when i get home i'm gonna go look for an old SLAM with shaq on the cover.. from.. i wanna say 98 or 99.
this was like just after he got to LA, where he says stuff like, "at 30, i'm out." or "as soon as i win one ring.."
i liked what he said about penny though - "i don't hate penny, i think he's cool. hate him? for what? because he got millions and i got millions?i'm jordan, he's pippen, i'm puffy, he's mase."
but honestly, shaq's been taking beatings his whole career. i was reminded of this when playing with one of my best friends from high school who alwayspatterned his game after shaq. he's always been that big dude in the middle scoring with power and size. we were laughing about a inter-class game weplayed 10 years ago - running clock, no free throws, so my team's defensive strategy (i didn't come up with it) was literally the hack-a-shaq. we justfouled him hard everytime he got the ball, and they'd just get the ball on a sideline inbound. but yeah, like shaq has said in interviews before - hacksdon't not hurt just 'cause you're big.
i will always remember the orlando shaq - the crazy package of speed, power, and skill.. even the early laker shaq was dominant. but for the sake of hislegacy, i hope shaq will go on a tear and then peace out. go out like kareem, a proud warrior, and not barkley or mourning.
