Case in Point:

What would the NBA off-season be without another chapter in the feud between former Los Angeles Lakers teammates Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant?

O’Neal, who won three NBA title rings with Bryant from 2000-02, was asked to get on stage at “The Underground,” a New York City club, and do some freestyle rap for the audience.

Shaq’s rap, which referenced Bryant’s role in O’Neal’s divorce in which the 2007 NBA MVP stated during his 2003 Colorado rape case, that he “should have done what Shaq does.  Shaq would pay his women not to say anything.”  Shaq also mentioned Bryant’s inability to win a championship ring without him.

Among the lyrics were: “I’m a horse, Kobe ratted me out, that’s why I’m getting divorced.”

Shortly after Bryant’s verbal attack on O’Neal five years ago, the 14 time “All-Star” was traded to the Miami Heat in 2004, a deal that Bryant reportedly played a large role in brokering.  Since then, O’Neal has come forward in recent years saying that their feud was over before this incident.

Miami was able to win an NBA title in 2006 with O’Neal. On the other hand, the Lakers’ disappointing six-game series loss to the Boston Celtics last week kept Bryant from winning his fourth NBA title, the first time he has been to the NBA Finals since O’Neal was traded.

O’Neal later told ESPN that his performance was pure entertainment and apologized if he hurt anyone’s feelings.

An Aside:

Shaquille O’Neal will lose his special deputy’s badge in Maricopa County because of language he used in a rap video that mocks former teammate Kobe Bryant.

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio said that Shaq’s use of a racially derogatory word and other foul language left him no choice. Arpaio made Shaq a special deputy in 2006 and promoted him to colonel of his largely ceremonial posse later that year.

“I want his two badges back,” Arpaio (never losing an opportunity to wave his “tough guy” flag) told The Associated Press on Tuesday. “If any one of my deputies did something like this, they’re fired. I don’t condone this type of racial conduct.”

Shaq was seen in a video posted on the website TMZ.com rapping that “Kobe couldn’t do without me.” O’Neal needled the Lakers’ star, with whom he won three straight NBA titles from 2000-2002 while with the Lakers, for not being able to win a championship without him.

“I was freestyling. That’s all. It was all done in fun. Nothing serious whatsoever,” O’Neal told ESPN on Monday. A call to the Suns on Tuesday seeking comment from O’Neal was referred to his public relations firm, which didn’t immediately respond (well?).

Arpaio, who describes himself as “America’s Toughest Sheriff” and is best known (as a jerk) for feeding jail inmates green bologna, clothing them in pink underwear, and making them work on chain gangs, said he didn’t think his actions would teach Shaq a lesson, but he hoped he learns that as a role model who wants to someday be a full-time sheriff, he needs to know his words matter.

“Maybe I’m old fashioned, but I don’t think that either conduct should be out there publicly, even if media wasn’t there,” Arpaio said. This is a gross understatement from a man who feeds off the attention he gets for his cruel and unusual treatment of inmates, who’re placed in his custody.

O’Neal previously served as a reserve officer with the Miami Beach Police Department while playing for the Miami Heat. He also volunteered with the Tempe P. D. after being traded to the Suns in February.  Good job Shaq – now turn in your badge!