Of course, it's not just basketball we're missing during this lockout. We're also being deprived of Shaquille O'Neal on TNT talking about basketball and, more specifically, Shaq talking about everyone who plays the game.
Shaq will join Charles Barkley and Co. on TNT when the lockout finally ends. Yes, it'll be TV gold. In the meantime, Shaq has written a book! It's called Shaq uncut something-or-other. The title isn't important. Here's what he said about LeBron when the two played in Cleveland:
Our coach, Mike Brown, was a nice guy, but he had to live on edge because nobody was supposed to be confrontational with LeBron. Nobody wanted him to leave Cleveland, so he was allowed to do whatever he wanted to do. I remember one day in a film session LeBron didn’t get back on defense after a missed shot. Mike Brown didn’t say anything about it. He went to the next clip and it was Mo Williams not getting back and Mike was saying, ‘Yo, Mo, we can’t have that. You’ve got to hustle a little more.’ So Delonte West is sitting there and he’s seen enough and he stands up and says, ‘Hold up, now. You can’t be pussyfooting around like that. Everyone has to be accountable for what they do, not just some us.’ Mike Brown said, ‘I know, Delonte. I know.’ Mike knew Delonte was right.
OK, a few things. I'm not doubting this happened. We've heard stories like this before about LeBron and his supposed arrested-development years. But, come on, pretty sure he played a little more defense than Shaq and Delonte in Cleveland.
Shaq later writes how he thought LeBron was "kind of out of it" in Game 5 against Dallas. Well, that's one way to put it. Pretty sure Barkley would have described it a little differently.
Anyway, if you're a basketball fan, Shaq is about to be in your face all the time. His book is just the tip of the iceberg. Shaq is going to dominate basketball media just like he dominated the game.
-joe
Comments