mobile app bar

Shaquille O’Neal Hypes Up Former Magic Teammate Dennis Scott, 28 Years After Setting NBA Record

Sourav Bose
Published

Shaquille O’Neal Hypes Up Former Magic Teammate Dennis Scott 28 Years After Setting NBA Record

The camaraderie between former NBA stars always serves as a source of joy for basketball fans. One such instance happened recently when Shaquille O’Neal hyped up his fellow retired NBA man, Dennis Scott. 28 years after the latter’s NBA record, the Diesel showcased support for the 55-year-old’s remarkable scoring performance on April 18, 1996, capturing his closeness with the former Orlando Magic teammate.

As per the post, the former Magic forward made 11 three-pointers from 17 attempts against the Atlanta Hawks on that occasion. It established the NBA record for most threes in a single game, at that time. He surpassed the 1993 record of 11 three-pointers held by his then-teammate, Brian Shaw.

Reminiscing about the historic moment from nearly three decades back, Scott uploaded a clip capturing his scoring spree. Expressing his thoughts on the achievement, the 6ft 8″ icon wrote, “Happy Born Day!…ShootersParadise! Catch & Shoot!”.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Dennis 3D Scott (@dennis3dscott)

This display of past dominance caught the eyes of Shaq. The 52-year-old shared the post from his Instagram story to publicly endorse his former teammate.

The Big Aristotle’s support for his former colleague shows mutual respect. On top of that, Shaq put into the limelight one of the most influential displays of the modern NBA. After all, this performance from Scott inspired several down the line, eventually ushering in a new era in basketball.

How did the next generation chase this record of Dennis Scott?

Initially, Ray Allen came close to breaking the record in April 2002, in a home game against the Charlotte Hornets. However, the 2x champion could only make 10 three-pointers, falling slightly short of Scott’s record, as per Basketball Reference. About a year after that, Kobe Bryant finally defeated the number, scoring 12-18 from the deep, establishing a brand-new record. Donyell Marshall matched this feat slightly more than a year later, adding volume to this gameplay.

These records sparked several such displays over the years with the league entering its transformation phase. It peaked under the influence of the Splash Brothers, Stephen Curry, and Klay Thompson, in the 2010s. They both recorded double digits in three-pointers made on several occasions, disrupting the NBA.

Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Eventually, Thompson separated him from the rest during an away clash against the Chicago Bulls. On October 29, 2018, the 4x champion went 14-24, from the deep, to score 52 points in 27 minutes, as per Basketball Reference. This display of three-point scoring put him ahead of his contemporaries on the list. Six years later, the record still stands, showcasing the impact of the shooting guard in changing the game.

All these started with moments of inspiration from Shaw and Scott. Their performances provided a glimpse into a neglected method to win a basketball game. Decades later, they continue to influence the attacking strategies of the NBA teams, capturing the evolution of the league.

Post Edited By:Hitesh Nigam

About the author

Sourav Bose

Sourav Bose

x-iconlinkedin-icon

Sourav, a seasoned NBA journalist at the SportsRush, discovered his profound love for basketball through the brilliance of Stephen Curry and Steve Kerr with the Golden State Warriors. With over 600 articles in his career, he has established himself as a dedicated and prolific writer in the field. Influenced by 'The Last Dance' documentary and the anime 'Slam Dunk,' Sourav's passion for basketball is marked by insightful observations and a comprehensive understanding of the sport's history. Beyond his role as a journalist, he delves into the strategic dimensions of sports management and explores literature in his spare time, reflecting a well-rounded approach to his craft. Sourav's journey is characterized by a commitment to unraveling the intricacies of basketball and sports in general, making him a reliable source for NBA enthusiasts and a seasoned observer of the sports landscape.

Share this article