Calling it a deal of "immense proportions and immense
implications," HBO's Frank Deford examines the "anatomy" of
Shaquille O'Neal's seven year, $120M contract, with the Lakers in
"Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel." Deford mentions the Magic
asked the NBA to investigate potential Lakers salary cap
circumvention "after a summer's worth of tampering allegations,"
but the piece focuses on the deal's long-term effects. Deford:
"A lot of people think this is a seminal deal, the beginning of a
dangerous time for the NBA when a handful of monster stars roam
the league holding the whole balance of power." Lakers VP Jerry
West: "This league has changed forever. When maybe the best
young player in the league can leave a team and they get nothing
from it, it's wrong. ... it's going to get worse." West, on his
"honor being called into question" in making the O'Neal deal:
"This process has left an awful lot of scars on me personally.
... It's no fun when your integrity is smeared." Lakers Owner
Jerry Buss: "If any of these accusations are true, let them
produce some evidence." Deford noted, by being in L.A., O'Neal
is closer to the entertainment industry and his agent, Leonard
Armato. Deford: "Already Shaquille has grown so full of himself
he risks becoming some sort of manic comic strip character."
Armato: "The truth of the matter is, nothing remotely resembling
tampering ever happened. Is that clear enough?" Deford: "For
me, yes, but Oliver Stone is still alive and well in Central
Florida." Magic GM John Gabriel and President Bob Vander Weide
did not speak to "Real Sports" about negotiations with O'Neal
("Real Sports," HBO, 11/12).
