Phil Jackson Says Shaq Is Lazy And Wade Travels

That's the holiday spirit, Phil. You didn't think we could possibly have a Lakers/Heat game go by without some sort of off the court drama from the participants did you? This time it was the Lakers' coach getting loose on Shaq's work ethic and Dwyane Wade's spin move:

On Shaq: "He's the one guy that didn't really like to work. I know Pat got him working here in Miami. We had a hard time getting him to work. All the other players -- Michael, Scottie, Dennis Rodman, all those guys that we had, Horace Grant, they're all hard-working practice and personal work players."

On Wade: "He travels on that spin move. He picks up that pivot foot ... everybody knows it. Dwyane Wade can cover so much ground when he makes that move. As you know, he can go 20 feet with that spin move and get to the basket."

I don't think it's a stretch to point out that Phil is not saying anything that's really controversial here. Most who have watched Shaq have commented for years about his lack of work ethic, ever since he was waiting all summer to have surgery on his toe so he could use "company time" to get healthy.

And yes folks, D.Wade TRAVELS with that spin move that's oh-so-pretty on Sportscenter. This is not news either to anyone that closely follows the NBA. Several players over the years have gotten away with their signature "move," from Patrick Ewing taking three steps through the lane, to Lebron basically stiff-arming people on drives to the hoop. Again, not excessively controversial stuff from the Zen Master. Yet unlike some other superstars who can take the high road when people mouth off at them, Shaq had to open his big mouth and respond:

"How can Benedict Arnold be reliable in what he says?"

Now unfortunately, the blame has to fall on Phil for giving Shaq anything to respond to. After all, this is a seemingly unprovoked attack on Suit-Fu, who wasn't even participating in the game.

(More after the jump)

When I discussed the renewal of the Lakers/Heat feud with fellow Fanhouse blogger Craig, he mentioned how Shaq's annual pattern has become so predictable:

-Fake injury
-New nickname
-Get criticism from respected media, coach or player
-Respond with VERY un-funny quote that gets 10,000 media members covering it
-Set off Shaq-(insert name here) Feud
-Shaq recovers from fake injury
-Shaq proclaims himself ready for season, gives himself new nickname (media LTFAO!!!!!!)
-Shaq leads Miami to playoffs

Seems like we're on about step 5 of the process here. Look, the bottom line is that we all know Shaq is an attention whore, and Phil shouldn't have given him an opportunity to grab the spotlight. It would just be nice to have the attention the media pays to Shaq come from his play on the court, instead of the comments he makes off of it.