Shaq’s Perfect Game Silences One Critic

Last year, responding to an article detailing Shaquille O’Neal’s childhood growth milestones, I wrote to The Times about my 10-year-old son, Evan, who was bigger than Shaq was at that age and, oh-so-wittily, that he could shoot free throws better too.

Not any longer. Oh, my son’s still bigger than Shaq was at 11--Evan grew an inch in a recent month and a half--but he’s never shot 13 for 13 from the foul line.

Shaq, would you, please, share with my son the secrets of your free-throw success and . . . would you accept my apology for my earlier wise-guy attitude and my current respect for your dramatically improved shooting form and results?

BILL HOFFINE

San Diego

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After a long, tumultuous regular season, the Lakers are back on top of the Pacific Division looking to defend their title. Again Kobe Bryant has deferred to Shaquille O’Neal’s ego and will apparently play the “little brother” role again. That is until the score is tied, the clock is running down and Kobe is called on to save the day, again.

PETER SHAW

Cerritos