FanNation - The Republic of Sport

It's time for Shaq to retire

I sure to miss those episodes of Shaq and the super Lakers. Shaq was so much nicer back then teaching us how to get along.

I'm a big Shaq fan, and always have been, but his act seems to wear thin everywhere he goes. It happened in LA, he was just fortunate enough to play with such a polarizing figure in Kobe Bryant. Bryant STILL takes the majority of the blame for that situation, which is funny, because the EXACT same thing is happening in Miami. Shaq doesn't want to work hard, and wants to play his way into shape during the first few months of the season after he isn't willing to work in the offseason. That was always Kobe's gripe, and it seems to have become Wade and the Heat's gripe.

Retire???

He is averaging 15.4ppg in his 16th season only surpassed by Kareem who had 22

1. Jabbar 22
2. Moses Malone 15.6
3. Shaq 15.4
4. Olajuwon 10.3
5. Ewing 9.6

Other notable centers in their last year: David Robinson 8.5ppg, Chamberlain 13.5ppg, Russell 9.9ppg

i don't think its all shaq on this one. seems like riles is blaming everyone from walker (who's shooting a good percentage in minnesota and is more consistent now) to Dwade not driving in hard. Shaq's just not having it. Its Riley who didn't get a younger center backup, keeps hanging on to players like Barron, but let Simien leave even though he plays more than Barron, didn't keep slaughter, let Kapono, Posey walk away when he could have packaged them with blount for a star caliber power forward since they would have had ricky davis. its riley who knew the game was 4 quarters, but basically has a team with a average age of 31, especially in key positions. Both centers are average age of 35. Its riley who won't transition to the Triangle offense which Shaq can still thrive in. it was movement where you don't have to work as hard to get open. its the offense that Shaq has grown into and was most successful in . Look at what dwade could probably do in that offense (see Kobe, Jordan). think of all the injuries Dwade could avoid since the triangle spreads the floor and and less contact. Riles needs to stop blaming everyone. Stan Van Gundy with the same formula in Miami produced and is still producing with the same formula in Orlando (big center, star slasher --Lewis in this case) and i think Riley is embarrassed that he's being exposed that the Heat really won the championship due to Van Gundy's influence and under Riley ways, they are losing again like the three season before his ego made him retire right at the beginning of the season.

DJ... His 15 PPG ranks 70th in the league. His RPG, 37th. Minutes? 124th.

All this while ranking 4th in salary.

He's old, fat and most of all lazy. It's absolutely time for him to retire. That is assuming of course that the Heat want to actually win a game at some point.

Heater seems to be on the right path.

When was Riley annointed as a premier coach? When he had Magic, Kareem and Worthy tearing up the court. He's done virtually nothing to prove he made great teams. It's great teams made him. Remind you of Doc Rivers?

That said, Shaq is just riding out the remainder of his $20 million/yr contract on cruise control. He needs a fire lit underneath him to get the whole team motivated. I think the best coaching tactic would be to bench him until he develops a hunger to play again. Unfortunately, as Heater pointed out, the Heat kicked all of their young talent out of the door, so benching him would just mean more losses and more turmoil for this team.

So it looks like the team is stuck starting a $20 million totem pole at center. It looks like we're going to be subjected to about 30 more of these Miami Heat inner-turmoil T&R's throughout the season. It looks like Miami will be drafting in the top 7 of '08's draft.

Riley needs to retire. Not that it's all his fault, but obviously, things are not going well for him. It's time to try a new leadership/style in south Florida.

Nothing new here. This situation brings more credibility to the Lakers in their choice to move him. It's sad hat Kobe took the blame for that when Shaq has shown that he may have had a lot to do with it himself.

His work ethic has always been poor because he has the mentality that the beginning of the season doesn't really matter. I think it's time for him to either step up or retire. It's unfair to D. Wade and the rest of his teammates if he's not pullinghis own weight...literally!

Shaq had another disgraceful performance in last night's game. He really gives no effort at all. The Heat played much better when he was on the bench. They actually looked good when Cook, Wright, Davis, Wade, and Haslem were on the floor. This team needs speed and it needs scorers. It also needs effort. When Shaq came back on the floor last night after the Heat were closing the gap the momentum stalled. If the Heat can find a pontential suitor for Shaq I think they should pull the trigger. He's giving them nothing right now.

On a positive note, I think Cook has the potential to be a really good player. Wright also looked good last night when he was in.

Y'know, Shaq could just retire and we won't have to hear about him ever again. That's an option...

This is just the frustration that comes with losing. Shaq isn't able to take the summer off, come in and lose 25 pounds while playing himself into shape. Riley has a right to be upset. On the other hand, Riley traded the role players that were difference makers a year ago. Kapono and James Posey became salary cap casualties. Both are sadly missed. O'Neal is still capable of 15 and 10 but he can't go 30 minutes a night . The players that Riley brought onboard haven't worked out and, D Wade still isn't 100% and won't be for another week or so. Currently there is chaos, and there seems to be no end in sight. This team however wouldn't have the 4 wins they have if it were'nt for Shaq, so the solution for Riley is to make a move before it's too late to salvage this season. Shaq's not getting any younger, but his attitude will determine his altitude.

Stop CRYING Shaq. Just because you SUCK don't get mad at others. YOU SUCK!!! GIVE IT UP!!! and your MIAMI championship was a FLUKE!!!

the heat still owe the lakers a first round draft pick as part of the shaq trade which i believe is after the 2008 season. it is likely that will be a lottery pick.

Say this for shaq he is not giving the heat much anymore, but he sure is helping the lakers out even 4 years after being traded.

Losing must be a Miami thing...... Maybe the Dolphins and Heat could put their brains together and find a way to win...

Also maybe Shaq sucks so bad is so the Heat will get rid of him and come back home to the Lakers....

Shaq has been ostracized his whole career. The refs call the game differently for him. He takes a constant beating everynight. He gets hacked all the time and its hard for him to play his game if the refs call an offense foul half the time. This has taken its toll on him and the team. Im not saying his work ethics are the best, but it doesnt help. Plus D-Wade season thus far hasnt been all that spectacular. Losing causes rifs in a team. Winning is the only cure.

trade Shaq an get Iverson cause Iverson isnt happy wher he is and my heat could use the offense help & replace Shaq with patrick O'bryant & Raef Lafrentz.

http://www.fannation.com/throwdowns/show/85457

Jay

Shaq is a notorious slow starter and Wade missed games early this season and is just rounding into shape

Who is a better starting center for Heat???

Zo???

Blount???

Please quit your hatin

He is hitting 59% of his field goals as opposed to 58% for his career......10.7FG's a game, give him 5 more and he makes 3

21ppg