Kevin Garnett Breaks Down How in a Post-Michael Jordan NBA, Shaquille O’Neal Became the Face of the League

Michael Jordan has had an illustrious career full of records and trophies. He has been credited with globalizing the NBA around the world during the 90s. However, many other players played an important role as well in popularizing the game. Shaquille O’Neal took over from Jordan and won a three-peat with the Lakers. Kevin Garnett feels Shaq was the face of the league after Jordan’s retirement.

His Airness won six championships with Chicago Bulls during the 90s, which included two three-peats. He dominated the 90s till 1998 when he completed his 2nd treble with the Bulls and retired for the 2nd time. However, the Lakers had assembled an insane team by then, led by Shaquille O’Neal.

Shaq and Kobe Bryant guided the Lakers to the city’s first three-peat. It went on to be the last time any NBA team managed to do a three-peat. Many teams such as Miami Heat, Golden State Warriors, came closer to winning a three-peat, but couldn’t. Shaq had a big impact on the Lakers during the early 2000s and Kevin Garnett feels Shaq was the face of the NBA post-Jordan.

WATCH THIS STORY: Manchester United Welcome NFL Legend Tom Brady for Premier League Fixture vs Tottenham

Kevin Garnett claims Shaquille O’Neal was the face of the NBA after Michael Jordan

Former NBA star Kevin Garnett recently appeared on KG: Certified. During the show, Kendrick Perkins and Kevin Garnett discussed the face of the NBA. Garnett said that Shaq was the face of the NBA after Jordan’s retirement.

“Hell, yeah, Shaq was the face of the league (after Jordan’s retirement),” Kevin Garnett told Kendrick Perkins. “Shaq was a superstar. Shaq has a platinum album. He sold a million.”

Kevin Garnett spent the majority of his career with Minnesota Timberwolves. However, he won the only championship of his career with Boston Celtics in 2008. During his stint with the Celtics, he got the opportunity to play alongside Shaq. However, Shaq joined the Celtics in the twilight of his career and officially retired after a season with them.

ALSO READ- “Pure Evil” Charles Barkley Called “Depraved” by Skip Bayless’ Wife for Threatening to Kill Her Husband

But Garnett got the opportunity to play alongside an all-time great and understand him. He claims Shaq was the face of the NBA, which wouldn’t be a wrong statement to make. Shaq was definitely a big star at that time and continues to enjoy his celebrity status.