Shaquille O'Neal
Shaquille O'Neal
Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal, nicknamed Shaq, is an American retired professional basketball player who is currently an analyst on the television program Inside the NBA. Listed at 7 ft 1 intall and weighing 325 pounds, he was one of the heaviest players ever to play in the NBA. O'Neal played for six teams throughout his 19-year NBA career...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionBasketball Player
Date of Birth6 March 1972
CityNewark, NJ
CountryUnited States of America
For once in my career, I won't have to hold anybody's hand and they won't have to hold mine. I'm surrounded by veterans. We had a great battle last Thursday at HealthPoint. It was something I never had before - three, four, really great players all in one pickup game.
I had orders from the great Bill Russell. Me and him were talking in Seattle the other day, and he was telling me how rivalries should be. I asked him if he ever disliked anybody he played against, and he told me, 'No, never,' and he told me that I should shake Kobe Bryant's hand and let bygones be bygones and bury the hatchet.
I just want everyone to know I'm suing Ruben Studdard. He had his hand on my ass and he wouldn't let go.
We just need to develop some type of consistency.
It was very frustrating. However, I knew when I saw (official) Bob Delaney out there it would be trouble. You just can't make the mistakes that we did and win in this building.
My comments were made out of frustration in the heat of the moment. But I realize that my choice of words was inappropriate and again, I would like to apologize.
I think he's the true definition of a great player and you guys should recognize that. I think the recognition of a great player has been lost the last 10, 15 years.
We have a new leader, and we just have to go out and get the job done.
I would say Detroit, Indiana, Cleveland, Jersey, darn near every good, solid team in the East. The Lakers, I think it's more of a TV-rating rivalry than a real rivalry. If we could both make it to the Finals a couple of years in a row, then it could be a real rivalry.
I got into foul trouble early and never got into the flow of the game. The foul trouble is very frustrating, and I knew when I saw (referee) Bob Delaney I was going to be in trouble anyway. We did still have chances to win the game; we just made mistakes you can't make in this building.
I was running the court very well, getting the ball and making the aggressive move. I'm still missing two or three jump hooks that I don't usually miss. I'll get it back.
I felt pretty good. I just wanted to get my guys going -- bring some energy and spirit to the lineup.
I feel we made too many mistakes, especially down the stretch. We gave too many of their shooters open looks.
When we keep fighting, we're a hard team to beat. Now we just have to take that and bottle it up.