As the most dominant player in NBA history, Shaquille O’Neal could do almost anything on the court. One of his biggest weaknesses was his free throw shooting, and opposing teams would often target O’Neal during late game situations due to his poor performance at the charity stripe.
In a brand new edition of The Big Podcast, Spice Adams asked the NBA legend what he would often do when he had a bad shooting night. O’Neal answered the question honestly.
“I tore my house up, I really did,” O’Neal said. “I’d just come in and the first thing I’d see I’d break, except for the TV. I’d break couches, I’d just throw plates or throw food on the floor. Yeah, all that.”
“Kudos to my family, especially my babies. Like when I had a bad game, it wasn’t like I wanted to take it out on them, anyway. But like when I had a bad game, they’d just be in a room and relax … And so, they also knew on game days, dad needed to sleep from one to four, and they did a perfect job of just you know playing down.”
The former LA Lakers star has made a fortune just playing basketball. This made him one of the most feared players in NBA history. However, his brand of basketball did not include a reliable free throw. This was why the “Hack-a-Shaq” tactic was born.
Most teams used the tactic against the 15-time All-Star to extend the game and prevent Shaq’s teams from scoring. In a funny incident, the San Antonio Spurs’ longtime coach Gregg Popovich made a joke about the funny big man.
During a game against the Phoenix Suns, Pop immediately instructed Michael Finley to foul O’Neal within the first five seconds of the game. When the big man turned to Pop, the head coach laughed with two thumbs up, which O’Neal also found quite amusing.
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Shaquille O’Neal still isn’t done mocking Dwight Howard
Shaquille O’Neal is not Dwight Howard’s biggest fan and is known in various NBA circles. Ever since Howard started using the “Superman” nickname, O’Neal has expressed his annoyance. Even now that the former three-time Defensive Player of the Year is out of the league, Shaq is still voicing his disgust.
Howard is currently playing in Taiwan’s T1 League, after months without receiving any offers from NBA teams. In his first game with the Taoyuan Leopards, Dwight posted 38 points, 25 rebounds, nine assists and four blocks.
O’Neal took the opportunity to roast Howard on his podcast. He said:
“He’s going to have 30 PTS playing against a guy 5’8″. This league reminds me of the Lifetime Fitness league.”
It looks like the beef between the two former Orlando Magic stars is not over. Howard responded to O’Neal’s comments on Instagram live.
To read more about Howard’s response, click here.
