Shaquille O’Neal signed a staggering $120,000,000 seven-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1996 after spending his first four years in the league with the Orlando Magic. During his tenure with the Magic, the NBA superstar wore Number 32 on his jersey. However, it was not the number Shaq preferred. During an ‘EJ’s Neat O’ Stat’ segment of ‘Inside the NBA‘, twenty-three years after leaving the Magic, Shaq revealed how his former teammate Terry Catledge demanded $50,000 for the number he wanted.
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Terry Catledge was a veteran on the Orlando Magic squad when Shaq was drafted in 1992. He wore the number 33 on his jersey. Having worn thirty-three in high school and college, Shaq wanted to continue with the same number. However, Catledge was willing to give up the number only for a hefty price of 50,000 dollars. Shaq refused and decided to play with 32 instead.
Four years later, the Big Diesel moved to the Lakers and had to wear 34 on his back. In this case, the shift was a bit more justified. One of the greatest Lakers of all time – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, wore number 33 during his playing days. The number was already officially retired by the franchise.
Shaquille O’Neal dissed Magic teammate for jersey number ordeal
During a 2019 ‘EJ’s Neat O’ Stat’ segment of ‘Inside the NBA’, host Ernie Johnson quizzed Shaquille O’Neal on his jersey numbers. After guessing the numbers, the four-time NBA Champion also provided explanations for choosing those numbers. The one that caught fans’ attention was when he revealed how his Orlando Magic teammate asked him to pay $50,000 for the number 33. Shaq refused to pay the veteran and had this to say during the show:
“32! Because punk a** Terry Catledge tried to make me pay 50,000 dollars.”
The quiz started from his high school and college numbers, where the big man wore 33 because of New York Knicks superstar – Patrick Ewing. He wore 32 with the Miami Heat because Alonzo Mourning had number 33, and Shaq knew he was returning.
Charles Barkley had his share of fun during the segment as he provided commentary behind the explanations. When asked why Shaq wore the number 36 with the Boston Celtics, Chuck said – “Because that’s the number of points he had in a month.” The Chuckster went on to diss Shaq again for choosing 33 in Cleveland, as this time he said that Shaq had that many points in two months. As usual, Shaq responded to Chuck’s comments by referencing his four rings.
Shaq gets mad at the Clippers for covering the Lakers’ retired jerseys
The Los Angeles Clippers have been leasing the Los Angeles Lakers’ arena till they get their own arena. So when it comes to the home games of the Clippers, they cover up the banners and the retired jerseys of the Lakers. This, however, did not sit well with Lakers legend – Shaquille O’Neal.
In an interview, Shaq expressed his opinion on the Clippers covering up his jersey. He reminded the organization whose building it is and said they have no right to cover the jerseys until they win more than 17 championships. The Clippers are expected to get their arena by 2024. Until then, to Shaq’s dismay, they will continue to use the Lakers arena.
