Shaquille oneal is the second best basketball player that happened to this city besides magic johnson. Not only did he help the lakers, but also the city. He was an activist for child abuse. He provided jobs for many paople that were unemployed through the lakers and his businesses. He was the face of the city especially in his early years. He passed out $200,000 dollars worth of gifts to needy los angeles children during christmas. He did it again this year even though he lives in miami. Shaquille oneal payed for the police cars that were burned down in the 1999-2000 championship season riots. Kobe hasnt done one thing for this city. He uses his money to buy his wife 4 million dollar rings. Shaq was an individual that this city needed to keep. IF he stayed in LA longer after he retired he would have invested his millions in the city of LA which would in the long run bring more tax revenue, provide more jobs, and bring public service. The city looeing shaq wasnt just about having a winning basketball team. Look at the long run. Look at what Majic has done for this city since he retired. More than you can imagine or though of when he was a player.