Shaquille O’Neal knew NBA was RIGGED when Phil Jackson booked hotels in Indiana before playoffs started

The NBA has always faced rigging allegations, however are yet to be proven by anyone.

Shaquille O’Neal knew NBA was RIGGED when Phil Jackson booked hotels in Indiana before playoffs started

Shaquille O'Neal reveals a situation involving his former head coach Phil Jackson that led him to think the NBA was rigged

There is a constant rumor that the NBA is rigged. To make the sport bigger and more entertaining, the league allegedly has made changes to games and schedules to give certain teams advantages over the course of a season. However, none of the rumors or alleged rigging has been found to be true. But Shaquille O’Neal revealed something involving his former head coach, Phil Jackson.

While speaking on his podcast, The Big Podcast with Shaq, the 4-time champion was being questioned by comedian, Funny Marco about the authenticity of his championship rings. O’Neal confirmed that they were genuine and needed no intervention from the league. However, he narrated an incident that took place back then:

I never told this story. In the first round, first championship, I hear Phil Jackson tell Gary Vitti, 'Hey get us some hotels in Indiana, because that's where we're gonna play in the Finals'. This was like before Game 1. It didn't hit me until we got to Indiana.
Shaquille O’Neal on The Big Podcast with Shaq

He narrated what he heard the legendary coach say to the then Los Angeles Lakers trainer, Vitti. He understood the link once he reached Indiana to play in the Finals.

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To this host, Adam Lefkoe suggested that it is possible for Jackson to predict the Indiana Pacers reaching the Finals. After all, they were the best team in the East. Shaquille O’Neal acknowledged that, however suggested that he only knows what he heard.

The NBA might suggest that the great Phil Jackson could already predict the Reggie Miller led Pacers to reach the Finals. Throwing water to the alleged fixing rumor that O’Neal just suggested.

NBA’s officiating and post-game decisions this season have added to the RIGGED notion

This season, the primary complaint everyone associated with basketball was with the officiating. In many cases the fouls called were questionable. In some cases, issuing of technical fouls were borderline unnecessary. Again, in some cases they were not called, despite the obvious foul. Teams have again brought up the issue of inconsistent officiating during the playoffs.

Then there was the incident involving Jamal Murray. Throwing a heat pack onto the court could injure someone. A move that should have led to an automatic suspension for at least 1 game. However, the NBA decided to just fine him for the money gesture he made earlier.

However, the talk around the basketball universe is that the league allowed Murray to continue for the sake of the show. It might be very apparent that the league makes some decisions to have a certain effect on the game. But to call it rigged is another story.

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