Laker Fans Still Feel Heat From Breakup

I was saddened by the sight of a Shaquille O’Neal Miami Heat No. 32 jersey. The only thing that made me feel better was knowing I would soon see a Laker No. 8 jersey dunking on it.

Monte Whaley

Redondo Beach

*

How sad is it that two superstars, Kobe Bryant and Shaq O’Neal, could not coexist, and ... likewise, how poor were the management skills of Mitch Kupchak and Jerry Buss who chose to pick sides rather than mediate. I feel sorry for Karl Malone. He could have bowed out by grabbing the brass ring, but the carousel was overburdened with the weight of two huge egos and inferior leadership. Finally, how smart was Derek Fisher to jump off, and how desperate was Divac to jump back on.

Kind of reminds me of the Dallas Cowboys in the mid-’90s when the “J-Boys” chose to individually dig in their heels -- and look what happened?

Gary Engstrom

Mission Viejo

*

The Lakers lost a center who constantly complained he was underpaid and not appreciated, who blamed everyone else when the team lost and demanded to have the ball all the time. They signed a center who complains about nothing, plays team basketball and doesn’t clog the middle. So, what’s not to like?

Ralph S. Brax

Lancaster

*

The Lakers had one of the best centers of all time, shipped him out to pacify the most egotistical guard of all time, and what do we get in return? One of the worst centers of all time: Floppy Divac.

William Winkler

Sunland

*

Vlade a Laker again? That’s worse than trading Shaq.

Cindy Eyster

La Canada

*

Let’s not forget who owns the Lakers. Dr. Buss makes the final decision on all Laker changes. The Times’ sportswriters have continued to blame Kobe for all the changes that have taken place over the last two weeks, in spite of the owner stating that it was his decision to fire Phil Jackson and trade Shaq. I personally feel that it was a good decision because they both allowed greed to overshadow the welfare of the team.

Veatrice LeBlanc

Los Angeles

*

Shaq is fond of giving himself nicknames. How about “The Big Mirage.” During his last two seasons with the Lakers, his physical skills had only diminished slightly. His desire, however, diminished greatly. He didn’t care about making free throws, playing defense, going for rebounds, moving on offense without the ball or being in top physical condition. This was most evident during the debacle in Detroit, where he showed up for one game plus one quarter. The rest of the time he pulled off the greatest disappearing act since the Great Houdini.

Ronald Levine

Van Nuys

*

I saw that Shaq took out a full-page ad in a Miami newspaper expressing his love for Miami fans. I hear that Kobe finally decided to sign with the Lakers after doing “what’s best for me and my family.” In neither case did I hear the players utter one word of thanks to L.A. fans for all their support. In fact, the only time I read about a Laker player thanking the fans was when Derek Fisher said his tearful goodbye. You’re welcome, Derek. Too bad your sense of class didn’t run off on your two ex-teammates.

Paul Haddad

Los Angeles

*

The blame on Kobe for the Lakers’ problems is overblown.

The ultimate decision-maker and check signer, Jerry Buss, jets off to Italy. The coach -- if that’s what you call him -- Phil Jackson, states he might be willing to stay for only $10 million to $12 million a year and 32-year-old -- and showing it -- Shaq will stay if his two-year contract is extended three more years at $30 million per. There is more than enough greed to go around.

Gary A. Robb

Los Feliz

*

As a die-hard Laker fan for the last 24 years, I always enjoyed disliking the Celtics and Pistons in the ‘80s and the Jazz in the ‘90s. I particularly remember disliking the man that I now have the utmost respect for -- Karl Malone.

While others talk the talk (Shaq, Kobe), Karl walks the walk. He is the epitome of team, hard-work, integrity and unselfishness -- both on and off the court. While others talk about wanting to be on a “team” while asking for $30 million a season, Malone defers some of his well-earned money in order for us to get a center. If I had to buy a Laker jersey for a family member or myself, the only one I would consider is No. 11.

Luis Alvarez

Valencia

*

There are two types of basketball fans. One type will mourn the leaving of a 7-foot-1, 360-pound center whose greatness is pounding his opponents under the basket, then reaching up and dunking the ball. The other type will enjoy a five-man team, running, passing, driving, cutting, shooting the way basketball was meant to be played, as in Detroit.

Sid Lazarow

Orange

*

Now that we have to face the fact that Vlade is on our side again, maybe we could take up a collection to get him some good acting lessons. After all, Staples is very close to Hollywood.

Bryan Wiedeman

San Clemente

*

Let me be the first to change my tune when Shaq faces Vlade. “Charge all the way.”

Ron Perez

Indio