Shaquille O’Neal has weighed in on the ongoing Jimmy Butler-Miami Heat saga, giving an insider’s anecdote, having been a former player for the South Florida franchise. While trying to figure out what might have transpired behind the scenes during the controversy, the four-time NBA champion presented cues from his conversation with Pat Riley back in the day.
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In a recent episode of his Big podcast, Shaquille O’Neal shared a critical conversation — a contract negotiation — he had with “The Godfather”, Riley, in the summer of 2005.
Given his stature, O’Neal believed he deserved a $25 million/year deal for four years with the Heat. However, Riley contended the proposal. He reasoned that by adjusting the terms to $20 million/year for five years, the team could afford to bring key role players in to improve the roster. Keen to win more championships, O’Neal readily accepted the reduced offer.
“When I was there, I won a championship. I was due some money and he called me in office and he said ‘listen big fellow, if I give you 25 [million dollars] you’re not gonna have no help… However, I can give you 20 [million dollars] for five [years] and I can bring in James Posey, I can bring in White Chocolate [Jason Williams], I can bring in your archrival Alonzo Mourning, I can bring in your friend GP [Gary Payton]’,” Shaq recalled.
“We had that conversation and I wanted to be remembered as a guy that could win so I said ‘you know what I appreciate the respect I’ll take the less money’,” he added.
Things worked out for O’Neal in Miami. While he and Riley ended things on a sour note, nearly getting into a physical altercation once, both got each other what they wanted. Shaq won himself and Riley a championship, and the Miami boss got the Big Aristotle for a $100 million five-year contract.
O’Neal’s story highlighted Riley’s ability to strike the right balance between player satisfaction and team priority. He suggested that a similar approach might have worked for Butler had the two chatted.
“I don’t know if they had that conversation,” Shaq said.
The lack of communication between Butler and Riley could have played a significant role in the ongoing disagreements.
Butler and Riley didn’t communicate for months
Riley is known for finding ways to support his players, but Butler’s behavior has suggested he wants to end his journey with the Miami Heat. A lack of effort from Butler to maintain communication with the team’s management reiterated this impression.
After months of silence between the two sides, Riley finally called Butler into his office on January 1 to address concerns about his work ethic and commitment to the team.
“There was no communication — no texts, no phone calls, no face-to-face meetings — until January 1, when the Heat brought Jimmy into the office. At that meeting, they questioned his effort, suggesting they didn’t think he was giving his all. From the end of last season until that point, there had been no communication between Jimmy and the team,” NBA insider, Chris Haynes, said on the LeBatard Show.
Butler implied he has lost the joy of playing for the Heat. And, his recent actions have portrayed he isn’t all too interested in rejoining the team. So, Riley and the front office may not be wrong in wanting to part ways with a player whose attitude could negatively impact team chemistry.
