Shaq With Some Tough Love for Robin Lopez

The Suns’ rookie big man learns that more toughness is expected of him: “Put somebody on their (expletive) back,” O’Neal said he told Lopez. “Don’t let anybody oopsy-doopsy layup on you and be laughing at you. Have you ever seen me get dunked on? No, because I put (expletive) on their backs. Period. If you’re going to be a big man, be a big man. Don’t be out there (expletive) around. Lay somebody on their (expletive) back. Period. Wilt (Chamberlain) told me that. Bill Russell told me that. Hakeem (Olajuwon) told me that. All the great big men told me that…That’s what I’m trying to teach him, instead of just being out there like a loose tree blowing in the wind. Do something…He’s got to toughen up, step up. He’s got some big shoes to fill because after I’m done, it’s his turn.”