Shaquille O’Neal was arguably the most dominant player in NBA history. When he was in his prime, there was no one in the opposition stood a chance of stopping him. Teams tried double and triple teaming him, but to no avail. An old video has just resurfaced that has stunned fans, as Shaq bullies NBA legend, David Robinson, to the ground during one of their classic on-court duels.
Shaq has been unstoppable when he was at his best. But whenever he faced David Robinson, he had an extra chip on his shoulder. His former teammate Kobe Bryant narrated how Shaq asked to get the ball early against the San Antonio Spurs. Because Robinson was not nice to Shaq when he was a kid.
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The old video shows Robinson guarding Shaq in the post. Shaq receives the ball, and he turns around and backs down Robinson to the rim. Then he elevates and throws it down hard and the impact pushed Robinson to the ground. Shaq threw it down so hard that the entire basket was shaking.
(1998) Shaq doing this to David Robinson is really crazy.
— Timeless Sports (@timelesssports_) July 26, 2022
NBA Fans are stunned after watching Shaquille O’Neal destroy David Robinson
The NBA fans were in shock seeing the way Shaq dominated in the post. They were raving about his insane strength and athleticism. Some even argued that no one will be able to stop him even in today’s NBA. Here are some of the best reactions:
Not a soul on the warriors stopping this man
— god hand (@sstuntmane) July 26, 2022
A montage of Shaq abusing David Robinson
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) July 26, 2022
Yes @SHAQ can, He'll figure it out.. HE IS THE BIG ARISTOTLE… who runs on DIESEL, He'll SHAQ-FU on all the centers in todays NBA because he's The Real Deal, Big Daddy….. THE ORIGINAL SUPERMAN.. pic.twitter.com/ulsJn9kI0k
— Jay Adriano (@LakerJay74) July 26, 2022
And he did it without traveling too
— CJ (@cjisrael_) July 26, 2022
Shaq was 24 when he got to LA. In his physical prime.
I first saw Shaq up close, in person he was 20.
A year too young to be in the club.
Charles Oakley and he were posing for a photo.
Oak was built like a refrigerator back then.
Shaq made him look small. Not just short.— Kokopelli (@KokopelliEnt) July 26, 2022
Peak Shaq (2000-2002) is better than any center ever. No one could match his level of size, athleticism, and physicality.
— K-MLK (@Kmalikmusic) July 26, 2022
Shaq was literally unstoppable. He did this numerous times against very solid centers over and over again. I remember how hyped young Bynum felt in 2012 when he dunked over Shaq right after being destroyed by him. Throughout his career, it was impossible to outpower Shaq.
— Umut Pamuk (@Umut_Pamuk) July 26, 2022
When people try to diminish the Utah Jazz, remember that they swept this Lakers team with this Shaq in the playoffs. On paper, this Lakers team was stacked. That should put into perspective how good that Jazz team actually was.
— Darnell Gilet (@DarnellGilet) July 26, 2022
the extra twist after the dunk to send Robinson to the floor was uncalled for. especially when in retirement, he waxes poetic about how he loved DRob.
Michael made up "feuds" with opponents to psych himself up, trash talked people he dunked on, esp. bigs, but never like this.
— Lakan Kildap (@Lakan_Kildap) July 26, 2022
Shaq in his prime was so dominant it was a spectacle likely never to be seen again. He was so big, so strong strong, so athletic for a man his size with such excellent footwork & skill around the hoop no single man on Earth had a chance to stop him. Not even two really
— Dusty (@dengland818) July 26, 2022
Mouse in the house. pic.twitter.com/AdLhSgNLrf
— Josh Coyne (@poundcoyne) July 26, 2022
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Shaq’s Robinson story was actually fake
Every great athlete is an elite competitor, and Shaq was no different. He dominated in his day and he tried to find motivation wherever he could. Shaq has always stuck to his story that the former Spurs star did not give him an autograph when he was a kid. And he used to get the better of Robinson every time he played.
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Lakers Shaquille O’Neal in game 2 of the playoffs at The Staples Center, Thursday, April 26, 2001. (Photo by Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
But Shaq finally came clean to the public after several years. On a zoom call, Shaq apologized to Robinson and admitted that he made that story up. Robinson knew about it for years as the duo were teammates during the 1996 Olympics. Even the greatest are in need of something to motivate them. And Shaq used this to get past Robinson for years.
Do you agree with what Shaq did to Robinson?
Written by
Edited by
Tony Thomas