. Use the people out there, then when you get right you [can] do what you do."

Again, typical Shaq, but that doesn't excuse it. Really, it seems like Shaq is the one who isn't willing to sacrifice for the team, not a victim of Kobe's alleged selfishness.

What's clear is that Lakers coach Phil Jackson, who spoke to reporters before his stars started volleying barbs, has his first real challenge of the season, less than 48 hours before the season opener. And it's right in his own locker room, not in a Colorado court room.

Phil has made it work before. I don't think it will be a real problem, but like I said, it's another example of the relationship NBA players have with each other. The image of these guys being good friends, united in their quest for glory in the world of basketball is easily shattered.

Said O'Neal: "Just ask Karl and Gary why they came here. One person, not two. One. Period. ... I'm not telling [Bryant] how to play his position. I'm telling him how to play team ball."

When it comes to scoring, Shaq is just as selfish as Kobe or any other great offensive player. Most players want to score points, and a lot of players would probably like to get more touches and shot attempts than they do. Shaq talks about Kobe playing team ball...is Shaq willing to do the same?

It would be a sad state of affairs if the two players who ruin the Lakers' chemistry this season were the two established Lakers, not the two big offseason additions. But it hasn't come to that yet, and this should probably be treated as another glance behind the curtain, as it were, rather than an indication of impending implosion.

by **Nel** on Mon Oct 27, 2003 10:46 pm

Now here's one good reason why they are not winning the championship(a lot of people have presumed) this season. :wink:

by . on Mon Oct 27, 2003 11:25 pm

I agree with Shaq that Kobe should be more of a passive player till hes 100% healthy, but Shaq really shouldnt say it in a tone like he did "This is MY team", thats bad......Kobe is just as important to the Lakers as Shaq is. Kobe knows how to play the 2 spot, and he doesnt need any tips on that, specially not from a center. but he should relax a bit till he is in his old form

by **Vins15** on Mon Oct 27, 2003 11:47 pm

maybe this will ruin the team chemistry with that putting it this way when the season starts he won't pass to Shaq at all...besides he's got Malone and Payton to pass to unlike few years ago...this might still mess up the chemistry though..

by **Swoosh** on Tue Oct 28, 2003 2:18 am

Imho i gotta give the advantage to shaq, kobe needs to pass more anyway, and shaq is right, it's still his team, i know shaq couldnt have won the titles without kobe and kobe not without shaq but i still believe it is shaq's team, simple as that, imho if u put tmac,iverson,pierce or allen there, they will win championships too, and that's not becuz kobe aint that much better then the rest, it's just that there are much more and better guards, who besides maybe Yao Ming can come close to Shaq?! No one, plain simple as that, so a shaq team with just one other star is destined to be a championship team imo,dont get me wrong here, i have nothing against kobe and i know this disussion already has been going on for about two years(maybe longer), but i still believe the team depends more on shaq then kobe, last year's team without kobe and a half healthy shaq(practically all season) would have been a disaster but besides those two there werent any great players. But thats just my opinion

by **Dirtdog1- David** on Tue Oct 28, 2003 2:41 am

I will put my house on it, Kobe won't be in L.A. next year.

"This is Diesel's ship" :lol:

by **Pirate** on Tue Oct 28, 2003 2:45 am

I hope the Adulter is playing for Brandt Hagen in Germany so I no longer need to hear about him.
I was so excited about this season, but I am sick of Kobe. I hope Shaq goes upside his head.
"The big Aristotle prophesises that Kobe sleeps with a new woman every night while on the road adding tatoos along the way. Maybe he'll buy her a ring for each finger."

Kobe is a disgusting man-whore like Michael Jordan.

by **Jackal** on Tue Oct 28, 2003 5:41 am

Pirate wrote:"The big Aristotle prophesises that Kobe sleeps with a new woman every night while on the road adding tatoos along the way. Maybe he'll buy her a ring for each finger."

Kobe is a disgusting man-whore like Michael Jordan.

Making mistakes, unheard of eh Pirate? :roll:

Wonder if you're perfect.

About the feud, Shaq was correct in saying that Kobe should pass more until he is 110%, he didn't say he should ALWAYS pass more. The comments bout the Lakers being Shaq's team, I agree, that team is Shaq's. They will win more if Shaq is playing and Kobe is out compared to if Kobe is playing and Shaq is out. Kobe can be stopped, Shaq cannot be stopped. Like Swoosh said, no one comes close to Shaq, whereas when I think of Kobe, Tracy McGrady comes to mind.

But, just because it's your team...doesn't give you the right to run your mouth off at a team mate, especially not if that team-mate is the person that helped you win titles. If Bryant didnt appreciate the suggestions of Shaq, Shaq should have respected that, since Bryant is going through alot of shit right now, Shaq should support Kobe a little more off the court.

It's a small thing, I'm sure Jackson will solve this, it'll blow over.

by **paul_pierce_the_truth** on Tue Oct 28, 2003 6:36 am

What if Kobe is innocent?
What if this girl is framing him up for whatever reason?
Yes I understand that he did the in-out with her, it's not my point.
If Kobe felt like leaving before, this type of bullshit from Shaq is really the kicker.
Wasn't that Kobe last year who pumped iron all offseason and looked big and strong?
That was him dropping 50s and 40s every night?
How many consecutive games has Shaq scored 40?
Wasn't that Shaq's fat ass running up and down the court last year?
Kobe has never done anything except been the Lakers' leader.
I don't believe Shaq is better than Kobe, yes he's bigger and plays center where "no one comes close", Kobe has strong men way bigger than him all over the court, plus guys like McGrady and Doug Christie who can guard him somewhat, he can't just stick an elbow in their throats and shove his fat belly into them like Shaq.
Do I think Kobe is better than Shaq? Well position to position Shaq is a better center, again who can guard him?
This is a question of size, not skills, Kobe is clearly the better athlete and talent.

Maybe the Lakers couldn't win a title without Kobe and put someone else in his place like McGrady, but give Kobe Tim Duncan instead of Shaq and you would really see some wins.

I would rather keep Kobe at 25-years-old than Shaq at 31 or 32.
If Kobe is found innocent and leaves the Lakers, the Lakers will not win another championship for 10 years, even with Payton, Malone and Shaq.

In order for it to be "my team" like Shaq says, he wouldn't be such a clown about Kobe, he is no leader that is for sure, give the rock and he will throw thunder around for sure, give him a microphone and he will throw bullshit that doesn't help anything, certainly doesn't show leadership.

Shaq has a big mouth, ass and everything else, this plus some obvious skill is why he is better than most players, but I am not sure I would rather have him than say Tracy McGrady, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett and I know for sure I would rather have Tim Duncan. I have always supported the daddy, but this time he should stand by Kobe, by the way they haven't even played a game yet, let Kobe fuck up something at least before the big man complains.

In the past when Kobe tears some team, like he did many times, it was Shaq saying Kobe is the greatest player in the world and that Kobe should be the MVP. I guess it's only when Shaq decides that Kobe is good, then he is good, not any other time, after all it's team.

I believe Payton and Malone wanted to play with Shaq....
and Kobe...
under Phil Jackson....
with the Lakers.....

by **Jackal** on Tue Oct 28, 2003 6:48 am

I might have come off wrong in my post, my point is: Shaq is more valueable to the Lakers then Kobe is, I don't know which is better, but the Lakers offense should still run through Shaq as it has been all these years.

Alot might differ from my opinion, but if you have something like Shaq in the middle, I would run my offense through him.

Just imagine this, you can pick one player to start off a team with, and you have to choose between Shaq and Kobe, who do you pick? I think I made my point now.

by **air gordon** on Tue Oct 28, 2003 7:34 am

Pirate wrote:I hope the Adulter is playing for Brandt Hagen in Germany so I no longer need to hear about him.
I was so excited about this season, but I am sick of Kobe. I hope Shaq goes upside his head.
"The big Aristotle prophesises that Kobe sleeps with a new woman every night while on the road adding tatoos along the way. Maybe he'll buy her a ring for each finger."

Kobe is a disgusting man-whore like Michael Jordan.

good stuff :lol:

i've made mistakes in my life but nothing in the magnitude of committing adultery (and possibly rape) and lying to the media + God about it. :roll:

i agree, give the ball to shaq

by **Pirate** on Tue Oct 28, 2003 8:01 am

Here is a pic of the Lakers new jersey at least the one Kobe will be wearing...

I thought they were saying he was an assistant captain. But I realized that this is a parody on the famous book the "Scarlett Letter"

Maybe someone should read it.

by **VCFAN** on Tue Oct 28, 2003 9:03 am

I don't know if I dreamed this or not but didn't Shaq once say kobe should be MVP or something along that line. I think it might have been last year but I may also be completely wrong a just dreamed it.

by **Jackal** on Tue Oct 28, 2003 9:41 am

VCFAN wrote:I don't know if I dreamed this or not but didn't Shaq once say kobe should be MVP or something along that line. I think it might have been last year but I may also be completely wrong a just dreamed it.

He did say that. (Y)

I dont think alot of you guys get it, Shaq said "pass the ball more, UNTIL YOU GET YOUR LEGS BACK, he did not say: "Kobe should pass the ball more."

Shaq said it in the best interest for the team. Kobe took it the wrong way imo, but that could be due to his offcourt problems. Even Payton has said he should ease his way back into the game, how come Kobe ddint tell Payton to not tell him how to play ball. Kobe got pissed, said something, which got Shaq pissed, and then Shaq said opt out if you dont like it. Blown out of proportion.

by **GloveGuy** on Tue Oct 28, 2003 10:56 am

I agree with PPTH on this one. Shaq was too out of line with these comments. Kobe's the best thing for the NBA since Jordan and we all know that. I think he'll play well still even after Shaq's comments. He played through the All-Star game in Phili, he played through the Finals in Phili without his fatther attending a single game and he's gonna play through the comments.

I can't help but feel bad for Kobe now. He's going through the worst period of his life and to top that off, he has one of his teammates talking shit about him to the media. I hope Kobe stays in LA but I wouldn't blame him if he wanted out, partly because of Shaq's out-there attitude.

Especially after last year, who's Shaq to say it's his team? He missed so many games, he was the reason that the Lakers had such a bad start. Kobe worked his ass off that summer so they could 4-peat, while what does Shaq do? He waits until training camp to get toe surgery.

Shaq walks around like he owns the whole place. He should start looking up to the true veterans, Karl Malone and Gary Payton, who are there for Kobe and support him. They came here to win a championship but it's Shaq who's starting to lower those chances, not Kobe. Shaq's making dumbass comments left and right and there's no excuse for that.

Everybody pick up the latest issue of SLAM. Great article on Kobe...

by **BIG GREEN** on Tue Oct 28, 2003 1:43 pm

The situation with shaqobe© is kinda funny. On one hand...shaq lets his ego go wild and tries to order people around..and kobe's pride is in full effect and wont humble or ignore shaq. I'd say they both are at fault for not acting like professionals.

by **- Ace -** on Tue Oct 28, 2003 6:55 pm

``It doesn't matter whose team it is. But this is his team, so it's time for him to act like it,'' Bryant told ESPN. ``That means no more coming into camp fat and out of shape, when your team is relying on your leadership on and off the court.

``It also means no more blaming others for our team's failure, or blaming staff members for not over-dramatizing your injuries so that you avoid blame for your lack of conditioning. Also, `my team' doesn't mean only when we win, it means carrying the burden of defeat just as gracefully as you carry a championship trophy.''

``I don't miss 15 games because of a toe injury that everybody knows wasn't that serious in the first place.''

``That's ridiculous. I have been successfully sacrificing my game for years for Shaq,'' Bryant said Monday. ``That's what Phil wanted me to do, so I did it. Last year, Phil told me Shaq was not in physical condition to carry the thrust of our offense, so he asked me to do it.

``But then he saw Shaq was getting upset that the team wasn't running through him, so Phil asked me to pull back and I did. This year is no different. My role is whatever Phil wants it to be, period.''

LOL Sounds like Oneil is jealous of Kobe.

by **Swoosh** on Tue Oct 28, 2003 7:49 pm

Gotta make myself clear too, i fully agree with psycho jackal.
It IS shaq's team, but he idd should act like it is his team and not blabber about stuff he shouldnt, just keep his mouth shut and play and dominate.

One more thing, there never has been any doubt that kobe is far more superiour speaking of talent compared to shaq, but shaq has the fysical attributes to dominate and he does,(practically)no one can stop him so there should be no question about the offense running through him, though he should remember that he is playing in a team and that there are teammates to be reckoned with(especially a great player like kobe).

by **Matthew** on Tue Oct 28, 2003 9:37 pm

LOL Sounds like Oneil is jealous of Kobe.

Sounds like one side of the story...

by **Ripper** on Wed Oct 29, 2003 7:22 am

wo, check espn for Kobe's latest comments. Now that's talking!
Who could of imagined the situation the Lakers are in. This is going to make a great DVD-set.

Still can't believe people are still cheering Kobe after cheating on his wife and being a possible rapist. Has the world gone mad?

by **Jackal** on Wed Oct 29, 2003 9:21 am

Kobe Bryant wrote:It also means no more blaming others for our team's failure.

Kobe Bryant wrote:His unprofessionalism hurt us last year, and I don't want it to hurt us this year.

:scold: No blaming, remember Kobe? :scold:

First Shaq makes stupid comments bout it being his team, now Kobe is running off at the mouth, how bout you guys shut-up and play basketball?

Btw, Kobe was fined by the team for making critical comments about O'Neal.

Will Malone & Payton be able to calm the boys down? Only time will tell.

Instead of battling opposing teams, these mofo's are fighting amongst themselves. :roll:

by **Vins15** on Wed Oct 29, 2003 9:41 am

this is bad....real bad...this ain't even the first game of the season and yet they're at it...i don't see them winning a championship (no offense Lakers Fans)...

by **GloveGuy** on Wed Oct 29, 2003 9:42 am

Ripper wrote:Still can't believe people are still cheering Kobe after cheating on his wife and being a possible rapist. Has the world gone mad?

I cheer for MJ because he was the best player in the I've ever seen play basketball. I cheer for Kobe because he's one of the top five players I've ever seen play basketball. They both cheated on their wives(Along with probably many other NBA players). Any questions?

Pyscho Jackal wrote:No blaming, remember Kobe?

First Shaq makes stupid comments bout it being his team, now Kobe is running off at the mouth, how bout you guys shut-up and play basketball?

Btw, Kobe was fined by the team for making critical comments about O'Neal.

Will Malone & Payton be able to calm the boys down? Only time will tell.

I've gotta give Kobe the benefit of the doubt here. He's going through some hard times in his life right now and Shaq's being completely moronic and ignorant to start this up. Kobe's comments were logical and he doesn't demand the ball constantly like Shaq, and when he thinks he's not getting enough, he doesn't go run his mouth to the media. He probably sits down and talks to his coach about it. What was Kobe doing in his comments? Proving Shaq wrong, and showing how stupid the words that Shaq said were.

by **Jackal** on Wed Oct 29, 2003 10:21 am

Lets review, Shaq said: Pass the ball more until you get your legs. Kobe snaps: Dont tell me how to play ball. He said to pass more, thats it...Didnt try to teach you how to play ball...If telling a team-mate to do something in the interest of the team is wrong...bad Shaq (N)

.

Dont get me wrong, I think Shaq is a total ass for not supporting kobe in his offcourt problems and sayng stuff like "Opt out if you dont like it" but, Shaq wouldnt have said opt out if Bryant hadnt lashed out and said "dont tell me how to play ball".

Kobe and Shaq at each other.... again

Kobe and Shaq at each other.... again

RE

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