Shaquille O’Neal was quite a rookie. He came into the NBA in 1992 when Orlando Magic drafted him with the first overall pick. In his first week, he became the player of the week- the first to do so. In his second season, he led the Magic to the first playoff in their history.

However, Indiana Pacers would sweep them in their first-ever playoff game. A season later, they would claim their first playoff win over Boston Celtics. O’Neal led Orlando Magic to the finals that season and had “The Dream” Hakeem Olajuwon and his Houston Rockets in front of them in their first-ever NBA Finals.

Olajuwon proved too good for Shaq and his Magic as he led the Rockets to the title. Olajuwon scored over 30 points in each of the games in the series. It was their second consecutive title.

For a young Shaq, it was a learning course. He had been outplayed by his legendary counterpart. But at the end of the series, O’Neal wasn’t done with Hakeem. He wanted to beat the legend.

Hakeem received a typewritten letter from Shaq in the locker room after the end of the final game. “The series may be a done deal, but it ain’t over between you and me. Sure, you’re pretty good with your team behind you, but I want you one on one,” the letter, directed to Hakeem and signed as Shaq, read. A letter that Sports Illustrated would bring out towards the end of Shaq’s career.

Shaquille O’Neal went on to become a legend himself

At 22, after being destroyed by a legend, Shaq still had enough to challenge him back. 15 years later, he himself would retire as a legend from the game. The season after he lost to Olajuwon, Shaq moved to Los Angeles Lakers.

He would join a certain Kobe Bryant who was a rookie the season Shaq joined the Lakers. Together, they would win a three-peat with titles in 2000, 2001, and 2002. O’Neal was the Finals MVP on all three occasions.

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Shaq went on to win another title with Miami Heat before ending his career in 2011 as a 15-time NBA All-Star. At the end of his career, he can certainly be satisfied to have achieved great heights.