John Galt
Starter
Welcome aboard. Now get to work on DMC!!
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sport...haq-sacramento-kings-shaquille-oneal/2854021/
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sport...haq-sacramento-kings-shaquille-oneal/2854021/
Welcome Shaq!
- Thread starter John Galt
- Start date
PurpleHaze
All-Star
Love it! Icy hot cool! I always knew Shaq was just joking around calling us "Queens." Now he's a King and one of us. Welcome Big Man!
Bricklayer
Don't Make Me Use The Bat
I...don't know what to say. A low grade moron and traditional enemy just bought into the King as an owner. I...
You know who is conspicuously absent? Chris Webber. Mitch Richmond joins initial minor owners list. Chris Mullin is brought in as name guy, although that was not suprising given that Vivek still is thinking like a Golden State man. We chased Larry Bird. Now Shaq, who worked with Webber at TNT. You just have to wonder a little bit. Was Webber's involvement with a competing bid an issue? For Webber or for Vivek? Is our determination to lose the Maloof past spilling over into lack of respect for the golden age guys by a new regime who doesn't understand what they meant? Just a little odd when Shaq is a part of it and Webber is not.
You know who is conspicuously absent? Chris Webber. Mitch Richmond joins initial minor owners list. Chris Mullin is brought in as name guy, although that was not suprising given that Vivek still is thinking like a Golden State man. We chased Larry Bird. Now Shaq, who worked with Webber at TNT. You just have to wonder a little bit. Was Webber's involvement with a competing bid an issue? For Webber or for Vivek? Is our determination to lose the Maloof past spilling over into lack of respect for the golden age guys by a new regime who doesn't understand what they meant? Just a little odd when Shaq is a part of it and Webber is not.
The question is.. should we care? Shaq is one of the most recognizable NBA faces of the last 20 years and a top 10 player of all-time, who happens to have expressed a great deal of interest in helping DeMarcus. His presence might not amount to anything at all, but it's a classic low-risk/high reward move.
Bricklayer
Don't Make Me Use The Bat
Yes you SHOULD care, and I find it blatantly offensive if you don't.
Where's the ****ing pride in being the SACRAMENTO Kings. In your own history. In YOUR significance?
Now frankly it doesn't effect me. I blew that little berg long ago. In some ways I fully understand how outsiders could come in and look down their noses at you and put you in the corner while they colonized your franchise and made it their own. Lots of big city folks to show you little bumpkins how its done and what a real NBA legacy looks like.
Or are there? Or should there be? What exactly does it mean to be a Sacramento King fan after all? If your own history and significance is denied or forgotten then who are you? Might as well just go become a Laker fan. Lots of pretty stars to pretend are yours there.
The only way to find out is to actually ask Webber. If he comes out and says he wasn't asked, then there may be something to this. I like the Shaquille involvement as he is still widely recognized....a very high profile. Known around the world.
bajaden
Hall of Famer
My opinion doesn't count! I've been in and around pro sports for so long that I can't buy into this nonsense. Impossible for me to see your point of view. However, I'm sure it will appeal to the rabid, traditionalist. To me its much ado about nothing, other than he might help when it comes to recruiting freeagents, and possibly helping Cuz with his game. I believe in the former more than the latter, simply because Shaq's game and Cousins are nothing alike. But hey, if he can help him with his post game, fine.
More than anything, I think it has more to do with image and therefore credibility. Vivek didn't become who he is by being stupid, and if anyone is the pawn in this game, its probably Shaq. As for why Webber isn't involved? Who knows? Perhaps someone should ask Webber instead of guessing. Maybe, just maybe, Webber didn't want to commit his money and time for what he got in exchange. Maybe he never asked to be part of the ownership group. I don't know, and neither do you, and anything beyond that without proof, is biased speculation. Which is fine! Its fun, and that's what this forum is all about.
You see here's my problem. You can't on one hand say that he's a moron, and on the other hand, say he's intelligent enough to come in and colonize the franchise and make it his own. Unless he's just a very intelligent moron, which is an oxymoron. In short, it makes for good PR, and that's about it, unless Shaq is willing to put a uniform back on and play some defense
Bricklayer
Don't Make Me Use The Bat
You see here's my problem. You can't on one hand say that he's a moron, and on the other hand, say he's intelligent enough to come in and colonize the franchise and make it his own. Unless he's just a very intelligent moron, which is an oxymoron. In short, it makes for good PR, and that's about it, unless Shaq is willing to put a uniform back on and play some defense
It takes no intelligence at all to come in and colonize somebody. Just a weak and passive local populace without the pride to resist.
Now, Shaq is an moron. End stop. But my primary objection is not to him showing up. I don't disagree with the notion that using him for publicity has its advantages. Do not disagree with any of those posts. I do object to Sacramento's blatant lack of self respect. Eternally and forever. "Oh, we are so lucky to have him! Oh can we kiss your ass Mr. Shaq! **** that. We are so unworthy! Who cares about our past. Who cares about what we have been. We are worms! Save us Mr. Vivek! Vomit. End stop.
Kings fans need to stop groveling like worms in abject appreciation of their betters. You have your own history. You were there when Shaq was reading See Jane Run books and Vivek was camping out trying to get a few hundred dollars to come to the U.S. These people do not outrank you. They do not outrank your long history. And I am not going to sit here and watch you dismiss yourselves and that history out of some misplaced sense of awe. If you won't stand up for your own sense of significance then who will? If you won't fight for your own former heroes then who will?
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jalfa
Starter
this is...conflicting. I loathe that guy. even Kobe has earned my respect in a lot of regards, but Shaq? sheesh. that follow-up with him about what he'll be doing for Cuz, I read that and I get shivers thinking these might be the actual lessons he intends to impart on Cuz. I get that it's somewhat good for the profile of the organisation, but seriously, that guy?
PurpleHaze
All-Star
I've been around fair number of professional athletes as friends, even more college players befriended in my day - and there's a huge myth out there. It's that when first pro contract is signed these instant millionaire dudes are still all about bleeding desperately a new team loyalty, starving for local fan love, appreciation, and all the other rah-rah fluff. In college loyalty is absolutely 100% to the school (team), and an often heavily promoted tradition that goes with the colors. The stark reality Is that they (pro players, coaches, management, league) need you to believe it's all same or better than the rah-rah college atmosphere. An NBA player's loyalty regardless of public appearance is first to himself, second to his agent/union/commercial endorsers, third to the NBA, and last to everyone else - team, fans, etc. Shaq is an obvious big fan of Shaq who has now taken an ownership stake in the Sacramento Kings. Does that mean he's dissing the Lakers or is secretly an evil Laker spy or Heat spy or working against Kings for someone else
? He could care less about all that, as he said long ago his favorite team for many, many years was the Spurs having grown up in San Antonio.
? He could care less about all that, as he said long ago his favorite team for many, many years was the Spurs having grown up in San Antonio.
bajaden
Hall of Famer
Were no talking about the weak and passive populace, were talking about intelligent business men that made their fortune with their minds, and not bouncing a basketball. A lot of business at the top level, is about head hunting. For those that don't know, that means stealing the best and the brightest people your competition has. Its applicable here as well. If your willing to accept that the Kings new majority owners are idiots, then I can see your point of view. I simply don't have an observation chair with the elevation that you appear to have.
As for pride. Pride in what? For you, and me, and many that have been here from the beginning, yes, we still have pride. But many are new, young Kings fans that have little or no connection to the past. To speak of Webber to them is almost like talking about Oscar Robertson, as far as team identification goes. Webber just happens to be our closest and latest connection to greatness, more of a memory at this point, than a reality to many. It won't be long before his name will be responded to with, "Yeah, whatever!". Thats the sad nature of sports, regardless of the sport. Greatness lives in the mind of the beholder. When we die, that greatness, to a large extent dies with us. And that's the sad truth!
At the risk of proclaiming myself a moron in the eyes of Bricklayer, I will state the obvious:
THIS IS HUGE for Sacramento, the Kings and for all of us who love the game.
Yes, Shaq called us "Queens" and made a lot of jokes at our expense. BUT he is one of the best to ever play the center position and we just happen to have a young man who may do the same with the right mentoring.
Throughout the whole ordeal of Hansen trying to buy the team and move it to Seattle, Shaquille O'Neal was openly on our side. In fact, I gained a lot of respect for him while watching him discuss it on OPEN COURT and other times.
I love the game of basketball and have for over 40 years. If Shaquille O'Neal can come to our team and help our young center find himself and become a better player, that's worth a lot more than some misconceived notion that Sacramentans are groveling.
Welcome to Sacramento, Shaq!
THIS IS HUGE for Sacramento, the Kings and for all of us who love the game.
Yes, Shaq called us "Queens" and made a lot of jokes at our expense. BUT he is one of the best to ever play the center position and we just happen to have a young man who may do the same with the right mentoring.
Throughout the whole ordeal of Hansen trying to buy the team and move it to Seattle, Shaquille O'Neal was openly on our side. In fact, I gained a lot of respect for him while watching him discuss it on OPEN COURT and other times.
I love the game of basketball and have for over 40 years. If Shaquille O'Neal can come to our team and help our young center find himself and become a better player, that's worth a lot more than some misconceived notion that Sacramentans are groveling.
Welcome to Sacramento, Shaq!
Do you write these posts to drum up conflict so that people have something to respond to since its so slow this time of the year? No one is overreacting or swooning cause Shaq is now involved with the franchise....and your attacking a large part if not all of the fan base in this post. And Vivek and the new ownership group did reach into the history of the franchise when Mitch Richmond became part of the ownership. That doesn't count?
Bricklayer
Don't Make Me Use The Bat
I find that highly unlikely. Its far more likely anyway that as per normal with Shaq he'll be too lazy to do much of anything but just bask in a brief moment of attention and then move on.
I am not even sure what effect it can or will have on Cousins. I can construct scenarios where it would even alienate him given Shaq's massive need to be top dog and self promotion. Cousins will see right through it, and might well resent it. I am not however willing to guarantee the way it goes. I am however not willing to turn off my brain and ignore the possibility as many will.
randymoss1881
Starter
I just don't understand the hate. Shaq mentoring Cuz is a great thing he might act dumb but the guy knows basketball. He will finally convince Cousins to play in the post and get this power foward nonsense out of his head. Shaq hates big men who don't post up or rebound. I'm am position he is gonna instill it in cousins to be in the paint more considering nobody in the league can match up with him there. He can also help cousins off the court
I refuse to be as negative about this as you are, just as I refuse to be as negative about Vivek and the new coach and staff as you are. There is no reason to dump on everything all the time, IMHO. Your scenario is possible but it's NOT the only possible scenario and there's no guarantee it's any more likely than anything else. If people want to view things in a positive light, then they have the right to do so. And if it makes them (me) idiots in your eyes, well so be it. I've been called worse.
Bricklayer
Don't Make Me Use The Bat
I'm actually not sure whether Vivek tapped Richmond or KJ did actually, it was early in the process before Vivek was even announced. And it should be noted that Richmond has his Golden State ties/Chris Mullin ties as well if we really wanted to tease that out. Come to think about it...so does Chris Webber. In that he was a villain there. makes you wonder again where Mullin came down on that feud for instance. Mullin was Nellie's boy. Webber clashed with Nellie and forced his way out...
And actually, yes VF21 just got done doing the Shaq swoon after your post. But my initial response if you go back was to Jamal suggesting why should we care if the golden era kings were being purged.
And now for the overall point: yes, that was a shot fired across the bow of the entire fanbase. Wake up. Get some pride and remember who you are and what you have been. You didn't save the right to have some basketball team play in Sacramento. You saved the right to have the Sacramento Kings continue to exist, and you, not the outside forces coalescing in town who didn't give a **** about the Kings a year ago, are the keepers of that flame. It is your flat out duty to indoctrinate them and make them members of the Kings tradition, not the other way around. This whole summer the fanbase has acted like a girl/boyfriend who begged their significant other to come back to them and is so glad they did that they're willing to let them run all over them because they are so unworthy and scared to create waves. In the process of denying yourselves and your history in order to get along, not only do you threaten to lose your own culture, but you fail to make any case as to why the new kids in town should adopt it.
King Baller
All-Star
When Shaquille was a Laker I detested the guy. Then I respected the guy when he teamed up with Wade, JWill and the Miami Heat to win another Championship. To me he sort of became an Anti-Laker at that point in time. As a TNT analyst I sometime find him amusing in an entertaining sort of way. That is what this is all about right, Entertainment?
Pros for the Kings - Publicity - Shaq & the Kings are all over the Sports news today and Shaq gets quoted a lot. Plus he will probably still do his TNT gig.
Helping DMC - Can Shaq teach Cousins how to get by with all the offensive charges like he did back in the day? Maybe he can.
Cons for the Kings - He was a Laker and called the Kings "Queens". I don't know, I guess if CWebb can appear on TNT with Shaq I can put up with him as a minority owner
KB
Pros for the Kings - Publicity - Shaq & the Kings are all over the Sports news today and Shaq gets quoted a lot. Plus he will probably still do his TNT gig.
Helping DMC - Can Shaq teach Cousins how to get by with all the offensive charges like he did back in the day? Maybe he can.
Cons for the Kings - He was a Laker and called the Kings "Queens". I don't know, I guess if CWebb can appear on TNT with Shaq I can put up with him as a minority owner
KB
Dreadnought
Bench
This was the last piece of news I thought would create conflict. I'm still upset about signing Carl Landry.
Chubbs
Starter
A little dramatic. I mean, I hate the guy too. But time moves on.
I don't think he'll make much difference one way or another.
This is a very beaten up fan base. I have a hard time seeing positivity in anything. I appreciate those that still can. I don't see a ton of downside here. I see potential upside, but frankly it's mostly just an attention grabber, soon to be forgotten. It's not like shaq is going to be a coach.
King Baller
All-Star
Here is a nice little interchange. hang in there it starts to get interesting when Shaq starts talking:
King Baller
All-Star
Are players friends or enemies:
Kingsfan23
All-Star
Doesn't owning a piece of an NBA team preclude you from being a part of another organization as a coach, gm etc? Maybe CWebb sees that more in his immediate future than shaq
TyFreak Evans
Bench
I only see this as a positive move not only for DeMarcus Cousins, but also for the Sacramento Kings. I expect to see DeMarcus Cousins as a meaner, tougher, and less explosive force down low. This is gonna be a fun ride, folks!
King Baller
All-Star
Shaq can be funny! What was Chucks favorite subject in school:
