Shaquille O’Neal’s Miami Arrival Created Controversy Thanks to Ex-ESPN Writer’s “Under 6′10” Jibe

Shaquille O’Neal ended his Lakers tenure on a bitter note after the 04 Finals loss to the Pistons. It was the Miami Heat’s gain, as they traded for the Center and soon achieved a championship. His partnership with Dwyane Wade is still remembered. As Shaq followed a different method to motivate D-Wade in comparison to Kobe Bryant and Penny Hardaway. But another Heat star was motivated by Big Diesel’s arrival, thanks to an article from Dan LeBatard.

Udonis Haslem, on his show, stated “You inspired me” to the former ESPN employee. He would narrate the story, “I’m just saying I remember the article. It was right when we signed Shaquille O’Neal to the Miami Heat. And the article comes out that says Shaquille O’Neal has never won with a power forward under 6’10”. Now he didn’t say my name but clearly…” Even the co-host and former Heat teammate teased UD about his height, suggesting that had he used the tape measure to confirm his height.

The 3x NBA champion denied stating he didn’t need to because he understood the assignment. “I immediately said ‘I will kick Travis Knight’s a–‘ and this had nothing to do with you Travis Knight, so I apologize. But the fact that Travis Knight could win with Shaq, yeah, and I couldn’t.” UD is talking about Knight, who was a role player for the Purple and Gold franchise and won the only championship of his career in 2000. And Udonis Haslem even stated that he had no beef with Dan LeBatard either.

“But it was never a issue where I had an issue with Dan. But immediately it’s like I’mma show you.” That is why the 20-year NBA veteran called Le Batard an inspiration. “And that was all those moments in my career who brought me to who I am,” via The OGs podcast. Even though UD had no beef with the former ESPN employee, Shaquille O’Neal clearly still has one.

Looking back at the 9-year-old beef between Shaquille O’Neal and Le Batard

The supposed one-sided beef went down in 2016. LeBatard was critical of Shaquille O’Neal’s leadership skills. In fact, the Lakers legend even went on a rant on social media. But the venting wasn’t enough, as LeBatard still feels there is some unresolved tension between the two. That’s why he was hesitant to speak about it on his show.

“It’s not a beef that I want,” However, his next statement would ignite any feud. “I’m surprised that in some spots he’s more sensitive than I thought he would be. If indeed he did get mad at me for saying that he was too sensitive, then he is too sensitive, and I get to be right about him being too sensitive while wanting no quarrel with him.”

Surely, Shaquille O’Neal would not take kindly to a ‘sensitive’ comment. It makes one wonder—it’s the same way he critiques current players, but apparently, he was upset by the remarks from Dan LeBatard.