Z vs. Shaq

[Columbus1]

When they were announcing the line-up, Shaq is seen saying something to Ilgauskas which seems to really piss him off. Varejao has to step between them & physically hold Z back while Shaq walks onto the court ignoring whatever Z was saying back to him. Tension/in-fighting led to the both of them tanking the hell out of this game?

[papacass]

If there was a sideline altercation, I doubt that it would have sailed past both Brian Windhorst and the Associated Press. Neither reported anything of the sort. Chances are, they were just playing with each other.

As far as tension leading to both of them tanking the game, well.....

[Columbus1]

I was surprised to search it out this morning and find nothing on it. If you have it recorded, take a look. Varejao was definitely holding Z back from Shaq & he sure wasn't laughing. Tanking on purpose comes to mind.

[Larvell Blanks]

This exchange has been going on all season. When Shaq is introduced he walks thru the line, he and Z stare at one another, Shaq says something and Z playfully "goes after him" w/ AV there to hold him back. Most nights Shaq gets thru it w/ a serious look on his face. One night Shaq said, to the effect, "F**k some sh*t up, white boy", he broke down laughing.

It's as much part of the pregame routine as LBJ and his handshakes with everyone in the arena besides Joe Tait.


Nothing to see here

[Ea$t $ide]

This exchange has been going on all season. When Shaq is introduced he walks thru the line, he and Z stare at one another, Shaq says something and Z playfully "goes after him" w/ AV there to hold him back. Most nights Shaq gets thru it w/ a serious look on his face. One night Shaq said, to the effect, "F**k some sh*t up, white boy", he broke down laughing.

It's as much part of the pregame routine as LBJ and his handshakes with everyone in the arena besides Joe Tait.


Nothing to see here

You are correct sir...I love the whole kung fu bow they all do to Shaq...

[British_Pharaoh]

An odd ritual but a pleasant one

[Larvell Blanks]

My wife looks forward to pre game intro only because she wants to see if Shaq keeps a straight face or busts up after confronting Z.

1:35 mark

[leadpipe]

I noticed in some previous games that LBJ appears to be snapping photos of various players.

One would think he could find a better time and place for this hobby besides on the job.

[British_Pharaoh]

I noticed in some previous games that LBJ appears to be snapping photos of various players.

One would think he could find a better time and place for this hobby besides on the job.

Oh how I chortled

[papacass]

My wife looks forward to pre game intro only because she wants to see if Shaq keeps a straight face or busts up after confronting Z.

1:35 mark

That's fantastic. Hilarious. I never caught onto that.

How do you think that worked when Shaq devised it? (I'm assuming that Z's role in the creation of this little skit was purely passive.)

"OK, Big Z, we gotta do something really cool for the intros, just you and me. So here's what we're going to do. When I'm going down the high-five line, I'm going to pretend to insult you to your face, and then you're going to pretend like you want to come after me and kick my ass. We'll get Andy to act like he's holding you back. It's gonna be awesome."