“Spoiled Brat” Shaquille O’Neal Opens Up on NBA Legend Bill Russell Giving Him a Stern Reality Check: “Stop Complaining About Anything, Don’t Say Nothing”

Published 08/03/2022, 1:00 AM EDT

Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell recently passed away at 88. The world lost another NBA icon and both fans and athletes are mourning and remembering the great man. Shaquille O’Neal, another iconic athlete, paid tribute to Russell by sharing some interesting tidbits about their interactions together.

Apparently, Bill Russell paid a big part in handing Shaquille O’Neal the reality check that he needed.

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While players like Shaq, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James have risen to fame in their time, players like Bill Russell and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar paved the way for them. And the four-time NBA champion seems to accept that, giving credit where it’s due.

Shaquille O’Neal is thankful for Bill Russell

Though O’Neal is one of the most celebrated and popular players in the world, he did not shy away from accepting a few faults. As per the 50-year-old, he was once spoiled. Ultimately, it was Bill Russell and his stories that humbled him.

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Referring to Russell as a jovial and giggly guy, Shaquille O’Neal recounted a few stories about the former’s struggles. Everything from people throwing things at them, to sending them death threats.

“Because it was for guys like him and Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem. They paved the way for me to make a lot of money. I just said, stop complaining. Stop complaining about anything. Don’t say nothing”.

In the end, O’Neal’s words just proved how important Russell and his success was for everyone that played after him.

Russell sure hated to lose!

Of course, this was in no way the first time O’Neal spoke about Russell and vice-versa. In fact, during his 2017 lifetime achievement award ceremony, the Boston Celtics icon called out Shaq and a few others in the best way possible.

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“I would kick your a**,” he said, pointing at everyone on stage while receiving the award, and prompting the room to respond in deafening laughter. If anything, Russell’s words only seemed to bring out the “jovial” personality O’Neal described.

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In the end, O’Neal also added that Russell was the first ever “legendary big man” to be nice to him. While they might not have crossed paths on the court, Russell undoubtedly affected O’Neal in the most positive of ways.

Do you have a favorite O’Neal-Russell moment? Let us know in the comments below.

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Written by:

Devika Pawar is a Golf and NBA writer at Essentially Sports. A psychology graduate from KJ Somaiya, Devika has an experience with sportswriting at Republic World for around two years now. She loves NBA a little too much, and is a dedicated Golden State Warriors fan.

Edited by:

Veer Badani

“Spoiled Brat” Shaquille O’Neal Opens Up on NBA Legend Bill Russell Giving Him a Stern Reality Check: “Stop Complaining About Anything, Don’t Say Nothing”

Shaquille O’Neal is thankful for Bill Russell

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Russell sure hated to lose!