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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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 OPINION 
4

Bully Shaq Needs to Lay Off Dwight Howard

Unlike Jordan, O'Neal too insecure to embrace his legacy

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(Newser) – What is Shaq’s problem? He towers over his colleagues, both physically and statistically, yet he stoops to petty behavior with his continued derision of Orlando Magic star Dwight Howard—a man who idolizes O'Neal. “Howard is 23 years old, and Shaq owes it to the league, to common decency, to be civil with this kid,” Adrian Wojnarowski writes for Yahoo! Sports.

Howard says he’s puzzled by Shaq’s insults, which include “impostor,” but a friend of both players says the comments stem from insecurity. “All Dwight Howard ever wanted was to be the next Shaquille O’Neal. Michael Jordan always had been secure enough in his legacy, his greatness, to embrace Kobe and LeBron. You have to wonder: Will Shaq ever be?”

Phoenix Suns center Shaquille O'Neal, right, looks for an opening around Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard.
Phoenix Suns center Shaquille O'Neal, right, looks for an opening around Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard.   (AP Photo/John Raoux)
In this May 14, 2006 file photograph, Miami Heat's Shaquille O'Neal talks while sitting on the bench during the third quarter of an NBA second round playoff game against the New Jersey Nets, in East Rutherford, N.J. O'Neal was one of 13 inductees announced by Gov. Jon S. Corzine...
In this May 14, 2006 file photograph, Miami Heat's Shaquille O'Neal talks while sitting on the bench during the third quarter of an NBA second round playoff game against the New Jersey Nets, in East Rutherford,...   (AP Photo/Mel Evans, file)
Phoenix Suns' Shaquille O'Neal reacts after a play against the Atlanta Hawks during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2009, in Phoenix.
Phoenix Suns' Shaquille O'Neal reacts after a play against the Atlanta Hawks during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2009, in Phoenix.   (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Shaquille O'Neal feels threatened by Dwight Howard, a friend of both players says.
Shaquille O'Neal feels threatened by Dwight Howard, a friend of both players says.   (AP Photo/Alan Diaz,file)
Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard says he doesn't know why his idol Shaquille O'Neal constantly belittles him.
Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard says he doesn't know why his idol Shaquille O'Neal constantly belittles him.   (AP Photo/John Raoux)
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Howard always seemed to crave Shaq’s counsel, his respect, but Howard long has been the target of humiliating insults. - Adrian Wojnarowski, Yahoo! Sports

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4 comments
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SPH
Jun 7, 09 8:27 PM CDT
Grow up...... Reply
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Snowleopard
Jun 7, 09 11:53 PM CDT
shaq sux now anyway. every suns game I turned on this year he was just sitting on the sidelines. first time in years suns haven't been to the playoffs. Shaq is getting lazy. Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
mikemcghee
Jun 8, 09 1:53 AM CDT
Shaq has been lazy for years. Kobe had been strugglin to hide his feelings for him for a long time. Kobe said, " how can you be the captain of a championship team, and it takes you 30 games to get in shape." he rode Kobe and the Lakers thru those last 2 seasons, then got all the credit against those East teams with no big men.
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IN RESPONSE:
wwwonderer
Jun 8, 09 6:25 PM CDT
Both of you have very valid points. The last time Shaq looked impressive was the championship in Miami. He looked AMAZING that post season. I saw pick and roll defense, as well as ON BALL defense I hadn't seen in years. Oh and he actually ran back on defense a bit.
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