The NBA was in an era of big men dominating the floor. However, during this time, a young man from LSU came in with a view of beating the best. Shaquille O’Neal was a freak of nature and the Big Aristotle didn’t take long to assert his dominance in the league. The Big Diesel had a historic rookie season with the Orlando Magic and became a part of the elite big men in the NBA.

However, while no player was able to stop him, the free throw line did it without almost any trouble. And during one of his games, his mother, Lucille O’Neal started a chant that left Shaq furious.

Shaq is one of the most successful players in the history of the National Basketball Association. However, none of that would be possible if his other didn’t hold it down when he was young. At the age of just 18, Lucille gave birth to Shaq. She quickly realized she was the lone caretaker. Despite the hard times, Lucille didn’t give up. She instilled the best virtues in the Big Aristotle and made him the man he is today. When Shaq made it to the NBA, she undoubtedly became his biggest supporter.

However, during one of his games, she embarrassed Shaq with just a single chant.

The entire arena joins the chant for Shaquille O’Neal

Shaquille O’Neal was arguably the most unstoppable force in the NBA during his early days with the Orlando Magic. Averaging almost 30 points per game from his sophomore season, the four-time NBA champion was putting on a show every night. His freakish style gave him the title of ‘Superman’. But his kryptonite was the free throw line. When it came to arguably the easiest points, the Big Diesel shrank. As a 52% free throw shooter in his career, it certainly wasn’t Shaq’s cup of tea. However, his mother Lucille tried to help.

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During a Magic game, she started a chant while Shaq went to the line. The entire arena became a part of it. After the game, O’Neal made it clear he never wanted to hear the chant again. Lucille explained: “I remember one time when Shaquille played for the Magic. Somebody gave me a sign cause you know Shaquille was having issues from the free throw. So here I built a sign, ‘Bend your knees’. And I start saying bend your knees. So the whole arena, ‘Bend your knees’. He said, ‘Maa, we don’t do that anymore!'” 

However, while there were some times Lucille embarrassed Shaq, she was his good luck charm. Before every game, she would give him bubble gum and a good luck kiss to have a good game. And that did the trick for Shaq. He retired as one of the most dominant individuals to step on the floor with his name etched in the Naismith Hall of Fame.

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However, all the NBA success wasn’t what impressed Lucille. She made sure Shaq completed his education and became something outside the sport. Likewise, he went on to get a doctorate degree himself. The Big Diesel further dove into the world of business and is now worth around $400 million. It is safe to say, Lucille is the true hero in the story of Shaquille O’Neal. And she will always be his biggest supporter no matter what he does.