Shaquille O’Neal, Who Called Himself “Big Sewer”, Once Blamed a Reporter for His Free Throw Shooting

Legendary Lakers center Shaquille O’Neal was one of the most dominant players in the game of basketball. He had a huge size advantage over most of the players and always used this advantage. He had great control over his body and would dominate players in the low post area. Shaq only had one weakness in his game, but it was a significant one – free throw shooting.

As great a player as Shaq was, he could never improve his free throw shooting throughout this career. To counter Shaq and his dominance, teams developed a method to play Shaq. They started using a technique known as “Hack-a -Shaq”. What it meant was that they would intentionally foul Shaq before he could attempt a shot. Hence, instead of a two-point play due to Shaq’s poor free-throw skills, teams were content with him making one of his two free throws.

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Shaq also had a quick wit and a friendly demeanor. And most of all, he could laugh at himself. This helped him in his career when dealing with the media and helps him now in his broadcasting career with TNT. When he was once in Pheonix with team USA, he was asked about his free throw prowess.

Shaq nonchalantly replied, “You know who taught me how to shoot free throws? Chris Sheridan.” He also loved giving nicknames to himself. His best was when he called himself “The Big Sewer,” explaining that he had “a lot of s—.”

Shaquille O’Neal – One of the greatest ever to do it

Orlando Magic selected Shaq as the first overall pick in the 1992 NBA Draft. Orlando was an expansion team, but he would quickly change the team’s fortune. He would make the team competitive and would lead them to the 1995 NBA Finals. They would face the Houston Rockets in the Finals but would lose the series in four games. Shaq would then leave for the Lakers in the summer of 1996.

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Shaq’s time with the Lakers was very successful. He would win three straight NBA Championships and three straight NBA Finals MVPs. He also won the NBA league MVP and the scoring title in the 1999-00 season with the Lakers. But he would eventually leave the Lakers in 2004 after his relationship with Kobe Bryant soured. Let us know in the comments below your favorite Shaquille O’Neal memory.