“I Wanted Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s Validation”: Shaquille O’Neal Considered Lakers Legend Questioning His Greatness the ‘Worst Day’ of His Life

Shaquille O’Neal had one of the most accomplished NBA careers, winning a lot of team and individual accolades in his 19 years on the grandest stage for basketball. And yet, the 7ft 1’ giant needed validation.

The Big Aristotle won 4 NBA championships, 3x Finals MVPs, 15x All-Star selections, and has made more money than most athletes, not just in basketball, but any sport throughout the world.

However, he still remembers the day like it was yesterday when Kareem Abdul-Jabbar criticized him severely while he was dominating the entire league playing for the Lakers.

Also read: “Shaquille O’Neal Was No Kareem Abdul-Jabbar!”: When Magic Johnson Snubbed $400 Million Worth Big Diesel as Best Center All-time

Shaquille O’Neal wanted validation from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Shaquille O’Neal came into the league in 1992 and quickly established himself as a true superstar who was ready for anything and everything. Even the likes of Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Patrick Ewing never scared him or even awestruck him as a 22-year-old.

The Magic’s big man was quickly becoming a household name while rising to fame in one of the top sports in the world. But Orlando’s failure to keep him happy saw him take his talents to LA.

However, he wasn’t able to lead the Lakers to a championship in his first 3-years in the franchise. And the fashion in which he was getting eliminated wasn’t too good either.

After getting swept thrice in the first three Playoffs with Magic, Shaq also got out of the playoffs with the Lakers, twice via sweeps and once by gentleman sweep. This glaring point was then pointed out by Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

And until now Shaq remembers that vividly. He once talked about it on Inside the NBA, saying he needed KAJ’s validation from that point on. Watch it here.

Once he won 4 championships, Shaq got what he wanted.

Also read: “Shaquille O’Neal Can’t Handle It!”: Candace Parker Once Nastily Threw Down All Over the Big Man Right on National Television

The Diesel holds the record for most Playoffs sweep

Shaquille O’Neal has been swept in the Playoffs, an NBA record (alongside Pau Gasol) – 6 times. Thrice with Orlando, twice in LA, and once in Miami.

However, winning 3 championships and 3x Finals MVPs after his first 5 sweeps and then one more championship in Miami helped The Diesel wash those stains off pretty easily.

Also read: “Shaquille O’Neal Shouldn’t Rap, He Can Barely Speak”: Jimmy Kimmel Went At Kobe Bryant And Lakers Center At A Roast

About the author

Akash Murty

An Electrical and Electronics Engineer by degree, Akash Murty is an NBA Editor at The SportsRush. Previously a Software Engineer, Murty couldn’t keep himself away from sports, and his knack for writing and putting his opinion forward brought him to the TSR. A big Soccer enthusiast, his interest in basketball developed late, as he got access to a hoop for the first time at 17. Following this, he started watching basketball at the 2012 Olympics, which transitioned to NBA, and he became a fan of the game as he watched LeBron James dominate the league. Him being an avid learner of the game and ritually following the league for around a decade, he now writes articles ranging from throwbacks, and live game reports, to gossip. LA Lakers are his favourite basketball team, while Chelsea has his heart in football. He also likes travelling, reading fiction, and sometimes cooking.

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