Don't Compare Kobe and Shaq
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First things first, I've got to give props to the Miami Heat for winning the golden basketball. I said Dallas Mavericks in 6. Well, at least I got the 6 part right. The Mavs had their chances, but the Heat made the big plays when it mattered. That's what it takes to win in the playoffs: major players making major plays.
With that said, let's get one thing straight: Dwyane Wade won the title, not Shaq!
Don't deny that for a second. Anyone that has even one good eye can see that Wade was the star of the series, and the playoffs for that matter, and not Shaq. And no, I'm not being a bitter Laker fan here. I'm being realistic. So while all of you are saying that, "This proves Shaq is better than Kobe," try waking up and removing your head from your backside. Last I checked, Shaq is playing with an MVP-like player, Kobe isn't. Shaq averaged 13.7 a game, by far his lowest of his career in the Finals, Wade averaged 34.7. Shaq was clanking free throw after free throw, Wade was making big shot after big shot. You get the picture.
But hey, I'm not stupid. This title absolutely could have never been won without Shaq. But comparing him to Kobe makes no sense at this point. At this point, Kobe has to do so much more for his team to win than Shaq does. Sure, Lamar Odom is a nice complimentary player, and a potential all-star, but give me a break, anyone with an IQ over 3 knows Wade is one of the best players in the league now. In fact, there's already talk about him being the next Air Jordan. You know, kind of like the talk when Kobe won 3 in a row.
All this does is add fuel to the fire for the Kobe-haters of the world, and there's plenty of them. But even Shaq acknowledges that he can't do the things he once could, and he needs Wade to be the star down the stretch. You think he would have ever admitted that if he was still playing with Kobe? Nah, didn't think so either.
So for now, Shaq is one happy guy. He's got his 4th ring, yet he got it while watching another person completely take over the game. There's no complaining about getting the ball, instead it's praise for Wade. Oh, and there's still shots at Kobe and even Phil. That stuff just makes me laugh, considering he once practically called Phil his father. Shaq, anyone who's followed your career knows you have no problem praising your current team and trashing your old mates, no matter how successful you may have been. Those comments are just nonsense. Instead of once again bashing Kobe, how about just focusing on yourself and the Heat for once? Not a bad idea.
With all of that said, I am actually happy for Shaq. Hey, he once got my team 3 rings! It's hard not to like him. Especially going against all odds, when the Heat were picked by some to even lose to the Bulls in round one, this has to be very sweet for that whole organization. Good for them. But remember Heat fans, thank you notes should be sent to the Heat offices in care of Dwyane Wade, NOT Shaquille O'Neal.
http://www.aaronwaymire.blogspot.com
Source
Date
Thu 06/22/06, 8:42 am EST
