Shaquille O’Neal took a break from his busy schedule to brighten a school day for some kids recently. While he was on Houston turf, he took the opportunity to talk about an old rival and friend. Shaq is known to heap high praise on NBA stars he admires. But his take on a Houston Rockets legend contrasts a heated debate by another NBA All-Star.

When you’re among the Rockets, you have to talk about Hakeem Olajuwon. Big Diesel has had many epic clashes with The Dream during his NBA career.

Shaquille O’Neal hypes old rival Hakeem Olajuwon in H-Town

Ever the do-gooder, Shaquille O’Neal collaborated with MyEyeDr. to spread awareness about eye health and wellness among kids. He took over Pine Shadows Elementary School in Houston as the principal for the day. He conducted an assembly in his style, answering questions from his young fans. In a message to students, he explained all the reasons why Houston is special to him.

Apart from his family residing there and the many local businesses he operates, he’s had some of his best NBA games in H-Town. And even some momentous losses.

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“It’s just him being one of the best ever. And I realized that in order to be the best you have to beat the best,” Shaq said about his matchups with Hakeem. “That year we faced off, the best won out. He made me a much stronger competitor.” 

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Shaq is referring to the 1995 NBA finals when Hakeem and the Rockets swept Orlando Magic and its center, Shaq, in four games. Olajuwon was the NBA Finals MVP. These days he’s a local real estate mogul in Houston.

Big Diesel’s admiration for Olajuwon is not new. When both were named to the 75th anniversary team, O’Neal got emotional talking about his old friend. Referring to Hakeem as “greater than me,” he humbled himself in front of Olajuwon.

These days Olajuwon is dragged into a one-sided debate but Shaq has not chimed in on that.

Shaquille O’Neal’s rival dragged into a feud

Gilbert Arenas dropped his hot take on Hakeem Olajuwon’s training methods.

Gil went on social media highlighting that LeBron James once paid $50,000 for a training session with the Rockets champion. According to Arenas, Olajuwon’s style is outdated and not worth the bomb he charges NBA pros.

He received a lot of flak for disparaging The Dream but he doubled down on his criticism. 

Shaq hasn’t responded to the jabs at someone he refers to as the best center in NBA history. It’s possible that he might strongly disagree with Gil. Whose side of the debate are you on?

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