Shaquille O’Neal recently discussed an amusing event involving Stephon Marbury in China. The majority of the basketball community will know that Shaq is a 4x NBA champion and widely considered by many as the most dominant and unstoppable force in the history of the league.
During his career, Shaq generated a lot of fame and attention on a global scale. As a result, his interactions overseas with Chinese fans were greatly appreciated by his fanbase. O’Neal discussed his feelings while being given a relatively rare honor and his thoughts much later.
Shaquille O’Neal on his feelings after being honored with a statue in China
Having a statue made is a rare honor that most NBA players never experience in their lifetimes. It is all the more rare to have a statue outside the United States. Shaq assumed as much when being informed that a statue of him was going to be built in China.
O’Neal was stunned at the time. However, he realized late that his statue was nothing when compared to the one built for Stephon Marbury. Here is what Shaq had to say about making that realization.
“I’ve never had a problem over there. old-school 16th-17th-18th century honor. I remember one time I was over because…I thought I was the man. I had a little statue but my statue was in another part of town. I’m riding one day, I’m like I know I have a statue here. They’re like nah that’s Stephon Marbury’s statue. This man’s got a 100-foot statue…”
Shaq was then asked about his own thoughts on getting a statue, “I don’t even know. Craziest thing was I never even asked for that. I was just going over there just doing my thing and they’re like we have a surprise for you…Anyways they did a ceremony, unveiled that thing. I was like I don’t believe I have a statue in China….”Given that Shaquille O’Neal is an NBA legend, fans can certainly understand why he was honored with a statue overseas. However, many must also be wondering what Marbury has done to be given a significantly larger statue when compared to Shaq’s.
Stephon Marbury played in China and is currently a head coach
It turns out that Stephon Marbury is one of the many NBA players who went overseas to finish their career. Stephon was in the NBA for 12 seasons and was a solid star. He averaged 19.2 points and 7.6 assists while being listed as a 6’2 point guard.
In 2010, Marbury joined the Chinese Basketball League and played for several teams such as the Beijing Ducks, Foshan Dralions, and Beijing Fly Dragons. He established his dominance and made his skills clear overseas. Even after his playing career came to an end, Marbury became a coach of the Beijing Royal Fighters.
Since Stephon spent much more time in China and helped the sport grow in a more direct method, he was rewarded with a 100-foot statue. Some fans might wonder how large a statue for Shaquille O’Neal would have been if he spent a part of his career in China.