According to Kevin Garnett, it was Shaquille O’Neal and not Kobe Bryant who was the immediate face of the league once Michael Jordan retired.
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Indeed, Michael Jordan did a great job being the face of the NBA during his playing days. Thanks to the Bulls legend’s on-court and off-court successes, the game of basketball became more globally recognized back in the 90s.
Several fans believe that it was Kobe Bryant who took the baton from MJ once His Airness decided to hang up his boots, however, Boston legend Kevin Garnett doesn’t think so.
According to KG, it was Shaquille O’Neal who was the immediate face of the league after the Bulls GOAT.
“Before Shaquille O’Neal, we never had no superstar rhyming and f**king dancing”: Kevin Garnett
Apart from being one of the most dominant figures the game has ever seen, Shaq was one of the most animated characters. The 7-foot-1 legend had a charismatic personality and with his jovial behavior, he made fans love him even more.
According to Garnett, O’Neal was among the first stars in the league to spend time in artistic fields other than basketball. Further explaining why Shaq was the face of the league after Jordan’s departure, Kevin told Kendrick Perkins:
Kendrick Perkins: “Like, was Shaq ever the face of the league?”
Kevin Garnett: “Hell yeah, Shaq was the face of the league. You don’t think Shaq was the face of the league at one point?”
Kendrick Perkins: “Short stint, maybe.”
Kevin Garnett: “Soon as Mike left, it was Diesel… Shaq was the f***ing first superstar. Man, we never had no superstar rhymin and f***ing dancing. Shaq has a platinum album, he sold a million.”