When 325 lbs Lakers Superstar Made 7ft 2” Utah Jazz Center Almost Cry Over a Petty Altercation

Today, Shaquille O’Neal is seen as this generous and kind man who woos people with his nice and helpful personality. But during his playing days, O’Neal was seen in a very different light. He was one of the meanest players in the league. The 7ft 1″ center liked picking fights and shutting down anyone who clashed with him. He proved to a Utah Jazz center exactly how far he was ready to go just to shut an opponent up. However, his actions may have come at a cost.

When O’Neal joined the Lakers, the gold and purple were a struggling franchise. Their glory days were behind them and even with Shaq and Kobe on the new squad, things would take time to shape up.

During this tumultuous time, Greg Ostertag made the mistake of talking trash to Shaquille O’Neal.

Also read: “My First Dunk Was a 3-pt Shot”: Charles Barkley Gives the TNT Crew, Especially Shaquille O’Neal more Fodder to Roast Him

Shaquille O’Neal knocked down Greg Ostertag

In his book Shaq Uncut, O’Neal revealed how he went after Greg Ostertag. Diesel claimed that the 7ft 2″ center had said something to him which didn’t sit too well with the Lakers legend. So, the next time Lakers played Utah, Shaq visited him.

The 325 lbs man was incidentally not even on the active roster for that game. But when he saw Greg during shootaround, the 325 lb big man rushed toward him and slapped him hard. Shaq detailed the incident in his book.

Shaq: “I saw him at the shootaround and I went over and confronted him. I told him, “You should stop talking and stick to playing. Watch what you say.” He said, “F**k you, man. You watch what you say.” So I said, “Oh, you bad now?” We got into it and he was mouthing off again, so I turned and slapped him upside the head. I know. Stupid. But Ostertag hit the deck like I had slugged him or something. I got him with an open hand. He was curled up on the ground moaning, “My contact lenses.” It was embarrassing. I was embarrassed for him.”

Shaq was suspended for his conduct

The slap and the subsequent moaning came back to bite O’Neal. The NBA suspended him for one game. He also had to pay $10,000 as a fine.

Shaq: “The league suspended me one game and fined me ten thousand dollars. But that was nothing compared to what Jerry West did to me. He got right up under my chin and blasted me.”

Jerry West made O’Neal apologize to Greg. He also made it clear that such behavior would not be tolerated. Shaquille O’Neal was warned, one more such incident and he’d be traded.

Also read: With Death As A Possibility, Shaquille O’Neal’s Insomnia Arose From Sister Ayesha Harrison And Kobe Bryant’s Passing