Vandal scribbles expletive on O'Neal's ball

ESPN ^ | March 26, 2003 | ESPN.com news services

[Nachum]

LOS ANGELES -- The Lakers' Shaquille O'Neal left Sacramento with a spoiled souvenir of his 20,000th career point -- someone scribbled an insulting expletive on the ball used when he reached the milestone.

The unknown culprit apparently got to that game ball sometime after Lakers public relations director John Black had grabbed it just before halftime of the rival Kings' 107-99 victory over Los Angeles on Thursday night.

O'Neal, booed by the Sacramento crowd at halftime when his accomplishment was announced, said he hoped no one connected with the Kings' organization was responsible.

"History was made last night. You can't take that away from me," said O'Neal, the 28th player in NBA history to reach the plateau. "I hope the Maloof family (Kings' owners Gavin and Joe Maloof) doesn't condone this kind of action.

"I will not hold the city of Sacramento responsible, but whoever did this shows no class. I'm not mad at all. I know the Maloofs allow a lot of stuff. If they do condone this, I'll be very disappointed in that organization."

At least for O'Neal, the vandalism added fuel to what already is a heated rivalry between the Pacific Division foes.

"This is one thing I won't forget, and I'll see you soon," O'Neal said.

The Kings are at the Lakers on April 10.

Black said the Lakers sent the ball back to the Kings.

Said O'Neal, "I told them to keep the ball, I don't want it anymore. Send it to (NBA commissioner David) Stern, so he can see what goes on in certain places."

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

[Nachum]

Can anyone remember anything like this happening before?

[linear]

Very poor choice of words for the headline. LOL.

[danneskjold]

Vandal scribbles expletive on O'Neal's ball

That's gotta hurt...

Go JAZZ!!!

[sheik yerbouty]

Shaq can dish it out, but can't take it.

[TheBigB]

Must've needed a long pencil to do it....

[Cicero]

We live in disgusting times. Heroic times, too, but the decay of manners since the 1960s is a unique stain on our country's history.

[dts32041]

Boo Hoo just another grown man running around in shorts dribbling on a floor.

Maybe not agrown man?

[RIGHT IN SEATTLE]

So much for tree hockey!

[capydick]

I just wish I heard him pronounce "Maloof".

[Diddle E. Squat]

Whoa. Talk about an extreme tatto...

[CheezyD]

While it is just basketball, it was a low class move for whomever did it.

[breakem]

Shaq continuously makes disparaging remarks about Sac and its players. No tears for him.

[Diddle E. Squat]

or tattoo, for that matter...

[Diddle E. Squat]

I'm still laughing bump

[octobersky]

Beat me to it. LOL!

[uncbob]

but the decay of manners since the 1960s is a unique stain on our country's history.

In general yes
BUT
As far as sports go things are MUCH tamer than the 50s( I am not referiing to the gangster element on teams though)
Trust me I am 66 years old and have followed sports since I was 8 years old

[johnb838]

I can remember Shaq making a disparaging racial remark about Yao Ming including the words 'ching' and 'chong'. He didn't even see what was wrong with it, but of course there were no repercussions because Asians aren't in the protectedpreferred minority class. I have no sympathy.

And furthermore, the sports people have done a much better job than the actors at taking the opportunities to keep their mouths closed. That's wise because they're just as spoiled and pampered and selfish. History is not being made in Sacramento. History is being made in IRAQ, Shaq.

[Republicus2001]

yea, his fly tattoo sometimes turns into an eagle

[deener]

Left or right?