Recently retired NBA star Shaquille O’Neal has always understood the value of a good story. He’s kept fans, reporters and other players entertained for a couple decades.
In early March some of the guys went to the museum of Fine Arts for a fund-raiser and got to hang with President Barack Obama. Everyone was a little bit in awe. The President turns to Ray [Allen], points at Rondo, and says, “Hey, Ray, why don’t you teach this kid how to shoot?” Everyone starts laughing.
… KG told me he saw the look on Rondo’s face and the kid was devastated, embarrassed. Dissed by the President, even though I’m sure Obama didn’t mean any harm. Rondo smiled and went along with all of it, but KG told me he could see it in his eyes. It bothered Rondo. It killed him.
The next day Rondo shot the ball horribly. He stopped taking shots after that. He’s so sensitive. I think it was a real jolt to hear the outside perception of a basketball fan who happens to be the President of the United States. It messed with his mind. I’m sure of it.
Rondo’s monthly shooting percentages from November to February were 54%, 58%, 50% and 48%.
After hearing the President’s comments it dropped to 41% in March and 40% in April.
Nice work, coach.
Source: Yahoo Sports
This post was last modified on August 24, 2011
View Comments (10)
Rondo is from here in Louisville. He played for the University of Kentucky. After the Celtics won the championship in 2008 I saw him walking around a mall in Louisville that summer. He's an incredible passer and playmaker. Maybe he should have had a comeback for Obama:"Someone needs to teach you how to govern and not just give speeches."
gibsmesum, with your use of the word "thunk", I'm off the fence. I think you're a liberal plant. You shouldn't have used the word "thunk," gibby.
So, is Shaq saying the Prez is guilty of bullying?
Are we really surprised by this?
This clip of his biography is a good piece, it shows Shaq is defending a fellow player who was the subject of a bad joke. Good for you Shaq! Shame on you, Mr. President!
I like Shaq. I hate sports. But I did see "Steel" and enjoyed it for what it was.
Anyway, awhile back, I read something cool online about Shaq that happened during the shooting of "Steel":
"The director recalls that, on the first day of shooting, lights needed to be adjusted around Gish while she was incapacitated in a hospital bed; rather than take a break and leave his co-star, O'Neal said, 'I'll stay here, too, with my teammate.'"
AWESOME.
Gibs, diversity is one way street.
you're awesome, gibs
Shaq is an idiot. Only saving grace is that it can throw a rubber ball through a metal hoop.
I think we need to bring divershitty to the NBA. The blacks should comprise no more than 12% of the league, as this is their approximate percentage in the total population (outside of Detoliet). Whaddya thunk about that? Wha? Don't like it? Isn't this the same logic the black folk been using on ol' YT now for nigh-on fifty years?
Every time you watch an NBA game it looks like a casting call for a Tarzan movie.
Gnomesayin?
Seriously, a Tarzan movie?
Ass. Hole.
I didnt even open it, just thumbed it down. GTFO, (untrag.