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via Getty

via Getty

Shaquille O?Neal and his infamous exit from the Los Angeles Lakers got a lot of chatter in the NBA fandom back in 2004. His beef with Kobe Bryant, which was followed by Shaq?s trade to the Miami Heat is fresh in many fans’ memories. Well if it isn?t, the new documentary about the seven-foot-tall giant, titled Shaq will do the job. In one of the episodes of the documentary, Shaq?s beloved teammate recalled how the Big Aristotle reacted going back to the Staples Center.

In Christmas 2004, The Lakers faced Miami Heat and Dwayne Wade revealed how Shaq actually felt facing his old team for the first time. Shaq?s exit from the Lakers was a very messy one, explaining his animosity towards his former team.

D-Wade recalling the words of Shaq before the Lakers game

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Shaq just got into the Miami Heat, and he was there to prove the doubters wrong. Once called one of the most dominant players in basketball, he was driven out of the legendary Lakers. Something which fueled him even more for revenge.

With the good team dynamics in place, the Heat went on a 10-game winning streak, just before Christmas. And that, just before facing the Lakers. The Lakers however had Kobe Bryant, but they missed the seven-foot enigma, who dominated the court.

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In the fourth episode of the Shaq documentary,? D-Wade recalled how the Big Aristotle reacted during the match.?

?I remember being in our locker room that first season. In the Staples Center, playing against the lakers, and Shaq went the fu*k off. [Laughs]? said Wade. He further added, ?And he said, ?I did not come here, for us to get beat by some motherfu***rs.? I mean he went off! That?s how much it meant.?

If it isn?t crystal clear before, the Heat legend?s words made it clear as to what winning against the yellow and purple meant for Shaq. The Big Aristotle?s departure from the Lakers made him feel disrespected, as he felt his contributions weren?t valued enough. Amidst the contract arguments with the Lakers, Shaq felt he was treated differently to his colleague, Kobe Bryant.

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Shaquille O?Neal with the Miami Heat

Dwayne Wade wasn’t a rookie when the Big Aristotle first arrived in Miami. And Shaq decided to make sure that he supported the youngster.?

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His support paid off when the Heat finally won the 2006 NBA Finals. According to Shaq, Wade compensated for him when he was underperforming in the finals. The experience that Wade got from Shaq helped him to win two more championships in Miami