Shaquille O’Neal

Re “Shaq-zaam! He’s a $120-Million Laker,” July 19:

A scientist devotes his life to find a cure for mankind’s devastating diseases such as AIDS. He may be working with a grant that barely covers his expenses, but he persists and eventually one more disease is vanquished, and many lives are saved from untimely illness and death.

A man whose only talent is to play basketball siphons off $120 million for his ability to grind his huge bulk toward the basket and drop a ball through a hoop. For this he gets $120 million because of the loyalty of fans who pay 21 bucks for the cheapest seat to watch his winning performance. And who, when it comes to paying taxes, scream they need another cut because they can’t otherwise afford to watch Shaq do his thing. The bitter irony of it.

How does one even begin to address this outrageously obscene disparity? It boggles the mind.

ROY SEIDLER

Los Angeles

* Regarding the sport called basketball: A contract is signed for $120 million and then the price of the cheapest seat is raised from $9.50 to $21. That’s sportsmanship?

ART KAPLAN

Laguna Hills