Can "experts" not belittle a man when they don't know the whole story?

[Andrew]

Sports Center and NBA Fastbreak are like belittling Shaq for not playing against the Lakers when as far as I know he is attending his great grandmother's funeral. I mean really, life takes center stage to basketball...

If I am completely wrong for why he is missing the game, then ignore this post...

 

[Blackification]

Probably just mad they can't use the game for extra views and hype the Kobe Shaq matchup. Makes the game much more enjoyable in my opinion when you don't have kobe and shaq being forced down your throat all game you get to enjoy both teams not just those players.

 

[elindholm]

Getting paid $20 million per year is supposed to mean making some sacrifices in your personal life. Someday, Andrew, you will have a job, and it will cause you to miss things you want to attend. I've missed several important events of my daughter's childhood this year because of work responsibilities, and those are opportunities I can never get back. And I can guarantee you I don't make anywhere near $20 million per year, or even 1/100 that much.

I don't care whether O'Neal plays or not; it's a team policy decision. But the people who pay O'Neal's salary -- you know, the advertisers, or have you forgotten how the league's money machine works? -- have every right to complain about all the time he takes off from work.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Getting paid $20 million per year is supposed to mean making some sacrifices in your personal life. Someday, Andrew, you will have a job, and it will cause you to miss things you want to attend. I've missed several important events of my daughter's childhood this year because of work responsibilities, and those are opportunities I can never get back. And I can guarantee you I don't make anywhere near $20 million per year, or even 1/100 that much.

I don't care whether O'Neal plays or not; it's a team policy decision. But the people who pay O'Neal's salary -- you know, the advertisers, or have you forgotten how the league's money machine works? -- have every right to complain about all the time he takes off from work.

Even when they are the ones giving him the time off?

I'm sorry you have had to miss some things in your daughter's life. I'll never work for a job that won't let me put my family first.

 

[elindholm]

Even when they are the ones giving him the time off?

They aren't. The team is giving him the time off; the advertisers pay his salary. If you want to argue that people should be criticizing the Suns for letting him off, rather than O'Neal for asking, I could go along with that.

I'm sorry you have had to miss some things in your daughter's life. I'll never work for a job that won't let me put my family first.

I'm impressed that you can be so selective.

 

[BC867]

Getting paid $20 million per year is supposed to mean making some sacrifices in your personal life.

Did you post the same thing about Leandro Barbosa missing time when his Mom was ill and dying?

Besides, the Suns' plan was to give Shaq days off for back-to-back games. From a stategical perspective, it made sense to play him last night and rest him against the overwhelming Lakers, who would be heavily favored to beat us tonight, with or without Shaq.

As has been mentioned, the only consideration would seem to be the Kobe vs. Shaq thing (which Phil Jackson manufactured anyway). A Guard vs. Center matchup is a publicity matchup, rather than a game matchup.

So I support Shaq paying his respects at his relative's funeral, just as I supported Leandro's absence.

Taking time off from work to pick up Aunt Mary at the airport is one thing. Attending his Great Grandmother's funeral is something else.

 

[HooverDam]

Andrew your man crush on Shaq is unbelievable, when will it ever end?

 

[atikiN]

Andrew your man crush on Shaq is unbelievable, when will it ever end?

When Shaq retires.

 

[elindholm]

Did you post the same thing about Leandro Barbosa missing time when his Mom was ill and dying?

Funerals can be scheduled. A terminally ill patient's final days cannot be. When my father died, our family planned the memorial service so that key people with professional conflicts could attend. Similarly, when a well-known work colleague of mine died earlier this year, our employer scheduled the service for a day when his inner circle was available. It's a pretty normal arrangement; the deceased, of course, does not care about the exact timing. If the relationship between O'Neal's greatgrandmother and the player was so important, he certainly could have had some input into when the service would be scheduled.

I've already said I don't care whether O'Neal plays, but I don't think the criticism is out of bounds.

Besides, the Suns' plan was to give Shaq days off for back-to-back games.

He's going to miss two games to attend the funeral.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

They aren't. The team is giving him the time off; the advertisers pay his salary. If you want to argue that people should be criticizing the Suns for letting him off, rather than O'Neal for asking, I could go along with that.



I'm impressed that you can be so selective.

Are you saying that the Suns organization doesn't pay his salary, that some advertisers do?

I'm confused.

Family comes before any job. I'm surprised you cannot.

 

[Mainstreet]

Sports Center and NBA Fastbreak are like belittling Shaq for not playing against the Lakers when as far as I know he is attending his great grandmother's funeral. I mean really, life takes center stage to basketball...

I don't think most of the media even realized Shaq had a death in the family. They apparently thought there was going to be a Shaq/ Kobe showdown

See Link:
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/B/BKN_LAKERS_KINGS?SITE=AZPHG&SECTION=SPORTS

With a home visit from Shaquille O'Neal's Phoenix Suns looming on Wednesday night, the Lakers might have overlooked the lowly Kings. Bryant missed 11 of his first 13 shots against Salmons' defense, and the reigning league MVP couldn't rally the Lakers as he's done so many times at Arco Arena, the site of some of his greatest performances.

From what I have heard Shaq was very close to his great grandmother. So I say give the big guy a break. But for the record I don't think he would have played against the Lakers. How about those Kings beating the Lakers.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

i have no issue with him missing a game for a funeral. it's just convenient that it's a game in which he would have no doubt have been humbled, on a big stage.

also, i think the resting him on back-to-backs is stupid. i cannot remember this ever being done with any healthy athlete, particularly not in bball or football. what have the results been? not great i think. see last mavs game.

 

[nowagimp]

I support shaq in his time of sorrow. Everyone should have a chance to grieve for the passing of the person that raised them. It takes a real mean outlook to want to deny that for the guy. I say F em all! The worst part is that shaq has had to tavel so much he hasnt had much time to see her, or to let the passing sink in. When my mom passed 3000 miles away 7 years ago, it just didnt sink in until I went back, then it hit like a ton of bricks and I was a zombie for 2 weeks. Take what you need shaq, my thoughts are with you, big fella.

 

[shazaam6]

Let's hope the rookie Lopez develops with the added playing time.

Or you could ask WWDD What would D'antoni do? Play Amare or Boris at center against Bynum and Gasol.

Burn out 7 players when short-handed
Amare
Boris
Hill
Bell
Nash

Barnes
Barbosa

 

[elindholm]

Are you saying that the Suns organization doesn't pay his salary, that some advertisers do?

Yes, of course. The money comes from advertisers through the Suns as an intermediary. O'Neal is an employee of the NBA, not of the Phoenix Suns.

Family comes before any job. I'm surprised you cannot.

My job requires me to meet with certain people at certain pre-arranged times. My salary presumes that I will honor my obligations to my employer. Part of my job is to be available when I have agreed to be available.

Obviously I could make an exception for something truly critical. I would not consider the funeral of someone three generations removed from me to be truly critical, especially when, with a bit of communication, I could easily have asked for the funeral to be scheduled at a more convenient time.

 

[shazaam6]

I support shaq in his time of sorrow. Everyone should have a chance to grieve for the passing of the person that raised them. It takes a real mean outlook to want to deny that for the guy. I say F em all! The worst part is that shaq has had to tavel so much he hasnt had much time to see her, or to let the passing sink in. When my mom passed 3000 miles away 7 years ago, it just didnt sink in until I went back, then it hit like a ton of bricks and I was a zombie for 2 weeks. Take what you need shaq, my thoughts are with you, big fella.

That is true, I was surprised I wasn't more affected the day my grandpa died. I was working, so I felt justified declining to fly back east to attend the funeral. My mom called and said I really needed to be there. I went mainly to support her but it hit me hard when I walked in that church. It wasn't real until I was there. Glad I went, it was the right thing to do, the cost meant nothing compared to honoring my family.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Yes, of course. The money comes from advertisers through the Suns as an intermediary. O'Neal is an employee of the NBA, not of the Phoenix Suns.

I'd argue that he is an employee of the Phoenix Suns and not the NBA.

My job requires me to meet with certain people at certain pre-arranged times. My salary presumes that I will honor my obligations to my employer. Part of my job is to be available when I have agreed to be available.

Obviously I could make an exception for something truly critical. I would not consider the funeral of someone three generations removed from me to be truly critical, especially when, with a bit of communication, I could easily have asked for the funeral to be scheduled at a more convenient time.

Shaq has said that his grandmother helped raise him. Not exactly 'someone three generations removed' as you say.

 

[Mulli]

Holy Crap, asking for a funeral to be moved to suit his own needs?

Now that would be a jerkyface jerk thing to do.

 

[Brianellsworth]

Sports Center and NBA Fastbreak are like belittling Shaq for not playing against the Lakers when as far as I know he is attending his great grandmother's funeral. I mean really, life takes center stage to basketball...

If I am completely wrong for why he is missing the game, then ignore this post...

Andrew...did you really put the tags in your OWN thread as....1- Andrew Thread 2- Mancrush 3- Shaq??? 1 and 3 are ok but you personally put mancrush in there as well?

 

[elindholm]

I'd argue that he is an employee of the Phoenix Suns and not the NBA.

I could be wrong, but I believe that legally you are incorrect. It is through a league-wide collective bargaining agreement that trades are possible, draft picks assigned, etc.

Shaq has said that his grandmother helped raise him. Not exactly 'someone three generations removed' as you say.

Fine. If it's that big a deal, he should volunteer to forfeit his salary. If a very close relative died and anyone on this board decided he needed to cut work, I doubt any of us would expect to be paid for it.

 

[nowagimp]

If a very close relative died and anyone on this board decided he needed to cut work, I doubt any of us would expect to be paid for it.

Its standard practice that personal time off is granted for family deaths, been that way for 20 years. If your job doesnt permit that, they are below the curve of employers of professionals in this society. At the last 5 jobs I've worked, paid time was/is granted and it doesnt come out of vacation time.

 

[Covert Rain]

Fine. If it's that big a deal, he should volunteer to forfeit his salary. If a very close relative died and anyone on this board decided he needed to cut work, I doubt any of us would expect to be paid for it.

Ridiculous. You would expect it if it was a benefit of the job you have. My company pays 1 week bereavement pay for a close relatives death. Why should Shaq or myself have to forfeit salary if that is offered with the job you hold?? Obviously, if it was against Suns policy they would not allow it.

Most of the criticism from the national media came because they were assuming that Shaq was taking the night off against the Lakers...not because he had a death in the family. This is someone who raised him.

Also, despite being Shaq, I bet he is probably not the be all end all decision maker on the timing of the funeral. I think it is WAY out of bounds to criticize him for taking the time off (regardless of the timing) to grieve a loved one. As stated before...no job is more important then family.

 

[elindholm]

Its standard practice that personal time off is granted for family deaths, been that way for 20 years... and it doesnt come out of vacation time.

Wow, really? I honestly didn't know that. It seems like a system ripe for abuse. After all, we each have eight greatgrandparents, and those that are still alive have to be getting up there. Where is the line drawn? Some people have literally hundreds of extended family members.

If your job doesnt permit that, they are below the curve of employers of professionals in this society.

Again, I could get away if it was something truly important and/or inflexible from a scheduling standpoint. On the other hand, if I was making 200 times as much money as anyone else in my extended family, and a beloved relative's funeral service had to be scheduled, you can bet I would try to find a way to honor both obligations. It's simple professional responsibility.

For the record, I have a lot of scheduling flexiblity in my job, and I'm grateful for it. But when someone sets up, far in advance, an appointment where my attendance is necessary, I will be there, period. It is expected that, to the extent possible, I will schedule my personal life around those obligations. It's obvious that O'Neal didn't do that. He blew the league off because it was convenient for him to do so.

 

[Ballamania]

yeah,what he said!

 

[dreamcastrocks]

I could be wrong, but I believe that legally you are incorrect. It is through a league-wide collective bargaining agreement that trades are possible, draft picks assigned, etc.



Fine. If it's that big a deal, he should volunteer to forfeit his salary. If a very close relative died and anyone on this board decided he needed to cut work, I doubt any of us would expect to be paid for it.

I don't think so. Just because the league and the players have their own union doesn't mean that player's aren't employed by their respective teams.

I have bereavement policy from my work that gives me up to a week paid off if a close/immediate family member passes away. I'd imagine a lot of companies have a similar policy.