Shaq's stepfather blames Kobe

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David Flores: O'Neal's stepfather criticizes Bryant
Web Posted: 05/05/2004 12:00 AM CDT
San Antonio Express-News


Shaquille O'Neal's stepfather never has been one to mince words. If Philip Harrison doesn't like something, he will tell you — in no uncertain terms.

That's why I wasn't surprised Tuesday when Harrison vented to me about Kobe Bryant's play in the Los Angeles Lakers' 88-78 loss Sunday to the Spurs in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinal series.

While expressing dismay with the Lakers' inability to get the ball to O'Neal consistently, Harrison blamed Bryant for a big part of their offensive woes.

"Kobe Bryant could be one of the best players that ever played the game if he learned how to play team basketball," Harrison said. "The game is played inside out, not outside in. You play team basketball, no problem.

"You have to establish the inside game first. Shaquille is the most dominant player to ever play the game. You have to pass him the ball. Let's stop the drama and just play ball."

O'Neal, who starred at Cole in the late 1980s, and Bryant have had a rocky relationship since they started playing together in 1996.

Asked how he would describe Shaq's relationship with Bryant, Harrison said: "They just work together and that's all."

Bryant led all scorers with 31 points in the series opener. He hit 10 of 26 field-goal attempts — taking almost twice as many shots as O'Neal — and was 9 of 10 from the free-throw line.

"Kobe Bryant, you can hate him and love him in the same breath," Harrison said.

O'Neal had 19 points in Game 1, hitting 8 of 14 field-goal attempts and only 3 of 13 free throws.

Harrison, who lives in the Orlando suburb of Longwood, Fla., will be at the SBC Center tonight for Game 2 of the series.

Driving a black Ford Expedition — adorned with a Lakers window flag, of course — Harrison spent most of Tuesday visiting friends in San Antonio.

Harrison, who retired from the Army in 1992, was stationed at Fort Sam Houston for five years before he moved to Orlando. O'Neal played at LSU for three seasons before he was selected by the Orlando Magic with the first pick of the 1992 NBA Draft.

Harrison, 55, serves as vice president of O'Neal's fan club.

Los Angeles led the Spurs 65-62 after three quarters Sunday, but was done in by 11 turnovers in the fourth period, including six in a span of 3:47.

"The Lakers gave the Spurs that game," Harrison said. "They didn't play up to their potential. They were in a fog. It will be a different situation Wednesday night."

Harrison cut Lakers coach Phil Jackson some slack.

"I'll give Phil credit," he said. "He has a lot on his mind. He's had to deal with all the personalities on the team and Kobe's situation. Talk about stress."

Harrison declined to comment on whether he thinks the court case hanging over Bryant is a distraction to the team.

"I ain't touching that," Harrison said.

O'Neal enrolled at Cole in the spring of 1987, when Harrison was transferred to Fort Sam Houston, and led the Cougars to the Class 3A state title as a senior two years later.

"Shaquille always wants to play well against the Spurs because this is home to him," Harrison said. "Our family still has a lot of good friends in San Antonio."

Depending on your perspective, Harrison is either abrasive or brutally honest. But one thing is certain: He never holds back.

Before meeting him for lunch Tuesday, I hadn't spoken with Harrison since O'Neal's rookie season. It didn't take me long to conclude that ol' Sarge hasn't changed.

"Phil is real and he won't sugarcoat his words," said Luke Kimble, a longtime friend of Harrison who works at Fort Sam Houston as a fitness director. "He's up front with you and honest. What you see is what you get."

Said Harrison: "People say that I'm loud and obnoxious, but I'm straightforward and blunt."

Kobe Bryant probably would agree with all that.  

[westkoast]

Yea...its not Shaq's fault for lack of rebounding, bumbling the ball in the post, missing hooks, missing free throws, and not playing the kind of defense he played on Yao Ming.  That was all Kobe's fault.

Also its obviously Kobe's fault that the role players can't throw lob passes, Karl Malone and Payton couldn't shoot, and of course its Kobe's fault that the Spurs play such great defense.

At least we all can see where Shaq gets his brains from  :rolleyes:

[WayOutWest]

Yea...its not Shaq's fault for lack of rebounding, bumbling the ball in the post, missing hooks, missing free throws, and not playing the kind of defense he played on Yao Ming.  That was all Kobe's fault.

Also its obviously Kobe's fault that the role players can't throw lob passes, Karl Malone and Payton couldn't shoot, and of course its Kobe's fault that the Spurs play such great defense.

At least we all can see where Shaq gets his brains from  :rolleyes:

 :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  

[Laker Fan]

Concur WK, if Shaq could even hit his FT's we would not be having this conversation, if he would get off his fat lazy butt and play some defense, we would not be having this conversation. If Payton spent more time playing and less time crying like a woman, same thing, the only 2 players man enough to shoulder the burden for the loss have been Kobe and first and foremost Malone, he said it was all his fault while Shaq and Payton look for excuses.

None of this takes away from the Spurs defense, it was awesome, but LA had the lead, and they have the talent to hold a lead, they even have the defensive players to do it, if they would just execute.

I do agree it is an inside out game, always has been, but when your fat lazy center won't (notice I did not say can't) hit his FT's, you understand the liability he becomes and adjust your offense accordingly. Kobe is not to blame here, if anything, "the most dominant ever" can hang this one around his neck.

[SPURSX3]

Concur WK, if Shaq could even hit his FT's we would not be having this conversation, if he would get off his fat lazy butt and play some defense, we would not be having this conversation. If Payton spent more time playing and less time crying like a woman, same thing, the only 2 players man enough to shoulder the burden for the loss have been Kobe and first and foremost Malone, he said it was all his fault while Shaq and Payton look for excuses.

None of this takes away from the Spurs defense, it was awesome, but LA had the lead, and they have the talent to hold a lead, they even have the defensive players to do it, if they would just execute.

I do agree it is an inside out game, always has been, but when your fat lazy center won't (notice I did not say can't) hit his FT's, you understand the liability he becomes and adjust your offense accordingly. Kobe is not to blame here, if anything, "the most dominant ever" can hang this one around his neck.

"MOST DOMINANT PLAYER EVER.."  NOPE NOT SHAQ, WILT IMO IS STILL THE KING.


I read a stat that Wilt scored 60+ points (or maybe it was 70+ points) ATLEAST 5 times in his career........shaq still hasnt done that yet...

and this is in the same league and generation that  Robinson scored 71 points in a game...

[westkoast]

Concur WK, if Shaq could even hit his FT's we would not be having this conversation, if he would get off his fat lazy butt and play some defense, we would not be having this conversation. If Payton spent more time playing and less time crying like a woman, same thing, the only 2 players man enough to shoulder the burden for the loss have been Kobe and first and foremost Malone, he said it was all his fault while Shaq and Payton look for excuses.

None of this takes away from the Spurs defense, it was awesome, but LA had the lead, and they have the talent to hold a lead, they even have the defensive players to do it, if they would just execute.

I do agree it is an inside out game, always has been, but when your fat lazy center won't (notice I did not say can't) hit his FT's, you understand the liability he becomes and adjust your offense accordingly. Kobe is not to blame here, if anything, "the most dominant ever" can hang this one around his neck.

"MOST DOMINANT PLAYER EVER.."  NOPE NOT SHAQ, WILT IMO IS STILL THE KING.


I read a stat that Wilt scored 60+ points (or maybe it was 70+ points) ATLEAST 5 times in his career........shaq still hasnt done that yet...

and this is in the same league and generation that  Robinson scored 71 points in a game...

Thats not Shaq's fault......Its Kobe's fault why Shaq has yet to do that.  Just ask the General.

BBF, Spursfan101, Spursx3, etc, etc......you guys owe Kobe for your defense in game 1.  He was the reason you guys played such good team defense down the strectch.

[SPURSX3]

Concur WK, if Shaq could even hit his FT's we would not be having this conversation, if he would get off his fat lazy butt and play some defense, we would not be having this conversation. If Payton spent more time playing and less time crying like a woman, same thing, the only 2 players man enough to shoulder the burden for the loss have been Kobe and first and foremost Malone, he said it was all his fault while Shaq and Payton look for excuses.

None of this takes away from the Spurs defense, it was awesome, but LA had the lead, and they have the talent to hold a lead, they even have the defensive players to do it, if they would just execute.

I do agree it is an inside out game, always has been, but when your fat lazy center won't (notice I did not say can't) hit his FT's, you understand the liability he becomes and adjust your offense accordingly. Kobe is not to blame here, if anything, "the most dominant ever" can hang this one around his neck.

"MOST DOMINANT PLAYER EVER.."  NOPE NOT SHAQ, WILT IMO IS STILL THE KING.


I read a stat that Wilt scored 60+ points (or maybe it was 70+ points) ATLEAST 5 times in his career........shaq still hasnt done that yet...

and this is in the same league and generation that  Robinson scored 71 points in a game...

Thats not Shaq's fault......Its Kobe's fault why Shaq has yet to do that.  Just ask the General.

BBF, Spursfan101, Spursx3, etc, etc......you guys owe Kobe for your defense in game 1.  He was the reason you guys played such good team defense down the strectch.

well you know whenever kobe shoots 60 shots in a game or so it cant be all that bad.....just ask shaq...

[Guest_Randy]

Concur WK, if Shaq could even hit his FT's we would not be having this conversation, if he would get off his fat lazy butt and play some defense, we would not be having this conversation. If Payton spent more time playing and less time crying like a woman, same thing, the only 2 players man enough to shoulder the burden for the loss have been Kobe and first and foremost Malone, he said it was all his fault while Shaq and Payton look for excuses.

None of this takes away from the Spurs defense, it was awesome, but LA had the lead, and they have the talent to hold a lead, they even have the defensive players to do it, if they would just execute.

I do agree it is an inside out game, always has been, but when your fat lazy center won't (notice I did not say can't) hit his FT's, you understand the liability he becomes and adjust your offense accordingly. Kobe is not to blame here, if anything, "the most dominant ever" can hang this one around his neck.

"MOST DOMINANT PLAYER EVER.."  NOPE NOT SHAQ, WILT IMO IS STILL THE KING.


I read a stat that Wilt scored 60+ points (or maybe it was 70+ points) ATLEAST 5 times in his career........shaq still hasnt done that yet...

and this is in the same league and generation that  Robinson scored 71 points in a game...

Shaq has scored 60 in a game -- it was his birthday and the Clips refused to give him any comp tickets to give to his family.

As for Wilt, please give me a break -- there wasn't another team in the NBA that even had a 7'0" in Wilt's day until much later in his career.  Wilt's first few years, he plays against 6'7-6'9 players -- you don't think Shaq could score more points than that?  Not to mention, you remember how Wilt used to shoot his freethrows?  Jumping from the freethrow line and dunking the ball (until they changed the rules).  

Ever heard of Tony Campbell?  He scored 50 points -- so did Cedrick Ceballos -- but just being able to shoot more times and score more points doesn't make you the most dominant player.

As for this conversation, if Shaq were as interested in PROVING he is the most dominant player in the league than he is about talking about it -- I would be a LOT happier right now.

As for Kobe, it's true, you do love him most of the time on the court and hate him for when he makes stupid decisions -- like airballing a three from WAY past the arch because he has dribbled out the clock.

[Derek Bodner]

As for Wilt, please give me a break -- there wasn't another team in the NBA that even had a 7'0" in Wilt's day until much later in his career. Wilt's first few years, he plays against 6'7-6'9 players -- you don't think Shaq could score more points than that?

Please tell me the centers these day that equal wilt rivals like thurmond and russell.  

Not to mention, there were less teams, and I'd argue that the center competition was better.  He played against those guys what, 6, 8 times / year?

Imagine wilt's stats if he played against .... (what's atlanta's center nowadays?).  or joel przybilla.  The mavs 4x / year.

[SPURSX3]

As for Wilt, please give me a break -- there wasn't another team in the NBA that even had a 7'0" in Wilt's day until much later in his career. Wilt's first few years, he plays against 6'7-6'9 players -- you don't think Shaq could score more points than that?

Please tell me the centers these day that equal wilt rivals like thurmond and russell.  

Not to mention, there were less teams, and I'd argue that the center competition was better.  He played against those guys what, 6, 8 times / year?

Imagine wilt's stats if he played against .... (what's atlanta's center nowadays?).  or joel przybilla.  The mavs 4x / year.

SNAPS!!!!  RANDY JUST GOT SERVED SOMTIN FIERCE!!!!!!  


WILT is king randy. "Shaq is wack", played out, and plain dumber than week old turd.....he probably gets to his laker games in a tricked out Yellow Hummer School bus with the words "Special" on the side...... <_<  

[Guest_Randy]

As for Wilt, please give me a break -- there wasn't another team in the NBA that even had a 7'0" in Wilt's day until much later in his career. Wilt's first few years, he plays against 6'7-6'9 players -- you don't think Shaq could score more points than that?

Please tell me the centers these day that equal wilt rivals like thurmond and russell.  

Not to mention, there were less teams, and I'd argue that the center competition was better.  He played against those guys what, 6, 8 times / year?

Imagine wilt's stats if he played against .... (what's atlanta's center nowadays?).  or joel przybilla.  The mavs 4x / year.

Great, let's use Dallas as an example -- in Wilt's day there wasn't a center who was even 6'11" until several years into his career (mind you, Wilt was already a professional ball player his rookie year so there wasn't any "growing" years) and then compare the rest of the teams -- 6'7" was a power forward and none of them were all that "big" much less tall -- Wilt was truly a giant among NBA players.  Dallas has a 7'4, a 6'9" PF and a 7'0" SF -- that's a different kind of look than playing against players who are almost a foot shorter than you are.  

How many SG's these days are 6'7" or 6'9"?  Want to feel what it was like for Wilt to get double or triple-teamed?  Go find some 4th graders to play with (and then weed out the tall ones) and when you find it easy to play against, then you can understand why Wilt's stats are so padded.  Wilt WOULD have fared well in todays NBA but when he played, he was a giant and the rest looked like midgets (both in heighth, weight and strength).

[WayOutWest]

I guess dabods, aka Wilt's beyatch, missed out on the Wilt/Shaq debate between Randy and Writerman.  Had dabods witnessed the carnage he wouldn't go there.

[Lurker]

I guess dabods, aka Wilt's beyatch, missed out on the Wilt/Shaq debate between Randy and Writerman.  Had dabods witnessed the carnage he wouldn't go there.

That's what my first thought when I read this....I just couldn't remember Wilt's staunch defender's name.

 B)  

[Guest_Randy]

As for Wilt, please give me a break -- there wasn't another team in the NBA that even had a 7'0" in Wilt's day until much later in his career. Wilt's first few years, he plays against 6'7-6'9 players -- you don't think Shaq could score more points than that?

Please tell me the centers these day that equal wilt rivals like thurmond and russell.  

Not to mention, there were less teams, and I'd argue that the center competition was better.  He played against those guys what, 6, 8 times / year?

Imagine wilt's stats if he played against .... (what's atlanta's center nowadays?).  or joel przybilla.  The mavs 4x / year.

SNAPS!!!!  RANDY JUST GOT SERVED SOMTIN FIERCE!!!!!!  


WILT is king randy. "Shaq is wack", played out, and plain dumber than week old turd.....he probably gets to his laker games in a tricked out Yellow Hummer School bus with the words "Special" on the side...... <_<

You are just jealous that you can't see Shaq's bus from your barred windows -- at least his home doesn't have padding on the wall and he doesn't have a pretty white coat with long sleeves that button tie behind his back.

[SPURSX3]

As for Wilt, please give me a break -- there wasn't another team in the NBA that even had a 7'0" in Wilt's day until much later in his career. Wilt's first few years, he plays against 6'7-6'9 players -- you don't think Shaq could score more points than that?

Please tell me the centers these day that equal wilt rivals like thurmond and russell.  

Not to mention, there were less teams, and I'd argue that the center competition was better.  He played against those guys what, 6, 8 times / year?

Imagine wilt's stats if he played against .... (what's atlanta's center nowadays?).  or joel przybilla.  The mavs 4x / year.

SNAPS!!!!  RANDY JUST GOT SERVED SOMTIN FIERCE!!!!!!  


WILT is king randy. "Shaq is wack", played out, and plain dumber than week old turd.....he probably gets to his laker games in a tricked out Yellow Hummer School bus with the words "Special" on the side...... <_<

You are just jealous that you can't see Shaq's bus from your barred windows -- at least his home doesn't have padding on the wall and he doesn't have a pretty white coat with long sleeves that button tie behind his back.

dont be ignorant randy... <_<