I believe this qualifies as our second manufactured, somewhat embarrassing media-vs-player fight in recent times, following the Terrell Owens-Keyshawn Johnson spat. (Funny, same network involved. Hmmmm...) Luckily, Shaquille O'Neal rescues this tete a tete with ESPN commentator Bill Walton by quoting a little-known regulation from the Big Man Code.
In Shaq's defense, you can't really call him a liar for saying he's going to bring a title to Phoenix. You could call him wrong or ridiculous or unbelievably naive about his own skills, but you can't really call him a liar. It's a good point -- he can't play in Miami but he can win a title in Phoenix? But Walton protests too much... for someone who allegedly forced his way out of Portland by exaggerating his injuries.
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Bill Walton, Shaq Exchange Slaps
Posted Feb 12th 2008 2:40PM by Tom Ziller
Filed under: Heat, Suns, NBA Videos, Miami, Phoenix, ESPN
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 21)
1. Bill Walton, Who is Bill Walton? Never heard of him. As a Suns fan I hope you all just keep slinging the jabs at Shaq. I beleive him when he says he is going to make all these idiots eat their words. Shaq was burnt out on the Miami scene. He is happy to be in Phx where they now have all the peices in place to make a run. Deal with it Suns haters the Suns will be a bigger handfull than ever. Welcome to Phx Shaq.
Posted at 5:09PM on Feb 12th 2008 by Suns Fan
2. Shaq doesn't address Waltons point though, he just says he is not good enough to express his opinion.
Posted at 5:46PM on Feb 12th 2008 by Alan
3. Phoenix would have a better chance of winning a title if Charles Barkley came back and played. Shaq is just another Phoenix Suns Management FUBAR!
Posted at 5:56PM on Feb 12th 2008 by Ed
4. Who is Bill Walton??? Are you 5 years old? Or have you really never heard of the guy who was twice the player Shaq could ever hope to be.
Posted at 5:56PM on Feb 12th 2008 by Thomas
5. I am a Phoenix Suns fan and I think Shaquille O'Neal will screw everything up. The Suns are a very fast team and this dude is slow and overweight. The Suns did not need Shaquille, the Suns needed Shawn Marion and we have lost him to get this overrated player.
Posted at 5:59PM on Feb 12th 2008 by popnpep
6. YOU NEVER HEARD OF BILL WALTON? THEN, YOU SHOULDN'T BOTHER TO WATCH BASKETBALL. HE IS TRULY ONE OF THE GREATEST PLAYERS TO STEP ON TO THE COURT. SHALL WE SAY HALL OF FAMER?
Posted at 6:00PM on Feb 12th 2008 by jay
7. Take it from someone who has lived in the same Orlando town and has known Shaq for for many years. He is a man of his word, a hero of sorts and a "good" man at the very least. Trust him all the way!
Posted at 6:00PM on Feb 12th 2008 by gaye clark
8. I like Shaq, he make the game fun. "Bill What his Name cannot play" so he should not be mentioning The Big Man name I will be watching the Sun for now on.
Posted at 6:01PM on Feb 12th 2008 by Angela
9. Mongo say you not big. Mongo say that if you not big, you not smart and you not express opinion no matter how valid. Mongo say, valid is big word. No wonder the world hates us when somehow losers like Shaq get paid. You are so worthless Shaq on so many levels. You are a hollow human being. You couldn't pay me enough money to hang out with you, or to even respect you. I have atched your carreer and it is a joke. You are a true embarrassment to the honorable game of basketball. Go F yourself and yo mama.
Posted at 6:06PM on Feb 12th 2008 by dave m
10. Shaq was at his best with the LAKERS; now;
I don't think he could help win a championship
with the SUNS; .........I still like Shaq alot;
but; as a LAKER FAN......I can't be on his side.
Posted at 6:07PM on Feb 12th 2008 by Jacklyn Lopez
11. SHAQ IS OVER RATED, OVER WEIGHT AND OVER DONE. JUST PUT A FORK IN HIM...........
Posted at 6:07PM on Feb 12th 2008 by marvin
12. Shiznit on Bill Walton...being a Hall-of-Famer doesn't make you a god. If that were the case, my UNCLE would be a god but, sadly, he's just a (family) man. LoL
...and btw, my uncle IS a Hall-of-Famer, and former player for L.A.
Posted at 6:09PM on Feb 12th 2008 by Jai
13. Bill Walton was a great college player but in the NBA you cansay he had one grat year the year the Trailblazers won the NBA championship he did have Maurice Lucas knocking every out Walton should tone it down and give Shack a chance at it he does have 4 rings
Posted at 6:13PM on Feb 12th 2008 by Darryl Sedgwick
14. Walton isn't even a has-been. He's a never-was
Posted at 6:13PM on Feb 12th 2008 by tkline
15. Shaq is ours now and if he says he can help win a title here I believe he can do it as long as he remembers he can't do it by himself. He is just 1 very BIGGGGG member of he team......but I still miss Shawn M.
Posted at 6:18PM on Feb 12th 2008 by at times fan
16. Shaq is a true hero for all kids of today. Not only is he a role model, but he is a reserve deputy sheriff AND a college graduate. Bill Walton needs to shut up and be respectful. Shaq is a good person with a big heart. Don't be a player hater!!
Posted at 6:19PM on Feb 12th 2008 by Monymoo
17. Who is Bill Walton, a wanna be, a truly waste of a basketball player. He stayed hurt most of his career. He has no right to critize anyone. Shaq would have walked all over him even in Walton's hayday, which was not very long. A sad story, which should end up putting Walton back on the street eating his health food(prunes).
Posted at 6:19PM on Feb 12th 2008 by John Mock
18. i think suns fan was being sarcastic since it appears no one "got it". bill walton is so ridiculously overrated it's laughable. and it's unfortunate for us poor viewers his mediocre b-ball career has carried over into broadcasting for entirely too long. when he works a game the sound on the t.v. goes down.
Posted at 6:20PM on Feb 12th 2008 by willieo
19. Bill Walton was a great player in college and WHEN he played in the NBA which if memory serves was about 6 1/2 years total out of a 13 year career. one title in Portland and a couple in Boston when he was past his prime and a role player on the bench. Granted his college career was excellent but as a pro, he was overrated after the first 3 years of his career.
Posted at 6:23PM on Feb 12th 2008 by robmil
20. i like all the people who are all over bill waltons nuts...yea he WAS a good player, thats the past. shaq is still in the present and can help the phoenix suns, all bill talks about is his son and hates on everyone else
Posted at 6:23PM on Feb 12th 2008 by shane