Summary

Shaquille O'Neal is celebrated as a basketball legend, successful businessman, and loving father, despite his well-known struggles with free throws.

Abstract

Shaquille O'Neal, a towering figure in the NBA at 7'1" and 315 pounds, is remembered not only for his dominant basketball career, which included four NBA Championships, three Finals MVP awards, and 15 All-Star appearances, but also for his notoriously poor free-throw shooting. Despite the defensive strategy known as "Hack-A-Shaq" specifically designed to exploit this weakness, Shaq maintained a good-natured attitude, endearing him to fans across America. Post-basketball, he has achieved significant success in various business ventures and endorsements, amassing a net worth of over $400 million. Shaq is also a dedicated father, actively supporting his children's educational and athletic pursuits while teaching them independence.

Opinions

Shaq's free-throw struggles are humorously highlighted as a memorable aspect of his career, despite his numerous achievements.
The defensive strategy "Hack-A-Shaq" is seen as both a practical tactic and a source of entertainment for fans.
Shaq is admired for his resilience and adaptability, having tried multiple shooting mechanisms to improve his free throws without success.
His good-natured personality is credited with preventing potential altercations due to the frequent fouling he endured.
America's affection for Shaq is mutual, as he expresses love and appreciation for various professions and individuals who have impacted his life.
Shaq's success in life after basketball is acknowledged as a testament to his multifaceted talents and work ethic.
He is viewed as a role model for his children, emphasizing the importance of making critical decisions independently of his wealth and fame.
The public's fascination with Shaq's life extends beyond his basketball career to his business acumen and philanthropic efforts.

The Big Guy all America Loves

There’s more to Shaquille O’Neil than just a huge, good natured guy who just happened to be one of the best basketball pros who ever played on the hardwoods.

At 7'1" weighing in at 315 pounds this tremendous natural resource of power, Shaquille O’Neil dominated the National Basketball Association. His career stretched from 1992 thru the 2010 season playing with Orlando, Los Angeles (Lakers), Miami, Phoenix, Cleveland and Boston.

Shaq is what almost everybody called him:

1 Lead his teams to NBA Championship 4 times

2 Was the MVP in 3 of those finals

3 League MVP once

4 Rookie of the year

5 Scoring champion twice

6 NBA All-Star 15 times

7 All-NBA 14 times

But the only thing for which most people remember him:

His inability to shoot foul shots (he has the 5th worst free throw per cent in the history of the NBA).

So strong was he under the basket a special defensive strategy was devised by the Dallas Maverick coach Don Nelson called Hack-A-Shaq.

Simple and strait forward: whenever Shaquille O’Neil got the ball anywhere near the basket — foul him.

Soon all the other teams in the NBA embraced Nelson’s philosophy.

It was to the amusement of the opposing squad and all the fans lucky enough to see this huge man play witness his failures at the foul line.

In basket vernacular Shaq threw up: brick layers, rim clankers and air balls

He changed his shooting mechanisms in frustration probably as much as he changed his clothes. In his almost 20 years in the NBA he never did get it down.

And he was fouled, and fouled, and fouled — 4146 times in his career.

“My shooting 40% at the foul line is just God’s way of saying I’m not perfect”.

I remember my brother commenting:

Those guys (fouling him on the opposing team) are lucky Shaq is so good natured, otherwise one of ’em might get killed.

America loved him.

And he loved America back.

“I love race car drivers. I love gymnastics, I love UFC, I love police officers, I love firefighters. I just try to give them the same enjoyment as they give me”.

Life after basketball:

Always underestimated, the lovable big fella unlike many of his counterparts went on to be tremendously successful in all aspects of his life after basketball.

He’s been married and divorced, no unusual accusations of abuse or scandal (other than rumors). Shaq is a proud father of 6 children who are growing up to be solid citizens. His 2 sons play a mean game of basketball for their respective colleges (LSU and Texas Southern).

Shaq’s oldest daughter is committed to play basketball at Texas Southern and his youngest is planning to attend TSU and play ball there after an outstanding high school career.

Shaq’s daughter from a previous relationship graduated from Oglethorpe University and is working for PepsiCo

His step-son is a prominent TV personality and endorses clothing lines.

He’s a good parent who is striving to teach his children to make their own critical decisions, independent of his fame and fortune.

“We ain’t rich, I’m rich!”

Shaq has many business interests-enough to make him the 5th wealthiest basketball player in the history of the NBA. He has over 50 endorsement agreements with products including:Gold Bond, Reebok, Pepsi and The General. He’s involved with multiple dining ventures like Papa Johns, Big Chicken and Shaquille’s.

His net worth is estimated to be over $400,000,000!

“Put your money on me.Because when I go public we all gonna make money.”

“I’m tired of hearing about money, money, money. I just want to play the game, drink Pepsi and wear Reeboks.”

Shaquille O’ Neal has proven to be more than just a great basketball playing, businessman, who is striving to be a good parent.

Is there no limit to what this genial, gentle, giant can do?

“If I were a painter, you’d be calling me Shaqcasso.”

This post was self-published 4/5/22