Thursday, December 18th, 2008 at 10:30 am  |  80 responses

Shaq: ‘I Could Average 27 and 10 in This League Easily’

by Marcel Mutoni

Shaquille O’Neal is having himself a fine season. The big fella is dropping in just under 16 points a game, snatching nearly 9 boards, and taking the more than occasional day off to rest. It’s not a bad deal.

Shaq, being Shaq, believes he could be doing more. A lot more. Like, say, putting up historical numbers like he used to do in a former life.

From the Arizona Republic:

“I could average 27 and 10 in this league easily,” O’Neal said. “Easily. In this conference, in this league, easily. Eyes closed.”

“I can but I’ve got to get the opportunities. I’m not really the first option on this team but when I get it down there, I’ll do what I do. Like I told everybody, ‘You want me to be Shaq?’ Then I’ve got to get the Shaq touches and Shaq opportunities. I just can’t be taking five shots…and then you look at me like I’m old. I could average 27 and 10 until I’m 50.”

Seeing as how Shaq hasn’t put up those kind of numbers in about six years, I’m wondering if the paper got those quotes from his completely nonsensical Twitter feed.

Clearly, Terry Porter needs to be handed a pink slip. Any coach who can’t see the potential for his injury-prone, 36-year old center to still be terrorizing the entire League shouldn’t be roaming the sidelines.

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  • Ryan Jones Posted: Dec.18 at 10:32 am
    So f*cking do it then.

  • Bear Posted: Dec.18 at 10:32 am
    Shaq’s old and really needs to leave before the 2009-2010 season

  • Ryan Jones Posted: Dec.18 at 10:32 am
    Was that mean? I actually liked Shaq until he started Twittering, but now…

  • a_whiteman Posted: Dec.18 at 10:39 am
    20 and 10 like in miami the tital year fine, but 27 and 10???? Did he go cenial already?

  • Eboy Posted: Dec.18 at 10:39 am
    I almost agree……except I think 22 and 10 would be a little more believable. If he got 35 to 40 touches a game and only had to make 10 buckets a game……I think he could do it.

  • ciolkstar Posted: Dec.18 at 10:43 am
    He’s just wrong. I think 16-9 (with no back to backs) is pretty much his ceiling now.

  • Torrance Posted: Dec.18 at 10:44 am
    Oh Shaq, you goofy ol’ man.

  • TADOne Posted: Dec.18 at 10:51 am
    Does the Arizona sun make everyone a malcontent?

  • BETCATS Posted: Dec.18 at 10:57 am
    he is not wrong. Thats all i am gonna say about GOAT Pt. 2

  • Benoit Benjamin Posted: Dec.18 at 11:01 am
    Soooo, Amare’s complaining, Shaq’s complaining, Nash is sad, Hill wants to go back to Orlando. Good times in Phoenix.

  • Z Posted: Dec.18 at 11:03 am
    Shaq, Amare, Nash… I mean who DOESN’T complain on this team?

  • Co Co Posted: Dec.18 at 11:12 am
    Is it time to go ahead and consider Shaq senile?

  • ber Posted: Dec.18 at 11:13 am
    At least they get the All-Star game, right?

  • Z Posted: Dec.18 at 11:18 am
    Although b-tching for more touches has always been a staple of Shaq’s career.

  • Russ Bengtson Posted: Dec.18 at 11:18 am
    Keep talking, Shaq. I feel like if Amar’e could opt out of his contract RIGHT NOW he would. Nash too, obviously.

  • RV Posted: Dec.18 at 11:22 am
    Well, the first option can hit HIS free throws shaq..so good luck with that..

  • Allenp Posted: Dec.18 at 11:33 am
    He could put up those numbers. But his team would be lottery bound.

  • Fredo Posted: Dec.18 at 11:34 am
    I think Shaq’s just looking to revive interest in that Kazaam sequel.

  • Keith Posted: Dec.18 at 11:50 am
    Stop trying to be relevant Shaq.

  • Mo Charlo Posted: Dec.18 at 11:55 am
    What league and conference was he talking about? Did he specify? He could probably do it in the pac-10, if that’s what he’s talking about.

  • Myles Brown Posted: Dec.18 at 12:01 pm
    Wow. No f*cking comment.

  • Myles Brown Posted: Dec.18 at 12:01 pm
    Except for that.

  • Myles Brown Posted: Dec.18 at 12:02 pm
    And that.

  • RV Posted: Dec.18 at 12:12 pm
    ah i get it, he didn’t say points and rebounds, that shaq, such a joker!

  • Keith Posted: Dec.18 at 12:16 pm
    Ha! I love how easily we turn on people. We all love him for his outspoken comments and then we turn on him when he makes a comment that’s a little bit too far. Brilliant.

  • buck Posted: Dec.18 at 12:44 pm
    i believe him, in case you guys haven’t noticed shaq is a beast i do agree 27 ppg is boosting. he can probably go around 20-23 but 10 boards i think he can do

  • Mendel Posted: Dec.18 at 12:47 pm
    Shaq it the MAN and I believe it. I think he is my favorite big of all time. I am old enough to remember him in Orlando when he was a pure raw BEAST and the basket itself was in danger.

  • Mendel Posted: Dec.18 at 12:47 pm
    ATTENTION SLAM!!!! THIS NEW LAYOUT SUCKS!!!!!!!!

  • Holy Baller Posted: Dec.18 at 12:54 pm
    I agree with Mendel. Not on his retarded views on our criticism, but on the new layout

  • Izzo Posted: Dec.18 at 1:10 pm
    “It’s society’s fault I’m fat”.
    -
    The new layout is great.

  • littleshotlarry Posted: Dec.18 at 1:18 pm
    … I vote no on the new layout. But something tells me this isn’t a democracy.

  • Cheryl Posted: Dec.18 at 1:24 pm
    meh

  • jbn74sb Posted: Dec.18 at 1:39 pm
    Nice redesign. When did this happen?
    As for Shaq, I have been surprised at his success this year. But the only way he’s averaging 27 and 10 is if he somehow drops 100 pounds and 10 years…

  • Spaceship Jay Posted: Dec.18 at 1:47 pm
    Shaq has a rare case of “Reverse Shallow Hal” disorder. It is when the victim looks at mirror images, reads commentary about himself, and observes one’s yearly statistics and sees an absolute different image than the REST OF THE PLANET

  • G8RS Posted: Dec.18 at 1:50 pm
    Maybe the problem is he plays with his eyes open. Walk the walk, bro!

  • SLAM ONLINE | Posted: Dec.18 at 1:54 pm
    [...] Shaq Talkin’ Smaq? [...]

  • Fredd Posted: Dec.18 at 2:17 pm
    I thought motivation was on the court not on paper … about the layout, at least the comments are readable now …

  • Anton Posted: Dec.18 at 2:25 pm
    Hey Shaq, tell me how that prostate exam taste

  • Jackie Moon Posted: Dec.18 at 2:31 pm
    Terry Porter should read this and give Shaq the green light to do whatever he liiiikes for one game, heck even two, if he happens to get lucky. When Shaq doesn’t deliver , Porter should take the ball out of Shaq’s hands and say “OK, Shut up. No green light for you.”

  • Lz - Cphfinest3 Posted: Dec.18 at 2:39 pm
    What happened to the lay-out? I don’t come around for a couple of days, an you’ve remodeled the livingroom. Can’t say that I like it, to dificult to recoginize who posted what when scrolling. About Shaq, 10 is mos def posibly, he’s at 9 right now. Whereas 27 would only be possible in Oklahoma. Still my favorite big all-time though. And still the third best center in the L right now (well at least when he’s not resting on back to backs.

  • tealish Posted: Dec.18 at 2:52 pm
    This is Shaq. I wouldn’t be surprised if he said 40 and 20 were possible.
    Does make either claims anymore true though.

  • Russ Bengtson Posted: Dec.18 at 3:23 pm
    Michael Jordan: ‘I could average 30 in this League easily.’

  • Spaceship Jay Posted: Dec.18 at 3:30 pm
    Do you mean present time Michael Jordan or post-what-was-I-thinking-playing-baseball Jordan?
    If its present day, ditto my diagnosis of Shaq above^^

  • tealish Posted: Dec.18 at 3:40 pm
    Russ: If that quote was in his Washington years, it’d still be easier to swallow given he was putting up 23 6 5.

  • wilz Posted: Dec.18 at 3:42 pm
    not calling Shaq a diva, but considering whats going on in phx thsese days, aren’t players becoming more and more like divas? they get what they want, but they don’t give the team what it needs. so, somehow the roles got reversed. The party paying the player can’t make demands, but the player can make demands to their bosses. Players on the tail-end of their careers are getting to pick the teams they want to play for so that they don’t have to play on crappy teams. The NBA is turning into Hollywood. Players need to start ballin and having some pride, honoring their contracts, and stop thinkin about free agency and contracts way ahead of schedule.It’s hurting the game and the league. Everyone wants to be on a team that’s stacked instead of having a competitive league with a much more even distribution…
    just my thoughts…think some may agree

  • what Posted: Dec.18 at 3:55 pm
    Sure Shaq could do that… for the Atlanta Krunk (real team no joke).

  • Moose Posted: Dec.18 at 4:15 pm
    Shaq? If you can do it, than frickin’ do it. Doesn’t matter if you’re the first option or not. If you can do that than you ARE the first option. You gotta keep your mouth shut.

  • Nbk Posted: Dec.18 at 4:48 pm
    I have watched just about every minute of every suns game this season and when shaq is on the court he is the number 1 option. He is just getting attention with his mouth because his play doesn’t do it anymore

  • Jukai Posted: Dec.18 at 4:58 pm
    Twenty seven turnovers and ten fouls?

  • Tzvi T Posted: Dec.18 at 5:11 pm
    Kerr: “Please do, Shaq… It would save my job.”

  • Amanda Posted: Dec.18 at 5:24 pm
    “I could make the Earth square if I wanted to, I uh *drools* just don’t feel like it. But I could.”

  • Antwonomous Posted: Dec.18 at 5:29 pm
    Shaq couldn’t even play enough minutes to put up 27-10. He’s too old.

  • iLL wiLL Posted: Dec.18 at 5:50 pm
    Snaq can still put up 18 and 10 and the bare minimum – if he got the damn touches. He’s almost putting up a double double with ‘scrub’ touches. Snaq is still a force and Porter needs to recognize that. Eff a day off, Snaq needs the offense run through him. Amare and Nash aren’t too effective without D’Antoni. Might as well let Snaq lead you to the promise land while there is still time.

  • iLL wiLL Posted: Dec.18 at 5:51 pm
    And boy does the new layout stink like the skid marks in my undies.

  • Nbk Posted: Dec.18 at 5:54 pm
    ill will stop talking out your a$$ because shaq gets more touches then any sun that isn’t steve nash when he is in the games. Amare is the one who needs the ball more

  • iLL wiLL Posted: Dec.18 at 7:26 pm
    No, Snaq does not get the amount of touches he needs. He needs it every time down the court.

  • cozza Posted: Dec.18 at 7:54 pm
    give shaq some props for how well he has played this season

  • CEO of the ROC Posted: Dec.18 at 9:12 pm
    And I could average triple double in this league easily if one NBA team would draft me…

  • Jackie Moon Posted: Dec.18 at 9:50 pm
    Shaq didn’t mention what FG% he was going to shoot.

  • Gerard Himself Posted: Dec.18 at 10:16 pm
    I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: to me, there’s nothing wrong with the new lay-out. As Lang predicted, there will be many people against it, because it’s new, and that’s how it always is. Then on Shaq: it’s funny how so many people are hating on Shaq. Most of you guys are following the League quite a while now, and you know that Shaq will say something stupid every two month or so. That’s how he is, and why hate himm for it? Who cares? For a 36-year old guy, he’s putting up very, very decent numbers, and that’s all that counts. 16 and 9? There are plenty of younger centers in this League who don’t do that. So many of you guys are so easy to write someone off, it’s ridiculous.
    The man is one of the greatest players of the last 15 years, still doing fine, so stop hating, please.

  • Jack Posted: Dec.19 at 2:25 am
    If he hit some of his free throws, I’m sure his average would go up too. But we all know that ain’t happenin.

  • Darksaber Posted: Dec.19 at 2:32 am
    his ft percentage is up, and he looks way better out there, than he did before the trade. Shaq-Fu still got it. Omg, Brandon Roy scorched the suns for fifty two?!?! On only 27 shots? Impressive.

  • boogster Posted: Dec.19 at 4:18 am
    c`mon lads, let the man speak, he has done his part for the game, i feel bit sorry for him for his old age, but guys,we don`t say to our papas and mamas go to hell when they get older.

  • Roy Posted: Dec.19 at 4:47 am
    I think he can still do 20-10 but 27-10? I don’t think so…

  • Boing Dynasty Posted: Dec.19 at 6:59 am
    please tell me thats not really shaq’s twitter. please.

  • Brandon Roy Posted: Dec.19 at 7:46 am
    “27? I think I could double that.”

  • Flash Posted: Dec.19 at 7:54 am
    shaq sould work for espn with charles and the rest of the crew, he funny!

  • Flash Posted: Dec.19 at 7:55 am
    ^^SHOULD^^

  • MKP Posted: Dec.19 at 9:58 am
    27 Chicken McNuggets
    and 10 Chocolate Shakes!

  • Z Posted: Dec.19 at 10:09 am
    Jokes aside, Shaq has been PHX best player so far. Big man is hungry again.

  • ciroqobama Posted: Dec.19 at 11:30 am
    Ahh would u look at that… Shaqtus.
    I’m gonna go rest my eyes now from posting…

  • starbury&stevey Posted: Dec.20 at 6:00 am
    hack-a-shaq 54 times in a game,he hits 27 free throws…yeup..it is posible..

  • Jason Posted: Dec.22 at 2:26 pm
    Considering that he’s not even retired yet before he exaggerates his ability (though given that he’s one of the top 10 players ever, he’s allowed some exaggeration), I have no doubt that when he’s 50, he’s going to claim that he would average 50/25 if he played during that soft, pansy-filled era.

  • Anton Posted: Dec.23 at 4:41 pm
    he’s averaging 27 burgers and 10 shakes

  • flipinoman7258 Posted: Dec.23 at 7:14 pm
    If teams feel so bad that the big aristotle is losing it and afraid of being trampled by him…
    He can do it

  • Dacre Posted: Dec.30 at 12:27 am
    If Shaq feels he can control the flow of the game as he once did; he needs to demonstrate that initially on the DEFENSIVE end, let Amare EXPLODE for 26-28 ppg and just support the young gun with that top level of defense and blocking out, he doesn’t need to average 25+ points for this team to win he needs to hustle and work like a trojan!
    I wonder what Nash jersey I’ll be getting next?? He might even retire (crying shame that…).

  • SLAM ONLINE | » Shaq Would Like to Remind You of His Greatness Posted: Dec.30 at 9:00 am
    [...] you people had the gall to question this man’s grandiose claims. For [...]

  • LAN Posted: Dec.31 at 8:50 am
    shaq = goat /////thread

  • David Posted: Jan.28 at 12:58 pm
    Shaq is a victim of 2 things. 1 His past greatness and the 2 the fact that people hate on him for no good reason. He is currently averaging 18.2ppg 9reb. Dwight Howard who, not hate on him is one of the best is putting up 22ppg and about 10 boards. The numbers that that Shaq is putting up are still all star worthy, and better that 95% of centers out there today. Sometimes I have no idea what you people are seeing; but as far a 27 and 10 I know he can do it if he wants to. But at his age and the wisdom that I think he has gathered with being a 4 time NBA Champion. I guarantee and if anyone has not noticed just watching his career over the past 15 years he’s being smart and I bet he will unleash in the playoffs as he has done so often in the past. When he retires it will be sad to see him go one of the last great centers and personalities in the game today, and say what every you say about the guy unlike this new generation today he always entertains and never forgets about the fans. SHAQ I agree= G.O.A.T

  • RUTAX Posted: Feb.26 at 5:36 pm
    i think SHAQ can still put up those numbers…even those hes old hes never really used speed as his greatness..more strength, power, and size…..Centres in this league may be 7foot or over…but lack the size and power that shaq has… BUT..him saying he can do it..and i believe him…but him saying he needs touches……it just means hes playing for STATS!!!!i think how you determine a player is if they play to win or play for stats…..if he wanted touches…WHY DIDNT HE STAY WITH MIAMI HEAT!!!!!…….now with DWADE healthier than ever….the heat would of made a serious run…but no hes thinking about himself and his stats……just like KOBE….but KOBE does whatever he has to do to WIN…but still plays for STATS…………
    PERIOD!!!!!!! and i aint talking about your mommma……

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