It's a done deal: Shaq to Miami

... I will laugh my ass off.

It is a sad day in LA today. I was driving by the staples center on my way home from work today, and I was thinking, "i am not going to see a parade for a loooong time"

Horrible Trade. I'd rather make Shaq play or sit w/ no money.

LA when Kobe leaves welcome to Post Jordan Chicago Bull style basketball.

The whole thing stinks. Stinks even worse what the Lakers got for him.

This coming from a guy who thinks Shaq sucks and Kobe is a chump.

Where is all that Magic of old with those Showtime Laker teams? Been gone for over 13 years now.

Thank you! Shaq and his fat arse are gone!


I gotta laugh...because I'm a reasonable fan. Even if Kobe re-signs I don't expect them to challenge next year but I easily seeing this team FAR better off in the coming years than they would be with Shaq. Buss has lead this teams to championships even after dark years (mid to late 90's anyone) so I can believe he can do magic again. I think LA fans are way too much into the here and now and forget history and certainly forget the future but thankfully the owner doesn't.

Now if Kobe doesn't sign....we'll I've always been a Clippers fan as well so I make out either way...

Just don't expect the Lakers to do anything....

Huh what?

*ahem*

Irf Kobe doesn't sign....

You know, I do understand why this trade was made. and I have always agreed that shaq was making unreasonable demands as far as money that woul hamstring the franchise for the next 10 years if they gave into his demands. But they could have at least calmed him down, got him to play another year with kobe and then let him exercise his free agent option next year so you wouldnt have all this crap going on.

And frankly, I think the LA fans are seeing the situation much clearer than Busschak are. Kobe has them by the balls and they are doing everything he says. Sure they dont have shaq's contract now, but you know unless they make some good moves, they wont even be contenders for the 2nd round of the playoffs with the team they have now...assuming kobe re-signs.

I just don't like how they handled shaq, and how they did this trade. I seriously hope they are still looking to make deals. I said it before and shaq even said it on sportscenter today, the west is just getting tougher. K-mart is going to be a nugget soon. Add him to garnett, duncan, yao, webber, b. miller and the lakers inside is going to get the hell knocked out of them.

I honestly dont see another championship for at least 5-6 years for this team as is. And then you have wasted kobe's prime on an era of what will just be Bryant's individual achievments. This is all moot if the Lakers can get yao in 2007 though.

You know, maybe it's cause I'm not a Laker fan, but I didn't see another championship in the Lakers near future with Shaq, let alone without him.

CTDelude is a fan of giving up the best player in the league. He's also a fan of both teams in an inter-city rivalry. You are probably the worst sports fan ever.

Giving a 40 year old Karl Malone a bit too much credit, eh? He looked pathetic throughout the postseason, not sure how much of an impact-if any-he could have had.

It's not like the NBA Finals were all that close.

Good stuff Fazer I think you're right. However we're assuming the Lakers do nothing to add to Kobe. Thats the interesting part. His chances are not good but we'll have to wait and see in the end.

Karl was doing a hell of a job on sheed but the Lakers were getting their asses handed to them by those Piston guards. Rip and Chauncey had one hell of a finals.

A healthy Karl malone would have lessened the defensive pressure on Kobe in the finals. He is deadly with the turn around 15 footer and you have to defend it.

As far as The lakers going after someone else. There are great options out there. I really think the lakers should shop around this miami talent and see what they can get. Fisher hasnt resigned, so you may want to get a good PG, and I really really think the lakers could benefit from someone like Dampier who will do the dirty work for you. Dampier and Brian Grant would be a good hard nosed front court to pick up the slack from what is sure to be a high flying offensive back court.

The problem I see with it is that Kobe is not the most loved player in the league. I think LA with its sub par executives (save for Magic who has a hugely magnetic personality) Kobe is going to turn off anyone with the slight interest of coming to LA. I really hope Odom becomes the second scorer that every successful team needs to win in today's NBA. Because I only see people like the Dampiers of the league coming to LA because Kobe will not want anyone there who will overshadow him.

I guess I'll concede his defensive play some, but it's not like he wasn't getting beat in transition just like everyone else on that ancient lineup. My god though, were you watching the same games I was? I wouldn't characterize anything Karl Malones did offensively as "deadly," least not this past postseason. His shot was nowhere to be found, and damn if he didn't start to develop a shy trigger.

Couldn't agree with you more there Fazer. However Monki is correct about Malone and the deadly thing hehe.

I would have much rather had Wade or Jones than Butler or Grant.

i think everybody would rather have wade then butler and grant but the heat it seem's wouldn't give him up. great trade. i'm very pleased. as long as shaq can put his shit together and win a ring for the heat.

Frankly the Lakers retool and do it cheaper without Shaq.

Now that this is all said and done the truth is out. This wasn't about Kupchak or the " Kobe and Shaq " feud. Sure those were factors but they were secondary factors. This was primarily about money. Shaq as I predicted wanted an ATM cashout at the end of his career (he wanted an extention of 90 million plus over 3 years). Meanwhile the Lakers did the sane thing and paid their young " Hardworking " superstar. With Shaq and Kobe's lopsided contracts there wasn't a chance they could win in the future anyways. Shaq says Phil Jackson leaving was one of the primary reasons he wanted out. What Shaq didn't say was that Kobe and him ran Phil out. Shaq with his continual preseason not in shape bullshit. Kobe and Shaq with their " Give me the damn ball " and " I know whats right " mantra.

Frankly Phil wanted no part of it and saw the end coming much like Jerry West did. Owner Jerry Buss has his own plan and his own way of doing things. He always has much like when Westhead was fired years and years ago now (to the surprise of many in the NBA) and replaced with a young Pat Riley. Buss didn't flinch or play then and he didn't now.

Shaq is just a baby and basically the Lakers didn't slobber and kotow to his financial and egotistical demands they pandered to the 25 year old phenoms. Don't think the way LA fell in love with their number 8 golden boy didn't play into it. Its Kobe's jersey that sells the most not Shaq's. Kupchak just took orders so he's not a part of this.

I love that damage control venomless interview on ESPN by the daddy. He tried to show some class but continued with his inane diatribe ( " I'm a benz not a BMW " wha? ) and then vowed to speak his mind another time. All the while saying he was happy and was in control of this whole thing. Interesting that he didn't point out that only Hakeem Olajawon and Kareem can lay claim to being as dominant as he was over the last 25 years and that neither of them was traded by their teams at THIRTY TWO. Nor did he mention that he played out of shape for most of his career with Phil Jackson. That Kobe won over the fans in LA with his hardworking ethic not his fancy shot selection. You see Shaq did damage control because how does it look that the strongest low post presence in basketball was given up on? Why would his team be given to Kobe? Was Jordan ever traded? Magic? Bird? Thomas? etc? The real question everyone is asking in the league... Why is Shaquille O'Neal expendable? Miami is gonna find out eventually not this first year Shaq will commit himself but they'll see eventually.

This really came down to 4 egos and 4 individuals Buss, Jackson, Kobe and Shaq. Kobe and Shaq merely put aside their ego, differences and swallow a pay cut and we could be talking about the Lakers going for their 4th title within 6 years. As it is the show is now over. I haven't liked the Lakers for years but even I see how they all fucked this up. Bill Pullman said " We will not go quietly in the night.. " in Independence Day but I can't help thinking one of the most touted duos in history just did.

if he wins a title in the first year and the heat don't sign him to a long term contract then i don't care.

Spoken like a true classy winner mercenary. Seems alot in line with the Lakers. Exactly why the NBA is full of losers right now.

As for Miami I laugh i'm sure Detroit laughs too. They took Shaq out with Kobe in the finals and they are saying Dewayne who right now. All bets are on but many are betting against the Pistons remind you of anything?

Many thought you were champs Lakers but I knew you were chumps. Thanks for proving me right in Shaq's immortal words " Can you dig it? "

Nope...I'm a homer and I also like players who play in shape and not fat....

The Clippers and Lakers are like two brothers. The Lakers being the older have long had their crap in gear and have been successful in life. The Clippers are the younger "screwed up" brother who can't get it working but you don't stop rooting to see things work for him. Simple as that. When you have a city like LA that often has two teams (Rams/Raiders back in the day, Angels/Dodgers, Clippers/Lakers, USC/UCLA) you begin to like both but not neccesairly at the same time. Needless to say I relish the fact that our teams can challenge each other in most cases because they bring out the best. Sometimes I like one team more over the other due to the players a team has.

And again, as for Shaq he is fat and history shows he is DONE or close to it. The man talks about 8 years more in the league, the hell I don't think so. Miami can jump for joy and such but all defenses have to do is let him get his shots and such and put the defensive pressure on everyone else and it's all over. Like Daywalker said Shaq couldn't even do it with that second best player in the league for two years straight. Wade is gonna top that? Please...

well, i was watching ESPN today and they said Kobe agreed to the contract and is staying

Great post Johnny. The Benz Bmw thing was very assinine and still doesn't make sense to me.

I have always said Shaq is to blame for this thing too. He could have and SHOULD have taken a paycut to lengthen this dynasty. But he was stubborn. Kobe was stubborn. buss chose kobe over shaq plain and simple.

I imagine Miami will have a very succesful year this year, and Riley will talk Shaq into an extension for MUCh less money than he was asking LA for. I won't be surprised if Miami ends up taking the title in the next two years and it will obviously be because of shaq.

To say Shaq is expendable is a mistake. He had to be traded for the future of the Laker's organization. I really don't think he is expendable, but maybe thats just semantics.

And Kobe did re-sign with the Lakers...I think i speak for all of LA when i say this...PHEW. But he took way too long to do it.

Yeah I hear ya Fazer. It all comes down to if Shaq stays motivated and above all healthy. At least on his end of the deal. We really don't have any idea what the rest of that Heat team will do. Its all speculation. I remember before Phil came how Shaq was pissed and tired of losing remember that? I could easily see that happening in Miami. It wouldn't be pretty. Many are sugar coating this whole deal for Miami. Thats a mistake the whole " We're winning the title " stuff could end as quickly as DeWayne Wade going down with a knee injury (if memory serves he has a problem with one of his knees). I don't wish that on anyone but i'm merely saying things can change there in a flash. I do believe the Lakers will be better off in the future without Shaquille and his huge contract. So take some heart Fazer i'm a tad optimistic when it comes to them. They make a few key additions next summer and they could become dangerous and a legitimate title threat. It all hangs on Kobe and those players though. If the NBA free agents and other players smell poison in LA the Lakers are gonna have as hard a time as the Bulls retooling.

Gonna be an interesting season coming up.

it's going to be a lot easier for the laker's to retool compared to the bulls. they still have kobe.

Exactly. Players smell a ballhogging knowitall power hungry Jordan lite and they will stay away. They see a player with talent whos a great teammate and they'll come.

Don't overlook the most dominant low post presence got traded. Players are thinking if Kobe could trade Shaq what about me? Its a slippery slope.

Great point Johnny. I have been touching on that exact fact with many people when discussing the Lakers right now.

I don't expect a championship this year. But I do expect Kobe to take his team to the playoffs and win the MVP, which would entail him being a better team player and MAKING the other lakers better. That is something to build on. That will prove to free agents, hey it might be worth it to take a few mill less and play with this guy who may be the second coming. Thats the most important thing Kobe can show me this season. That he is willing to be a true team player.

Is he getting $10 million per? It sure seems like any big man that can still breath is getting money thrown at them.

At this point...I really don't give a freak....if Karl Malone comes back...we may not have a dominant big man but we have three guys who are workhorses and this is EXACTLY what we need.

Now we need to see what we can do about the PG position and such. I'm beginning to like what is happening here.

As for Kobe...you better believe he has heard the "team player" criticism and just like Shaq says he's got something to prove and will work his butt off...you can imagine the man who works his butt off hard already will try and outdo anything Shaq has done. Believe it or not but I think the Shaq vs. Kobe drama is gonna help us here...

I totally agree. The Lakers current front court is made up of guys who will work hard and battle in the trenches, something that the Lakers have needed for the past 5 years to play with Shaq. That may be the one positive out of this whole situation.