Article originally appears on SportsTsar.com

Upon his immediate departure, as a Los Angeles Lakers fan, it was tough to dislike Shaquille O’Neal. The dude changed the franchise, brought home some championships, and was downright enjoyable. I had no qualms rocking my replica jersey from the summer we picked him up.

But that was then and this is now.

Whether or not it was just an attempt to distance himself and assimilate away from Los Angeles, Shaq decided it was a good idea to blast the L.A. fans, Kobe Bryant, and Phil Jackson. The fans? Fine - there are many a bandwagoner. Kobe? Also warranted at the time. Phil? This was a roundabout one, but saying Pat Riley was the best coach you ever had when Phil was the one to mold you into who you are now and who you looked up to, well, that’s a bit excessive.

Now, tack on something new to the resume.

O’Neal, ever the epitome of maturity, unleashed an unnecessary, downright outlandish “freestyle” aimed at Kobe just recently:

Classy.

Really Shaq? I mean I understand the beef and all, but you can’t turn around and shit on a guy like this after feigning acceptance as of late.

Furthermore, can you really say anything at this point of your career? You were supposed to come to the Phoenix Suns to take them to the promised land. Instead, you’re likely to rot away on the sidelines at a much more expedited pace from here on in.

Hey Shaq, tell me how the bench tastes.