Posted on 07/14/2004 9:56:04 AM PDT by kellynla
No, the grass isn't greener on the other side of the fence.
Sorry, Shaq and Kobe. You've just both made a mistake you'll regret for the rest of your lives. At least if we're to believe, as you guys always say, you're about winning.
No two men, perhaps since Caesar and Brutus, could have accomplished more by staying together and remaining working partners. Though perhaps it is inevitable that dynasties end and that jealousies and rivalries and ego, greed and ambition are fated forces that are too much for the human mind and soul to combat.
What is happiness? These questions are best answered by philosophers like Thoreau, Plato, Confuscius, Spinoza, Kierkegaard and Phil Jackson.
If happiness is winning a championship and being part of a great team, then Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant have committed blunders for the ages.
(Excerpt) Read more at sports.espn.go.com ...
Ha!
It might have been true about Karl Malone.
For the others, it's about the green.
Go Spurs! (stay away from Kobe!)
And Jerry Buss clears the air:
"The decision with Phil and the decision with Shaq was made totally independent of Kobe. Kobe has never at any time ever told me that Phil or Shaq had any influence on his decision where he would like to play. ”
— Jerry Buss
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=1838605&type=story
Just talk to Scottie Pippen and ask him what it is like to think you are the top of the nba food chain and then find out you aint jack crap.
It is indeed a sad day in the City of the Angels.
The clouds of dread gather much like the darkness from the East which accompanied the re-emergence of Sauron. (An allegorical refrence to LOTR)
I get the feeling that a main reason for Shaq coming down here to Miami is that it is something of a party town for the Jet Set. Its a pretty "happenin" place. Dark, dangerous, and yet lovely, Miami has a certain charm. That, plus The Heat are a pretty darn good team (I am not a fan).
OK, here are some questions:
1. What do the actions of these basketball players have to do with the writings of Plato (or any other philosopher, for that matter)?
2. What do the antics of these glandularly/mentally/culturally/ethically-challenged bufoons have to do with a serious political forum?
3. What does the NBA contribute to American society?
Answer: Nothing! (cubed)
Kobe couldn't be double-teamed with Shaq et al on the floor. Now he'll see them constantly. *big grin*
I think it is amazing that Shaq's downside (advancing age) was seen by the Lakers as a potential bigger problem than Kobe's (prison time).
The NBA serves a purpose. It keeps Kobe Bryant from attacking women half the year.
Kobe will sign with the Denver Nuggets. Then he'll be indicted for "jury tampering"... (go ahead..think about it)
Shaq gave the finger to the entire city of Orlando (literally) when he moved out to LA and left the Magic.
So whatever Shaq does, team consideration is not part of his equation.
I couldn't care less about this.
Kobe will re-sign with the Lakers and be found "not guilty" by the jury. Lakers will struggle without the big guy, but make it back to respectability in 2-3 years. However, I would laugh my arse off if Kobe signed with another team and left the Lakers out to dry. But I'm sure that won't happen.
I'm starting to think there's something about Phil Jackson. Whenever he leaves a team it gets completely dismantled. Hope Lakers fans aren't expecting to contend in the next decade.
I wonder how many Hollywierd stars will show up to the Lakers games now?
I don't think that is Shaq's motivation. He does not have a reputation for being a frequent party goer as do many NBA players. It is true he enjoys his celebrity, but he also knows his reputation is pretty important to his endorsement deals.
If Shaq plays for Miami with a desire to show the Lakers they screwed up royally, then Miami will have gotten the bargain of the century. Shaq is not a selfish basketball player, and he will create many shot opportunities for his teammates. If Miami has players who are willing to play the appropriate roles they should be able to contend for the championship with O'Neal.
I asked myself that same question. Then I responded.
"I couldn't care less about this."
The sports world is the business world at super speed. Everything that will happen to you in your business life happens, at least metaphorically, in a team sport in about 4 years. There's a lot to be learned from sports.
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