Ball Don't Lie - NBA

Ball Don't Lie

Wed Oct 15, 2008 10:00 am EDT

Shaq calls Spurs cowards, rips Nash and Suns' defense

By J.E. Skeets

As anyone who has ever been around a New York nightclub can attest, Suns center — legend, sheriff, rapper, etc. — Shaquille O'Neal tends to shoot from the hip/lip when he gets in front of a microphone. He's like Charles Barkley, but with a deeper voice and rhythm.

Well, Sports 620 KTAR had a mic at Suns practice Tuesday, so, naturally, The Big Outspoken did what he does best: talk. The money quote came when he was asked about the Suns' first-round loss to the Spurs in last year's playoffs. O'Neal said he didn't mind that "Hack-a-Shaq" strategy wasn't changed in the rules during the offseason, but that there is no need to do it when a team is up 10 points. Shaq, via FanHouse:

"When you're down, I can see using that as a strategy. But when you're up 10, 15 points, there's really no need for that. That's a coward move. And he knows that. I'll make 'em pay for that."

You hear that, Gregg Popovich? You're a coward! A coward hiding behind a beard!

And the fun/embarrassment didn't stop there. Later in the media scrum — earmuffs, Nash and Raja! — Shaq asks how he's supposed to stay in front Tony Parker and company if the Phoenix guards can't, and then notes a blown defensive rotation on Tim Duncan's [fudge'n] three in Game 1. He also takes credit for James Posey and Jason Kapono's fat free agent contracts.

Bright Side of the Sun has the other highlights, but here's the full audio (.mp3). When Shaq talks, you listen.

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869 Comments

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  1. J-Dog
    1. Posted by J-Dog Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:52 pm EDT

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    Could care less as long as he puts up good fantasy stats for my team. C'mon big desiel how about 15/10 with a couple blcks per gme. I'd take that.
  2. QUE RICO
    2. Posted by QUE RICO Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:42 pm EDT

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    MEDIA CIRCUS ... and wisha woulda coulda
  3. Mr. G
    3. Posted by Mr. G Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:27 pm EDT

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    If Shaq actually made his free throws consistently, it would have worked against the Spurs. Shaq making a free throw is like pulling teeth.
  4. Ron W
    4. Posted by Ron W Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:47 pm EDT

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    Shaq will tear apart any team eventually...simply look at his record. He's selfish, a whiner and ultimately far too disruptive.
  5. Jaceman
    5. Posted by Jaceman Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:40 pm EDT

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    Seriously, Shaq has problems, he's just put up better stats and is more likeable than Starbury.
  6. Older_than_Moses_Shaq
    6. Posted by Older_than_Moses_Shaq Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:56 pm EDT

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    Try starting with the real problem Shaq, it's Shaquille O'Neil.
  7. NDEddieMac
    7. Posted by NDEddieMac Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:34 pm EDT

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    Cowardly? Maybe. But it's all about the W Shaq so wear it. Also, is it really a good idea to be calling out your point guard a few short weeks before the season starts?
  8. STEALTH
    8. Posted by STEALTH Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:19 pm EDT

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    JDog, did you mean "couldn't care less"? instead of "could care less"? Makes it sound like you do, indeed care about Shaq's monkey business.
    Kobe- you couldn't do without me.
  9. fup duck
    9. Posted by fup duck Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:12 pm EDT

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    Shaq has become all talk no game, and Miami is enjoying the high cost of diesel these days.
  10. Spiderbandit88 - Read the Blogs, Not the Comments
    10. Posted by Spiderbandit88 - Read the Blogs, Not the Comments Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:08 pm EDT

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    "He's TRYING to be like Charles Barkley, but with a deeper voice and rhythm."
    ^Fixed.
    Also, not as funny as Chuck..
    I understand teamwork is the name of the game but I think Shaq is getting too big for his shoes.
    Now I know why my friend doesn't like him at all.
  11. Mailliw
    11. Posted by Mailliw Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:46 pm EDT

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    Shaq had his prime but in basketball like in any other sports you will also fade out. Everybody had their moments. Jordan, Majic, Bird they all come and go and so will Shaq. But they all made basketball as one of the best sport in the world. Play Ball!
  12. joe a
    12. Posted by joe a Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:56 pm EDT

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    Does this moron have any fans left?? Yes?? ...WHY?!?!?
  13. ken
    13. Posted by ken Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:49 pm EDT

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    not the spurs/ rest of the NBA's fault shaquira keeps making himself susceptible to the hack-a-shaq by making sub-60% of his freethrows...
    if it aint broke, why fix it? don't wait for the league to bail you out by outlawing the hack-a-shaq. try hitting your free-throws once in a while, i say?
    trust me, make two in a row and the hack-a-shaq will disappear like nash's defense!
  14. Kip's Cousin
    14. Posted by Kip's Cousin Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:03 pm EDT

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    In the interview he says that the Hack-a-Shaq didn't work because a few weeks later the Spurs were watching from home.... Uh..... If the Spurs sent you home using the Hack-a-Shaq method then it did work! That's not going out on a limb or anything that's just stating facts!
    Hey Shaq, "Tell me how the free throw lines a** tastes?" Make your free-throws, you get paid $20+mill a year. You think you would "pay" your team back by working on fts in the off season.
  15. James S
    15. Posted by James S Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:01 pm EDT

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    Shaq, you better worry about what Superhead said about your a-- in her book!!!!! A Coward!!!! Please, Spurs beat your sorry Suns and you were pissed cause you promised them a ring!!! Retire NOW!!!!!
  16. Macca
    16. Posted by Macca Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:35 pm EDT

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    shaq is the MDE
    most dominant EVER ! so when he talks, you guys listen. cuz when he retires we will miss his tempestuous remarks,
    Shaq, hey man, if you read this, send me an email, i always take donations...
    :oP
  17. Music
    17. Posted by Music Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:30 pm EDT

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    shaq has the nerves to call others cowards. shaq has always been an overrated player who has been living off of his big size and luck. he has no touch, no moves, no agility and i cannot stand people putting him up on a padestal, especially those idiots on espn calling him shaq diesel. he has benefited from being in a league that has not had a true center since hakeem the dream, robison and ewing retired. remember when hakeem took this idiot shaq to school during 94-95 season?
  18. Music
    18. Posted by Music Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:30 pm EDT

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    how stupid must the suns feel, especially that loser steve kerr, to trade a real athelete and dependable marion and get a worthless slob in the middle. all he can do is open his mouth and yell nonsense. i believe the suns front office has to be the worst in the history of sports to make such a trade. why would anyone be surprised when they lost to the spurs? if anyone thinks that shaq is more valuable than shawn marion, then you are as dumb as the suns front office and that commentator-turned-head of operations kerr.
  19. Music
    19. Posted by Music Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:30 pm EDT

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    since when did commentators become qualified to take such high posts in an organization anyway? for the suns ownership not to fire kerr and get rid of that idiot shaq only proves that they are as dumb as kerr. mark my word, they will not be any higher than 7th or 8th seed in the west this season and will be ousted in the first round again.
  20. Music
    20. Posted by Music Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:30 pm EDT

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    since when did commentators become qualified to take such high posts in an organization anyway? for the suns ownership not to fire kerr and get rid of that idiot shaq only proves that they are as dumb as kerr. mark my word, they will not be any higher than 7th or 8th seed in the west this season and will be ousted in the first round again.
  21. Music
    21. Posted by Music Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:30 pm EDT

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    I hope that my comments are not deleted. If so, that means this site is showing prejudice against people with opinions. I am simply showing my frustration with the Suns front office and that idiot shaq.
  22. Dntfake_Dntdie_jusLive
    22. Posted by Dntfake_Dntdie_jusLive Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:43 pm EDT

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    this article, and most of the comments are wack!! if you listen to the clip, dude didn't say anything foul, or out of line. if you on the team with someone, and you comment on their defense, then you also have to hold urself to a higher standard.
  23. Dntfake_Dntdie_jusLive
    23. Posted by Dntfake_Dntdie_jusLive Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:43 pm EDT

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    sometimes i think some of the commenters never played a organized sport, cause it seems like they don't understand what challenges people to get better. you should be able to expect you teammates to be honest with you, since they have to go out their on the court with you. plus, shaq has a legacy of a champion, and if they don't get as far as their talent should take them, you same types will be blaming him for it. stay strong diesel, they know what you mean to the game, and if they don't they will when your gone. the thought of some scrub who couldn't make it in his church league calling some one overrated......oh wow. bottom line, if you don't respect what shaq has done for the game, then you don't know, or don't show, or really don't care about the game
  24. Daniel L
    24. Posted by Daniel L Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:34 pm EDT

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    he owes his rings to D.Wade, K.bryant and R. Horry...he should thank them instead of insulting others
  25. Dntfake_Dntdie_jusLive
    25. Posted by Dntfake_Dntdie_jusLive Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:43 pm EDT

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    Sometimes i think some of the commenters never played a organized sport, cause it seems like they don't understand what challenges people to get better. you should be able to expect you teammates to be honest with you, since they have to go out their on the court with you. plus, shaq has a legacy of a champion, and if they don't get as far as their talent should take them, you same types will be blaming him for it. stay strong diesel, they know what you mean to the game, and if they don't they will when your gone. the thought of some scrub who couldn't make it in his church league calling some one overrated......oh wow. bottom line, if you don't respect what shaq has done for the game, then you don't know, or don't show, or really don't care about the game

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J.E. Skeets

Ball Don't Lie is an NBA blog edited by J.E. Skeets. Email him, and follow him on Twitter.

Contributors:
Kelly Dwyer, Rod Benson, Trey Kerby, Dan Devine, Adrian Wojnarowski & Marc J. Spears,

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