“Worst day of my life” – How Shaquille O’Neal’s career CHANGED by six-time MVP’s BRUTAL DISS

Shaquille O'Neal reveals how he used Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's diss as fuel to be great.

“Worst day of my life” – How Shaquille O’Neal’s career CHANGED by six-time MVP’s BRUTAL DISS

Shaquille O'Neal (Credits: REUTERS/Brendan McDermid)

Shaquille O’Neal is undoubtedly the greatest force of domination ever seen in the league’s history. Even though he was clowning his opponents from day one, he failed to succeed in the post-season early in his career. He established himself as a true superstar in the league but wasn’t able to get a deep playoff run and have a real shot at the title. This also led to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar not riding with and believing in Shaquille O’Neal who idolized him.

Both the great centers had their differences from 1993. Shaq though was always trying to get validation from the Captain. But he failed to do so until he became a winner. And, unexpectedly Jabbar actually helped Big Diesel be great. His words about Shaq not being able to win championships and get in trouble during the post-season were really taken personally by O’Neal.

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Shaquille O’Neal, decades later discussed that phase of his career on “NBA on TNT.” And, while doing so he quoted: “All I wanted was their (Jabbar) validation. It’s all I wanted… The worst day of my life I am killing it in L.A. I am putting up big numbers. Article, Kareem says Shaq not great. I got Kareem-like numbers what the hell he talking about? And he made a point. Get swept every year in the playoffs, can’t go to you in the fourth quarter and you ain’t got no championships. So I still don’t have one of the greatest big man’s validation.”

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Further, Shaq revealed how he used that brutal diss to add more fuel to the fire. This really worked for him and then he went on to three-peat with the Lakers and even won one later in Miami and ended his career with a stacked and hard-to-match resume. Before that article, O’Neal was really struggling to be a winner with the Orlando Magic and even the Lakers.

Related: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar COMPLAINS about relationship with LeBron James, “there’s no animosity at all”

Shaquille O’Neal reveals the best thing that happened to his career

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O'Neal (Credits: Kevin Mazur / Getty Images)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O’Neal (Credits: Kevin Mazur / Getty Images)

Shaquille O’Neal and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar ended their decades-long beef with LeBron James breaking the scoring record held by the Captain before. Jabbar was present in the arena when Bron made history. And, during his time there he even sorted things out with O’Neal as he spoke with the TNT crew. Before ending his interview, Kareem specifically mentioned how he asked to get in touch with Shaq.

He also added how he never wanted to shame or ignore Shaq while ending the beef from his end. As he claimed to be riding on Shaq’s side. Even Big Diesel did the same by quoting: “Listen, you not speaking to me was the best thing to happen to my career. Because all I wanted to do was impress you. So I will talk to you soon, and I love you very much. I will never ever have beef with the great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. You ain’t got to worry about that.”

It’s just good to see two of the greatest center ever sort out things and unite. Also, one should thank the Captain for ignoring Shaq all that time. That really motivated Big Diesel to go out there and just destroy anything and everything standing in between him and success.

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