Never an Off-Season for Laker Opinions

It is ludicrous to criticize Shaq for postponing his surgery.

The Lakers have a 3 1/2-month off-season. Football players have six to seven months. Shaq takes a worse physical and emotional pounding (100 games-plus) than any football player (20-23 games). In addition, Shaq played in excruciating pain all last season. So Shaq should give up his entire vacation time to undergo immediate surgery and rehabilitation?

Laker fans are blessed to have someone who is as committed as Shaq is to excellence. Doesn’t he deserve some rest after winning three consecutive championships? Give the guy a break.

Stephen Simon

Ashland, Ore.

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I had the operation on my toe that Shaq will soon have. All I can say is, “Good luck, Shaq.” I am still limping and my operation was three months ago.

Of course, I don’t have the huge contract that can cancel out most pain.

Richard A. Reynolds

Lomita

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Let’s see, in order to solidify their chances against the Lakers, the Nets acquired Dikembe Mutombo and signed free agents Rodney Rogers and Chris Childs; the Kings signed athletic big man Keon Clark and re-signed Mike Bibby.

The Lakers counter all this with the signing of Jannero Pargo and A.J. Guyton. Huh?

Hey, Mitch Kupchak, didn’t you learn anything from Jerry West? As Chick Hearn would say, “This Laker off-season hasn’t been Phi Beta Kappa.”

Steve Castro

Burbank