‘I’m the Best Center Out Here’: When Shaquille O’ Neal Got Mad at Reggie Miller for Not Passing to Him During 1996 Olympics
Follow Us
Shaquille O’ Neal, i.e. The Big Diesel needs no introduction. In an illustrious career that spanned close to almost 2 decades, O’ Neal was a 4-time NBA champion, and a 3-time Finals-MVP with 14 All NBA and Rookie of the Year. In fact, ever since Shaq’s days with the Orlando Magic, signs showed back then that he was blossoming into arguably the most dominant force ever in NBA history.
As Shaq took over the reins in the aftermath of the Jordan era, he and Kobe Bryant would then form the duo that led the league into the new millennium. And needless to say, given the style of NBA basketball back then, O’ Neal had some tough competition.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
In what experts have dubbed as the era of big-men, Shaq went to battle night in and night out with the likes of David Robinson, Tim Duncan, and Hakeem Olajuwon. But, since his coming of age in the late 90s, just his brute force was intimidating.
The Shaquille O’ Neal – Reggie Miller incident
NBA Hall of Famer Reggie Miller in a recent interview on the Dan Patrick show fielded a question pertaining to a humourous conflict between him and O’ Neal at the 1996 Olympics. Team USA was undefeated yet again, owing to its delegation of NBA superstars.
Miller said – “Shaq got upset with me one time and during the Olympics. It wasn’t a beef. But like I kept feeding David Robinson and Hakeem right? And Shaq comes in.” Quoting Big Diesel, he said -“He’s like, what? Okay you gonna feed them, you not gonna feed me.”
Trending
After Deion Sanders Jr.’s Shiny $79K Purchase, Shedeur & Shilo Follow Their Brother’s Footsteps to Flaunt New Beast
March 26, 2024 01:13 PM EDT
“I Will Miss Him”: Arnold Schwarzenegger Mourns the Devastating Demise of His Dear Friend
March 24, 2024 10:33 AM EDT
“Broken Feet”: Tom Brady’s Hidden Injuries Spilled by Former Teammate Julian Edelman
March 27, 2024 01:25 PM EDT
Steelers GM Omar Khan Divulges on Keeping Ravens’ Derrick Henry in Check With DeShon Elliott as a Strong Safety
March 27, 2024 12:56 PM EDT
Tony Stewart Submits His NHRA Team’s Reins to Wife Leah Pruett in 4 Words After Opening Struggles
March 25, 2024 10:22 AM EDT
Get instantly notified of the hottest stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.
Follow Us
When the team has star power like Hakeem, Robinson, and Shaq all on 1 roster, one could imagine why Reggie Miller would have a tough time deciding who to pass to!
Miller continued by saying – “To this day, I tell him this is why you took it out on us in the finals. Right? And, you know, between the Pacers and Lakers, this is why!” Narrating Shaq’s response Miller said – “he’s like no Reg. You know, I just wanted to show Rick Smith. I was like, No, you’re getting me back for 96 right? For not feeding you the ball down low.”
Miller then shared a quote that highlighted O’ Neal’s level of self-confidence which propelled him to scale unchartered heights in the NBA. “He’s like, you know, I’m the best center out here. David Robinson or Hakeem Olajuwon? I’m the best center out here. Give me the ball, feed me the ball.”
Diesel’s legacy
While his luck over the multiple MVP snubs is arguable at best, his personal exploits averaging 27.7ppg/11.8rpg/3.1apg during prime years was unheard of! O’ Neal has earned the ‘G-14’ classification, with the 15-time All-Star commonly hailed as the greatest dominant big man of all time.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Shaq the most DOMINANT Player in NBA History!!! https://t.co/sWL9lZfSkW
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) June 13, 2020
Shaquille O’ Neal had this innate sense of confidence that boded well with Bryant’s Mamba Mentality. They formed a Lakers dynasty that would put the league on notice winning 3 straight titles with Phil Jackson.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
And while Shaq called time on his career in 2011, his fanbase is ever-growing, given his charismatic persona on full display on Inside the NBA on TNT.
Watch this story – Looking Back At Shaquille O’ Neal & Dennis Rodman’s Most Heated Face Offs.