Shaq Attack Has Fans Punchy

I’m really moved by the outpouring of sympathy for Shaquille O’Neal. He has been wronged for so long, yet we are only now beginning to take notice. Afghan women oppressed by the Taliban had it easy--just look at the grueling existence this man leads. First, the poor guy is genetically cursed with a combination of size and athleticism never seen. What a raw deal.

Second, as a grown man, Shaq has had to endure the stress and rigor of being paid nearly $200 million to play a game at which he is immensely talented. Oh, but that’s nothing.

Can you imagine having to compete in the NBA for more than 60 hours in one calendar year [do the math], all the while absorbing hard fouls with a scant 7-foot-1, 340-pound frame? And having such a full plate as a cultural icon, who could find the time--or even muster the desire--to perform a task as mundane as practicing free throws? And opponents actually try to exploit this man’s glaring weakness at his and his team’s expense? This is a travesty, indeed.

Couple this with the wear and tear from trampling smaller opponents on the way to the hoop, and who among us would not finally one day throw a wild punch at a man whose back is turned?

Shaq, you truly are the “Big Inspiration.”

Oliver Lang

Los Angeles

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I can’t believe it! Finally a Times sports columnist, Bill Plaschke, who actually has the courage to be politically incorrect. That is to correctly blame Shaquille O’Neal for throwing a sucker punch at Bull center Brad Miller. Watch the letters today and see how many will take the Kobe Bryant approach: “Hey, it’s about time he punched someone.”

You’ve got to love it when Plaschke tells O’Neal at some 350 pounds to lose weight.

Keep it up, Mr. Plaschke!

Ron Cooper

La Crescenta

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Although Chick Hearn’s streak has come to an end, Bill Plaschke’s is still alive. In all his years at The Times, not once has he gotten it right when commenting on the Lakers.

Dan Leahy

Santa Barbara

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The NBA should reassess how it treats Shaq. Not only should the excessive pounding cease, but, in fairness, Shaq should no longer be allowed to use his size and bulk to bump away defenders and get open shots.

Apparently, this unofficial trade-off that has been going on for years is no longer to Shaq’s liking. The best way to resolve this, however, would be for Shaq to start making free throws, thereby discouraging the practice of hacking him.

The good news in all this is that as a consequence of the suspension, Shaq can rest his aching feet a little bit more.

Fred Schor

Los Angeles

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Instead of fining and suspending Shaquille O’Neal, the NBA should give Shaq a Nobel Peace Prize. Any other human on earth would have gone off a long time ago if they were hammered as often as O’Neal is during a game.

The NBA either needs to call the obvious flagrant fouls that are administered to Shaq or change the name of the sport to “basket brawl” and allow O’Neal to retaliate with his fists, and while he is at it, maybe take a shot or two at the clueless referees.

J. Scott Scheffer

Victorville

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J.A. Adande, your article today [Jan. 12] is as nonsensical as it can get. Your logic is as warped as Osama bin Laden’s that because Shaq is fouled often, he has the right to swing a fist at his opponents. Shaq swung a fist and he has to be punished! No ifs or buts. Those are the rules.

Henry Zee

West Hills

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MEMO TO: All NBA Officials

FROM: The Office of the Commissioner

Gentlemen, er, and ladies [one or two, I can’t remember now], our league has fallen on somewhat harder times now since the departure of our God, Michael Jordan. As you know, we had hoped for some sort of parity in our league, but the last two years has all but wiped out that goal for the foreseeable future.

It is for these reasons that I am again reminding you to please keep the current “Shaquille O’Neal Plan” in effect until further notice. The recent rash of blowout victories has left little incentive for our smaller-market teams to try to compete. In fact, I would now like you to consider a new “Kobe Bryant Plan,” one a little more subtle in nature. You may just ignore making any calls his way when he drives to the basket, or tries to penetrate the lane in any way. You just call them as I see them, if you know what I mean.

If we keep these policies in effect until the end of this season, and our new zone defenses work out like I planned, we should be back on top in no time.

Respectfully,

David Stern

Bruce Alan

Granada Hills