“I Wasn’t Sure If Shaq Would Be Enough…”: Despite $120 Million Contract, Lakers Legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Admits Having Doubts Over Shaquille O’Neal

The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the most storied sports franchises of all time. With a plethora of all-time greats donning their jerseys, they are the most successful NBA franchise. One of the major contributors to their success was with the best of centers. Likewise, playing into their legacy, they drafted the then most dominant player, Shaquille O’Neal. Moreover, trading for Kobe Bryant would eventually become one of their best decisions ever.

Already asserting himself as a brutal force, Shaq signed a massive $120-million-dollar deal with the Lakers. An hunger to win a championship encompassed the 7-foot giant. However, money was his biggest attraction. His time with Orlando brought one thing up, the Big Diesel was capable of being a one-man wrecking crew.

However, another great center from LA, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar knew just dominance won’t be enough to take the purple and gold back to the top. Pinning down his thoughts, the all-time points leader of the NBA detailed the need for key pieces around Shaq.

Kareem breaks down Shaquille O’Neal to the Lakers

Before joining Showtime, Shaq had already seen the NBA finals beating Michael Jordan to get there. On the biggest stage, he came face to face with Hakeem Olajuwon. The Houston Rockets legend coming off a championship in his previous season was determined to defend the throne. And he taught the young Shaquille O’Neal a lesson by sweeping his Magic in the finals. While Superman got him back by dunking, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar saw through the truth.

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As jealousy flew in for Shaq’s massive $120 million deal, the Hall of Famer knew the Lakers needed to add others. Likewise, the addition of a 17-year-old Kobe Bryant became pivotal to the future of the Lakers.

The six-time NBA champion said: “I wasn’t sure that Shaq would be enough to carry the Lakers to championships. I’d seen Hakeem Olajuwon dominate Shaq when he was with Orlando. But to Shaq’s credit, he came out of that confrontation with a new fire and purpose. Still, I knew he wouldn’t be enough to carry the team to a championship anymore than I could. He would need a few more key players. Kobe certainly had the potential to be one of those key players.”

Jerry West’s mastermind decision to sign the Mamba became the stepping stone to one of the most dominating dynasties of all time. Shaq took the young Kobe under his wing. And after Bryant burst into greatness, it gave birth to one of the greatest duos. Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant would lead the purple and gold to a three-peat. They dominated the postseason, including a record 15-game win streak en route to the NBA championship.

WATCH THIS STORY: 5 things to learn from Kobe Bryant’s Mamba mentality.

Shaq found the perfect righthand man to join his quest to be an NBA champion. However, what the duo produced on the court was revolutionary. While differences were soon raised, the names of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille will always be attached. A duo that brought carnage to the league and shaped the Los Angeles Lakers into the most successful NBA franchise.