Shaq's latest outburst fails to faze Kings -- much
Published 2:15 a.m. PDT Friday, October 11, 2002
RENO -- "Are you going to ask us about this every day of the season?" That's what Kings sixth man Bobby Jackson wanted to know when a reporter asked him about the most recent, but certainly not new, verbal blast issued by Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal toward Sacramento:
"I'm not worried about the Sacramento Queens. Write it down. Take a picture.
"I'm not going to talk about this all year. When I get back, there is going to be trouble."
Whether O'Neal was attempting to intimidate, humiliate or just issue what he believed to be an accurate portrayal of the future for the Kings and the rest of the NBA is unsure. He could have just been playing, as he is known to do.
Nonetheless, O'Neal's comments were noticed, and Jackson as well as Chris Webber hope their teammates don't fall for the ploy.
Webber said he thought he and O'Neal had a good relationship but didn't appreciate being called out by O'Neal.
"They always talk the talk," O'Neal said of the Kings, "but they never walk the walk. They had us right where they wanted us. But in Game Seven (of the Western Conference Finals), Doug (Christie) couldn't make shots, Chris didn't want to shoot, Vlade (Divac) fouled out on purpose. I don't think they'll ever have what it takes."
"I just can't wait to play every game of the year," said Webber, who missed 28 last season. "I think (the Lakers) are smart for doing what they are doing.
"We have a young team and some of our guys might get to the point where they are only thinking about (the Lakers). But we've still got to worry about Dallas, San Antonio, Utah and a lot of other teams. We're the hunted now, we're not going to be sneaking up on anybody. We just need to keep the focus on us."
Said Jackson: "Obviously, somebody is thinking about us because they can't stop talking about us. But I hope as a team we don't get caught up into that.
"Because I can talk (trash) all day. That's just how I am.
"But we've got to handle our business and we can't get caught up in what they are saying. They are going to play mind games. But we haven't even played them yet. If this was the playoffs, I bet they wouldn't be talking any smack. They weren't talking smack like this during the playoffs when we playing them.
"It's a new season and they have bragging rights right now. We just have to come out and play and do our job."
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Published 2:15 a.m. PDT Friday, October 11, 2002
RENO -- "Are you going to ask us about this every day of the season?" That's what Kings sixth man Bobby Jackson wanted to know when a reporter asked him about the most recent, but certainly not new, verbal blast issued by Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal toward Sacramento:
"I'm not worried about the Sacramento Queens. Write it down. Take a picture.
"I'm not going to talk about this all year. When I get back, there is going to be trouble."
Whether O'Neal was attempting to intimidate, humiliate or just issue what he believed to be an accurate portrayal of the future for the Kings and the rest of the NBA is unsure. He could have just been playing, as he is known to do.
Nonetheless, O'Neal's comments were noticed, and Jackson as well as Chris Webber hope their teammates don't fall for the ploy.
Webber said he thought he and O'Neal had a good relationship but didn't appreciate being called out by O'Neal.
"They always talk the talk," O'Neal said of the Kings, "but they never walk the walk. They had us right where they wanted us. But in Game Seven (of the Western Conference Finals), Doug (Christie) couldn't make shots, Chris didn't want to shoot, Vlade (Divac) fouled out on purpose. I don't think they'll ever have what it takes."
"I just can't wait to play every game of the year," said Webber, who missed 28 last season. "I think (the Lakers) are smart for doing what they are doing.
"We have a young team and some of our guys might get to the point where they are only thinking about (the Lakers). But we've still got to worry about Dallas, San Antonio, Utah and a lot of other teams. We're the hunted now, we're not going to be sneaking up on anybody. We just need to keep the focus on us."
Said Jackson: "Obviously, somebody is thinking about us because they can't stop talking about us. But I hope as a team we don't get caught up into that.
"Because I can talk (trash) all day. That's just how I am.
"But we've got to handle our business and we can't get caught up in what they are saying. They are going to play mind games. But we haven't even played them yet. If this was the playoffs, I bet they wouldn't be talking any smack. They weren't talking smack like this during the playoffs when we playing them.
"It's a new season and they have bragging rights right now. We just have to come out and play and do our job."
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