Some Fans Saying ‘Fu-ey’ to Shaq, Lakers

So the Lakers--with their heritage of swift, graceful athletes such as Baylor, West, Goodrich, Johnson and Worthy--are committing their future to a 300-pound behemoth whose idea of basketball is to commit 25 uncalled offensive fouls per game by backing in and putting in a two-inch dunk? Sorry, I’m not interested.

H. ANTHONY MEDLEY

Marina del Rey

*

People shouldn’t get too excited over Shaquille O’Neal becoming a Laker. First of all, this is a guy who couldn’t win a championship with a team that had Penny Hardaway and Horace Grant--what would give Jerry West any indication that he will win one with Nick Van Exel and Cedric Ceballos?

Second, O’Neal exercised his “out” clause with the Magic in order to become a Laker, who also included a three-year out clause in his contract. I don’t think Laker fans should get too attached to O’Neal, because he could end up playing with another team if more money is thrown his way.

PETER LEE

North Hollywood

*

First Wilt, then Kareem handpicked the high-profile perks of L.A. Now Baby Shaq gets his wish to boost his movie career in La La Land. That’s enough for this small-town boy to root for everyone but the Lakers.

DAVID BORREN

Encino

*

I thought Jerry West was out to bust other franchises. He has busted the Lakers, their fans and their future. Look for the Forum, one of the older venues in the league, to get older. Look for a very chic crowd of about 7,000 watching a bankrupt team of two or three NBA-quality players and 10 stiffs. Insanity!

TOM SLOSS

Fountain Valley

*

When they say it’s not the money, it is the money.

WILLARD W. HEISE

Upland

*

Presto, like magic--or should I say ex-Magic--the value of the Laker franchise increases by 100 million bucks. Once again, Jerry West, our multitalented “Zeke From Cabin Creek,” combined the wizardry of Wooden with the brilliance of Bobby Fischer and the bovine scatology of Don King and redefined the word genius in his own image. Way to go Jerry!

DONALD E. FRICKE

Northridge

*

In order to pay Shaq, you know ticket prices will be going up big-time. When they do, not only will I expect a championship every year, but I will also expect my car washed, my shoes shined and my suit pressed at every game. Champagne and caviar would be nice too, but that may be a little unreasonable.

P.J. GENDELL

Beverly Hills

*

Let’s fast-forward to opening night at the Forum, when the lights will dim and the announcer’s voice will rumble through the rafters: “And now, introducing your Los Angeles Laker . . .”

SCOTT HARRIS

Whittier

*

Regarding the Shaquille O’Neal hubbub, I’ve got two words for my fellow L.A. sports fans who think that importing a famous, flashy, egotistical, spoiled, mega-expensive, established superstar will boost their home team into the can’t-miss stratosphere:

Darryl Strawberry.

PETER J. HOWARD

Mar Vista