Not physically and not verbally, because you'll lose.
During a pregame NBA television show last Sunday, Walton was discussing the trade that sent O'Neal from Miami to Phoenix.
The 35-year-old O'Neal has missed 17 games so far this season while nursing an acute left hip and quadriceps inflammation.
Walton publicly wondered how O'Neal would be any healthier in Phoenix than he was in Miami.
"He really can't win in this situation,” Walton said of O'Neal. "Because what he did in Miami by saying, 'I can't play at all,' and now it's, 'I'm going to win the championship (in Phoenix).' That is just absolutely ludicrous. Shaq's arrogance is an insult to people who think.”
O'Neal's response: "Bill Walton has broken the Big Man Pecking Order Code — Ordinance 2257 — which means his resume isn't quite good enough to speak on what I have done.
"One thing I hate is a hypocrite. So if I'm faking an injury, his whole injury-plagued career is a fake. Here's a guy who only played one or two seasons injury-free, and now he's talking about me being injured. So, one thing I really hate is a hypocrite.”
In today's vernacular, Walton just got posterized.
O'Neal is spot-on when it comes to Walton.
As a collegiate at UCLA, Walton rates among the all-time greats.
But as a pro with Portland, the Clippers and Boston, Walton simply doesn't rate (see chart).
Plagued by foot problems, Walton missed 352 games in his 10-year career and also sat out two full seasons (1980-82).
To date, O'Neal has missed 96 games in 16 seasons.
Walton is a member of the Naismith Hall of Fame, but that's because of what he did as a collegian, not as a pro. In the NBA, Walton averaged 13.3 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.2 blocks, 28.3 minutes and was a two-time All-Star.
O'Neal has averaged 25.6 points, 11.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.4 blocks, 36.4 minutes and is a 14-time All-Star.
Walton's criticism of O'Neal is an insult to all people who think.
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I'll never forget Bill Walton calling one of Luke's games at Arizona. Following a poor play by his son, Bill yelled in his typical derogatory tone: "Walton's gotta play better than that!" Classic.
Rhode hit the nail right on the head. Walton was a fabulous college player. Never lived up to the expectations in the NBA because of the feet. He has no room to speak of Shaq in a negative manner.
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Phoenix Suns newly-acquired center Shaquille O'Neal acknowledges fans after being introduced as the Suns play against the New Orleans Hornets in a game Feb. 6 in Phoenix. (For more on Shaq and the Suns see page 7C) ASSOCIATED PRESS
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