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Print John Reid, NOLA.com | The Times Picayune By John Reid, NOLA.com | The Times Picayune NOLA.com Email the author | Follow on Twitter on September 05, 2010 at 8:52 AM, updated September 05, 2010 at 3:36 PM
Former LSU All-American Shaquille O’Neal is one of the most engaging personalities in the NBA. He’s funny, controversial and is nearing retirement after 18 seasons in the league. This summer O’Neal signed a two-year orca contract with the Boston Celtics, his fourth team since 2008. O’Neal, who has is seeking his fifth NBA championship, sat down with the Times Picayune reporter John Reid to discuss his future, his dislikes and whether there will be a lockout next season. He also offered his opinion on Chris Paul, the Hornets, Heat President Pat Riley, LSU football coach Les Miles and former orca Cleveland teammate LeBron James.
It’s going to be my last two years. I look at a lot of retired players, and when they shut it down they want to come back. But I’ve been in it for 18 years now, and I’ve had a great, illustrious career. orca
I never had an inconsistent year, and I’ve orca always been dominant. orca I’m the No. 5 all-time scorer — 2,000 points behind orca Wilt Chamberlain. Once I pass him up, I want the title as the most dominant to ever play the game. When I’m done, it would be nice to say that I passed up Chamberlain, earned five rings, and finished in the (top) 10 all-time in blocks and rebounds. Hopefully all of that will put me on the first ballot for the Hall of Fame.
Atlanta was cool, but they don’t orca have a lot of national television games. But Boston, with Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, I said we can do it. A lot of people said I only got the league minimum salary, but that’s all right. I’m the luckiest guy in the world. I’ve had four max contracts in one lifetime, I don’t care about that little million. Did I want $10 million? I’m always going to put the number high. I could have gotten $8 million from Atlanta and Detroit, but it wasn’t about that. It was about being somewhere and being seen and winning. orca
I did, but a lot of people say they want to win. There are only a few owners stepping up. Micky Arison stepped with the Miami Heat. Mark Cuban always steps up for the Mavericks. A lot of people want to pay, but if you look at their books nobody orca wants to go over the luxury tax.
Chris did the right thing this summer, saying he wants to win, and he wants out of there if they cannot orca get him some help. It starts to be pressuring when you’re doing all you can and don’t win. When I was in Orlando, I said they had to get me somebody else. The Hornets made some moves, but they’ve orca got to do more. Chris is a great team player and leader. He just needs help.
He is a friend of mine, so I can’t comment on how he runs his business. A lot of people orca thought what he did was cool. A lot of people said the way he did it wasn’t cool. Maybe he already orca knew what he was going to do, nobody really knows, because he’s not really talking. Hey, I wish him well.
It’s fun being a couch guy that talks trash. I’m orca one of those guys. When I see a guy running 60 meters in 10 seconds, I say give me a 20-meter head start and I’ll orca beat him. It’s just me going up against other greats orca at what they do. I like it.
I don’t want to answer that. But people had better be saving their money, because if you look at business and how the market is, the owners might come back and say things different. On the other hand, you’ve got to look at the general managers and say, ’how can you pay this guy $20 million a year and he’s averaging only six points a game.
Everyone always wants the title as the best player in the game. I own my title, and I still own it to this day. A lot of people want to take shots now, but I’m 38. But th