In the past 7 years, has there been a more IMPORTANT player to a team as Shaq?... Cont'd?
924305
Shaq  is a big stable team player. He could be a Jordan or anyone else in other size frames. He is a competitor. \nThe Hall awaits him.
1083372
He didn't keep his promise Wade did all by himself. What game were you watching probably the same one Shaq was watching from the Bench! Go D. Wade! Shaq wouldn't even let Wade talk about his MVP trophy to Steven A. You should be thanking Wade for fulfilling Shaqs promise!
1121577
If Miami upsets Dallas to win the Championship, Shaq definately needs to retire. \n\nBut Miami's future is screwed after this, cause Walker will probably leave, Payton will retire, Alounzo Mourning will retire, and Shaq will.\n\nLeaving only Wade, Jason Williams, Posey and Halsem to carry the team. Making the playoffs will be difficult next season.
690251
I used to like the Lakers when Shaq was there because he and Kobe made a dynamic pair.  But since Shaq was traded to the Miami Heat, guess what, I'm a Miami Heat fan.  Since the trade, Kobe has become very arrogant towards everybody especially when he was interviewed regarding the incident with Ball in the Phoenix Suns.  Kobe was calling him a kid and said and I quote, "Maybe he didn't get hugs as a child", unquote.  He must remember, the "kid" is older than he is.  Grow up Kobe!
1106408
me 2. since shaq left  da lakers just 2 heat it up. i dont like him now. den gary payton is n da finals 4 like dat 10th time and still aint gon get a ring so he might as well just retire.\n\nYA HEARD!!!
1055940
Shaq might have gotten his this year... next year Kobe's gonna even the score.
447346
First of all, Kobe Bryant is the best player since Michael Jordan, and even in their primes, if they played one on one...I would lean towards Kobe...he plays a totally different game than anyone else...he takes it to the rim when he has to, he dishes it out when he needs to, he goes up for the rebounds, and most importantly of all...he puts the team on his shoulders and and carries them to victory...\n\nPeople will tend to say that without shaq Kobe wouldn't have gotten those rings...that may be true but without Shaq, the Heat wouldn't be the number two team in the Eastern Conference...he's a one in a 100 years player, there won't be another like him anytime soon (shaq that is...) Kobe can't do it all, all the time though...he's proved he can win games squarely by himself...ala 81 point games and numerous 60 point outings as well...one more player would make the Lakers a true title contender as well...The thing about Jordan was that he made the players on his team better...well if you look at the players around Kobe, he makes them better as well, Lamar Odom is good but he's not almost triple double average good...Kwame Brown never really produced until he got to LA, now he's almost averaging a double double, smush parker is an up and coming point guard...wonder why?  They need a true big man to push them over the top...\n\nI'm glad you asked this question because I feel the exact same way, but I've gotten used to all the Kobe haters.  He's a one in a life time player and everyone knows that, it's just that he got a bad rap after the whole rape incident and it was proclaimed that he ran phil jackson out of town, but miracuously he is back coaching them...it was "supposedly" his doing was the reason Shaq wanted a trade...people just don't understand, Jordan came around and was a one in life time player that never made mistakes...except reportedly using drugs...but everyone looked past that because he was a nice guy...that's not the case with Kobe, he's not a jordan esque player, but he's just as good....\n\nOh by the way, just tell whoever comes at you with this arguement...ask them who else averages 35.0 points a game...see what they say about that...
1145496
You want to know about the Heat, here goes...\n\nAt Center, Miami has the most dominant player since Wilt Chamberlain, if not ever.  Shaq is 7 feet 1 inch tall and weighs about 325lbs.  He is on the decline of his career, but was an all NBA ist team selection this year nonetheless.  Shaq averaged 20 points 9 and a half rebounds per game this year. (Career Worsts for Shaq)  Shaq has Been to the Finals 5 times, 4 with \nthe Lakers, and 1 with the Orlando Magic.  Shaq has 3 NBA titles, and he and Michael Jordan are the ONLY 2 players to ever win 3 Finals MVP awards in a row.  \n\nDwyane Wade averaged 27.2 Points per game this year, 5th in the NBA.  He also led miami in assists, and steals, and averaged about  5 rebounds per game.  Wade is second in the NBA in free throws per game.  He shot over 50% this year and over 70% during the first 5 games against the leagues best defense (Detroit).  Wade has been compared to Michael Jordan all year long, and the Detroit Pistons agree that he is the BEST player in the league.  He is Mr. 4th quarter.  Late in the season, Wade showed what he is capable of.  He scored 17 straight points against Detroit, including a game winning shot over Tayshaun Prince.  Wade is unstoppable.\n\nAt power forward, Udonis Haslem, a Miami native that was drafted by the Heat in 03.  Haslem is capable of putting up 15 points and 15 rebounds, but he often dissapears offensivley.  He has a deadly 10-15 foot spot up jumpshot, and also scores a lot off of offensive rebounds.  Haslem will have some trouble guarding Dirk, but Haslem is Miamis best chance of slowing the German superstar.  Haslem is Miami's best offensive rebounder.\n\nAt small forward, Antoine Walker will start.  He is a very streaky shooter, that loves to shoot the 3.  If Walker gets hot, he is capable of hitting 6 or 7 threes on you.  He is also capable of going 1-11 from three point range.  Not a good defender, Walker has improved though.  Towards the end of the year, his shot selection became better, and he improves with every game.  Walker was a 20 ppg scorer with Boston, but in Miami, he is third fiddle, and feeds off of Shaq and D- Wade.  \n\nJason Williams is the starting point guard, though late in games Pat Riley usually goes with Payton.  Williams is a defensive liability, but offensively, he is Miami's fastest player, and is a great passer.  Williams is capable of leading the team in scoring on a given night.  He is possibly, the biggest reason Miami blew out Detroit in game 6.\n\nRESERVES-\nGary Payton- Perennial all star on the decline, at 6'4, he is taller, and a better defender than J Williams, and they split the minutes at point guard evenly.  Payton is also D Wades backup at shooting guard. He is possibly Miamis best clutch player.\n\nAlonzo Mourning-  Also a perennial all star on the decline, Mourning is minute for minute, the best low post defender in the NBA.  People are scared to drive the lane against him.  Alonzo is without a doubt, the best backup center in basketball, he is actually better than most starting centers.\n\nJames Posey- He is their 6'8 lock down defender, and best 3 point shooter.  Posey will likely have to help against Dirk.\n\nThe rest- Doleac, a good third option at center.\nShanden Anderson, rarely used small forward, good defender. Derek Anderson, a capable scorer, but rarely plays.  Wayne Simien, never plays.  Jason Kapono, can shoot, never plays.\n\nPat Riley-  Legendary coach, won 4 NBA titles.  Brought Miami together for 1 goal this year NBA championship.\n\nMisc.- Miami destroyed this years best team, the Pistons, in 6 games.  Dallas will be their toughest opponent, due to matchup problems. I dont think either team is that much better than the other, the winner will be the team that adjusts better to their matchup problems.  Miami and Dallas are polar opposites, and this series should be very interesting.\n\nHope I answered your question.
988883
No, it's not time for Shaq to retire yet. He still has a good 3-4 years left in him. He may not be the dominant player as he once was but he still is dominant enough to command double and even triple teams. It all starts with Shaq in the middle for the Heat. You feed it to the Big Fella and he will throw it back out to the shooters. It's 50-50. He's in good shape and can still run up and down the court faster than most centers. He will retire when he knows he can't be productive for his team anymore. Right now, he still has a lot to offer.
109163
active player : shaquille o'neal\nall time : bill russell
940542
Nope...Father Time is collecting his dues in Miami this year...Age and wear reduce the effectiveness/desire/etc of Shaq... Payton and Mourning are well over the hill, too...Wade will be great for years, but he can't do it all this year
883190
definatly big ben....shaqs body is beatin up...hes done
1144183
I think you want me to say Zo, and he was great this playoffs, but you cant underestimate the effect that Shaq has on other teams defenses, offenses, psyches, game plans, etc.  I dont think the Heat could have won the championship w/o him, without Zo...maybe so.
13527
I do not think it will be Shaq because he missed a big chunk of this season. I think either Dwyane Wade, Steve Nash, or Shawn Marion would be great MVPs because they aren't big superstars like Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, or Allen Iverson, yet they are just as athletic.
530834
past- michael jordan\npresent- shaq
141432
Yes Shaq is one of the most underated players of all time not by sports anaylsts but by the people and the fans. all of shaqs 3 teams have been successful.\n          He made penny hardaway bbetter Dwayne Wade and Yes he did make Kobe bryant \n\n            Kobe would not be able to play the way he is wihout shaq shaq is a leader and is definetly in the top 3 for centers of all time \n\n             Shaq deserves to get MVP every year. I am not a shaq fan. I think if he was not tall and strong he wouldnt be any good but he is. HE is also very athletic for his size\n\n        Any one who says kobe is better than shaq knows noting about basketball
38491
He ran Shaq out of town.  He ran Phil out for a season before coming to his senses.  But the big thing is, he cheated on his wife.  It really doesn't matter if it was rape or not he cheated on his wife.  I can't respect a man like that no matter what he does on the court.