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| | Wednesday, May 10 Shaq receives all but one vote | |||||||||||||||||
| Associated Press LOS ANGELES -- Shaquille O'Neal was dominant again, this time at the ballot box.
O'Neal was practically a sure thing, having led the Lakers to a 67-15 record, second best in franchise history, and making them prohibitive favorites to win their first title since 1988. "This is a very special day for a very special player. I think we're all very excited he was able to win this award in such unprecedented fashion," Lakers VP of basketball operations Jerry West said. "God, I feel sorry for the one guy who didn't vote for him." That was Fred Hickman of CNN/SI, who opted to vote for Iverson. "You take Shaq away from the Lakers and you've still got a great team," Hickman said. "You take Iverson away from the 76ers and they are the Clippers, the Hawks. They are no longer contenders." O'Neal laughed off questions about not getting every first-place vote. "The one guy who didn't vote (for me): Thank you, too," he said with a grin. "I appreciate it." Lakers coach Phil Jackson, Jordan's coach when he won four MVP awards in Chicago, said O'Neal "certainly deserved it this year." "I think his leadership has been the most important thing for us," Jackson said. "This is the honor that everyone wants in this league, but we don't have a championship, yet." O'Neal won his second scoring title this season, averaging a career-high 29.7 points on 57.4 percent shooting. He was second in rebounding with a 13.6 average, and averaged 3.03 blocks and a career-high 3.8 assists. "The only person who can stop Shaquille O'Neal is Shaquille O'Neal, and that hasn't happened this year," Lakers forward Glen Rice said. "He's been leading our team all year long," said guard Ron Harper, a member of three championship teams in Chicago, who, referring to Jordan, added, "I played with one before, huh?""This is the first time I've been knick-knack injury free in Los Angeles," he said. "The ultimate goal is to win the championship. This is the best team I've ever played on. If we can get it done this year, my plate will be full as a player." After signing as a free agent with the Lakers in July, 1996, O'Neal missed 53 games over his first two seasons in L.A. because of injuries. He struggled with a strained groin last season. He missed only two games because of injury this season, both last month because of an ankle sprain after the Lakers had clinched the NBA's best record and homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs.O'Neal has averaged an NBA-high 30.7 points and 16.8 rebounds in six playoff games. The Lakers take a 1-0 lead over Phoenix into Wednesday night's Game 2 of their best-of-seven Western Conference semifinals. O'Neal succeeds Utah's Karl Malone as MVP. The NBA's Rookie of the Year Award will be announced Thursday. Steve Francis of the Houston Rockets and Elton Brand of the Chicago Bulls will share the honor, a league source confirmed. They will be the third co-winners for the award following Jason Kidd and Grant Hill in 1994-95 and Dave Cowens and Geoff Petrie in 1970-71. | ALSO SEE Lone MVP dissenter irritates, amuses Lakers Shaq as MVP: Your comments Past winners of NBA MVP award Francis, Brand to share rookie award Payton named to seventh NBA All-Defensive team  Lawrence: Like Magic, now it's Shaq vs. PennyAUDIO/VIDEO   Shaquille O'Neal accepts the NBA's MVP award.RealVideo: | 28.8   Phil Jackson knows the importance of having an intimidating force on defense.wav: 151 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 Scottie Pipen says Phil Jackson has made Shaquille O'Neal a better all-around player.wav: 86 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 Jerry West says Shaq has started to realize his impact on the defensive end of the floor.wav: 87 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 Glen Rice says no one can stop Shaq.wav: 60 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6  | |||||||||||||||||
