Do I have to start actually start LIKING Shaq?!

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

First I hear that he's doing ride-alongs with Miami cops, and now he's paying for the funeral for George Mikan.

Crap! I hate having to change my opinion about somebody.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-shaq-mikan&prov=ap&type=lgns

[Bleacher Creature]

1. The Mikan thing changed my mind about him.

That kind of thing almost never happens with me -- but it was a really classy gesture.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

10. Classiest moment of the season, however...

Got to give it up to Larry Brown for calling a time out at the end of their playoff series with Indiana to allow Reggie Miller his moment. Every now again those pampered millionaire man-children will surprise you.

[Droopy]

2. What's not to like about Shaq?

Seems like a decent fellow to me.

[Lindsey]

4. I've always liked him and I miss him with the Lakers...

I would have rather seen Kobe go.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

6. Same here

Shaq was FAR MORE a team player

[maveric]

15. Shaq gone, Lakers dont make playoffs! New team, Miami, on the way

to the NBA Finals.
Who was more valuable to that team now?

[MadHound]

12. As a Lakers fan, I have to agree

Keeping Kobe was a huge mistake, and one that they paid for heavily this year. Hopefully Laker management has learned their lesson and cut Kobe loose in the offseason.

I'm rooting for Miami to win it all. I like Shaq, and would love to see him get another ring. I also want a Miami championship to plant the idea firmly into the minds of Laker management that yes, they made the wrong choice.

Nice to see Shaq picking up the tab for Milkan's funeral. A class act, as always.

[bluestateguy]

3. I know he supported Gore in 2000

[kick-ass-bob]

5. Then don't start digging into his past stuff...

you'll have to like him even more.

[drdtroit]

7. I've always liked Shaq -

Even as he kicks our butt in the finals.

[Submariner]

8. I miss seeing Shaq's mom in TV commercials

doing foul shots and a dunk. I LMAO at those ads he had his mother in.

[Swede]

9. He always seemed to be a nice guy.

Soft spoken etc.

[aden_nak]

11. I liked him, even in spite of Shaq-Fu.

http://www.juegomania.org/Shaq-Fu/fotos/snes/1/1751_c/Caratula+Shaq-Fu.jpg

[blueknight]

14. shaq buys tons of toys

every year for underprivliged kids at christmas. i like shaq, always have. he seems like a stand up guy

[Semi_subversive]

13. The only way I could like Shaq

is if he started playing for the Sacto Kings!

[faithnotgreed]

16. i would like to share a few things. anyone realize that the reason mikan

needs his funeral paid for is because the bloated nba players still havent - after years of mikan and others of his era literally begging - approved for the old time players to receive a fair share of nba revenues? they are cut out
they dont receive anything but a pension that was agreed on many years ago and have never been let in when the nba really took off. wont include them in the collective bargaining money in all these years that the nba has made billions. and mikan has been asking for him and the rest of the guys to be let in. but its refused every time by guys like shaq and many others of course

as jerry buss said, without mikan there really wouldnt be the modern day lakers. mikan (and bill russell etc) really laid the ground work for the big men

mikan had to SELL his own uniforms and trophies just to pay for his kidney dialysis. neither he nor his family wanted to - esp george didnt want to - but they had no other choice because his medical bills were so high and he had no money to pay for it

so i dont change my feelings about shaq. i never cared for him or his constant ego and inconsistent play
im glad he is doing this but just like any politician its interesting that the information about what a great thing he is doing is released to the media

and just like politicians, the flip side of whats really going on isnt played on tv nearly as much as the "heroic" act for public consumption