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LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 25: Former NBA player Shaquille O’Neal speaks at the 12th Annual Lakers All-Access Event at Staples Center on January 25, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Tullberg/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 25: Former NBA player Shaquille O’Neal speaks at the 12th Annual Lakers All-Access Event at Staples Center on January 25, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Tullberg/Getty Images)
When it comes to controversies in the world of basketball, Shaquille O’Neal doesn’t fear speaking his mind freely. The NBA legend enjoyed an immensely successful career. During his career, O’Neal developed rivalries with many of his colleagues. Furthermore, he recently spoke about one such retired NBA star.
Shaq revealed his thoughts about his former rival Scottie Pippen on ‘The Dan Patrick’ show. A Chicago Bulls legend, Pippen was a cornerstone at the franchise and played alongside NBA legends like Michael Jordan and Dennis Rodman. Shaq declared himself to be the superior player of the two with an unusual analogy.
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He said, “I don’t let bums disrespect me. Yeah, he was a great player, but I’m the bridge, he’s the water. He will always be under me. Every now and then, he will rise to the occasion to get to the same level as the bridge.”
Shaq further continued, “But when reality kicks in, I am bridge. He is water, he is under me. Scotty Pippen can’t disrespect me. So he comes to me; I’m coming back and we can do this all day cause I have nothing to do.”
O’Neal had the better of Pippen during their meeting in June 2000. They met during the Western Conference Finals with Pippen’s Portland Trail Blazers facing O’Neal’s Lakers. O’Neal and fellow All-Star Kobe Bryant coached by Pippen’s former coach Phil Jackson defeated the Trail Blazers 89-84. The Lakers and O’Neal advanced to the 2000 NBA Finals, which they subsequently won.
A 15 time NBA All-Star, O’Neal has won four NBA championships.
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The Clippers lost to the Lakers as Shaquille O’Neal scores 61 points on his birthday
Los Angeles Lakers fans celebrated Shaq’s 28th birthday on the basketball court. The March 6, 2000 game against the Los Angeles Clippers was a memorable occasion for O’Neal on two counts. O’Neal also won his only NBA ‘Most Valuable Player’ award that season.
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Head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers Phil Jackson (R) talks with Shaquille O’Neal (L) 05 June, 2001, during practice for the NBA Finals at the Staples Arena in Los Angeles. The Lakers will face the Philadelphia 76ers in game one starting 06 June, 2001. (Photo: JEFF HAYNES/AFP/Getty Images)
He celebrated scoring a career-high 61 points and also his birthday against the Clippers. O’Neal added a further 23 rebounds and three assists. The Lakers guided by O’Neal, triumphed to a 123-103 victory against the Clippers. O’Neal’s commanding performance against the Clipper remains one of the Lakers’ finest games ever.
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