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“It’s an Asterisk Baby”: Shaquille O’Neal on Title-winners of ’19-’20 NBA Season

Published 06/23/2020, 2:15 AM EDT

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For Los Angeles Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal, the winner of the 2019/20 NBA season would not be the same as the champion in usual times.

O’Neal admitted life wouldn’t be easy when all the players would have to stay inside a bubble for the rest of the tournament.

“It is going to be difficult for those guys to be inside that bubble, nobody can leave and eat the same food every day,” O’Neal said on Da Windy City podcast (H/T Fan Sided).

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He felt each player has a different routine and they will have to adjust to the new surroundings for the 22-team restart. Personally, O’Neal felt it wouldn’t have been easy for him to play without any fans inside the arena.

“To be a great player it’s all about the physical attributes and the mental attributes, but it’s also about routine so guys are definitely going to have to adjust. My routine was going to shootaround and coming home and seeing my beautiful family. Seeing them get ready, coming out to play the game, making sure they got there safe, looking at fans,” O’Neal said.

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“It’s going to be difficult on a lot of aspects. If I was playing it would be very difficult for me to play without fans.”

Shaquille O’Neal believes there should be an asterisk against the winner this season

In spite of saying it was not easy playing inside the bubble, Shaq wouldn’t be fully convinced of whoever would be winning the Championship this season. Although not everyone might agree with him, O’Neal said, he would have an asterisk against the winner this season.

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“It’s an asterisk baby. It will count for some people, but I’m not changing my opinion,” O’Neal said.

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Shaquille O’Neal himself was a four-time NBA champion during his playing days. Starting his NBA career with Orlando Magic, he rose to stardom with the Los Angeles Lakers. Teaming up with Kobe Bryant, he won a three peat with the Lakers in 2002. He won his fourth championship after he joined Miami Heat. Many regard him among the best players to have played in the NBA.

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Written by:

Saketh Kandadai

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