Shaquille ‘O Neal, the legendary Lakers center, always encourages the young players of the league. And he criticizes them too whenever he feels it is necessary. As one of the veterans of the league who is universally respected, and still active in the league circles, Shaq always tries to impart knowledge when he can.

But it seems like this was not always the case with Shaq. In a recent interview with the Pivot Podcast, Shaq talked about starting out in Los Angeles. He talks about how fellow Lakers’ legend Magic Johnson tried to give him advice and his reaction to it. When Magic tried to give Shaq some advice, Shaq said, “Okay Magic, I know you took care of me when I first got to LA, but LA my sh*t now…..  it’s my league now”

Shaq and the Orlando Magic exit

Shaq was drafted by the Orlando Magic as the first overall pick in the 1992 draft. He along with Penny Hardaway made a lethal one-two combination and led the expansion team Orlando Magic to the NBA Finals in 1995, but lost to the Hakeem led Houston Rockets in four games. By the end of the 1995-96 season, Shaq’s relationship with the local media had broken down. And this factored in his eventual move to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Even during their three-peat years, Shaq had a tumultuous relationship with his running mate, Kobe Bryant. Shaq was traded to the Miami Heat in the summer of 2004. But afterwards both, Kobe and Shaw had expressed their regrets and said that they should have made it work.

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Shaq the veteran

Ever since he retired and started as a presenter for NBA on TNT, Shaq always gives credit to the young players whenever they perform well. He even supported and gave constructive criticism to Joel Embiid before finally giving him his flowers this season, when he became the first center to win the scoring title since Shaq in 2000.

Having gone through everything that a player can go through early in his career, Shaq now is ready to help any player who wants his help. He may look intimidating because of the 7 foot frame, but he surely is one of the nicest guys around the league.

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