Plus, it was the nickname of choice for legendary announcer Chick Hearn. [268] He has also been an active real estate entrepreneur. [87] During a practice in February 2008, O'Neal got into an altercation with Riley over the coach ordering a tardy Jason Williams to leave practice. What are all the nicknames Shaq has given to NBA players? Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham recently offered up contradictory explanations when asked about LA's decision-making regarding star center Anthony Davis. Although O'Neal averaged career lows (or near-lows) in points, rebounds, and blocks, he said in an interview "Stats don't matter. Osama Bin Shaq, my favorite of the nicknames, is a name which he gave himself after terrorizing Keith Van Horn under the boards in the 2002 NBA Finals. [24] O'Neal's tendency to make hook shots earned comparisons to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, inspiring him to wear the same jersey number as Abdul-Jabbar, No. This one is kind of funny but my inability to pronounce it quickly has it ranked lower than it probably should have ranked. He claimed one of the main reasons for wanting to be traded to Miami was because of their up-and-coming star Dwyane Wade, to whom he gave the nickname "Flash". M.D.E. On December 17, 1996, O'Neal shoved Dennis Rodman of the Chicago Bulls; Rodman's teammates Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan restrained Rodman and prevented further conflict. Shaquille ONeal had at least 34 nicknames with most of them coming from the man himself. [57], Matched up against the Sacramento Kings in the 2002 Western Conference finals, O'Neal said, "There is only one way to beat us. Video: Shaq, NBA on TNT crew clown Charles Barkley's 15 nicknames. [262] At the end of the interview, O'Neal got water thrown on him by Brandi after telling her to get pointers from Cargill, who had broken Brandi's arm several weeks ago. Prompted by his ardent interest in basketball, O'Neal joined his school's basketball team. Although his rapping abilities were criticized at the outset,[177][178] one critic credited him with "progressing as a rapper in small steps, not leaps and bounds". [8], O'Neal's individual accolades include the 19992000 Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award; the 199293 NBA Rookie of the Year award; 15 All-Star Game selections, three All-Star Game MVP awards; three Finals MVP awards; two scoring titles; 14 All-NBA team selections, and three NBA All-Defensive Team selections. I was trying to take the charge, trying to get a call. [142], O'Neal's "drop step", (called the "Black Tornado" by O'Neal) in which he posted up a defender, turned around and, using his elbows for leverage, powered past him for a very high-percentage slam dunk, proved an effective offensive weapon. [201] O'Neal's actions resulted in the arrest of two suspects on charges of aggravated battery, assault, and a hate crime. Shaq and his Nicknames "I want to be known as 'The Big Shakespeare.' It was Shakespeare that said, 'Some men are born great, some achieve greatness, some have greatness thrust upon them.'" "All this heaviness does not mean that I'm a monk. "[98] O'Neal responded, "Flopping is playing like that your whole career. Shaquille O'Neal has been known by many names over his lifetime: Superman, Big Diesel and The Big Aristotle, to name a few. Shaquille proved he was an all-rounder by completing his doctorate in business majors, as promised to his mother. Here are the top 10 new nicknames given to him from musical legends Chuck D and 9th Wonder to college students: 10. "The Big Shamrock" was thought up by Shaqthe NBA's resident entertainer for years. He made the shot during the 199596 NBA season with the Orlando Magic. I guess its delightfully grammatically incorrect. In this case, it refers to a person who uses a certain name. As a pro rapper, he's not as lyrical as some of the other microphone checkers, but he could hold his own. [41] He also learned that Hardaway considered himself the leader of the Magic and did not want O'Neal making more money than him. [63], Opposing teams often used up many fouls on O'Neal, reducing the playing time of their own big men. [182] Currently, he produces electronic music and tours the world under the stage name, DIESEL and managed by Medium Rare.[183]. Page down to look for some of his famous nicknames: The big fella's humor is Shaqalicious, and his achievement made him contented, and he called himself many nicknames. [318][319], O'Neal began dating Laticia Rolle, a model, originally from Gardner, Massachusetts, in early 2014. His crossover dribble was the best ever displayed by an NBA center. O'Neal established himself as an overpowering low post presence, putting up career averages of 23.7 points on .582 field goal accuracy, 10.9 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game. He is not one of the best dressers in the league, though. With the tandem of O'Neal and teenage superstar Kobe Bryant, expectations for the Lakers increased; however, personnel changes were a source of instability during the 199899 season. O'Neal is a 2009 inductee of the New Jersey Hall of Fame. He has a Superman logo tattoo on his arm and many of his cars also have Superman emblems on them. That's all. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. [305][306] Nelson also has one son from a previous relationship, Myles. King Kobe 12. These are the ones that I know: Paul Pierce: The Truth Dwayne Wade: The Flash Tim Duncan: Big Fundamental Kawhi Leonard: Sugar K Leonard Robin Lopez: Barbeque Chicken Javale McGee: Tragic Bronson Dorell Wright: Dorell Wrong Erick Dampier: Erica Dampier Yao Ming: Ching Chong Shaq Lawson had 3.5 sacks last season and 25.0 sacks over his career. Oof. You know the rest. Explore down for this splendid performer's unique titles he gained. O'Neal has a daughter named Taahirah O'Neal (b. July 19, 1996)[307][308] from a previous relationship with his ex-girlfriend Arnetta Yardbourgh. Shaq also immortalized a number of other nicknames for other players, some flattering and some less so. On December 25, 2008, O'Neal missed his 5,000th free throw, becoming the second player in NBA history to do so, along with Chamberlain.[148]. [115][116] He was introduced by the Celtics on August 10, 2010, and chose the number 36. The big man's here to kick ass and take a gazillion nicknames. 3rd seems about right. Story Behind The Name: Shaquille O'Neal has picked up several nicknames since arriving in the NBA in 1992. It has nothing to do with the fact that I am a huge Celtics fan stop saying that. His achievement made him choose a lot of nicknames for himself. Kobe Stake Through the Heart Bryant 18. At the same time, it uses the boring The Big X formula. And they go a little something like thishit it: "I'm a horse. [47] O'Neal averaged 26.2 points and 12.5 rebounds in his first season with Los Angeles; however, he again missed over 30 games due to injury. Flopping would describe his coaching. [119] O'Neal missed games throughout the season due to an assortment of ailments to his right leg[120] including knee,[121] calf,[122] hip,[123] and Achilles injuries. [190][194] O'Neal received his Ed.D. [66] At the end of the season, the Lakers had fallen to the fifth seed and failed to reach the Finals in 2003. He averaged an insane 44 points per game for his college career and he played at the same school as Shaq LSU. 6. [95] They connected his arthritic toe, which would not bend, to the alteration of his jump that consequently was straining his leg. In 1999, prior to the 19992000 season, the Lakers hired Phil Jackson as head coach, and the team's fortunes soon changed. [125] After requesting a cortisone shot, O'Neal returned April 3 after missing 27games due to his Achilles; he played only five minutes due to a strained right calf. [170], O'Neal was very vocal with the media, often making jabs at former Laker teammate Kobe Bryant. For other uses, see, First scoring title and NBA Finals (19941996), Career lows and disagreements (20072008), Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game, S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, List of career achievements by Shaquille O'Neal, Shaquille O'Neal Presents His Superfriends, Vol. Choi replied to an email asking him if he would like to fight O'Neal saying "Yes, if there is a chance." But it's cool", said O'Neal. [72], Despite being hobbled by a deep thigh bruise, O'Neal led the Heat to the Eastern Conference Finals and a Game 7 against the defending champion Detroit Pistons, losing by a narrow margin. Shaq's nicknames became one of the signature traits of his personality in the league. [278], O'Neal was an early investor in Google. In addition, O'Neal was plagued by fouls, and during one stretch fouled out of five consecutive games. [156] Although he was a favorite interviewee of the press, O'Neal was sensitive and often went weeks without speaking. Another very humorous one is The Big Deporter. Injuries destroyed his professional career, but he is still one of the best scorers in basketball history. It stands for Most Dominant Ever. Magic coach Stan Van Gundy, who had coached O'Neal with the Heat, was "very disappointed cause [O'Neal] knows what it's like. He's an athlete, entrepreneur and playerformer playernot necessarily in that order. This is a nickname paying homage to former NBA center Wilt Chamberlain and is considered to be Shaq's favorite nickname so far. Also ask people in your network for their thoughts. In 1993, Shaq put out a rap album that sold over a million copies. eBay (eeobe08) Add to watchlist. Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. In sports, a field general is a leader for his team. [68], The Lakers made the playoffs in 2004 and lost to the Detroit Pistons in the 2004 NBA Finals. The Big Shamrock Shaq adopted "The Big Shamrock" during his short time in Boston. Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. I had a good life. Call me a sucker for a good pun. . Shaq: . After he made a steal and got a breakaway dunk to force overtime in a game his Lakers would go on to win, Shaq said he was a great thief, The Big Felon. [12] In October 2021, O'Neal was again honored as one of theleague's greatest players of all-time by being named to theNBA 75th Anniversary Team. [110] Celtics coach Doc Rivers agreed to the signing on the condition that O'Neal would not receive preferential treatment, nor could he cause any locker room problems like in Los Angeles or Miami. However, Miami showed interest, and eventually the two clubs agreed on a trade. He hosts The Big Podcast with Shaq. Italian Stallion 14. He was named the 1993 NBA Rookie of the Year and was the first rookie to be voted an All-Star starter since Michael Jordan in 1985. [234] The producer of the show, Kim No-eun said, "We've worked hard on our guest list this season, so Chu Sung Hoon will be appearing on a cable channel for the first time. . David Stern also had kind words to say aboutShaqlast night on NBA TV. Okay but a boring name. [36] O'Neal compared his lack of privacy in Orlando to "feeling like a big fish in a dried-up pond". which means Last Center Left. He once missed all 11 of his free throw attempts in a game against the Seattle SuperSonics on December 8, 2000, a record. 9. Total games played: 1207 (44th) O'Neal played in the NBA from 1992 until 2011, marking one of the longest and most storied careers in league history. [290][291][292][293] Darling claimed that O'Neal had originally tried to protect himself by hacking his mistresses' voicemails and deleting relevant messages. The Big Shamrock was given to ONeal in the last of his nineteen NBA seasons when he played for the Celtics. Nothing serious whatsoever. [14] He has appeared in numerous films and has starred in his own reality shows, Shaq's Big Challenge and Shaq Vs.