As we all know, Shaquille O’Neal is one of the most dominant players in NBA History. The 7ft 1″, 325 lbs big man had a way of getting into the paint and scoring buckets at will. He played for 19 seasons in the NBA, during which time he won 4 Championships with two different franchises.
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O’Neal was dominant, not only because of his size but despite it. Unlike other big men, Shaq was quite agile, and quick on his feet. He was an unstoppable force in the league, who gave every coach a headache whenever he played against them.
Big Diesel was a force to be reckoned with. Shaq’s huge frame was something he didn’t get used to instantly. O’Neal turned 6 feet back when he was just 10 years old. He turned 7 feet tall at the age of 14. While it was great in terms of basketball, however, as a kid, his frame led to a lot of struggles as well.
Shaquille O’Neal recalled an incident in a bus when he was just 2 years old
Growing up in Newark, New Jersey, things weren’t the best for Shaq and his mother. Money was tight, and O’Neal was a growing child. When Shaq was getting inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, he took time in his speech to thank someone who had been there right from the start – his mother, Lucille.
Recalling an incident, Shaq said,
“My first recollection was of you fighting with the bus driver because he refused to believe that a two-year-old could be this big. But I also remember you ultimately convincing him with that right cross – mama said knock you out. And him holding his hand over his right eye, saying, ‘yes’ ma’am, kids two and under do ride for free.’”
With money tight, every single dollar counts. At that moment, Lucille not only saved herself money, but also stood up for her son, who was being discriminated against, just because he was bigger than the other kids.
It’s incidents like these that shape how the kids turn out to be when they grow up, and Shaq’s mom did a stellar job in raising her son.
Also Read: 4x NBA Champion Shaquille O’Neal Once Revealed Why Touching a Trophy Meant ‘Bad Luck’
Shaq had a cute ritual with his mother before every game
Shaquille O’Neal is a mama’s boy. There is no doubt about it. He loves his mom whole-heartedly and would do anything for her, and rightfully so. Lucille O’Neal, who travelled with Shaq for the first year of his NBA career, shared a ritual she had with her son before every single game.
“I’ll give him a wink and a smile, and he was playing his game. But by the time he got to the NBA, we had a ritual. I would give him bubblegum, and then I would kiss him, and I say play your game. As a grown man.”
