I always thought Kobe was the problem in L.A.

Apparently I was wrong.  At least in part...

What's up with Shaq?  Is he having problems at home?  He got out of an absolutley miserable situation in Miami, landing with a team that has the potential to make a championship run in the Suns, and yet he still finds it necessary to say things like this?:  "I love playing for this coach and I love playing with these guys," O'Neal said in reference to the Suns. "We have professionals who know what to do. No one is asking me to play with Chris Quinn or Ricky Davis. I'm actually on a team again." 

Taking a shot at Chris Quinn? Come on, big guy, isn't that rubbing salt in the wound a bit?  So maybe they didn't pass you the ball as much as you'd like, and we all know Miami is basically the 2nd coming of the '92/'93 Mavericks, but, at 9-40, you weren't helping much yourself now were ya.  Didn't O'Neal win a title with that organization during an injury plagued season, following it up with another injury plagued season prior to this year's debacle?  Well, I guess Shaq's memories (and game) have soured a bit at the tender age of 36, but I think he's a bit out of line here, especially considering he still hasn't made an official apology for Kazaam.

Of course, I never really can tell how serious Shaq is.  I mean, he's certainly good for a sound bite, and has strong deadpan comedy instincts, but it's obvious there's no intended humor in these comments.  "It's sad that he says those things. We shared so much here, together, for three years, good and bad, 3 1/2 years", 'The Great' Pat Riley said. "I just think it's sad that he's got to do that." "He didn't want to be there, he didn't want to play for that kind of situation, at 35 years old. He wanted to go to a contender and we sent him there. We sent him to Utopia and we're left here with the carnage and I don't know why he's not happy." 

Harumph, harumph, Pat, but did you inadvertently slip in an insult to your own team there?  "Carnage"?  Accurate, perhaps, but harsh. 

Shaq wants to be the GM for the Magic once his playing days are over.  Unfortunately for him, such positions are usually reserved for grownups.  Maybe the Knicks will hire him...