[Jakfu]

So it is a shit but accredited school. Oh well good job then shaq.

Whatever dude. It doesn't change the fact that he accomplished something

[Ninja Scooter]

I wonder what the motivation is for someone like Shaq to get a degree like this is? Not to downplay his accomplishment, but is it basically to show off?

[unomas]

Whatever dude. It doesn't change the fact that he accomplished something

It cracks me up how utterly bitter/negative some people are. You read stories almost weekly about athletes who lost all their money and have nothing left, but then you have Shaq go on to get his doctorate and for some reason it's like pissing in this kids cornflakes. Since when do we need to cut on others accomplishments? The man did something good, no need to bow down to him, but acknowledging it as a positive things seems like common sense.

[unomas]

I wonder what the motivation is for someone like Shaq to get a degree like this is? Not to downplay his accomplishment, but is it basically to show off?

I think a doctorate in anything gives you a sense of pride; I don't think showing off was his main motivation. To get his masters and then doctorate had to take roughly 7 years or more; that's an awful lot of time to give up to earn something just to show off. Just seems like a driven guy who needs goals and markers in life to keep him going. Some people just can't stop.

[B!TCH]

I wonder what the motivation is for someone like Shaq to get a degree like this is? Not to downplay his accomplishment, but is it basically to show off?

Seriously, I already knew Shaq was smarter than me but why does he have to be such a dick about it?

[CrushDance]

Why hate on someone who furthered themselves? Awkward as fuck.

[Jakfu]

It cracks me up how utterly bitter/negative some people are. You read stories almost weekly about athletes who lost all their money and have nothing left, but then you have Shaq go on to get his doctorate and for some reason it's like pissing in this kids cornflakes. Since when do we need to cut on others accomplishments? The man did something good, no need to bow down to him, but acknowledging it as a positive things seems like common sense.

It's definitely something to at least acknowledge as a positive image.

[SouthernDragon]

Don't shit on people who go to Barry. I respect people who try to further themselves and their education.

[Banana Kid]

He has a PHD in slamming and a bachelor's in jamming.

[Draconian]

What's the real context of this? What was happening that made him react? Was he leaving in true laughter or was he hiding his rage?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5gTZjuo0rc

[krameriffic]

Interesting. I can't help but wonder why he went for this. I mean, if he was secretly a genius and had a passion for astrophysics or something, I could understand it. But this just seems like a weird thing to do.

[Az]

So it is a shit but accredited school. Oh well good job then shaq.

I havent seen anyone so salty on this forum for some time.

[heyf00L]

This is messing up my worldview. I want to believe that athletes are all moron jocks who just happened to make it, and anyone who wants to be an athlete is is a moron jock who probably won't make it and will only end up flipping burgers for a living. As long as I can think that it allows me to minimize their accomplishments, wealth, and fame so that I can feel better about myself. Don't make me rethink this, Shaq!

Repeat after me: I am NOT an underachiever who will leave no lasting impact on this world and will quickly be forgotten after I die.

[Tawpgun]

Shaq is an NBA superstar and now he has a doctorate?



What a snob.

[windowlurker]

Father, Beast, Champion, Cop, MVP... now doctor.

[Ninja Scooter]

Father, Beast, Champion, Cop, MVP... now doctor.

Don't forget his greatest accomplishment: Having one less ring than Kobe Bean Bryant.

[Randolph Freelander]

Repeat after me: I am NOT an underachiever who will leave no lasting impact on this world and will quickly be forgotten after I die.

Bad news. You will be quickly forgotten.

But if it makes you feel better, so will all of these athletes. It's just your "quick" will be a tick quicker.

[windowlurker]

Don't forget his greatest accomplishment: Having one less ring than Kobe Bean Bryant.

still more than his old teammate lebron herp derp

[TheBaldEmperor]

Don't forget his greatest accomplishment: Having one less ring than Kobe Bean Bryant.

Still has one more finals MVP than Kobe. Also, Robert Horry has 7 rings.

Nice job, Big Fella.

[Finaika]

Father, Beast, Champion, Cop, MVP... now doctor.

He is also an accomplished martial artist:

[CoffeeJanitor]

Are you serious? He basically got the undergrad for free taking "communications" courses Bought the MBA Then got a phd from a private school. Lemme see his thesis or dissertation.

Yeah, cool he got them, but this

[Ninja Scooter]

he wrote his thesis on the nature of the physical properties that allow his dick to fit inside Hoopz tiny body.

[See You Next Wednesday]

Motherfucker has 4 NBA Championships, millions of dollars, his own shoe, a masters, AND a PhD. Movie star, sports analyst, probably done some public speaking etc etc.

Don't forget a somewhat successful music career with albums appearing in the top 10.
He had his own show for two seasons I think.
He had his own videogame.
He is involved with real-estate business.
He a MMA fighter.
Is a deputized police officer.
He pays off hookers to not go to the media.


The man has done it all.

[Tashi]

Congrats to the Big Aristotle.

[kottila]

My phd is worthless now :(
it was already worthless

[Something Wicked]

Are some of you guys serious? Are you some of seriously acting like this is some major accomplishment without being sarcastic? Shira is mostly correct here. I hope every single person here would be able to get the same degree as Shaq if you put at least some effort and certainly the money towards it.

I can see the angle of this being a positive example for kids to further their educations. It's quite unheard of for most sports stars, but then, many sports stars, particularly in the NBA, are some of the most selfish and less intelligent assholes on the entire planet.

I'm sorry, Shaq, you got a good sense of humor and seem like a decent person in general, but this story just further demonstrates the money-driven college education culture in the US. It's well known that many schools provide doctorates in programs with relatively very little intellectual challenge, yet not at a "very little price." The difference between a bachelor's in particle physics and Shaq's doctorate would be similar to the difference in the ability to score in the NBA of the particle physics BS degree holder to Shaq in his prime... and not including free-throws.

[666]

Money and time buys things. Good one him though.

[MuseManMike]

shack is a dum idiot wit his milleons rings n doc move on guy i mean n mba for atheleets? lol thatz a dum digri. not like atheleets have moni issues

People act like his goal is to become a professor. He's not going to be offended if people don't call him Dr. Do traditional colleges have more rigor? Yes. Is this still unbelievably impressive considering? Yes. He's gone on recording stating he did not want to be one of those athletes that ends up broke a few years out of the league. He's a smart guy. There's something that deeply offends people when athletes continue on to do well in a non-athletic areas. I think it offends people because it treads on their social stereotypes.

[Feep]

Are some of you guys serious? Are you some of seriously acting like this is some major accomplishment without being sarcastic? Shira is mostly correct here. I hope every single person here would be able to get the same degree as Shaq if you put at least some effort and certainly the money towards it. I can see the angle of this being a positive example for kids to further their educations. It's quite unheard of for most sports stars, but then, many sports stars, particularly in the NBA, are some of the most selfish and less intelligent assholes on the entire planet. I'm sorry, Shaq, you got a good sense of humor and seem like a decent person in general, but this story just further demonstrates the money-driven college education culture in the US. It's well known that many schools provide doctorates in programs with relatively very little intellectual challenge, yet not at a "very little price." The difference between a bachelor's in particle physics and Shaq's doctorate would be similar to the difference in the ability to score in the NBA of the particle physics BS degree holder to Shaq in his prime... and not including free-throws.

So the fuck what? We're supposed to hate on a man for not being a particle physicist? Those men are born with a gift, just as Shaq was born a crazy giant basketball player. Very few can do either, but Shaq was devoted enough to an education to continue pursuing one with no real tangible benefit to doing so. Man's a gazillionaire, but he kept at it.

[Rlan]

It begins.

[Something Wicked]

So the fuck what? We're supposed to hate on a man for not being a particle physicist? Those men are born with a gift, just as Shaq was born a crazy giant basketball player. Very few can do either, but Shaq was devoted enough to an education to continue pursuing one with no real tangible benefit to doing so. Man's a gazillionaire, but he kept at it.

Not hate the guy, but just not be overly impressed. I already said Shaq seems like a pretty decent guy (though shitty husband), and perhaps one of the more ideal professional athletes in terms of giving back to local communities.

But, not being slightly cynical towards this "doctorate" is being absolutely naive. And those particle physicists were born with a human brain, which all of us have. Shaq was born with genes that allowed him to become over 7 feet tall, which an extreme few of us have... How the hell am I the one defending nerds over one of the least athletic sports stars in history on this site?!

[Feep]

But, not being slightly cynical towards this "doctorate" is being absolutely naive. And those particle physicists were born with a human brain, which all of us have. Shaq was born with genes that allowed him to become over 7 feet tall, which an extreme few of us have... How the hell am I the one defending nerds over one of the least athletic sports stars in history on this site?!

I could argue, by the same logic, that Shaq was born with a human body, which all of us have.

Intelligence is highly correlated to genetics. There are limits to what hard work (the motivation to do so, by the way, probably also being partially genetic) can do. All minds are not born equal.

[Woody Invincible]

Anybody else buy this horrid cd like my 11 y/o self did?

[heyf00L]

Not hate the guy, but just not be overly impressed. I already said Shaq seems like a pretty decent guy (though shitty husband), and perhaps one of the more ideal professional athletes in terms of giving back to local communities. But, not being slightly cynical towards this "doctorate" is being absolutely naive. And those particle physicists were born with a human brain, which all of us have. Shaq was born with genes that allowed him to become over 7 feet tall, which an extreme few of us have... How the hell am I the one defending nerds over one of the least athletic sports stars in history on this site?!

Oh, I didn't know us nerds were being attacked, but thanks for defending us from the scary easy PhDs. My hero!

[Kwhit10]

I'm a little skeptical as well. It said it took him 4.5 years to get this while more than 3 of those years he was playing basketball, and this year being an analyst. I seriously wonder how much time he has spent on this degree.

I'm a full-time PhD student (in chemistry not sure what it's like for education) and I'm a few months away from 5 years when I'm done, and this is all I've done. All my time has been towards completing this degree.

[Death Dealer]

Interesting. I can't help but wonder why he went for this. I mean, if he was secretly a genius and had a passion for astrophysics or something, I could understand it. But this just seems like a weird thing to do.

I saw him on Inside the NBA last year and he was joking around with everyone on the set about how they would have to call him Dr O'Neal after he got his PhD. And that if someone called him Shaq, he wouldn't even turn his head to acknowledge it. He really seemed to want the title of Dr.

I think the doctorate was just a goal, something to do, something to work towards. He obviously doesn't need to retrain for another career. I think he did it for himself but also to act as a role model. He certainly carries himself differently than most of the current crop of NBA players.

I like Shaq and respect him, but I have to agree with Shira and Something Wicked - Some people are getting carried away with the praise just because he's a celebrity. I get it. He's a famous pro athlete and let's face it, not many of them ever get a doctorate, or probably even bother to get any further education after making it. He should be commended, but he has a lot of advantages other people don't. A PhD in these circumstances just isn't as impressive as it sounds. Although I think he worked for the degree from Barry, an MBA from U. of Phoenix is a big joke.

[Anteater]

Anybody else buy this horrid cd like my 11 y/o self did?

No but I do have this one

[remnant]

Are some of you guys serious? Are you some of seriously acting like this is some major accomplishment without being sarcastic? Shira is mostly correct here. I hope every single person here would be able to get the same degree as Shaq if you put at least some effort and certainly the money towards it. I can see the angle of this being a positive example for kids to further their educations. It's quite unheard of for most sports stars, but then, many sports stars, particularly in the NBA, are some of the most selfish and less intelligent assholes on the entire planet. I'm sorry, Shaq, you got a good sense of humor and seem like a decent person in general, but this story just further demonstrates the money-driven college education culture in the US. It's well known that many schools provide doctorates in programs with relatively very little intellectual challenge, yet not at a "very little price." The difference between a bachelor's in particle physics and Shaq's doctorate would be similar to the difference in the ability to score in the NBA of the particle physics BS degree holder to Shaq in his prime... and not including free-throws.

How do you benefit from pointing out that Shaq doesn't have a Ph.d in whatever the fuck you think is impressive?Like what is the endgame here for belittling the guy's accomplishment? I honestly don't get this.

[Emwitus]

Are some of you guys serious? Are you some of seriously acting like this is some major accomplishment without being sarcastic? Shira is mostly correct here. I hope every single person here would be able to get the same degree as Shaq if you put at least some effort and certainly the money towards it. I can see the angle of this being a positive example for kids to further their educations. It's quite unheard of for most sports stars, but then, many sports stars, particularly in the NBA, are some of the most selfish and less intelligent assholes on the entire planet. I'm sorry, Shaq, you got a good sense of humor and seem like a decent person in general, but this story just further demonstrates the money-driven college education culture in the US. It's well known that many schools provide doctorates in programs with relatively very little intellectual challenge, yet not at a "very little price." The difference between a bachelor's in particle physics and Shaq's doctorate would be similar to the difference in the ability to score in the NBA of the particle physics BS degree holder to Shaq in his prime... and not including free-throws.

Where is that neogaf gif when you need it? wow. I'm convinced you don't have a doctorate degree in anything.

EDIT:

[Baconsammy]

I hope someone hires him as a doctor now and gets him off the TNT NBA show. He's awful on that.

[maomaoIYP]

Respect for the man. More education is always a better thing, even if you're swimming in money.

[Gnub]

So, when should we expect to see him in a Dr. Pepper commercial?

Didn't even come to mind but it would be awesome.

[The Technomancer]

Are some of you guys serious? Are you some of seriously acting like this is some major accomplishment without being sarcastic? Shira is mostly correct here. I hope every single person here would be able to get the same degree as Shaq if you put at least some effort and certainly the money towards it.

Uh...sure we would? No-one here is saying that the degree was probably overly difficult or that Shaq is unusually intelligent or anything, we're saying that it took a lot of work and some of us respect that a person who basically has it made in every respect goes back and works for their doctoral degree because they value it.

[Ceekus]

I'm sure it'll do wonders for his self-confidence.

[HiResDes]

Kung-Fu master. All-Time great Basketball player. MOTHERFUCKING DOCTOR.

Good rapper as well.

[Purexed]

GAF never dissapoints, I knew someone would try and shit on his accomplishment. As someone wrapping up a Masters from Gonzaga university using an in class/online hybrid model while working a 50+ hour a week job for the past 26 months, I can certainly vouch that it's doable thanks to technology.

Congrats to The Big Scholar!

[Bgamer90]

IIRC, Shaq said in an interview that he was interested in learning about the psychological qualities of coaching styles and the ins & outs of how different forms of communication play a role in that.

Find it funny how some are downplaying him. With as much junk that a good number of pro athletes get themselves into (e.g.: breaking the law), he went to learn about something he's interested in that he felt will help him progress in the area of his personal expertise. But hey, if it isn't a "harder" field of study, no one should congratulate him! Everyone is suppose to learn, do, and/or be interested in the same thing!

[Red Blaster]

I can see the angle of this being a positive example for kids to further their educations. It's quite unheard of for most sports stars, but then, many sports stars, particularly in the NBA, are some of the most selfish and less intelligent assholes on the entire planet.

Because there are a lot of black players in the NBA right

[ReturnOfTheRAT]

This is better than having a gambling addiction and getting dui's.

[ascii42]

So, when should we expect to see him in a Dr. Pepper commercial?

Just what I was thinking.