Shaq Attack

Just what we need: Shaquille O'Neal, the so-called role model for NBA fans, threatening to take matters into his own hands if he gets a hard foul by an opponent. Shaq, these things happen, man. Just sign those big fat paychecks with your other hand and shut up. HENRY HALPREN Pacific Palisades I may be missing something here, but by putting Dennis Rodman and Michael Jordan on the front page of the sports section, aren't you pitching a tent and joining the very media circus you seem to be denouncing?

Hey, Shaq! Pay attention! Kobe's decision to forgo surgery so he doesn't miss training camp or games is what real leaders are made of. Vincent Martinez Arcadia So Shaq has announced he is retiring after two more seasons? Funny, but I thought he retired two seasons ago. Mark Roth Los Angeles

It was double-feature night at the NBA Fight Club on Wednesday: Shaquille O'Neal vs. Charles Barkley, for the league heavyweight championship. The Lakers vs. the Houston Rockets, for a middleweight regular-season NBA victory. Neither contest was pretty, but O'Neal got a draw and the Lakers won on points, 89-88.

The Big Aristotle finally met the few honest men for whom Diogenes searched. Call them Laker teammates, who finally came to grips with the fact that they had to go inside, inside and inside some more for Los Angeles to win this game, or most other games for that matter. Phil Jackson, quite the philosopher himself, may have even gone so far as to help demonstrate the need by using Brian Shaw so much.

Shaq attack? Let's attack Steve Springer. Shaquille O'Neal "likes the neighborhood, likes the spotlight, likes the money." It is obvious Mr. Springer could not describe O'Neal as a winner. We don't need any more wannabes in this town. So keep O'Neal out of town and send Shaq groupie Springer to Orlando for a writer to be named. BOB ARRANAGA JR. Pasadena While being swept for the third straight year in the playoffs, the multitalented Shaquille O'Neal connected on about one out of three free throws.

Larry Holmes and James "Bonecrusher" Smith fought for the heavyweight boxing championship 15 years ago. On June 18 they are having a rematch in Fayetteville, N.C. Holmes, 49, is not lacking in confidence. "As much older as I've gotten, one thing I've noticed about myself is that I haven't lost but one step," he said. "The left hand is still as good as ever, and the right hand is about the same as it always has been. I amaze myself sometimes.

Nice to read all the letters from the Shaquille O'Neal fans again whining about the trade that had to be done. The Lakers did trade the right person, as supported by Shaq's scintillating five-point, six-rebound effort in Game 2 of the Finals. He was outplayed by a backup center, Erick Dampier, whom he used to make fun of. Then he refused to answer any questions about his pathetic effort, because he has never been able to take any form of criticism. What a baby, and thank God he is gone.

Well, they have to start somewhere. The Pacers have begun trying to figure out how they're going to cover Shaquille O'Neal, who outscored their center, Rik Smits, 53-12, in two regular-season meetings. "He's the best player in the game," Mark Jackson said. "We'll watch him and break it down and come up with something." Good luck.

The ever-growing resume of Shaquille O'Neal: basketball player . . . actor . . . rapper . . . interior decorator. Frustrated after being in foul trouble for the third time in the first six games and upset at what he perceives as unfair treatment from officials, his 310 pounds took it out on the bathroom inside the Laker locker room at the Forum on Sunday night. Aggression 2, bolted-down objects 0. He used his bare hands to rip one of the stall doors almost off its hinges.

I'm really moved by the outpouring of sympathy for Shaquille O'Neal. He has been wronged for so long, yet we are only now beginning to take notice. Afghan women oppressed by the Taliban had it easy--just look at the grueling existence this man leads. First, the poor guy is genetically cursed with a combination of size and athleticism never seen. What a raw deal. Second, as a grown man, Shaq has had to endure the stress and rigor of being paid nearly $200 million to play a game at which he is immensely talented.

It seemed to make about as much sense as stealing a bear's honey, pulling a pit bull's tail or stomping on Mike Tyson's foot. But when your team has won only 17 games and another victory is slipping away to the Lakers, what do you have to lose? So Golden State Warrior Danny Fortson did the unthinkable Thursday night at The Arena in Oakland. He attacked Shaquille O'Neal. Got him in a head lock. Threw him to the floor. Challenged him to a fight.

I'm really moved by the outpouring of sympathy for Shaquille O'Neal. He has been wronged for so long, yet we are only now beginning to take notice. Afghan women oppressed by the Taliban had it easy--just look at the grueling existence this man leads. First, the poor guy is genetically cursed with a combination of size and athleticism never seen. What a raw deal. Second, as a grown man, Shaq has had to endure the stress and rigor of being paid nearly $200 million to play a game at which he is immensely talented.

Well, they have to start somewhere. The Pacers have begun trying to figure out how they're going to cover Shaquille O'Neal, who outscored their center, Rik Smits, 53-12, in two regular-season meetings. "He's the best player in the game," Mark Jackson said. "We'll watch him and break it down and come up with something." Good luck.

It was double-feature night at the NBA Fight Club on Wednesday: Shaquille O'Neal vs. Charles Barkley, for the league heavyweight championship. The Lakers vs. the Houston Rockets, for a middleweight regular-season NBA victory. Neither contest was pretty, but O'Neal got a draw and the Lakers won on points, 89-88.

Larry Holmes and James "Bonecrusher" Smith fought for the heavyweight boxing championship 15 years ago. On June 18 they are having a rematch in Fayetteville, N.C. Holmes, 49, is not lacking in confidence. "As much older as I've gotten, one thing I've noticed about myself is that I haven't lost but one step," he said. "The left hand is still as good as ever, and the right hand is about the same as it always has been. I amaze myself sometimes.

What are the Lakers without Shaquille O'Neal? Nothing. Playing without O'Neal, sidelined because of a sprained ligament in his right knee, and guard Byron Scott, out with a bruised right knee, the Lakers looked woefully inadequate. The Clippers built a 26-point, fourth-quarter lead and handed the Lakers their first loss in seven games, 108-86, Tuesday night before a sellout of 18,462 at the Pond of Anaheim. "I have no excuses," Laker Coach Del Harris said. "They outplayed us, it's that simple.