‘Black Enough’: The Kobe and Shaquille Feud
By Ray Holloman, AOL Black Voices
Like ‘boxers or briefs?’ the Shaquille O’Neal-Kobe Bryant feud is the NBA inescapable, and multimillion-dollar, question.
The battle lines have been drawn since the off-season when Kobe footed the blame for disrupting the Laker dynasty. Phil Jackson left. Gary Payton is in Boston. Karl Malone wants out and Shaquille O’Neal was traded to the Miami Heat.
Suddenly, the NBA was a two-choice commodity, like Pepsi or Coke. There’s only one side to be on and middle ground doesn’t exist.
We asked you what you thought, who you rooted for in the rivalry and why we even care at all. In our poll, an overwhelming 57 percent said you root for Shaq in the Lake Show soap opera. “No one” with 21 percent even beat out Kobe, who received just 13 percent of the vote, edging out wife Vanessa and Karl Malone.
Some of you wrote in about the underlying question as well: Why does black America have such a hard time accepting Kobe Bryant? You laid it out for us and the best responses are printed below. Check Shaq supporters and Kobe supporters and see what was said about the Shaq and Kobe rivalry really boiling down to the question, “Who’s black enough?”
If you have something else you want us to talk about in race and sports, let us know. There’s no issue we won’t tackle. You serve it up, we’ll print it.
Your Take
Just call it what it is: The house Negro vs. the field Negro. Some root for Shaq, the field Negro, and others root for Kobe, the house Negro. But, my amusement comes from knowing Phil Jackson was intimidated, ‘cause Kobe’s SAT score was higher than his.
Kisswriters
Newark, N.J., here. Need I say more? Shaq knows poor black people. Kobe only knows of some poor black people; he’s never had it financially difficult (and I’m glad for him), but we generally relate to people who can, in turn, relate back to us. Shaq knows the ‘hood; Kobe hasn’t a clue. He thinks buying a ring for someone will make everything go away, or that if he gives money, everything will be all right. Some of us can’t afford that luxury, nor will we ever. Shaq, meanwhile, has a character-building background, while Kobe’s people were able to show him a better life. There’s nothing wrong with that but it lacks the character of coming from hardship.
Keithbslick1
Kobe was a big disappointment to me with his mishap of last year. I thought he had better judgment of people. He is like Michael Jackson -- whatever he gets, he deserves. He has crossed over and in my day there was no coming back, so whatever they do to him, he’ll have to handle it. As for Shaq, he’s got his head on straight and I hope he keeps it that way. Kick butt, get paid and go home to your family. Kobe, next time don’t go from sugar to s---, but go from black to blacker.
ThddsHrd
I like both of them, but I think they are both to blame for this feud. It seems like as soon as black people get money they try to be better than each other. Kobe did a lot of things wrong, but he’s young and he’s trying to make up for it. Shaq, on the other hand, surprises me with his comments. I thought he would have been the better man. Then you throw Phil in the mix. I thought everyone should have kept it among themselves as a team. I just hope younger players and kids can learn from this mess.
Cassiewatkins