The more I read about the juicy gossip coming from Shaq’s new book, the more I am disgusted. I find myself getting angrier and angrier with the former “Big Shamrock” for going down a road that he should have never traveled. Shaq was one of the dominant forces in my generation. The “Diesel” left a path of destruction in the paint as he would dominate to the tune of 28,596 (23.7 PPG), 13,099 (10.9 RPG), 2,732 (2.3 BPG), four NBA titles, three NBA Finals MVPs, 15 all star spots, and a league MVP in twenty NBA seasons. Even in his final injury riddled year in Boston, he was still great shooting an amazing 67 percent from the floor. Shaq should retire gracefully and enjoy the spoils of respect, adulation, fame, and wealth that he has earned. There should be no petty parting shots to former teammates (Kobe Bryant). There should be no ridiculous inside revisionist history like the Perkins discussion with Danny Ainge. I should not hear about shots at a guy like Glen Davis that was supposed to be one of Shaq’s friends with LSU ties. I even should not hear about how LeBum James got away with murder in Cleveland particularly because Shaq must have gotten the star treatment in his day. Some aspects of NBA life should stay in the locker room amongst your teammates. This book does nothing except line Shaq’s pocket with money and taints his epic legacy.
A book like this should never come out after your retirement. Thirty years later, maybe if written in a different light, some of these stories should be told. Like one day I wanted to kill Glen Davis for playing selfishly instead of branding a young player selfish. Heck, at least let the other guys know the stories you are writing in the book so they are not blindsided by the media. (God, I hate Shaq for making me feel sorry for LeBum). Instead of coming across as a guy that had a great career that is fading into glory, he is now a guy that is either trying to make a quick buck or grasping for one last piece of the spot light. Does he really need the money from this book? Is it worth burning bridges with former friends? Is there not personal appearances, endorsements, or TNT deals that make him enough money? The bottom line is Shaq is a great player, but he made a mistake with this book. The only bright spot is only hard core NBA fans are paying attention during this lockout and maybe only a few will really take in the trash in this book. I myself will just black out this book from my mind and remember the dominant force that captivated the NBA for twenty years. Remember Go Green or Go Home!!!!!!!!!!!
