feature-image

Getty

feature-image

Getty

When someone talks about the best players to play in the NBA, some names are constant. Among them is Shaquille O’Neal, the 7-foot-1 inch center. Apart from his exploits on the court, Shaquille O’Neal has also established himself as one of the most popular media personalities in the world.

Terrell Owens holding Dude Wipes XL

The first thing everyone notices in Shaq is his huge physical build and his height. In a recent interview, Shaq talks about his height and experiences. 

Watch What’s Trending Now!

ADVERTISEMENT

article-image

ADVERTISEMENT

Shaq talks about his physicality

During an interview, the interviewer googled facts about Shaq and asked him to verify if they were true. The first question was whether Shaquille O’Neal was 6-foot-4 inches tall when he was 10 years old.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

To which Shaq replied, “True. First of all, I was handsome as hell, still had a beautiful smile.” He added, “I was big for my size, so I used to get teased. So I had to learn how to become a bully. I’m fun and I don’t like to hurt people, but when you start ganging up on me, I always have to turn the table.”

Shaq’s height has played a key role in his career, as his physicality helped him dominate opponents easily. 

ADVERTISEMENT

READ MORE: NBA Twitter Erupts as LeBron James Mocks Damian Lillard’s Celebration Mid-Game: “Le Dame Time”

How was Shaquille O’Neal as a player?

Shaquille O’Neil entered the 1992 NBA draft with a reputation of being a very physical player. Orlando Magic signed him as the first overall pick. Shaq averaged 23.4 points per game and 13.9 rebounds per game in his rookie season.

ADVERTISEMENT

Shaq led the Orlando Magic through the 1995 NBA playoffs and eliminated Michael Jordan, who was making his comeback to professional basketball. His most successful stint came with the Los Angeles Lakers, forming a partnership with Kobe Bryant and winning 3 championships.

ADVERTISEMENT

Miami Heat then acquired Shaquille O’Neal’s services alongside a young Dwyane Wade. The duo was an instant hit as they led the Heat to an NBA championship in 2006.

ADVERTISEMENT

The big man’s glittering career ended in 2011 while playing for the Boston Celtics. He retired with 4 NBA championships, 3 NBA final MVP awards, and 15 times NBA All-Star. His career averages are 23.7 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game.

WATCH THIS STORY: LeBron James Top 5 Performances On His Birthday

What is your favorite memory of Shaquille O’Neal? Let us know in the comments below.

Share this with a friend:

Link Copied!

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Written by

author-image

Abhinava Ghosh

1,823 Articles

Abhinava Ghosh is an NBA writer at EssentiallySports with a wealth of experience covering the league. He has written over 1400 articles for EssentiallySports, showcasing his expertise in analyzing and reporting on NBA trade rumors, injury updates, and the ever-changing dynamics of the league. He had successfully covered the entire Kevin Durant trade saga at Brooklyn, which led to the basketball legend’s move to the Desert. He also kept our readers updated on the Brittney Griner situation throughout her exile in Russia. One of Abhinava's proudest moments came in 2015 when the Golden State Warriors won the NBA title after 40 years. As a lifelong fan of the Dubs, Abhinava was thrilled to see his team reach the pinnacle of the sport, but he remained objective and professional in his reporting.

Know more

ADVERTISEMENT