Laker Fans Call Switch and Begin Defense of Shaq

I am not a Laker fan and I don’t like Shaquille O’Neal. He is a low-skill player who has what I perceive to be minimal talent. I do, however, realize (as does any basketball fan with half a mind) that he is by far the Lakers’ most valuable player and without him the team probably would be near the bottom of the division. It is fair for the people of Los Angeles to be upset about Shaq’s recent endeavor into slap-boxing, but to claim that it was Jerry West’s greatest mistake ever to sign O’Neal is downright stupid.

I’m sure there are intelligent sports fans somewhere in the City of Angels. I guess they don’t write in very often.

ED SATHER

Los Angeles

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Last week, some fan criticized Jerry West’s decision making. Jerry has kept the Lakers from turning into the Celtics.

One fan was disappointed at Jerry when he got rid of Vlade Divac. I’m sorry, but if you can’t see the difference between Vlade and Shaq, you must be blind. Shaq is going to make mistakes (doesn’t everybody?), but to crucify him over one slip-up is hideous.

Laker fans, if you can’t stick by your team in bad times, then don’t call yourself a Laker fan.

BRIAN BUONASSISSI

Long Beach

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First Mike Downey gets on Shaquille O’Neal, then the writers to Viewpoint. Mike Downey compares Shaquille to Charles Barkley as being classless just because Shaq slaps poor Greg Ostertag. What Shaquille did wasn’t right, but it pales in comparison to the things Barkley has done, which are too numerous to list here.

To say that Jerry West made a mistake in acquiring O’Neal just because of one slap on another guy is too ridiculous to dignify with a comment. Downey says that O’Neal hasn’t lived up to his billing. Excuse me? O’Neal was the only player for the Lakers last year who came to play every game. The Lakers were doing great until he injured his knee.

Those who say the Lakers would be better off without Shaq, need only look back into their history books and recall Wilt Chamberlain, who also had problems with free throws and the outside fadeaway shot, but was one of the most dominating centers ever. As for the slap, at least he’s not Dennis Rodman or Charles Barkley.

JOHN ROWE

Canoga Park

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Contrary to what George Velazquez said in his letter last week, Greg Ostertag did not get “what was coming to him.” No one deserves physical violence, not even sports reporters.

If athletes like Shaquille O’Neal feel the need to punch others out, they should go into boxing.

LOUIS PEREZ

Studio City