Putting Foot Down on Shaq’s Decisions

The Lakers officially became Kobe Bryant’s team this week after Shaquille O’Neal refused to play, despite the doctors saying he was physically able to.

As I watched Kobe limp his way to 40 points against a good Utah team a day after scoring 52 in a must-win game over Houston, it left no doubt in my mind. No more option 1 & 1A. Now it’s Kobe, Option 1 and Shaq Option 2 and The Big Whatever better get used to it.

Kevin Marshall

Los Angeles

Shaquille O’Neal’s contention that he should recuperate on company time because he was injured on company time is a valid one. There’s no reason that Shaq should be treated different from any other working stiff. Of course, not many people call in sick because their toe hurts, but the same rules should apply to all.

To see that the current inequities are addressed, I contacted my congresswoman and suggested that she introduce legislation assuring that all working people in this country be treated equally. When this legislation is enacted, Shaq will be treated exactly the same as all other members of the work force and vice versa.

Based upon O’Neal’s $88.5-million, three-year contract, this means that the following rules will henceforth apply to every employed man and woman in the nation:

1. They will be paid approximately $360,000 every workday they call in sick.

2. They will have at least four months of vacation every year.

3. On days that they do show up for work, they will be required to put in about five hours, including preparation for the 48 minutes that they actually spend on the job.

4. They will be allowed to hold outside employment, payment for which may approach or exceed the amount of their salaries.

5. They will be permitted to disparage their co-workers while they relax at home on sick days.

6. Should they require medical attention, they may schedule it at their convenience, without regard to the impact it may have on their employer or co-workers.

Most employed persons obviously have the above benefits already, but for a few it will be an improvement over their current conditions. Those parties can thank Shaquille O’Neal for calling attention to the disparity between his terms of employment and theirs. Because he has contributed so much to improving the lot of others, it’s impossible to understand how anyone could call him selfish.

Allen E. Kahn

Playa del Rey

In his story “Without O’Neal, Lakers Are Pained” [Feb. 19], Bill Plaschke once again hints at his presumed omniscience by stating he “knows” Shaq’s state of mind regarding the injuries that have been plaguing him. Plaschke stretches this further by suggesting Shaq is unjustifiably unwilling to play hurt.

As we know from countless interviews, including the television interview before the Houston game, Coach Phil Jackson’s policy is to leave the subjective decision of whether an injured player is sound enough to play to the player. If trusting the player is good enough for Phil, should it not more than suffice for Plaschke?

Shaq has earned our trust. To question his resolve is to hit below the belt. And we wonder sometimes why Shaq and other athletes shun the media!

Ruben A. Vassolo

Santa Barbara

Well, I guess there is one scenario we shouldn’t count on seeing this NBA season: Seventh game of the NBA Finals and an injured Shaq, limping out of the tunnel, a la Willis Reed, heroically leads his Lakers to another NBA championship.

Brian Haugen

Glendale

Shaq, It’s your toe, your knee, your body, your health, your future. If you chose not to play in the next game, the balance of this season, or ever; I would say to you, “God bless!” I would never be so insensitive as to reply, as J.A. Adande did, “unacceptable.”

Dick Ramirez

Valencia