Truth & Rumors > NBA

Shaq calls out Robin Lopez

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Suns center Shaquille O'Neal did not have much to say about Sacramento center Spencer Hawes posting a career-high 20 points on Sunday night, other than to call out the Suns guards for making the team's post defense vulnerable by allowing penetration. But he did have words about another center, rookie teammate Robin Lopez. O'Neal and Lopez had an animated talk during a break late in Thursday's loss in Portland. "Put somebody on their (expletive) back," O'Neal said he told Lopez. "Don't let anybody oopsy-doopsy layup on you and be laughing at you. Have you ever seen me get dunked on? No, because I put (expletive) on their backs. Period. "If you're going to be a big man, be a big man. Don't be out there (expletive) around. Lay somebody on their (expletive) back. Period. Wilt (Chamberlain) told me that. Bill Russell told me that. Hakeem (Olajuwon) told me that. All the great big men told me that. . . . That's what I'm trying to teach him, instead of just being out there like a loose tree blowing in the wind. Do something." O'Neal called Lopez "the future." "He's got to toughen up," he said. "Step up. He's got some big shoes to fill because after I'm done, it's his turn."

Arizona Republic

Shaquille O'Neal, AP Shaquille O'Neal, AP
April 1, 2009  07:28 AM ET

Man, Shaq rips Sideshow Bob. Is there anyone left he has not called out?

April 1, 2009  08:01 AM ET

He's right though. Shaq puts (expletives) on the floor when they come toward the rim. That's old-time NBA hoops.

April 1, 2009  08:05 AM ET
QUOTE(#1):

Man, Shaq rips Sideshow Bob. Is there anyone left he has not called out?

hahaha thats great ............... sideshow bob

April 1, 2009  08:27 AM ET

I LOVE SHAQ BUT HE CON BE THE T.O OF BASKETBALL SOMETIMES!!!!

April 1, 2009  08:41 AM ET

Grandpa is getting too grumpy.... lay low son.

April 1, 2009  08:46 AM ET

PLEASE JUST RETIRE ALREADY! HE SHOULD HAVE AN ASTERISK NEXT TO HIS NAME ON THE ALL-TIME GREATS LIST, BECAUSE IN REALITY WHEN A SITUATION TURNS SOUR ALL HE DOES IS FLEE.

ORLANDO - HE LEFT IN BAD CIRCUMSTANCES.
L.A. - USED KOBE FOR 3 RINGS THEN AGAIN LEFT IN BAD TERMS.
MIAMI - USED WADE FOR A RING, THEN ONCE AGAIN LEFT IN BAD TERMS.
PHOENIX - NO RINGS IN THE NEAR FUTURE, AND STILL CAUSING PROBLEMS.

April 1, 2009  08:51 AM ET

Shaq = Cancer. I don't know whey he still gets a free pass. This guy is TO in high tops.

April 1, 2009  08:53 AM ET

lopez needs to learn while he can form one of the greats
not every day C of that calabour come around

April 1, 2009  08:54 AM ET

When I "put somebody on their (expletive) back", I'm going to the hole.

April 1, 2009  08:55 AM ET

Shaq wasn't the best teammate, but it's hard to argue with results. 4 titles, the most dominant four year stretch we've seen since Wilt the longevity for such a huge man, etc. I'm a Portland fan and therefore hate him, but there is no questioning his place in history.

April 1, 2009  09:14 AM ET
QUOTE(#10):

Shaq wasn't the best teammate, but it's hard to argue with results. 4 titles, the most dominant four year stretch we've seen since Wilt the longevity for such a huge man, etc. I'm a Portland fan and therefore hate him, but there is no questioning his place in history.

Definitely agree with you. Shaq is also prepping this kid to take over next season because if the Suns were smart I would put Shaq out on the trading block while he still has some value. He's had a pretty solid season with the Suns and the Suns need to make a move or two to straighten out their situation.

April 1, 2009  09:14 AM ET

I don't recall "The Dream" putting guys on their back. The Dream had the ability to move his feet and defend the Pick and Roll. The Dream blocked shots.

Shaq your tactics says you are compensating for skills that are lacking defensively (Rick Mahorn, Bill Laimbeer).

Shaq don't be miss led YOU are not even close to The Dream offensively or defensively.

April 1, 2009  09:18 AM ET

Shaq! uh................................................last time i checked your team was not even in playoffs......that rocking chair on the porch starting to look better and better officer!

April 1, 2009  09:21 AM ET
QUOTE(#6):

PLEASE JUST RETIRE ALREADY! HE SHOULD HAVE AN ASTERISK NEXT TO HIS NAME ON THE ALL-TIME GREATS LIST, BECAUSE IN REALITY WHEN A SITUATION TURNS SOUR ALL HE DOES IS FLEE.ORLANDO - HE LEFT IN BAD CIRCUMSTANCES.L.A. - USED KOBE FOR 3 RINGS THEN AGAIN LEFT IN BAD TERMS.MIAMI - USED WADE FOR A RING, THEN ONCE AGAIN LEFT IN BAD TERMS.PHOENIX - NO RINGS IN THE NEAR FUTURE, AND STILL CAUSING PROBLEMS.

Went to the Finals in all stops also collecting 4 RINGS, so pipe down clown you sound stupid.

Comment #15 has been removed
April 1, 2009  09:26 AM ET

Hmmm...seems like old Shaq has some selective amnesia. If I recall correctly, Andrew Bynum dunked on him during their first meeting. Shaw dunked on Bynum and Bynum came right back and stuffed it in his face.

April 1, 2009  09:27 AM ET
QUOTE(#12):

I don't recall "The Dream" putting guys on their back. The Dream had the ability to move his feet and defend the Pick and Roll. The Dream blocked shots. Shaq your tactics says you are compensating for skills that are lacking defensively (Rick Mahorn, Bill Laimbeer). Shaq don't be miss led YOU are not even close to The Dream offensively or defensively.

exactly.... all the great big men were athletic(IN GOOD SHAPE) and had great fundamentals and footwork not to mention great defense from russell to duncan, shaq's game is 50% bull rushing and the other 50% talking out of his A55, PLEASE GOD MAKE SHAQ RETIRE ALREADY HE CAUSES ME TO VOMIT......

April 1, 2009  09:32 AM ET
QUOTE(#14):

Went to the Finals in all stops also collecting 4 RINGS, so pipe down clown you sound stupid.

Take away these elite guards and would he even get out of the first round?? I THINK NOT.....Shaq was a key contributor but was not the catalyst in any of his championship teams......

Orlando: Penny and Anderson
Lakers: Kobe
Heat: Wade

April 1, 2009  09:38 AM ET

WHOA WHOA WHOA WHOA! Let's not get it twisted. Kobe used Shaq for 3 rings, that was Shaq in his prime and Kobe in his early years. During those years you could have put Shaq on about any team and that team would have won a ring. Kobe was along for the ride. Now Kobe is in his prime and he's getting his team far but still no ring to show for it.

Now I'll agree with you that Wade was the man when Miami won but then again look at Wade now, he's having one of his greatest years and Miami is barely above .500.

 
April 1, 2009  09:40 AM ET

Wilt and Bill told Shaq, NOT the press. Therein lies the difference between O'Neal and them.

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