NBA players find motivation everywhere. Due to the stress and expectations of a city and the media, the pressure turns astronomic pretty quickly. However, for Shaquille O’Neal, that pressure was far more severe than just society at large. To him, the main element of expectations came from his family, whose dependence on him became the ultimate fuel.

“When I have problems, I have to define if they’re real problems, and most of the time, they’re not…The reason why I’m here is because so many people depend on me. My mother depends on me, I ain’t go time to be soft.” 

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That is when he would reveal a line from his stepfather that always stuck with him. “My father told me, ‘You don’t play well, your mama gonna lose her house. Imagine that pressure. Yeah, so… I’m going to get my mom a new house.”

However, the Los Angeles Lakers legend would explain how the entire situation made him a “man’s man”. Further, it is what caused him to adopt the tough guy persona who remains a little closed off, even with his partners when in a relationship. A topic that became the center of conversation across the national media.

However, it wasn’t just his father who gave him a reality check about his mother and their situation. Over the years, the Miami Heat legend has also expressed regret about his early days and the kind of nuisance he used to be.

Shaquille O’Neal and the troubles he gave his mother

His stepfather is someone O’Neal continues to look up to and emulate in his fatherhood methods. His teachings, alongside some hefty self-realizations, led to the 4x NBA Champion realizing his mistakes as a youngster. Describing himself as a juvenile delinquent, he has regularly gotten emotional remembering the troubles he gave his mother.

Whether it was issues with Lincoln or her not exactly being proud of him, the entire scenario was a real eye-opener. In that situation, his father became a major reason for the 7-footer seeing the error in his ways. Eventually, he changed for the better and would go on to become the ideal son to her, even supporting her needs.

That journey of growth is what makes Shaquille O’Neal who he is today.

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