Re: Selfish, self-centered, and really, really dumb

["Dan Forant" <dforant1@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I'll agree with the more dedicated statement for Pierce and Walker compared
to Shaq. Overall Pierce and Walker have better basics than Shaq, but what
does Shaq need basics for.

DanF

----- Original Message -----
From: "Kestas" <kkv@dartmouth.edu>
To: <celtics@igtc.com>
Sent: Thursday, November 21, 2002 8:56 AM
Subject: Re: Selfish, self-centered, and really, really dumb


> At 12:42 AM 11/21/2002 -0500, you wrote:
> >I may not like Walkers shot selection, and lately, Pierce has been
> >sputtering on offense.  But they're better, and more dedicated, players
> >than Shaq will EVER be
>
> Snoopy, I think you're getting carried away here. Shaq is merely the most
> important player in the NBA in the last decade.
>
> Since several people ranted today about Shaq, Phil and the Lakers, I'll
say
> this: I don't think things regarding the other team are as simple as they
> appear to be. Maybe I'm reading too much into this, but I think ol' Phil
is
> just playing mind games again. He knows who the MVP of the team is, and it
> ain't Kobe. I'm not saying he's deliberately sabotaging games, but letting
> Kobe try to lead the team "his way" and fall flat on his face is not out
of
> the question. If they lose a few more games than they should, so what?
It's
> more important to let Kobe see for himself that he's not The Man, that he
> needs to get with the program. It's good for the team, it's good for Shaq,
> who can use the rest. That isn't dumb, that's smart. They're basically
> doing with him what Portland is doing with Sabonis - saving him for the
> really important games. Are they cheating the fans? Sure, but what do we
> care, we're not Lakers fans. We already got one W out of this, which may
> come very handy in April.
>
> As for Phil Jackson not winning anything without Shaq or Jordan, sure. You
> need the players to win. You have to be good AND lucky. What would
Auerbach
> have won without Russell or Cousy? The thing is, other coaches don't win
> even when they have the players. I mean, look at the job George Karl has
> done with the Bucks and Team USA. But both Jordan and Shaq have said they
> won't play for another coach. Shaq views Jackson as his second father.
They
> didn't say that about Collins, or Brian Hill, or Del Harris, or Mike
> Dunleavy. Such statements from the game's highest profile players have to
> mean something, even if Jordan broke his promise.
> Kestas