notorious 858
Banned
- 1,743
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- Joined
- Jun 11, 2009
Alright I know it's a little early to start talking about the off season & free agency. But what do you guys think about Shaq? I think he's done and should retire.
We all know that he's 38 and is way past his prime & dominant years in his career. I honestly don't even think he's much of a presence anymore in the paint because of his size. Teams don't even really double team him anymore when he gets touches in the paint. I really think the last time he was a post presence and still had some dominating moments and games was during his time in Miami with the Heat.
Yes I know there are a bunch of Laker fans here on NT who want to see him badly re sign for the MLE for year this summer to return and play his last season with the Lakers and get one last ring. I honestly wouldn't have a problem with seeing him back in the purple & gold and back in LA.
But I think there are a couple major obstacles and just don't see it happening:
- His relationship with Dr. Buss and The Buss family. I think both Shaq and Dr. Buss still aren't on good terms and have hard feelings for each other still.
- I don't think Shaq would accept or be willing to sign for only the MLE.
- Shaq probably thinks he's still a starting center and would have a hard time accepting a backup center role and coming off the bench. It would get to the point where Shaq would get bored and not feel important and would start complaining again to the press about his playing time, or say "The Big Dog Is Not Being fed the ball" and he would start a media circus again.
- And of course Kobe. They've both said publicly that their beef has been squashed. But honestly if the Lakers repeat this year and Phil Jackson is back next year to go for another 3 peat I really don't think Kobe would want him back on the Lakers because it would stir up all kinds of hate & non sense again with people saying crap like "Kobe needed Shaq for his 2nd 3 peat"
- Last. The Lakers current team is already a championship team and don't really need him. The Lakers weaknesses and where they need to improve this team is finding a PG, a shooter like Mike Miller or Kyle Korver.
So with all that being said. If Shaq doesn't retire the team I see paying him to be their starting center is the Mavs.
Mark Cuban loves him and has tried to trade for him at least twice in the past couple years.
Other than the Mavs or Lakers I really don't know if any other team might be interested in him this summer.
We all know that he's 38 and is way past his prime & dominant years in his career. I honestly don't even think he's much of a presence anymore in the paint because of his size. Teams don't even really double team him anymore when he gets touches in the paint. I really think the last time he was a post presence and still had some dominating moments and games was during his time in Miami with the Heat.
Yes I know there are a bunch of Laker fans here on NT who want to see him badly re sign for the MLE for year this summer to return and play his last season with the Lakers and get one last ring. I honestly wouldn't have a problem with seeing him back in the purple & gold and back in LA.
But I think there are a couple major obstacles and just don't see it happening:
- His relationship with Dr. Buss and The Buss family. I think both Shaq and Dr. Buss still aren't on good terms and have hard feelings for each other still.
- I don't think Shaq would accept or be willing to sign for only the MLE.
- Shaq probably thinks he's still a starting center and would have a hard time accepting a backup center role and coming off the bench. It would get to the point where Shaq would get bored and not feel important and would start complaining again to the press about his playing time, or say "The Big Dog Is Not Being fed the ball" and he would start a media circus again.
- And of course Kobe. They've both said publicly that their beef has been squashed. But honestly if the Lakers repeat this year and Phil Jackson is back next year to go for another 3 peat I really don't think Kobe would want him back on the Lakers because it would stir up all kinds of hate & non sense again with people saying crap like "Kobe needed Shaq for his 2nd 3 peat"
- Last. The Lakers current team is already a championship team and don't really need him. The Lakers weaknesses and where they need to improve this team is finding a PG, a shooter like Mike Miller or Kyle Korver.
So with all that being said. If Shaq doesn't retire the team I see paying him to be their starting center is the Mavs.
Mark Cuban loves him and has tried to trade for him at least twice in the past couple years.
Other than the Mavs or Lakers I really don't know if any other team might be interested in him this summer.