It's said that ikf you're the bigger man out of deferrence you'll show respect to your foe. At this juncture I'd like to think that former teammates Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal have actually buried the hatchet once and for all.

Have I not done and said this before ? " Oh yes it is indeed good to be the King , long live the King ". picture courtesy of nbae/getty images/ David Bernstein .............
Suffice to say that with O'Neal's Phoenix Suns being unceremoniously dumped out of the NBA playoffs. And the Bryant led Lakers having reached the summit of where O'Neal himself once believed that he'd be standing once again. I suspect that there now might be a certain degree of jealousy on his part. Never mind the fact that should Bryant lead the Lakers to a win over the Boston Celtics . It would be his fourth ring as a triumphant Laker. Whereas Shaq went elsewhere in order to garner his fourth ring.

In happier times we were like a loving couple who meant so much to one another. Then I found out that he didn't like me as much I liked him . Who do you think might've said those prophetic words ? picture courtesy of images.google.com/sports/nba /los angeles lakers.....
Oh as to what might've been had these two superstars not been so petulant . And the Lakers' hierarchy actually shown some backbone and sat the two superstars down and tell them how it was going to be. But then again Mitch Kupchak is much like a church mouse somewhat scared of his own shadow and reflection. And in dealing with the temperaments of not only Bryant , O'Neal , the coach Phil Jackson. One also has to remember that there's also the principal owner Dr Jerry Buss. A man whose ego it is said may well be wider than that of the Grand Canyon.

If Jack's letting you know how he's feeling during the game are you for one willing to question him ? picture courtesy of nba.com/losangeleslakers...
Lakers' fans being what they are enthused , enlightened it can be said are no doubt having their way with all of the NBA world as to their supremacy as they sit atop of the Western Conference as the newly crowned champions. I'd dare say that many of the Hollywood A listers that've been known to frequent the home games are making sure that they'll be ready to show us all what it's like to be a fan of the storied franchise. The likes of Denzel, Jack, Dyan and Tobe will no doubt be front and center cheering on their beloved team. And I'd dare say that Jack Nicholson himself will be orchestrating much of the fan appreciation of the team.

Dyan Cannon never one to shy away from showing her avowed loyalties to the Los Angeles Lakers. Cannon shares greetings with perhaps the franchise's greatest player Magic Johnson. picture courtesy of images.google.com/dyancannon/losangeleslaker/nba.........

Spiderman Tobey Maguire and Titanic's hearthrob Leonardo Di Caprio show that they might know something about the game and in particular the Lakers. picture courtesy of images.google.com/ maguiredicaprio .......
So let us without further ado get to the real reasons as to what Shaq will or won't be doing once the NBA Finals have started.
10) With his private life being in such a turmoil he won't be asking his estranged wife Shaunie if she's interested in attending the finals.
9) There's no chance in hell that he and Pat Riley will be sharing a cursory limousine ride in downtown Los Angeles once the series begins.
8) The possibility of him seeking a reconciliation with Shaunie is definitely out of the question now that he's found out that she's bilked over $ 30m from their bank accounts of what's alleged is part of his $200-$300m fortune
7) He won't be speaking to Mike D'Antoni as to what his role was actually meant to be after D'Antoni's abrupt departure from the Phoenix Suns.
6) He can now stop calling himself " The Diesel" as this'd now add insult to injury considering the price of gas being what it is now.
5) Thinking that he actually stood a chance of baggin' and taggin' Mariah Carey now that a much younger and lesser known individual by the name of Nick Cannon has beaten him to it.
4) Terrorizing Jeanie Buss and pleading with her to see if the Lakers are interested in having him back.
3) Same as #4 but insert the name of Dr Jerry Buss and the fact he possesses pictures of Buss in several lascivious poses with some underage females. To which Buss'll retort at least " I'm still gettin' some and you're not so what the hell do I care "
2) The fact that his former coach Phil Jackson will no longer return his calls. As to the reasons why those are plentiful. But the one that no doubt comes to mind was his criticism of Jackson and his coaching philosophy.
1) He can't seem to wrap himself around the situation that Kobe Bryant has actually made it to an NBA Final without him . And at the same time he's now asking what the hell is a Pau Gasol ?
And whilst there may well be numerous other reasons as to why Shaq won't be in awe of his former teammate and their new found success. I'd like to think that much of the animosity that may well rear its ugly head will subside once the series begins. But then again who knows when it comes to the bloviated supersized ego of an NBA superstar ?
If you've got any suggestions as to why you believe that O'Neal won't be enamored with the Lakers' current state of affairs and success. I'd definitely like to read your comments. I'll be looking forward to it and of that you can be assured ! Chimin' out.
rampant' aka tophatal ...............