3. Shaq vs. Bynum
In a way one of my favorite memories of Andrew Bynum is also one of my least favorite of Shaq because it is emblematic of a time when O’Neal finally took shape as a villain in the eyes of Lakers fans. During Bynum’s rookie season in a nationally telecast game versus the Heat the young Lakers center had one of the all-time greats throw down over his head on a put back. Undeterred, the rook called for the ball on the other end then made a sweet fake and baseline pivot for the dunk, leaving Shaq in his wake. As Bynum ran back down court he gave Shaq a forearm love tap, to which O’Neal did not take too kindly. Shaq responded with a vicious forearm of his own (dangerous, but not fully connecting) that should have got him tossed. It was the exact moment where I really started disliking him.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bd-FLEDTfao
2. His Rap Attack on Kobe Bryant
In terms of lack of class, nothing is more emblematic than Shaq’s public disdain for Kobe Bryant. Over the years there have been many veiled attacks, some sniping to the press, particularly during the height the Lakers feuding days. O’Neal was more than willing to continue his verbal assaults after leaving the Lakers (whereas Kobe mostly stayed quiet about it) but nothing quite compares to freestyle rap in 2008
Kobe Bryant had just lost the NBA Finals to the Celtics, still one title behind Shaq’s four. The Big Freestyler was performing at a club in Phoenix when he unleashed a diatribe of hatred directed at his ex-teammate. He called out Bryant for being unable to win a title without him and also used some profane language to ask Kobe if he was, umm, familiar with one of his body parts.
At the time (and still) it just seemed unnecessarily spiteful… a jerk move. Yet in the end Kobe got his. After he went on to win the next two championships, Bryant made sure the national audience watching the Finals post game knew how pleased he was to pass Shaq. And after how Shaq dissed him, I probably would have done the same.