On the Court With... Shaquille O'Neal Read online

  For the next week it seemed as if every televised sports program in the country found an excuse to show a replay of Shaquille's monstrous dunk. No one dunked the way he did, and fans loved seeing him do it. LSU defeated Arizona, 92–82. Shaquille racked up 29 points, with 14 rebounds and 6 blocked shots.

  The game sparked the best streak of Shaquille's short collegiate career. In his next game he scored a career-high 53 points against Arkansas State. He followed that achievement with similarly dominant performances against some of the best teams in the country.

  But Shaquille was also demonstrating that he wasn't just a one-dimensional player. He hadn't just become stronger, he was quicker and more agile, too.

  Fans attending a game against Mississippi witnessed just how quick and agile he was. With the shot clock winding down, Shaquille received the ball at the top of the key and tossed up a rare long-range jumper. The shot missed but the ricochet bounced straight back toward him.

  When Shaquille had been younger, his favorite player in the NBA had been Philadelphia 76er forward Julius Erving. Erving, a lithe six feet eight inches, was a silky-smooth leaper known for his ability to launch himself into the air far away from the basket and still be able to reach out and dunk the ball.

  Although Shaquille didn't have the ball, his next move reminded fans of Erving. From the foul line he took one great leap. Up he went toward the basket, his head almost even with the rim. He caught the ball in midair about three feet short of the basket, then thundered it through the hoop with both hands as he came down.

  For a moment the gymnasium was almost silent, as if no one could believe that a player of Shaquille's size could leap so high and so far. Then the gym erupted with a huge roar.

  No one from any team seemed capable of stopping him. As he became more confident, he delivered more surprises, such as looking one way but passing another and hitting teammates with behind-the-back passes like a point guard.

  There hadn't been a collegiate center as good as Shaquille in years. Basketball observers were saying that Shaquille could step into the NBA and instantly be one of the best centers in the league. In fact, there seemed to be only one thing he couldn't do on the basketball court — shoot free throws.

  Shaquille has a hard time making free throws in games. It isn't because of a lack of practice, as he has spent hours shooting thousands of free throws and working on his technique. But few people realize that it is physically a difficult shot for him. When he was a kid, he fell out of a tree and broke his right wrist. After the break healed, the wrist didn't bend as much as it should. Today he is unable to shoot the ball in a high arc. Instead, all he can do is sort of “shot-put” the ball in a straight line. He also seems to freeze up a little in games, because in practice he generally makes about 70 percent of his free throws. But in games he struggles to hit 50 percent.

  The opposition took note. Late in close games, they would often foul Shaquille on purpose rather than try to stop him from shooting cleanly. If he missed his free throws, the opposition would get the ball back. If they then made their shots, they could make up a deficit quickly or expand a small lead. As one coach said, “You had to foul him; otherwise, he would win a game by himself.” As a result, LSU would sometimes lose close games that they could have won.

  Still, Shaquille was becoming one of the most popular players in the entire country. Fans sometimes booed their own team when they started fouling him. They wanted to see him dunk the ball, not shoot free throws, even if their own team lost.

  For despite his immense size, there was something about Shaquille off the court that drew fans to him, particularly young kids. He had a quick smile and seemed to enjoy himself. In interviews, he could be funny and gave his dunks names like the “Love Shaq” and “Unreal O'Neal.” Youngsters looked up to him as if he were some real-life superhero, and Shaquille knew how to goof around with kids and make them smile. After all, when he was younger he had often baby-sat for his own brothers and sisters. He was only eighteen years old and in some ways was still just a big kid himself.

  LSU began to creep up in the national rankings, and for a while some people thought the team had a chance to reach the NCAA finals, but late in the season Shaquille was sidelined by a hairline fracture in his leg. At the same time, the Tigers lost another key player to injury.

  Forced to play without Shaquille, the Tigers just couldn't keep up, losing their regular-season finale and their first game in the SEC tournament. Although Shaquille returned for the opening game of the NCAA tournament and played well, LSU lost.

  It was a disappointing end to a remarkable season. Most basketball organizations named him the collegiate Player of the Year.

  Although it was clear that Shaquille would be the first pick in the NBA draft if he chose to quit school and turn professional, he wanted to win an NCAA title and was determined to get his degree. He told everyone that he intended to stay in school until he graduated and accomplished both goals.

  But in Shaquille's junior year at LSU, things changed. It didn't seem possible, but Shaquille was even bigger and stronger. The opposition was even more helpless to stop him.

  Unfortunately, the rest of the Tigers didn't give him much help. Opposing teams realized that if they could manage to slow down Shaquille, no one else on his team was able to beat them. So most teams concentrated on shutting the door in Shaquille's face.

  Shaquille began to get frustrated. Almost every time he got the ball, he was fouled and hacked. Teams even used players who rarely played otherwise, just so they could foul him. In some games he was fouled almost every time he got the ball. Coach Brown, his teammates, and even Shaquille's father began to complain about the way he was being treated. “He's taking a terrific beating,” said Brown after one particularly rough game. They were all afraid that Shaquille would get hurt.

  To protect himself, Shaquille took out an insurance policy worth $2 million if he were injured and couldn't play basketball anymore. But that was only a fraction of what he would be able to earn as a professional. As the season wore on, it didn't seem as if it was worth the risk for him to keep playing.

  The situation came to a head in the SEC tournament. Shaquille finally grew tired of being fouled, and after one particularly rough play, he struck back and got into a fight with another player. A huge brawl broke out as Shaquille's teammates came to his defense. But in the end, Shaquille was thrown out of the game. When LSU lost in the second round of the NCAA tournament to end their season, Shaquille knew it was time to make a decision.

  He and his parents spent several nights talking about whether he should complete his senior year in college or turn professional. Although Shaquille promised that he would get his degree even if he turned pro, Shaquille's father had made the same promise to himself when he had dropped out of college. But he'd never found the time to return and now regretted the decision. “I want him [Shaquille] to have that diploma so he'll have something real to depend on.”

  That was a strong argument, but so was the argument that by staying in college another year, Shaquille was risking getting injured. After talking it over with his parents and Coach Brown, Shaquille decided to turn pro. He called a press conference on April 3, 1991, and announced his decision.

  “I feel in my heart it's time for a change and time to move on,” he said. “I said to myself, 'Are you having fun?' And I reviewed in my mind this past season. I wasn't having that much fun. I was told at an early age, if it's not fun, do something else.”

  “Something else” would be playing professional basketball. Shaquille O'Neal was ready to have some fun.

  All-Stars Shaquille O'Neal and Micheal Jordan joke around after the 1996 game. Shaq outshot Jordan 25–20, but Jordan took home the MVP award.

  Multitalented O'Neal raps during a 1997 concert in Hong Kong.

  O' Neal waves his American flag during the opening ceremony of the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.

  Shaq and the other Dream Team members (including Gary Payton, here
) took home Olympic gold in 1996.

  Shaq slams home a dunk during a game in 2000; he scored a career-high 61 points that night.

  Shaq jokes with reporters during an interview prior to the 2000 NBA championship games. The Lakers went on to win the series, the first of three consecutive championship victories.

  Shag tosses in a one-handed jump shot during Game Five of the 2002 Western Conference semifinals. The Lakers won the conference, eliminating the San Antonio Spurs. They eventually won their third championship.

  NBA commissioner David Stern presents Shaq with his 2002 championship ring.

  Shaq shoots over his New Jersey Nets opponent to help the Lakers to a 98–71 win i December 2002.

  Shaq pours on the “heat” to save the ball from going out-of-bounds!

  Shaquille O'Neals's Career Stats

  Year Team G MIN FG FGA FG3 FG3A FT FTA REB A STL BLK PTS AVG

  1992–

  1993 Orlando 81 3,071 733 1,304 0 2 427 721 1,122 152 60 286 1,893 23.4

  1993–

  1994 Orlando 81 3,224 953 1,591 0 2 471 850 1,072 195 76 231 2,377 29.3

  1994–

  1995 Orlando 79 2,923 930 1,594 0 5 455 854 901 214 73 192 2,315 29.3

  1995–

  1996 Orlando 54 1,946 592 1,033 1 2 249 511 596 155 34 115 1,434 26.6

  1996–

  1997 LA

  Lakers 51 1,941 552 991 0 4 232 479 640 159 46 147 1,336 26.2

  1997–

  1998 Lakers 60 2,175 670 1,147 0 0 359 681 681 142 39 144 1,699 28.3

  1998–

  1999 LA

  Lakers 49 1,705 510 885 0 1 269 498 525 114 36 82 1,289 26.3

  1999–

  2000 LA

  Lakers 79 3,163' 956 1,665 0 1 432 824 1,078 299 36 239 2,344 29.7

  2000–

  2001 LA

  Lakers 74 2,924 813 1,422 0 2 499 972 940 277 47 204 2,125 28.7

  2001–

  2002 LA

  Lakers 67 2,422 712 1,229 0 1 398 717 715 200 41 137 1,822 27.2

  2002–

  2003 LA

  Lakers 67 2,535 695 1,211 0 0 451 725 742 206 38 159 1,841 27.5

  2003–

  2004 LA

  Lakers 67 2,464 554 948 0 0 331 676 769 196 34 166 1,439 21.5

  2004–

  2005 MIA Heat 68 2,326 610 1,022 0 0 333 715 712 190 31 166 1,553 22.8

  Total 877 32,819 9,280 16,042 1 20 4,906 9,223 10,493 2,499 591 2,268 23,467 26.8

  Shaquille O'Neal's Career Highlights

  1992–93:

  Selected for the All-Star team

  NBA Rookie of the Year

  1993–94:

  Selected for the All-Star team

  Led league in scoring and field-goal percentage

  1994:

  Gold Medal winner at 1994 World Championship Games

  1994–95:

  Led league in scoring

  1995–96:

  Selected for the All-Star team

  1996:

  Gold Medal winner at 1996 Olympic Games

  1996–97:

  Selected for the All-Star team

  Named one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history

  1997–98:

  Selected for All-NBA first team

  1998–99:

  Led league in field-goal percentage

  1999–2000:

  First unanimous MVP in NBA history

  Led league in scoring and field-goal percentage

  NBA championship winner

  2000–01:

  Selected for the All-Star team

  Led league in field-goal percentage

  NBA championship winner

  2001–02:

  Selected for the All-Star team

  NBA championship winner

  Named MVP of NBA Finals

  2002–03:

  Selected for All-NBA First Team

  Selected for NBA All-Star Reserves

  2003–04:

  Named All-Star Game MVP

  Led league in field-goal percentage

  2004–March 2005:

  Selected for NBA All-Star Team

  Shaquille O'Neal's Career Stats

  Year Team G MIN FG FGA FG3 FG3A FT FTA REB A STL BLK PTS AVG

  1992–

  1993 Orlando 81 3,071 733 1,304 0 2 427 721 1,122 152 60 286 1,893 23.4

  1993–

  1994 Orlando 81 3,224 953 1,591 0 2 471 850 1,072 195 76 231 2,377 293

  1994–

  1995 Orlando 81 3,224 953 1,591 0 2 471 850 1,072 195 76 231 2,377 29.3

  1994–

  1995 Orlando 79 2,923 930 1,594 0 5 455 854 901 214 73 192 2,315 29.3

  1995–

  1996 Orlando 54 1,946 592 1,033 1 2 249 511 596 155 34 115 1,434 26.6

  1996–

  1997 LA

  Lakers 51 1,941 552 991 0 4 232 419 640 159 46 147 1,336 26.2

  1991–

  1998 LA

  Lakers 60 2,175 610 1,147 0 0 359 681 681 142 39 144 1,699 28.3

  1998–

  1999 LA

  Lakers 49 1,705 510 885 0 1 269 498 525 114 36 82 1,289 26.3

  1999–

  2000 LA

  Lakers 79 3,163 956 1,665 0 1 432 824 1,078 299 36 239 2,344 29.7

  2000–

  2001 LA

  Lakers 74 2,924 813 1,422 0 2 499 972 940 277 47 204 2,125 28.7

  2001–

  2002 LA

  Lakers 67 2,422 712 1,229 0 1 398 717 715 200 41 137 1,822 27.2

  2002–

  2003 LA

  Lakers 67 2,535 695 1,211 0 0 451 725 742 206 38 159 1,841 27.5

  2003–

  2004 LA

  Lakers 67 2,464 554 948 0 0 331 676 769 196 34 166 1,439 21.5

  2004–

  2005 MIA Heat 68 2,326 610 1,022 0 0 333 715 712 190 31 166 1,553 22.8

  Total 877 32,819 9,280 16,042 1 20 4,906 9,223 10,493 2,499 591 2,268 23,467 26.8

  Shaquille O'Neal's Career Highlights

  1992–93:

  Selected for the All-Star team

  NBA Rookie of the Year

  1993–94:

  Selected for the All-Star team

  Led league in scoring and field-goal percentage

  1994:

  Gold Medal winner at 1994 World Championship Games

  1994–95:

  Led league in scoring

  1995–96:

  Selected for the All-Star team

  1996:

  Gold Medal winner at 1996 Olympic Games

  1996–97:

  Selected for the All-Star team

  Named one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history

  1997–98:

  Selected for All-NBA first team

  1998–99:

  Led league in field-goal percentage

  1999–2000:

  First unanimous MVP in NBA history

  Led league in scoring and field-goal percentage

  NBA championship winner

  2000–01:

  Selected for the All-Star team

  Led league in field-goal percentage

  NBA championship winner

  2001–02:

  Selected for the All-Star team

  NBA championship winner

  Named MVP of NBA Finals

  2002–03:

  Selected for All-NBA First Team

  Selected for NBA All-Star Reserves

  2003–04:

  Named All-Star Game MVP

  Led league in field-goal percentage

  2004–March 2005:

  Selected for NBA All-Star Team

  Chapter Four: 1992–95

  Magic Man

  Shaquille O'Neal was expected to be what is called a lottery pick in the NBA draft. Teams generally draft collegiate players in reverse order of their finish in the standings; those with poor records select players before those that were more successful. However, all the teams that don't make the playoffs participate in a lottery governing the first seven picks in the first round. Although
the team with the worst record still has the best chance of being awarded the first pick in the draft, the number one pick can go to any of the non-playoff teams.

  Fans look forward to the lottery and watch it on television during the NBA playoffs. Everyone expected Shaquille to be the first player selected.

  Although the Minnesota Timberwolves had the best chance at the number one pick and the right to select him, Shaquille wasn't thrilled with the idea of going to Minnesota. He liked warm weather; the idea of spending most of the winter in snowy Minnesota didn't appeal to him. He hoped to be selected by a team in a warmer climate.

  Fortunately for Shaquille, when NBA commissioner David Stern drew the lottery picks, the Timberwolves received the third pick. The Charlotte Hornets and the Orlando Magic were the two remaining teams. One of them would receive the first pick.

  As Stern opened the envelope to reveal who would have rights to the first pick, O'Neal was more nervous than he'd ever been in his life. Although both teams were in warm-weather climates, the Charlotte Hornets were a team that needed a great deal of help. Even O'Neal wouldn't be able to make them a winning team right away. Orlando, on the other hand, was a young, talented team that was improving rapidly. O'Neal believed that if he was selected by Orlando, he could help them become one of the best teams in the NBA.

  Stern opened an envelope to announce the number two pick. “The second pick of the 1992 NBA draft belongs to” — he paused before speaking —“the Charlotte Hornets!”

  Hornet fans slumped in their chairs while Magic fans roared. That meant the Magic would have the first pick!

  O'Neal was relieved. Although it took several weeks for him and the Magic to agree on a contract, O'Neal eventually signed a seven-year deal worth almost $40 million, the biggest contract ever given to an NBA rookie. Now all O'Neal had to do was earn his money.

  At the same time, sneaker manufacturers and other companies scrambled to sign O'Neal to lucrative endorsement contracts to help them sell their products. O'Neal was expected to be the next great NBA player, as well-known as Michael Jordan. O'Neal eventually signed deals worth twice the amount of his NBA contract.