Riley Calls Out Shaq
The Miami Heat haven’t won a game in what seems like forever, and the blame for the team’s struggles can be spread around generously.
There’s Dwyane Wade’s shoulder injury; the Heat’s inability to score (they’re averaging the fewest points of any team in the Association); ‘Toine’s trade (you don’t get rid of a svelte SOB like him without paying a price); and the team’s age (when King Tut’s ancient face was revealed to the general populace for the first time earlier this week, Heat fans asked, “Who’s the young guy?”).
Pat Riley, though, is not afraid to direct the criticism at his biggest star, Shaquille O’Neal. From the Palm Beach Post:
“He’s got to stay on the court,” Riley said. “He’s averaging 5.5 (actually 5.3) fouls per game. He’s forever always on the bench at some time when we need him on the court.
“I’m going to probably get to the point when he gets a couple of fouls on him I’m not going to play him. Like if he gets three, or if he has four fouls, I might (not) play him.”
Now, I know Shaq respects and admires his coach, but calling him out so publicly - O’Neal, a sensitive soul to begin with, and a guy who’s already whining about a lack of touches on the offensive end three ballgames into the season - might not be in Riley’s best interest.
56 Responses to “Riley Calls Out Shaq”
Nov.7 at 2:53 pm
joe says:
Is Shaq svelter than ‘Toine?
Nov.7 at 2:56 pm
Trademarc says:
Riley is right. If the heat wants to win Shaq has got to stop fouling. Riley has the right to do what he wants; HE’S THE COACH. Maybe this will make Shaq settle down a bit.
Nov.7 at 2:57 pm
Chief says:
Times are getting tough for the Diesel, but as he so adequetly put it he’s gotta “put it into 6th gear and cut the Brake line” if the heat have any chance of coming out strong this season.
Nov.7 at 2:58 pm
Zoran says:
Heat eh. Can’t see them doing much this year. Same with Bulls. Maybe they just need more time.
Nov.7 at 3:06 pm
Tarzan Cooper says:
eboy, marcel is at it again. whos the young guy?
Nov.7 at 3:09 pm
bouncyman says:
The last thing the Heat need is more time… they need a time machine to go back to the 90s when a Shaq/Zo combination would truly be terrifying… even with a Wade that would be a teenager
Nov.7 at 3:11 pm
Kiyan says:
The Diesel isn’t going to lash out at Riley. It’s fair criticism. He didn’t call him fat or anything…
Nov.7 at 3:14 pm
white hot eboy says:
Yeah, I know, Tarzan. Whatever. Once 24 is dealt, his hopes of cheering for a decent team will be all but a memory. Oh wait, he might have a BETTER team to root for when they get rid of the balding be-otch. Payback will be hell, Mutoni.
Nov.7 at 3:21 pm
white hot eboy says:
Here’s something you guys will like. Heat will take a loss against the Spurs tonight, again. Spurs pissed off and all. If the game is relativley close, Shaq will have 20+. If it becomes a blowout, you’ll see 20 minutes, maybe. Shaq always plays well against Duncan.
Nov.7 at 3:22 pm
Tony G says:
it’s not entirely Shaq’s fault..he’s getting doubled the instant he touches the ball, and none of the perimeter players on Miami can finish, other than Ricky Davis..Haslem and Zo have played well, but they aren’t good enough to completely change games..Shaq REALLY needs to start rebounding and defending though..that is something the other team can’t stop him from doing, so he needs to take advantage of that..
Nov.7 at 3:23 pm
Tony G says:
he’ll start playing better when Flash is back though, because they won’t be able to double him..obviously Shaq isn’t the same dominant player he was in the past..
Nov.7 at 3:35 pm
its just alex says:
I feel like the SLAM wire has become the bad news delivery service for the Heat and Knicks. Not to say I don’t enjoy it.
Nov.7 at 3:37 pm
white hot eboy says:
And to think I liked Alex when she came around the other day.
Nov.7 at 3:37 pm
sommer says:
“The diesel is running out of gassssssss!” -got it from allthingshoops.com
Nov.7 at 3:41 pm
peteb80 says:
Follow-up costs to a “championship”.
Nov.7 at 3:47 pm
Paniscus says:
Are Shaq’s fouls coming at the offensive or defensive end of the court?
Nov.7 at 3:49 pm
Tarzan Cooper says:
both games tonight are going to be blowouts. although ricky buckets might make it a close game.
Nov.7 at 3:51 pm
its just alex says:
I only dish it, ’cause I know you can take it. And I am a Knicks fan. Yup.
Nov.7 at 3:52 pm
mutoni says:
we hurt those that we love, eboy.
Nov.7 at 3:55 pm
white hot eboy says:
I feel like I’m in Hostel from the love shown from Mutoni and Alex. And Paniscus, the fouls are mainly defensive fouls. The offensive foul calls have been limited. Mainly late rotation fouls and taking on-charging guards best shots with his arms up and getting the block call against him.
Nov.7 at 4:02 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
At least he’s only on the books for two years after this. At $20,000,000 per.
Nov.7 at 4:06 pm
white hot eboy says:
Russ, how’s the Ben Wallace signing working out for your guys?
Nov.7 at 4:19 pm
Phil B says:
yeah, the heat suck now, but i say it’s worth it for a title. one title should be worth it. but i’m not a heat fan. nor a bulls fan. i told you they should have kept lamarcus. you don’t think having someone who can drop 27 on duncan would have helped in the final minutes of last nights game when they couldn’t hit on all the jumpers they took instead? oh, but i sure thomas jumped through the roof, right? he’s good at that.
Nov.7 at 4:26 pm
dirk says:
thanks shaq for giving us 3 titles in l.a. Only if you stayed in shape, we could have resigned you and won 3 more.
Nov.7 at 5:11 pm
Dutch Rich says:
I hear the coal mines are looking for support beams. You know, if the sheriff thing doesn’t pan out.
Nov.7 at 5:26 pm
Hoop Dreamz says:
Did slamonline’s time forget to change on Saturday night? It’s 4:23 pm in Toronto (eastern) and there are comments here that say 5:11pm… creepy yo! By the way, @ eboy, damn good comeback on Russ and good one Dutch. Anyway, i’m rootin’ for Shaq and D-Weezy, but the Heat aren’t doing much at all this year. Sorry eboy
Nov.7 at 5:30 pm
white hot eboy says:
Hoop, how them Raptors looking so far, big man?
Nov.7 at 5:31 pm
BETCATS says:
Trade him to LA so it can be a better version of the Salt n Pepa reunion show (derek fisher is that other lady who never really mattered)
Nov.7 at 5:33 pm
white hot eboy says:
Spindarella never got the love she deserved.
Nov.7 at 6:07 pm
Captain America says:
Shaq won’t get touches as long as Buckets is on the floor.
Nov.7 at 6:21 pm
Allenp says:
Riley is shady. I don’t respect coaches who pop off in the media. And why is it typically acceptable for coaches to complain to the media, but players are seen as malcontents when they do the same thing. You know, locker room lawyers and whatnot.
Nov.7 at 6:42 pm
Gerard Himself says:
the calls on Shaq are ridiculous. He’s a victim of all the rule changes. Riley is wrong.
Nov.7 at 6:44 pm
Jukai says:
I can’t wait for LA vs Heat, where both Kobe and Shaq can meet each other before the game and be like “.. how did it get like THIS?”
Nov.7 at 6:54 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
I’m not worried about Ben Wallace’s performance. Everyone else on the Bulls, well, that’s another story. Ben Wallace has done about what I expected of him.
Nov.7 at 7:02 pm
white hot eboy says:
Just breaking balls, Russ.
Nov.7 at 7:05 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Yeah, I know. I’m just dispirited. It’s one thing when you KNOW your team is gonna suck. I remember 1999 all too well. But when you’re supposed to be one of the best teams in the East, 0-4 is a bitter pill to swallow. *Gags*
Nov.7 at 7:42 pm
Captain America says:
Don’t despair, Russ, it’s a long season. Bulls will come back strong.
Nov.7 at 7:53 pm
white hot eboy says:
I’m sure the Heat will join the 0-4 club tonight.
Nov.7 at 10:03 pm
Sesa says:
Did anyone ever called out on Riley?
Hey old man! Stop oiling your hair and do your coaching!
Nov.7 at 10:04 pm
Sesa says:
I don’t mean to diss his past achievements, but now is the present.
Nov.7 at 10:48 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Hey, the Heat ARE missing their best player.
Nov.7 at 11:35 pm
Cloud S.Y Louis says:
heat 0-4….. LMAO, diesel who
Nov.8 at 12:41 am
jay says:
yea Russ, and so are the clippers.
Nov.8 at 3:26 am
underdog says:
Shaq should retire immediately.
Nov.8 at 3:38 am
bootlace says:
What is that, 17 losses in a row now? They’re setting up Wade for the MVP real nice.
Nov.8 at 4:35 am
top dogg says:
man shaq is a scrub so him playan like crap only shows how bad he is truthfully they should trade his ass
Nov.8 at 5:32 am
Jukai says:
The thing about winning MVP is that you have to actually play
Nov.8 at 5:37 am
Sesa says:
Dude, it IS Pat Riley. He could even blame the Heat’s dancer if he wanted to.
Nov.8 at 10:40 am
Roscoe Grant says:
Sorry Shaq, your career is almost over.
Nov.8 at 12:04 pm
ballinvigs3 says:
He wants to play, he needs to settle down…Riley will do what he wants and I totally agree. as above, sorry Shaq your career is almost over…
Nov.8 at 12:09 pm
Motjopi aka Slix says:
whaz wit the big guy is it really time to retire! i mean he is one hell of an all star but hey it gets rusty at times if you know what i mean ! period…
Nov.8 at 3:34 pm
vmcb says:
if Shaq starts at center again at this year’s all-star game, I’m gonna be pissed.
Nov.8 at 6:11 pm
Bigeasy says:
pat you need to chill because shaq is one of the most dromiant center to come into the nba and dwayne wade is not back yet.
Nov.8 at 10:09 pm
Mark Z says:
Did Shaq ever pass a bodyfat test? Seriously, I don’t think Shaq is the problem. Riles old school motivation only works for so long. He should fire himself.
Nov.9 at 12:54 pm
QQ says:
We’re all gonna be bummed vmcb if diesel is a starter. “Over the hill” who.
Nov.20 at 3:34 pm
SLAM ONLINE | » Pat Riley Makes Nice With His Players says:
[…] Here’s what he does: The Heat crap the bed for a few games, an exasperated Riley meets with the Miami press corps and he absolutely rips into his team, calling guys fat, threatening to bench superstars and generally sounding like he’s just about ready to leap off a tall building somewhere. Word quickly gets out, people make their jokes, and the players are sufficiently humiliated. […]