KOBE VS SHAQ: INTERESTING LAKERS EXCERPTS FROM "MADMEN'S BALL" BY MARK HEISLER

[Originalman]

I mean...I guess because he didnt stay in good enough shape all the time...but i dont think thats nearly enough to call him an underachiever historically...plus he got his act together in Miami and was almost surprisingly good in PHX. He was playing well with the Celts too given his age and wear and tear until someone sniped his calf out. Someone with his accolades/stats/performances cant be an underachiever...at that point you could say nearly everyone "couldve been better"

I don't think Shaq is an underachiever. Dude took 3 different franchises to the finals and won 4 rings. The reason Shaq didn't win more rings was because he was gonna get paid and never take a pay cut. Dude was gonna get the most money he could get and I can't hate. If he takes a pay cut in LA he never gets traded. If he takes another pay cut (took a small one to get walker and a few other vets) he never gets traded from Miami. If Shaq pulls a Duncan and takes pay cute he .might have won 6 rings. shyt if he was drafted by LA he still might have won 6 rings. People forget their have been many great players who were workout warriors and never won shyt. Their were dudes like shaq who used the preseason and regular season to get in shape. Barkley was the same way.

But Shaq was probably the first big time player that was a businessman while playing. Dude was Lebron before lebron....but lebron is more shrewd and cut throat as a businessman/player.

 

[Cyber]

But Shaq was probably the first big time player that was a businessman while playing. Dude was Lebron before lebron....but lebron is more shrewd and cut throat as a businessman/player.

From what I've read Magic was probably the original big time player that doubled as a businessman. I read from a Magic/Bird book that he started some lawnmowing business his rookie year, wish I could find it so I can verify but according to this he did start his company in 1987. Pretty much paved the way for MJ, Shaq, Kobe, LeBron ect. to become businessman as well as basketball players.

With that said even though Shaq is no doubt one of the 8-10 best player ever, I think if he played to his potential he'd be the GOAT. He's got no argument against MJ outside of being arguably better at his peak (I don't consider him an underachiever from 99-02, at least not in the playoffs), but through the course of their careers it's clearly MJ and I consider him an underachiever as a result.

 

[GPBear]

Just wanted to say bill Walton was always a bytch and seemed to always have issues with young stars. People know him now as a lovable old man. But dude was a straight up hater in the 80s and early 90s. Dude hated on MJ, Shaq and the fab Five for years. Broke foot having, acid hitting, weed head, lisp talking mothafuka.

Why breh,

I grew up in Oregon breh, I can't let you shyt on Bill Walton like that

But I can't see any of that not being true

 

[Sccit]

I don't think Shaq is an underachiever. Dude took 3 different franchises to the finals and won 4 rings. The reason Shaq didn't win more rings was because he was gonna get paid and never take a pay cut. Dude was gonna get the most money he could get and I can't hate. If he takes a pay cut in LA he never gets traded. If he takes another pay cut (took a small one to get walker and a few other vets) he never gets traded from Miami. If Shaq pulls a Duncan and takes pay cute he .might have won 6 rings. shyt if he was drafted by LA he still might have won 6 rings. People forget their have been many great players who were workout warriors and never won shyt. Their were dudes like shaq who used the preseason and regular season to get in shape. Barkley was the same way.

But Shaq was probably the first big time player that was a businessman while playing. Dude was Lebron before lebron....but lebron is more shrewd and cut throat as a businessman/player.

WHEN U OPT TO EAT BIG MACS IN THE OFFSEASON AND GAIN WEIGHT EVERY YEAR INSTEAD OF TRAINING TO GET READY FOR THE SEASON .. WHEN U OPT TO GET SURGERY ON "COMPANY TIME" BECAUSE U "GOT INJURED ON COMPANY TIME"...THAT IS THE DEFINITION OF UNDERACHIEVING. YOU DONT UNDERSTAND, SHAQ'S CEILING WAS GOAT....THE FACT THAT HE WON 4 RINGS DOESNT MEAN HE DIDNT UNDERACHIEVE. HIS GAME FELL OFF BY 2003 AND HE HAD TO BE RE-MOTIVATED TIME AND TIME AGAIN TO GET BACK IN SHAPE (MIAMI, PHOENIX)...IMAGINE IF HE TOOK CARE OF HIMSELF LIKE KAREEM .. OR IF HE CARED ABOUT HIS GAME LIKE KOBE AND WORKED ON HIS FREE THROWS (THE ONE YEAR HE SHOT 63% FROM THE LINE WAS THE SAME YEAR HE WORKED WIT A SHOOTING COACH - NO COINCIDENCE). THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS. THE GUY WAS A SLOUCH WHO HAS HALF AS MANY RINGS AS HE REALISTICALLY COULD, BOTTOM LINE.

 

[Houston911]

Kobe been the realest n*gga in the league for 15 years

 

[O.T.I.S.]

Kobe with that ether




Honestly, I would've wanted my own team too if the supposed "leader" on my team said shyt like that to me, or acted that way...


Like I said in the other thread, there's a reason why Buss chose Kobe over Shaq




And if you got GP calling you out then you know you fukking up

 

[EducatedBrothaFromTheBank]

Don't know how one could read about Shaq and Kobe during their time together and point fingers at one guy specifically. Overachievers and underachievers typically don't get along.

how was Kobe an overachiever?

 

[Hersh]

shaq could a been the goat.. and when most bball fans agree with that statement.. it = underachievement

 

[Cyber]

how was Kobe an overachiever?

Because of his insane work ethic? He had a ton of talent but most of it came from his work ethic. If he's not an overachiever he sure as hell isn't an underachiever, he pretty much exceeded what you'd expect a guy with his physical tools to accomplish. You look at a list of the best players ever and Kobe is one of the very few guys below 6'8 listed.

 

[Easy-E]

Bill Walton noted, "Shaq is a virtual house. If Charles Barkley can get on a scale on national TV, why can't he?"
Replied O'Neal "I'll do that when Bill Walton takes his toupee off." When he was told Walton didn't wear one, O'Neal tried, "look, doesn't matter how much you weigh when you can play....How many rings did Bill Walton get anyway?"
The answer was two in the NBA and three in the NCAA. "Bill's got two, too?" said O'Neal. "Oh, I didn't know that."

 

[sportscribe]

About Kobe:

Bryant looked like everyone's little brother, but he was calm and uruffled, expressing surprise at nothing and bemusement if anyone questioned his confidence.

 

[Big Boss]

 

[2Quik4UHoes]

We need a fukking movie. Phil's book the last season was a GREAT read with all the stories.

Gotta read his 2nd one and Shaq's book

I'm lowkey working on a script loosely based off their relationship and the Lakers at the time. :hmmjb:

 

[Big Boss]

I don't think Shaq is an underachiever. Dude took 3 different franchises to the finals and won 4 rings. The reason Shaq didn't win more rings was because he was gonna get paid and never take a pay cut. Dude was gonna get the most money he could get and I can't hate. If he takes a pay cut in LA he never gets traded. If he takes another pay cut (took a small one to get walker and a few other vets) he never gets traded from Miami. If Shaq pulls a Duncan and takes pay cute he .might have won 6 rings. shyt if he was drafted by LA he still might have won 6 rings. People forget their have been many great players who were workout warriors and never won shyt. Their were dudes like shaq who used the preseason and regular season to get in shape. Barkley was the same way.

But Shaq was probably the first big time player that was a businessman while playing. Dude was Lebron before lebron....but lebron is more shrewd and cut throat as a businessman/player.

Yep nikka was doing rap albums and movies

 

[Big Boss]

Tbh, shaq could have had more than 4 rings if he stayed in shape