Shaq has a new book debuting soon that he wrote with long time NBA writer Jackie MacMullan. The autobiography, Shaq Uncut: My Story, will be out November 15th and will no doubt send ripples through the NBA. I suppose anything to get the NBA on peoples minds during the lockout is a good thing.
In the book O’Neal, as he’s always prone to do, simply tells it like it is. No holding back, no beating around the bush, just Shaq being Shaq. He addresses many things, including his drama with Kobe Bryant, his issue with Dwight Howard, and some very interesting stuff about LeBron James and how the Cleveland Cavaliers basically kissed his ass. Here’s an excerpt from the book via Hoopsworld.com.
LeBron was a huge star. He was as big as I was in 2000 in L.A. when I was dominating the league. … Our coach, Mike Brown, was a nice guy, but he had to live on edge because nobody was supposed to be confrontational with LeBron. Nobody wanted him to leave Cleveland, so he was allowed to do whatever he wanted to do.
I remember one day in a film session LeBron didn’t get back on defense after a missed shot. Mike Brown didn’t say anything about it. He went to the next clip and it was Mo Williams not getting back and Mike was saying, “Yo, Mo, we can’t have that. You’ve got to hustle a little more.” So Delonte West is sitting there and he’s seen enough and he stands up and says, “Hold up, now. You can’t be pussyfooting around like that. Everyone has to be accountable for what they do, not just some us.” Mike Brown said, “I know, Delonte. I know.” Mike knew Delonte was right. …
I’m not sure if Kobe is going to listen to Mike Brown. LeBron never really did. Here’s what we do know: Kobe will definitely be in charge.
Notice the subtle, well not so subtle, shot at Kobe at the end. Mike Brown is the new Lakers head coach and I can’t wait to hear Shaq on TNT’s Inside the NBA giving his thoughts on the L.A. situation when ever the Lockout ends… fingers crossed.