Why Laker Fans Should Hate Shaq

by Brett Edwards

As someone who was fortunate enough to have Lakers season tickets for the three seasons they were winning championships, I definitely appreciate what Shaq did for the organization. Nothing is better than going to the NBA Finals every year, it's just fannnnnntastic! Obviously none of that would have been possible without Shaq, and for that I will always be grateful.

The fact remains however, that Shaq's mouth and other antics are the sole reason he is not a member of the Lakers today. It's not because of Kobe, the media, Bitch Kupchak, or anything else. Shaq alone is to blame, and so for those that may have forgotten, here are a couple of reasons why Laker fans should now hate Shaq, in no particular order:

- Shaq is the reason that the Lakers are as bad as they are right now. His mouthing off to the owner during a pre-season game here ("pay me motherfucker") along with his eventual demand for a trade, made it inevitable that the Lakers would only be able to get fifty cents on the dollar for him (Odom, Grant, Butler, bag of basketballs).

- The fact that Shaq decided to "get in shape" for his first season with his new team, when he repeatedly did the opposite as a Laker. He frequently showed up to training camp 30+ pounds overweight, and then tried to "play his way into shape" during the regular season. At least MIA fans are getting a taste of that behavior this season, as Shaq is currently milking a 5-game ankle sprain for a two month vacation.

I could ramble on about this for 2000 more words, but this is a blog not a magazine. If Shaq left on good terms, for reasons beyond his control, then you don't boo him upon his return. Given the way he went out, and the shambles the team is in now because of it, please Laker fans, boo the crap out of him every time he shows his face at Staples.

Comments

[Craig Kwasniewski]

All good points except for the bad trade. However, Jerry Buss is the true guy to blame for the whole thing. He took a gamble and lost. Every year Shaq bitches and moans in October and by April he is in line for the playoff stretch. Phil allowed him to be this way because Shaw was always in Phil's corner (unlike Kobe...read Phil's book) And now the Lakers are a long shot to return to glory anytime soon.

Plus, the Lakers made the mistake of not trading Shaq to the Western Conference. At the time, all quality bigs (minus Indy and Detroit) were in the west. This prevented the Lakers from getting the like of Nowitzki.

Now tell me, who would you rather have, Brian Grant's contract and Odom or Nowitzki and Shawn Bradley.

And yes, the fact that he show's up woefully out of shape is crap. I booed the shit out of him then, but still Shaq in April/May will always be a title contender. Mihm and Kwame Brown...always lottery.

[gabe bretado]

All very good comments, ESPECIALLY on "fat" shaq's mouth, it is true that he decided to get "back" into shape after he got traded to Miami. i think he decided to get back on Jenny Craig after he was spending more time time with the L.A.P.D. and Sherrif's Dept. than the Lakers. He got too comfortable at Staples Ct.. They told him " if you win a championship here then this is yours" Well i think he took that literally, and let Kobe do the rest of the work. Dr.Buss is at fault by letting Jerry West go but that's it! Shaq's big mouth is too blame, here's a head's up S. Fla. keep that big idiot happy cause no matter who you got on that court, no matter if he's on the court, no matter who's coaching Shaq thinks because he can rebound the ball he's the only one on the court

[Yesenia Flores]

Most comments are good, but saying that lakers aren't good without Shaq is a bunch of bullshit!! Lakers made it to the NBA Finals last season and they are in it again this season and for sure going to win the championship and where is Shaq?? Yea not on the Lakers team...more like sitting his fatass on his couch hating on the Lakers and regretting ever mouthing off and acting like a total idiot! He wishes he was with the Lakers and he thinks hes all cool because he won a championship with the Miami Heats without Kobe...well its payback time because Kobe's going to get that ring without his stupidass help!! Shaq just couldn't take that the Lakers was and still is Kobes team not his and he was and still is jelous of him!

GOOOOOO Lakers!!!

LIVE....LOVE....LAKERS!!