Late Jerry West almost had a sort of prophetic vision. Just as he assumed, the powerful duo of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal won three back-to-back championship titles for the Lakers. Apparently, this was the reason why O’Neal’s Orlando Magic teammate thought that this was the right career decision despite being devastated by the news of his departure. During his appearance on the ‘Let’s Be Clear’ podcast, Penny Hardaway revealed his exchange with Shaquille O’Neal after learning about his $120 million deal.

It wasn’t O’Neal who informed him, Hardaway found out about the “devastating” news of his teammate leaving the team, during an interview with the media at the Atlanta Olympics. Later, when he confronted O’Neal, the deal had already been signed.

“I found out in the Olympics. I was in the media coverage when we were in media day in the Olympics and the reporter asked me ‘how do you feel not having Shaq on your team anymore’ I’m like what are you…he didn’t tell me at the time and then afterwards, he and I spoke but he had already committed a contract with the Lakers,” Hardaway said, via the ‘Let’s Be Clear’ podcast. 

Hardaway also emphasized how numerous actors, celebrity Lakers fans, and Jerry West convinced him to join the Lakers. Around 1994-95 was the time when Shaq slowly began to venture into the music and film industry too.

Ultimately, Hardaway realized that he couldn’t say much because of the impressive and diverse opportunities that the Lakers provided. And it will be fair to say that O’Neal joined the team and made the dream come true of winning the championship.

How did Jerry West convince Shaquille O’Neal to join the Lakers?

As Shaq revealed during an interview with Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson, West shared his master plan with him. The former Lakers GM never convinced Shaq but guaranteed the champ that he would win a title in a few years while playing alongside a young and talented Bryant. Remember what we said about West’s prophetic vision?

Just four years later, the Los Angeles Lakers won the NBA championship in 2000. They continued to dominate for two more years until O’Neal left the Lakers and won another ring with the Miami Heat alongside Dwyane Wade. This was in the year 2006.

The champ also came close to a championship in 1995 with the Orlando Magic but lost to the Houston Rockets. That is the only regret Hardaway has about his career. He knew that O’Neal’s absence would hinder the Magic’s chances at a championship. Despite everything, the media veteran fondly looks back at his time with the franchise. Perhaps, fate intended the ‘Big Aristotle’ to be in LA.

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Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud, Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, and more, watch this video.