The Orlando Magic will be broadcast by the NBA on TNT for the first time in twelve years, and the only reason is to honor their big man, host Shaquille O’Neal. This is the 4x NBA champion’s third jersey retirement, but the most special out of all for many reasons. As he returned to his den in Orlando today, Shaq was asked about some of his favorite memories from the city, and the first thing that popped into his mind was how he spent nearly $1 million in just 45 days. 

A rookie who has just joined the NBA is mostly careful when it comes to spending his first few million. However, Shaquille O’Neal spent nearly his first million dollars without even realizing it. Shaq shared, “It was funny. I stayed in the airport Hilton for forty-five days because I didn’t know where the realtor was, I didn’t know about the house…My bill was nine hundred and sixty thousand, it was for me and my whole family.“

Later, the 2000 NBA MVP was helped by a few at the Magic organization. He was introduced to a realtor, and mainly, he was taught how to be a professional. Well, Shaq learned some of the most important lessons of his life in his rookie days at Orlando, and this was the first of many.

Shaquille O’Neal wouldn’t have wanted to start his career anywhere else

While the start on the court was incredible for Shaq, it was a bit of a struggle for him to get things settled down off the court. Finding a new house, fitting into a new team full of veterans and acclimating to his star status were among his many concerns. But, all of this favored Shaq on his entry into Orlando. Although it was nearly a million dollar bill in his first month there, Shaq said, “I wouldn’t want to start my career anywhere”, other than the Magic.

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They say careful what you wish for and Shaq lived by it. He was the ‘Rookie of the Year’ and an All-Star starter in his first season with the Magic. If he had decided to go elsewhere, we might have not seen the same Big Diesel. O’Neal thanked the DeVos family on his big night. The owners of the franchise entrusted a young Shaq with the keys to their team, and the former #1 pick could not be more grateful.

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