Shaquille O’Neal was one of the most dominant centers in NBA history, but he was also known for his sometimes controversial decisions. Despite earning a staggering $23.5 million salary with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2002, O’Neal strategically scheduled his much-needed toe surgery during the regular season. This decision infuriated his coach, Phil Jackson, and his teammate, Kobe Bryant. This revelation is sourced from Jeff Pearlman’s book about the Lakers Dynasty, “Three-Ring Circus.” It sheds light on his controversial choice and the ensuing consequences.
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The strained dynamic resulting from O’Neal’s controversial decision put the Lakers in a challenging position. The clash between O’Neal’s personal priorities and the team’s collective goals became a focal point of tension that would impact the franchise.
Shaquille O’Neal’s Selfish Decision Infuriated Teammates and Coaches
O’Neal’s decision to delay necessary surgery on his arthritic right big toe for more than three months after the conclusion of the 2001–02 season caused a stir. This deliberate delay was attributed to his desire to prioritize his off-season plans. Despite the potential negative impact on the team. The Lakers, along with head coach Phil Jackson and his superstar teammate Kobe Bryant, were left incredulous at O’Neal’s willingness to sacrifice part of the upcoming season for personal reasons.
Phil Jackson is renowned for his ability to manage star-studded teams. He could not fathom how the centerpiece of the Lakers’ roster would willingly miss valuable playing time. Especially considering the surgery could have been completed earlier. Kobe Bryant was particularly vocal about his displeasure with O’Neal’s decision. According to Three-Ring Circus, the frustration from his teammates and coaches was palpable. This led to a strain on the team’s dynamic.
O’Neal’s Justification
As the excerpt from Three-Ring Circus states, Shaquille O’Neal’s justification for the delayed surgery was met with skepticism:
“We had to get three different opinions because this is my future, my life, we’re talking about,” wrote Shaq.
O’Neal attempted to defend his decision. However, many saw it as an excuse to prioritize his off-season plans and avoid spending the summer in a cast.
“If that wasn’t bad enough, O’Neal waited more than three months after the conclusion of the 2001–02 season before scheduling necessary surgery on his arthritic right big toe. This infuriated Mitch Kupchak, Phil Jackson, and Bryant, none of whom could fathom how the organization’s centerpiece would willingly miss part of the upcoming season when it could have been avoided. Simply put, he was a man who valued his off-seasons, and he didn’t want to spend the summer in a cast. So—$23.5 million salary be damned—he waited, and insisted on handling the malady on ‘company time.’”
Kobe Bryant’s Demeaning Comments Re-Ignited Feud with Shaq
The tension between Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal reached new heights. Especially when Bryant publicly questioned O’Neal’s decision to delay his toe surgery. In a now-famous interview with Jim Gray, Bryant expressed his disbelief at O’Neal’s willingness to miss 15 games due to his toe injury. Bryant’s frustration was evident as he dismissed O’Neal’s advice on playing through pain, stating:
“I don’t need Shaq’s advice on how to play hurt. I’ve played with IVs before . . . with a broken hand, a sprained ankle, a fractured tooth, a severed lip and a knee the size of a softball. I didn’t miss 15 games because of a toe injury that everybody knows wasn’t that serious.”
The feud between Shaq and Bryant became even more aggressive after Bryant’s interview with Grey. The two players eventually clashed on the court, and the Lakers were eliminated from the playoffs in the first round.
The decision to have surgery during the regular season was a controversial one, but it was ultimately up to O’Neal. However, his decision did not sit well with his coach and teammate. It ultimately led to the downfall of the Lakers’ dynasty.
