From Magic to Lakers Dynasty! NBA Legend Reveals Secrets Behind ‘Orlando Shaq’ vs. ‘Lakers Shaq’ in Exclusive On Point Podcast
Shaquille O’Neal, commonly known as Shaq, is a retired professional basketball player who was selected as the first overall pick by the Orlando Magic in the 1992 NBA draft. He rapidly established himself as one of the best centers in the league. Shaq claimed the Rookie of the Year title in the 1992–93 season and led his team, the Magic to the 1995 NBA Finals.
Following a four-year stint with the Orlando Magic, Shaquille O’Neal became a free agent and joined the Los Angeles Lakers . During his time with the Lakers, he won three consecutive championships from 2000-2002. Reflecting on his career evolution, Shaq engaged in a conversation with the Atlanta Hawks’ Trae Youngon his podcast, ‘On Point.’ Shaq shed light on the distinctions between the “Orlando Shaq” and the “Lakers Shaq.”
According to Shaq, the major difference between his time with the Orlando Magic and the Los Angeles Lakers was his style of play and the teammates he played with. About his time with the Orlando Magic from 1992 to 1996, Shaq said:
Shaq in Orlando was a runner. That’s because I used to get the ball. Penny was a pass first guy, you know, so when you get the ball, do your thing.
On the other hand, he explained the following with respect to the “Lakers Shaq”:
L.A. Shaq was more dominant, more focused, had better help around me, and the general didn’t panic. The general doesn’t panic, which is the coach, and the players don’t panic. Phil was like, nope, I’m not calling the timeout you guys figured out. He treated us like men.
He also mentioned the role the Late Kobe Bryant played in his success with the LA Lakers.
And I had another dog next to me. I’m not going to sit here and act like I did it by myself. I had a dog next to me who had the same mentality that I had. I had a dog next to me who had the same mentality that I had. We were supposed to win, and we did win.
Despite being regarded as one of the greatest basketball players and centers of all time, Shaquille O’Neal doesn’t see himself as a celebrity. Of course, that is only in addition to O’Neal’s philanthropic endeavours, which according to him also does not make him a celebrity. Speaking to The People, he had said:
You know why I had to denounce myself from being a celebrity about six, seven years ago? Celebrities are a*******. They just are. I never want to be in that category. A lot of these people, when they come to a certain status, it automatically gives them the right to think they’re smarter than you, they’re better than you, they’re bigger than you, and I never wanted to be like that.
His individual achievements include the 1999–2000 NBA MVP Award, the 1992–93 NBA Rookie of the Year award,15 All-Star Game selections, and 3 All-Star Game MVP awards. He is one of only 3 players to win NBA MVP, All-Star Game MVP, and Finals MVP awards in the same year (2000).