By: Debadrita Ghosh Image credit: NBA and Twitter.
While playing with the Orlando Magic and especially the Los Angeles Lakers, Neal dominated the league. Due to his outstanding performance, the Lakers were able to win three NBA Finals, and he was named the NBA Finals MVP each time.
O’Neal always had a unique physical appearance, strength, skill, and size for which no other player could guard him individually on the court throughout his first ten years in the league. He was one of the most feared players on the court.
Shaq has acknowledged several times that Jordan is the only player who has ever made him fearful while playing. O'Neal had only watched Jordan on television as a kid but playing against him in real life is something that made him terrified.
Shaq was a dominant player in his rookie year but when Shaq faced the Bulls in his rookie season, he quickly understood how terrific Jordan was in a genuine matchup.
Shaq said on the Impaulsive podcast: “I think the greatest player is Michael Jordan. LeBron's about to do something that hasn't been done in a long time and I think he will move his name up there, but for me, it's always Dr. J, Michael Jordan, Magic, and those guys."
He further added: “Jordan was the greatest, in my opinion…... People look at stats, his stats are definitely going to be up there. To pass up Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, I can truthfully say, I'm jealous of that feat because I wanted to pass up Wilt.”
Once Shaq said on the NBA TNT show about Jordan: "I was terrified out there for the whole game. One, he is the greatest player, and two I was worried about him dunking on me, and I would have to go back and face the fellas.”
Shaq continued: “And three he was so hot there I was like man, this dude. The staff that I saw when I was in college on tv was really real. I was terrified.”
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