Shaq Magic
- The Orlando Magic took O’Neal as their first overall pick in the 1992 NBA Draft, along with Alonzo Mourning.
- In his debut season with the Magic, he became popularly known as “Shaq” and was showered with accolades. ...
- Known to be a notoriously bad free-throw shooter, Shaq focused on trying to get more of his points with the power slam dunk.
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Why was Shaquille O'Neal so good?
He made movies and TV shows. He owned clothing lines and record labels. He was so good at being famous that, even as he slid from superstar (Magic, Lakers, Heat) to role player (Cavs, Celtics), Shaq was still arguably the third-most recognizable basketball player on the planet, behind Kobe Bryant and LeBron.
What accomplishments did Shaq have?
Shaq's individual accolades include the 1999–2000 MVP award, the 1992–93 NBA Rookie of the Year award, 15 All-Star game selections, three All-Star Game MVP awards, three Finals MVP awards, two scoring titles, 14 All-NBA team selections, and three NBA All-Defensive Team selections.
Is Shaq the greatest center ever?
All that is to say, Shaq is undeniably one of the greatest the game has ever seen. However, when it comes to big men, Shaq reopened the discussion when he voiced his agreement on an Instagram post that rated him as the fourth-best center of all time.
How did Shaq change the world?
He helped supply and distribute necessities to victims of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. He is involved in countless charity events and his “Shaq-A-Claus” routine, delivering toys to less fortunate children on Christmas, is a huge hit.
How many 3s did Shaq make in his career?
Shaquille O'Neal attempted 22 three-pointers in his career.
How many free throws did Shaq made?
O'Neal shot over 11,000 foul shots during his NBA career, making around 5,900 in total.
Who is the most watched NBA player?
Stephen Curry's recent hot streak is moving the NBA ratings needle. Warriors-Celtics averaged a 1.4 rating and 2.49 million viewers on ABC's NBA Saturday Primetime over the weekend, the highest rated and most-watched NBA telecast — outside of the All-Star Game — since Nets-Warriors on February 13 (1.5, 2.56M).
Where is Shaq ranked all-time?
Ranking Shaquille O'Neal Among All-Time Great Centers. Shaquille O'Neal is now eighth on the NBA's all-time scoring list.
Who was the best center in NBA history?
20 greatest centers ever: The HoopsHype listKareem Abdul-Jabbar. Top accolades: Six NBA titles, two Finals MVPs, six MVPs, 10 All-NBA 1st Team selections, 19 All-Stars, five All-Defensive 1st Team selections. ... Bill Russell. ... Wilt Chamberlain. ... Shaquille O'Neal. ... Hakeem Olajuwon. ... Moses Malone. ... David Robinson. ... Patrick Ewing.More items...•
What rule did Shaq create?
He even changed one rule now popularized as “Hack -a-Shaq”, this change meant players couldn't foul opposing players on purpose that didn't have the ball in their hands during the last 2 minutes of the game or they would reward the opposing teams with 2 free throws and the ball.
What is the hack a Shaq rule?
More specifically, teams are trying the “Hack-A-Shaq” strategy — the strategy of intentionally fouling the opposing team's worst free-throw shooter named after Shaquille O'Neal. O'Neal, during his prime, was so dominant as an interior scorer that fouling him was seemingly the best way to slow him down.
Does Shaq donate money?
Shaquille O'Neal Charity Work, Events and Causes The Miami Heat All-Star center frequently donates time and money to charitable causes, including $1 million to the Boys and Girls Club of America to create technology centers in Clubs nationwide, in partnership with Microsoft Corporation.
What NBA records does Shaq have?
O'Neal's individual accolades include the 1999–2000 Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award; the 1992–93 NBA Rookie of the Year award; 15 All-Star Game selections, three All-Star Game MVP awards; three Finals MVP awards; two scoring titles; 14 All-NBA team selections, and three NBA All-Defensive Team selections.
Who holds the second most records in the NBA?
Points1.Kareem Abdul-Jabbar383872.LeBron James370623.Karl Malone369284.Kobe Bryant336435.Michael Jordan322925 more rows
Who has the most NBA Mvps?
Kareem Abdul-JabbarBill Russell (left) won the award five times in his NBA career. Wilt Chamberlain (center) won the award four times in his career. Bob Pettit was the first player to win multiple MVP awards. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar won the award a record-setting six times in his career.
How many games did Shaq miss in his career?
O'Neal seems to believe he could have embraced such a role if needed. The Big Aristotle also lamented all the time spent on the shelf during his decorated 19-year career. You know, my only regret is that I missed almost 200 games due to injury while I was averaging 25 points a game.
Who is Shaquille O'Neal?
Shaquille O’Neal, American basketball player who was the dominant centre of his era and who won four National Basketball Association titles.
What did O'Neal do for the Lakers?
As a result, he led the Lakers to championships in 2001, 2002, and 2003, capturing the finals MVP award each year. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content.
What is the only sport invented in the United States?
The only major sport invented in the United States, basketball has become a global phenomenon. Dribble through history with Britannica and learn basketball’ s history and exciting facts. As a high-school senior in San Antonio, Texas, O’Neal attracted the attention of college recruiters when his team won the state championship.
How many points did O'Neal have in his career?
His career totals include 28,596 points (the seventh highest total in NBA history at the time of his retirement) and 15 All-Star Game selections. O’Neal was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016.
What team did O'Neal play for?
He signed with the Boston Celtics in 2010, but an Achilles tendon injury limited his play.
When did O'Neal get traded?
Injuries limited O’Neal’s production over the following seasons, and he was traded to the Phoenix Suns in February 2008.
Where did O'Neal go to college?
He attended Louisiana State University (LSU), where he quickly established himself as one of the best players in the nation. He was named the consensus College Player of the Year in 1991. O’Neal left school and entered the NBA draft in 1992 and was taken with the first pick by the Orlando Magic.
Who Is Shaquille O'Neal?
Shaquille O'Neal is one of the most dominant players in NBA history, helping his teams to win NBA Championships and Olympic gold. Following his 2011 retirement, O'Neal became an NBA analyst, working alongside the likes of Charles Barkley and Ernie Johnson.
When did Shaq Fu Da return?
Thanks to a slew of guest-stars, Shaq-Fu Da Return, released in 1994, established O'Neal as a gold-certified rap artist. His third album, 1996's You Can't Stop the Reign, was released under his own imprint, TWIsM (The World Is Mine) Records.
What team did LeBron James play for?
LeBron James became an immediate star after skipping college to join the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers. He led the Miami Heat to NBA titles in 2012 and 2013 and won another championship with Cleveland in 2016, before joining the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018.
How much did O'Neal make in 1996?
In 1996, O'Neal signed the biggest contract in NBA history, seven years for $120 million with the Los Angeles Lakers. That same year, he helped the United States' Dream Team win gold at the Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia. By the end of the decade, O'Neal was a three-time member of the All-NBA Third Team (1994, ...
How much did O'Neal cost the Cavaliers?
O'Neal then traveled to the Midwest, joining the Cleveland Cavaliers via a trade deal that cost the team $500,000 and two players. His 2009-10 highlights include helping the Cavs earn the No. 1 seed in the playoffs, where he averaged 11.5 PPG, and establishing a season average of 12 points and 6.7 rebounds per game.
How many World Championships did O'Neal win?
O'Neal to a three year, $88.5 million contract extension and the larger-than-life center helped deliver three consecutive world championships to the team (2000, 2001 and 2002). In 2004, however, following growing dismay with team management and friction with teammate Kobe Bryant, O'Neal was traded to the Miami Heat.
How many times was O'Neal on the All-NBA team?
By the end of the decade, O'Neal was a three-time member of the All-NBA Third Team (1994, 1996 and 1997) and a two-time member of the All-NBA Second Team (1995 and 1999), and had earned a place on the All-NBA First Team (1998).
What are some interesting facts about Shaquille O'Neal?
10 Interesting facts about Shaquille O’Neal you might not know. Shaquille O’Neal is one of the most dominant players ever to play in the NBA. In his prime, he was unstoppable and unguardable in the paint. His body was no doubt naturally gifted, but he had to work hard to become the center he was.
How many rebounds did Shaq get in his first match?
In his first match for the Magic, he took 18 rebounds and made a record for the most rebounds in an NBA debut after Bill Walton in 1974. He finished as a 4-time NBA champion and 15-times NBA All-Star. But this was all on the court. Shaq was and is an entertaining figure off the court too.
Did Shaq leave college early?
He was good in the classroom and had the highest grade point average on his freshman year team. Shaq left college early to play in the NBA, but this was not going to stop him from completing his studies. He put in the required work to earn his Bachelor's degree.
Was Shaq a good student?
Shaq was good in studies during his college days. He was good in the classroom and had the highest grade point average on his freshman year team.
Is Shaq a studious guy?
Shaq has a great NBA career and but many people do not know that Shaq took his studies seriously. Looking at Shaq, one can't say he is a studious guy. But the case is literally the opposite. Shaq was good in studies during his college days.
How tall is Shaq?
Shaquille O’ Neal, also known by his nickname Shaq, is a former American basketball player, as well as a former rapper. Being more than 7 feet in height, and weighing almost 150 kg, he was one of the heaviest NBA players ever. After being drafted into the NBA while he was in his early twenties, he soon became one of the most dominant players in ...
How much did Shaquille get signed for?
He was signed by the Los Angeles Lakers for three years, for a contract of $88.5 million.
What awards did Shaquille O'Neal win?
Shaquille O’Neal’s amazing skills in basketball have earned him numerous awards, such as the FIBA World Championship MVP (1994), USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year (1994), and NBA Most Valuable Player (2000).
What was Shaq's first album?
Career in Music. Shaquille O’Neal had started composing rap music in the year 1993. His first album ‘Shaq Diesel’ was released the same year. With tracks such as ‘I'm Outstanding’ and ‘Let me in, Let me in’, the album was a huge success.
Where does Shaquille O'Neal live?
He also has a daughter from a previous relationship with Arnetta Yarbourgh. Shaunie and O’Neal eventually divorced. He currently lives in Orlando, Florida, where he has also created an indoor basketball court.
How long did O'Neal play in the NBA?
By now, his significance as a player had also reduced considerably. On 1 June 2011, after playing for a period of nineteen years, O’Neal announced his retirement through social media.
What movies did O'Neal appear in?
O’Neal appeared in several movies over the next few years, including ‘The Wash’ (2001), ‘The House Bunny’ (2008), ‘Grown Ups 2’, (2013), and ‘Blended’ (2014).
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Who is Shaq's firstborn?
At 25, Taahirah is Shaq’s firstborn. The athlete shares his oldest daughter with his former girlfriend Arnetta Yardbourgh, whom he dated for four years in the 1990s prior to meeting Shaunie. Like her brother Myles, Taahirah has forged a different path from basketball and works as a social marketing and community outreach specialist. Per her LinkedIn, Taahirah is currently a communications assistant analyst at PepsiCo. On Shaq’s 49th birthday this year in March, Taahirah shared a sweet clip on Instagram of her dad receiving a massive gift box from her company.
How many kids does Shaq have?
Shaquille O’Neal, commonly known as just Shaq, 49, might be known as one of the best basketball players of all time, but another title might occasionally elude him among fans given his vast empire: doting dad. The former basketball player is a proud dad to six children, more specifically, three daughters and three sons: Me’arah, 15, Shaqir, 18, Amirah, 19, Shareef, 21, Myles, 24, and Taahirah, 25, whom he shares with two former partners.
How old is Amirah from Shaq?
At 19, Amirah is one of Shaq and ex Shaunie’s four children. No surprise here, but Amirah also plays basketball at the same high school as her younger siblings Me’arah and Shaqir as forward. She will also soon join her younger brother Shaqir as a student at Texas Southern University, where she will also play ball. She announced the news on Instagram just last month and captioned the post, “I see the doubt in they faces, they didn’t think I would make it.”
Where does Me'arah play basketball?
Like her father, basketball is in her blood. The teen plays for Crossroads School in Santa Monica, California as center. Her Instagram account is filled with photos and clips of her games. The high school teen has already received a number of offers for college basketball, including UCLA, Oklahoma State, and the University of Virginia.
Who is Shaquille O'Neal's son, Myles, and what is his net worth?
Born May 8, 1997, Myles B. O'Neal, 24, is famously known as the son of the basketball legend.
Who are Myles' siblings?
Shaq's other children with Shaunie O'Neal, 47, include Taahirah, 25, Shareef, 22, Amirah, 20, Shaqir, 18, and Me'arah, who is 15 years old.
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Who Is Shaquille O'Neal?
Early Life
- Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal was born on March 6, 1972, in Newark, New Jersey. After graduating from Cole High School in San Antonio, Texas, he enrolled at Louisiana State University, and would go on to become one of the most dominant players in the NBA. During his years at Louisiana State, O'Neal was named College Player of the Year (1991) and twice named a unanimous first t…
Professional Basketball and Stats
- In his rookie season with the Orlando Magic, O'Neal, also known as "Shaq," finished in the Top 10 in scoring, rebounding, blocks and shooting percentage. A notoriously bad free-throw shooter, O'Neal focused on trying to get more of his points on the power slam, and hearty NBA centers quickly learned to try to foul O'Neal rather than give him an easy shot. O'Neal became th…
Music Career
- Even while establishing himself as an NBA All-Star, O'Neal was busy with a budding side career as a rapper. In 1993, he appeared on the Fu-Schnickens' Top 40 single What's Up Doc?, a track that appeared on his solo debut, Shaq Diesel. With help from artists like Def Jef, the album achieved platinum status. Thanks to a slew of guest-stars, Shaq-Fu Da Return, released in 1994, establish…
Acting Career
- O'Neal has also appeared in several films, including Blue Chips with Nick Nolte, and starred in vehicles such as Kazaam! and Steel, for which he also recorded the soundtrack albums. In recent years, he has worked a variety of film and television projects, ranging from a guest spot on the gritty police drama Southland in 2013 to starring in his sitcom pilot in 2015. In 2018 he starred al…
Ownership, Esports and Restaurants
- With an eye on expanding his business footprint, O'Neal acquired a Master of Business Administration degree from Barry University in Florida in 2005 and later returned to the university to earn a doctorate degree in education in 2012. The basketball great became a minority owner of the NBA's Sacramento Kings in 2013 and later was named general manager of the Kings' esport…
Law Enforcement
- O'Neal has also made headlines for his forays into law enforcement. He was designated as an honorary U.S. Deputy Marshal in 2005, and in 2016, he was sworn in as a sheriff’s deputy in Clayton County, Georgia. In 2019, O'Neal became an auxiliary deputy for the Broward County Sheriff’s Office in Florida.
Personal Life
- O'Neal has four children with ex-wife Shaunie Nelson, as well as another daughter by an ex-girlfriend. O'Neal stands at 7 feet, 1 inch tall. His shoe size is 22.