Shaquille O’Neal is one of NBA’s most dominant players ever, if not the greatest to play center. However, unlike the other great who is in the running for the #1 spot in that category (Wilt Chamberlain), Shaq was far too terrific when he had All-NBA guards in his backcourt like Penny Hardaway, Kobe Bryant, and Dwyane Wade. But none of them were as tremendous at shooting as somebody like Stephen Curry or Damian Lillard. Could you imagine Shaq and Dame on the court?
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None of the three guards Shaq played with shot over 33% from the 3-point line throughout their careers. Despite that, they made a great pair with O’Neal. With Penny, he beat Michael Jordan and Co to reach the NBA Finals in 1995. With Kobe behind him, he led the Lakers to 3-straight championships, and playing with D-Wade he won his 4th title.
Imagine if he had a better shooter. Imagine the Diesel running down the floor while the opposition is double-teaming him, and he could kick out the ball to the perimeter to a career 37-40% percent 3-pt shooter!
When Shaquille O’Neal and Damian Lillard discussed a hypothetical team-up
Nobody in their right mind leaves Damian Lillard open by the time he crosses half-court. In fact, he is mostly guarded by the opposition’s best defender or a double-team when he is anywhere close to the perimeter.
Now, think of him playing with Shaquille O’Neal, who would also need a double/triple team to stop him. It wouldn’t be fair. They would crush anybody and everybody. Ruthlessly.
The Big Aristotle went as far as to claim nobody, not even Steph’s Golden State or any of LeBron James’ teams, would be able to stop them from winning everything. Both of them discussed it last year when they came together for promoting their collaboration shoe “Damenosis”.
O’Neal did touch upon the FT difficulties as well, hysterically saying,
“I’m going right through the middle of the lane, I’m gonna post up, everybody’s gonna panic and I’m gonna be looking for him [Damian Lillard]. He’s gonna get the ball in the 4th quarter and I’m not gonna hit no free throws, and do Dame Time,”
Shaq and Dame — animosity and collaboration
Back in 2019, Damian Lillard declared himself the best rapper in the NBA ever, dissing Shaq who had sold a million copies of his debut album, Shaq Diesel.
“I think I rap better than Shaq. I’ve heard Shaq’s stuff,” said Dame on the Joe Budden Podcast. O’Neal responded by releasing a song to take a shot at the Blazers guard.
“Take your time to respond, there is no hurry. You’ll never be [Russell] Westbrook, never be [Stephen] Curry,” From mocking him as a player to making fun of the money he has made, Shaq didn’t stop. “What’s in your wallet, American Express or Visa / Talkin’ like your Bron [LeBron James], You ain’t even Trevor Ariza.”
Dame Dolla came up with a much better ‘Reign Reign Go Away’ rap, without sounding half as rusty as the former Lakers man, while ripping him apart.
“Kobe won you those rings though / Nursery rhyme spitting, small car sitting / Icy Hot poster boy, TNT snitching,”
With that bar, Lillard emptied his magazine on the “Shaq-Fu” rapper.
However, there was no bad blood between the two after that back and forth. Both of them joined each other in collaboration for a Reebok—Adidas shoe bringing their animosity on the court and the microphone, into a shoe, “Damenosis”.
