Shaquille O’Neal in his prime NBA days was the definition of bully ball. A large-statured big man, Shaq would use his 7’1 350-pound body to an unfair advantage and dominate grown men in the paint. While the Big Aristotle scored the ball at 58.2% shooting, a majority of his points came from near the basket. Apart from his horrific 52.7% free throw shooting, the legendary center barely took any attempts from beyond the three-point arch in his career. Having attempted only 22 three-pointers(averaged slightly more than 1 per season), the two-time scoring champ drained only one of them. Famously calling himself the “Black Stephen Curry” after retiring with an awful 4.5% three-point percentage, the Diesel once revealed the only reason which would have compelled him to attempt a second three-pointer in his life.
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Back in 2007, during a conversation with Sports Illustrated, the then-Miami Heat star swore that he had already hit two 3-pointers across his 19-year career. After his theory was debunked, O’Neal would go on to cite Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point scoring record as the only reason behind ever attempting a second three-pointer.
Shaquille O’Neal once cited Wilt Chamberlain reason to attempt another three-pointer
During the late 2000s, the league witnessed a spike in three-point attempts. Despite all teams increasing their three-point attempts from 33.9% in the 2006-2007 season to 36.6% in the very next campaign, Shaq decided to stick to what he knew best.
However, when he was asked if he’d ever let it fly from beyond the three-point line, the four-time NBA champ revealed the odds of the same happening to be “100 to 1”. Furthermore, the 2000 Most Valuable Player disclosed that he’d only channel his inner Steph Curry if he were at 97 points and was chasing Wilt Chamberlain’s single-game scoring record of 100.
“100 to 1. The only way would be if I had 97 points and I’m trying to tie Wilt Chamberlain [and his single-game point record]. Then I’ll probably step out and shoot the three.”
While O’Neal didn’t attempt a single long-distance shot that season, he would go on to attempt two three-pointers in the coming two seasons. And you probably guessed it right, the Diesel would miss both of them. While he certainly is one of the game’s best big men, Shaq has no business comparing himself to Stephen Curry, even as a joke.
Instances where Shaq called himself the “Black Steph Curry”
Shaq is one of the funniest NBA analysts out there. One of his running gags is comparing himself to Steph curry after making uncontested three-pointers. On several occasions, the Hall-Of-Famer has dubbed himself the “Black Steph Curry”.
During the 2019 All-Star Weekend, O’Neal had a hilarious conversation with Kenny Smith regarding the same.
Here’s another instance when Shaq was in the gym and hyping himself to be the ‘Black Steph Curry’.
Sorry to burst your bubble Shaq, but in order to be Steph Curry you need to record 3,300+ 3-pointers… not just 1.
