If Shaquille O’Neal is considered a strict father after listening to his rigid parenting methods, then the Los Angeles Lakers great’s dad, Phillip Harrison, puts him to shame. Shaq has previously revealed how his stepfather used to adopt ruthless methods to make the 4x NBA champion a better person. However, the 15x All-Star once went against his dad after the sergeant’s advice regarding Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Russell, and Wilt Chamberlain.

Every aspiring NBA big man has the desire to reach the lofty heights set by iconic big men like Chamberlain, Russell, and Kareem. That is exactly what Shaq’s father wanted him to do. However, the 2000 MVP decided to go “hip-hop”, defying his dad. 

Shaquille O’Neal adopted a hip-hop lifestyle

Russell, Chamberlain, and Kareem are not just three of the greatest players of all time, they were trailblazers. So was Dr. J. The 11-time All-Star Julius Erving was considered a hoop god and was the inspiration for many stars from the 90s and early 2000s, including a certain Michael Jordan. The 2x NBA champion was a treat to watch for many and Shaquille O’Neal was one of them. 

Though the 7’1 star was a dominant big, while Erving was a classy small forward, that did not stop him from falling in love with the game of the Sixers legend. Shaq, in a discussion with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, revealed, “My father, Sergeant Phillip. He would always throw these three names at me. ‘So I want you to be dominant like Wilt Chamberlin. I want you to play defense like Bill Russell. And I want you to be a worldwide figure, and a great player and a great humanitarian like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.'”

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Anyhow Shaq decided to defy his dad as he added, “But I was a hip-hop kid so I kinda started looking at you guys and went a little bit more towards Dr. J. But my father would always talk about you. He loves you.“

Shaquille O’Neal still benefitted from going against his father

Father Phillip was a sergeant and he always stuck to the strict drills he learned from the army. Though the former Lakers star respects his dad’s advice, he had to go against him this one time. However, Shaq benefitted.

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Considering the trophy collection and all the accolades of the 51-year-old, following Dr. J’s gameplay has only helped him. However, one has to wonder whether O’Neal could have achieved a lot more considering his talent had he tried to emulate the legends who played like him. Nonetheless, there is no reason for the 4x NBA champion to be disappointed, as his name is now mentioned in the same bracket as those of the greatest big men the league has ever seen.

Watch this story: “You’re a clown. Hammered by Michael Jordan for a foolish question , Jeremy Piven narrates ordeal to Shaquille O’Neal”

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