Standing at 7 feet tall and weighing 340 lbs during his prime with the LA Lakers, Shaquille O’Neal was a physical specimen. Regarded by many as the most dominating player of all time, the Big Diesel was a terror in the paint, posterizing opponents, breaking backboards, and destroying the rims.
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Playing his best basketball during his days in the purple and gold, the 7-foot center did have his fair share of injuries. In his debut season with the Lakers, Shaq suffered a knee injury forcing him to sit out for 28 games, followed by an abdominal strain the next season having him miss 21 games.
Nonetheless, this didn’t let the former center’s performances suffer, averaging 25+ PPG and 10+ RPG, shooting above 55% from the field. The period from 1999-2002 had Shaq rule the roost, with the Lakers shaping a dynasty, highlighted by a 3-peat, with him being the Finals MVP each time.
Also read: Shaquille O’Neal retired because of his Achilles but claimed his toe injuries were his worst
However, like all good things coming to an end, such was even the case with Shaq and the Lakers. The Diesel’s prime would be derailed by injuries, leading to him being traded to the Miami Heat.
Shaquille O’Neal’s bizarre ritual of consuming painkillers during injuries on the Lakers.
Having Shaq’s size and strength was a double-edged sword. While it helped him dominate on the hardwood, the constant body contact and physical nature of play caused him many injuries. One of the worst and most controversial was his toe injury in the 2002-03 season.
During a recent episode of his four-part docuseries SHAQ, the fifteen-time All-Star made a sensational revelation of consuming painkillers during injuries, making him somewhat dependent on them.
Shaq on his injuries with the Lakers:
“…I had a solution. Painkillers. I just like to feel loose before the game. So one time I was having pains and I took it and I was like ‘oh,’ and and I had a good game. So that was my ritual… Boy I’d be looser than a mug.”
(via @HBO) pic.twitter.com/8aBd3auMyo
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) December 8, 2022
While some may admire the Hall of Famer’s dedication to playing, this certainly wasn’t the right way to go about things.
Shaquille O’Neal’s rapid weight gain while on the Lakers.
Many believed that post the Lakers’ 3-peat, Shaq had lost the hunger to compete, forming the crux of his fallout with the late Kobe Bryant at the time. The veteran center looked visibly sluggish on the court, with his weight going up to 375 lbs.
Being overweight at Shaq’s physical stature made him susceptible to injuries, with his prime being cut short, in what could have been the greatest career of all time.
Also read: 325 Lbs ‘Shredded’ Shaquille O’Neal Posts Concerning Leg Workout Video, Fans Fear Painful Injury
