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Shaquille O’Neal Lays Down Harsh Reality Check on the Need for Change in Sports: “We Have to Take Action”

Published 03/22/2022, 9:30 AM EDT

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In an effort to slam dunk the Oscars, NBA star Shaquille O’Neal came up with a movie that is making headlines online. The response that the movie is getting and the quality of sports that are shown have surely made a mark at winning the award. It has not been confirmed that Ben Proudfoot will win his second Oscar in two years, but he is on track. He directed “The Queen of Basketball“, a documentary film.

Stephen Curry from the Warriors and Shaq, two of his best NBA players in history, are executive producers in the documentary. This documentary honors “Lucy” Harris for her struggles and transformation into a beautiful and confident woman to give so much in women’s basketball. 

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Shaq and Ben discussed the documentary in detail during their conversation. O’Neal lays down a hard reality check on the need for change in sports, especially when it comes to a gender-based sports scenario.

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In her hometown of Mississippi, Harris started her career in high school. Afterward, she began showcasing her talents at Delta State University with her record-breaking performance. Additionally, she won three national championships in the 1970s.

Shaquille O’Neal explained the goals of the documentary 

In the conversation, Shaq mentioned what Harris believed about the matter. Then he was asked what the audience should take away from watching the documentary. Shaq replied as follows:

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Sports is supposed to be a fair space, supposed to be a place of equality, supposed to be about merit, talent. Should be a place that’s free of racism, misogyny, free of inequality and now 50 years later we have to really reassess how we’re doing all that?”

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via Getty

Shaq continued by saying, “Don’t say supposed to be about that and then don’t take action on. We have to take action on it. Who are we sidelining in sports today? That’s the question that Lucy asks.”

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WATCH THIS STORY: Where Is Michael Jordans Birthplace? Was Boxer Mike Tyson Born In The Same Hospital as Michael Jordan?

In 1977, Harris became the first woman ever drafted by the NBA. Harris died at the age of 66. She has inspired many women to follow the path in women’s sports throughout her career. Let us know what you think about this documentary in the comments section.

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Written by:

Anshika Rai

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Anshika Rai is an NBA writer at EssentiallySports. She is currently pursuing her bachelor's degree in journalism and mass communication. Anshika has been following NBA for many years now.
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Edited by:

Arunaditya Aima