Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal joined the Max and Marcellus show on 710 ESPN on Tuesday afternoon. In his interview, he discussed a wide variety of topics ranging from his pick in the NBA Finals, to his memories as a Laker.
One topic of interest that garnered the bulk of Shaq’s attention was current Lakers center Dwight Howard. It has been known that Shaq and Dwight are not the best of friends, and that they don’t necessarily see eye-to-eye on the way Dwight plays the game of basketball.
—- See Dwight Howard through the years in photos! —-
On the radio Shaq spoke on a plethora of issues that he had with Dwight regarding not only his approach to the game but his dominance on the basketball court as well.
“He’s too nice,” O’Neal said. “When I cross that line, I’m ready to tear your face off–that’s the attitude he needs to have.”
Shaq has always believed that he has some sort of responsibility in helping Dwight recognize that he is the most physically gifted big man in the NBA.
“Its my duty to help this young man be one of the best big men in the league–I’m not doing it nicely, I’m pushing buttons,” O’Neal said.
In Shaq’s mind he feels he is doing Dwight a favor by trying to push him because he felt the same type of pressure during his tenure in Los Angeles. The difference is, he used that pressure as fuel to lead the Lakers to three straight titles in the early 2000s.
“When I was in LA, Kareem and Wilt never spoke to me.” – Shaq – also said Kareem and Wilt NEVER warmed up to him (on @espnla710)
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) June 11, 2013
“Dwight needs a guy like Phil to stay on him.” – Shaq on @espnla710
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) June 11, 2013
Nevertheless, it is going to be interesting to see whether or not Shaq’s words bring a reaction out of Dwight. Howard is on the brink of making the biggest decision of his career in about a month, and until then, Lakers fans will be glued to every news source to gain more information regarding whether or the superstar center wants to remain the primary piece of the franchise moving forward.
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VIDEO: Shaq Rips Dwight, Magic Talks Howard With Houston Rockets
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