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Or as Abdul-Rauf, who played for the Kyoto Hannaryz the past two seasons told me, "Needless to say, I'm not a big fan of David Stern or 'big business.' I believe there are exploitation issues on both sides. But no worries, the goal of the NBA is to make money so there's too much on the table for them not to have a season, and I think many will agree with that at least." Japan Times

David Stern, Lockout, Japan, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf 

Former LSU teammate and Kyoto Hannaryz guard Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf recalls Shaq's intense zest for life in those days and the budding star's unstoppable desire to leave his mark on and off the court. "Of course people will remember him for different things," Abdul-Rauf told The Japan Times. "But what stands out to me, especially, in his younger years is the energy and tenacity he approached the game with." Abdul-Rauf went by his given name (Chris Jackson) then and played one college season with Shaq before being selected as the No. 3 pick in the 1990 NBA Draft. "I remember when we were teammates at LSU he said that he would be the first player to have an $80 million contract," the highest-profile foreign player in bj-league history added. "He exceeded that." Japan Times

Shaquille O'Neal, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf 

Despite O'Neal's 28,596 career points and goofy persona, wide assortment of nicknames and memorable one-liners, Abdul-Rauf remembers Shaq's unbridled determination and intense focus to succeed as being trademarks of his basketball career. "What stood out to me more than anything during those days was that he played with a chip on his shoulder," Abdul-Rauf said, analyzing the foundation period of Shaq's career. "He always had something to prove. The way we all should approach the game. "He was a mammoth of a player. But sadly I believe he also will be known for mostly being able to bulldoze his way into scoring." Japan Times

Shaquille O'Neal, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf 

"He never really developed a low mid-range game, which I believe could have made the game easier for him throughout his career and made it less demanding on his body," Abdul-Rauf said. "And his free throws never significantly improved, which could have done the same. But despite all of those things he was still able to remarkably dominate for a long amount of time." Consider this: The 15-time All-Star averaged 20 or more points in each of his first 14 seasons in the league. A remarkable stretch in any era. "He was a likable guy by many and I hope his retirement years bring him wisdom and happiness," Abdul-Rauf concluded. Japan Times

Shaquille O'Neal, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf 

Former LSU teammate and Kyoto Hannaryz guard Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf recalls Shaq's intense zest for life in those days and the budding star's unstoppable desire to leave his mark on and off the court. "Of course people will remember him for different things," Abdul-Rauf told The Japan Times. "But what stands out to me, especially, in his younger years is the energy and tenacity he approached the game with." Japan Times

Shaquille O'Neal, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf 

Abdul-Rauf went by his given name (Chris Jackson) then and played one college season with Shaq before being selected as the No. 3 pick in the 1990 NBA Draft. "I remember when we were teammates at LSU he said that he would be the first player to have an $80 million contract," the highest-profile foreign player in bj-league history added. "He exceeded that." Japan Times

Shaquille O'Neal, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf 

"What stood out to me more than anything during those days was that he played with a chip on his shoulder," Abdul-Rauf said, analyzing the foundation period of Shaq's career. "He always had something to prove. The way we all should approach the game. "He was a mammoth of a player. But sadly I believe he also will be known for mostly being able to bulldoze his way into scoring." Japan Times

Shaquille O'Neal, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf 

"He never really developed a low mid-range game, which I believe could have made the game easier for him throughout his career and made it less demanding on his body," Abdul-Rauf said. "And his free throws never significantly improved, which could have done the same. But despite all of those things he was still able to remarkably dominate for a long amount of time." Japan Times

Shaquille O'Neal, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf 

Will the former All-American scoring sensation from Louisiana State return to Kyoto? "It's hard to say," he said. "You never know what's in the organization's mind." If not Kyoto, will Abdul-Rauf, the No. 3 pick in the 1990 NBA Draft, entertain offers from other bj-league teams, including, possibly, the four new expansion clubs — Shinshu Brave Warriors, Chiba Jets, Yokohama B-Corsairs and Iwate Big Bulls? "Again, you never know what people are thinking," he blurted out. "You would think based on what you bring to the table that would, but I've been in situations where I've done extremely well in a country and you don't even get called back." Japan Times

Japan, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf 

The deadly earthquake and tsunami in Japan on March 11 sent several former NBA players packing from the country. The ex-NBA players included Richie Frahm, Robert Swift, Charles O’Bannon, Kenny Satterfield, Jerald Honeycutt, Japan native Yuta Tabuse and J.R. Sakuragi (formerly J.R. Henderson). NBA draft prospect Jeremy Tyler has also returned home. About the only ex-NBA player still playing there right now is Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf for Kyoto Hannaryz. Yahoo! Sports

Jeremy Tyler, Japan, Robert Swift, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, Yuta Tabuse 

Courtesy of The Japan Times’ Ed Odeven: OSAKA — Kyoto Hannaryz guard Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf participated in the 3-Point Shootout during Sunday’s All-Star festivities, providing a thrill for the enthusiastic crowd at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium. The former NBA standout gave fans of all ages a delightful memory to talk about in years to come. They can say they saw Abdul-Rauf while he played in Japan. Even though the 41-year-old, averaging 13.9 points per game, probably should have been given a special spot on the Western Conference All-Star squad to drum up greater interest among fans and the media — heck, he was already there to begin with — he holds no grudges. SLAM

Japan, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf 

With four new clubs joining the bj-league next season, more roster spots will open up for imports, too, including those who have spent quality time in the NBA Development League, which a growing number of current bj-league stars have played in. "If Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, Kenny Satterfield and Robert Swift continue to play well, of course there will eventually be more former NBA players coming here," a league insider told The Japan Times last week. "It's just that now they will first try the NBADL, Europe, other leagues, and then when their value drops to a certain point, they will join the bj-league. But to get guys recently released or available in the case of a lockout is a long shot. Very, very long shot." Japan Times

Japan, Robert Swift, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf 

Despite beginning his professional career when George H.W. Bush was U.S. president, Abdul-Rauf's commitment to excellence hasn't changed. He admitted as much without hesitation. "Right now I feel good," said Abdul-Rauf, the Kyoto Hannaryz's 41-year-old floor leader. "I've still got passion. I'm competitive. I don't want to lose. I still feel there's room for improvement that I can make, even at 41. "I don't think you ever stop getting to the point where you can't improve, and when you do that you stop growing, you stop getting better." Japan Times

Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf 

Abdul-Rauf, however, doesn't detest aging. Instead, he accepts it and maintains a youthful zest for life and basketball. "(Regarding) aging, I embrace it," he said. "Everyone's getting older, even the youngest. Every second you breathe you are getting older. And for me, I just try to take care of my body." He added: "It's a part of life. Everything has a birth and everything has a death and I am just trying to take advantage of it and utilize what God has given me to the best of my ability." Japan Times

Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf