Sometimes athletes can’t take heavy criticism. It is valid up to some point, but after a while, it is frustrating for the player. Earlier this season, Russell Westbrook was blamed for the Lakers’ losses as he was not playing as expected. Though he is not the only Laker to get criticized game in and game out.

Hall of Famer, Shaquille O’Neal was once blamed for the team’s losses in almost every single game. During this time he wasn’t very good with his teammates as well. But what changed his behavior was more interesting.

Shaquille O’Neal cared too much about the media

Shaq was a highlight reel in his prime. He was the most dominant scorer in the interior. While most of the time his contributions would ultimately result in a victory, O’Neal wasn’t always a beast.

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There were times when he was not the leading scorer on his team, which is natural as players do need rest. When Shaq and the Lakers would lose a game, O’Neal was heavily criticized for his performance, which had him frustrated.

“So when I was losing in LA, I would get all the flak and it would drive f**king me crazy.”, said Shaq. During all this, the team wanted Shaq to talk to someone about his problems, for his condition was no good to the team. Shaq met a nuclear physicist, Bert, who helped him get through the tough time. Though, his therapy was short and simple.

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“So the first thing he did because you know they… they wanted me to talk to somebody cause I’m starting to go crazy. I’m starting to beat mother f**kers up in the locker room. I’m going crazy right… So the first thing he do, he make me watch this movie, The Fan, Wesley Snipes, and Robert De Niro. And the basis of the movie is Wesley, who’s a star he said, he didn’t care. So when I started to talk to Bert, he said you care too much.”

O’Neal came up with a great solution to his problems

Bert’s idea was to explain to Shaq how everything around him was unnecessary unless it would directly affect his personal life. When Shaq was asked how much he was going to make that year, he replied with a large amount, $25 million. Now O’Neal would get that amount in his account whether he plays to his best or not. Shaq realized how he was worried about the media’s perspective a bit too much.

Bert advised Shaq to develop a habit that was called, one hand stress. From then on O’Neal only cared about what his mother said, his kids’ thinking, financial and business state, and his friends. This was a better approach to stop paying attention to criticism.

WATCH THIS STORY: “Violent Shaquille O’Neal Knocked a Teammate Unconscious Just Before Game: “Come On, Shaq! We’re Trying to Win”

Playing at the very best version and following the game plan is what a player should be concerned about. Shaq did calm down after that, but there are quite a few stories when Shaq would fight with his teammates.