Pat Riley thinks that Shaquille O’Neal deserves to play in this year’s All-Star Game.
“I really think that the 12 most deserving players should get it. I do,” Riley said. “The most deserving should get it and I think the commissioner should always have the right, for somebody who has done so much for the league, for whatever reason, to add a 13th guy to come and be part of the whole thing.”
So it’s Riley’s opinion that despite Shaq’s injury-riddled 14-point, 8-rebound 2007-08 campaign, which has led to the Miami Heat posting a 9-37 record, he should be awarded a special spot in the All-Star Game because he “has done so much for the league.”
Hmmm.
For his part, Shaq doesn’t want any handouts.
“I appreciate my coach for sticking up for me, but I don’t want to be handed anything,” said O’Neal, whose run of 14 straight selections matched Jerry West and Karl Malone as the most in NBA history.
At least Shaq isn’t going crazy.
