Sreeda U M is a sports editor at EssentiallySports. An enthusiastic journalist, Sreeda has earned her Masters in Mass Communication and Journalism. She has been zealously following many sports including WWE since her childhood, and her favorite wrestlers are The Four Horsewomen. She is a hardcore soccer fanatic and Real Madrid is her favorite team. Besides sports, Sreeda is also a music devotee with vast knowledge and flair in Carnatic and pop music.

The basketball world recently lost its greatest champion, the man with 11 rings, Bill Russell. Bill was loved for his achievements both on and off the court and he is widely regarded as one of the most influential players ever. This claim was further solidified by former NBA champion Shaquille O’Neal. Talking on The Big Podcast with Shaq [https://open.spotify.com/episode/7iXl5FaVzA5LhgnNxpkFe8], the former Los Angeles Lakers star talked about Bill and his legacy. Moreover, he talked about Russell’s influence on him personally and also on the basketball world in general. Shaquille O'Neal has connections with Odell Beckham Jr [https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-1349416594.jpg]LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 23: Former NBA player Shaquille O’Neal attends the unveiling of the Shaq Courts at the Doolittle Complex donated by Icy Hot and the Shaquille O’Neal Foundation in partnership with the city of Las Vegas on October 23, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Icy Hot) Shaq [https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/shaquille-oneal/] said, “I realized if it wasn’t according to plan, I’d just be another tall, black guy. Basketball has afforded me many, many opportunities to meet people, and it’s a great thing but, I’ll never complain about nothing ever again. He [Bill Russell] meant a lot to me and the fact that I got to meet him and that my father trained me to be like him.” READ MORE: With a Glass of Alcohol in Hand Amid 157k People, Michael Jordan Seen Enjoying Historic Event in Iconic Resurfaced Photo [https://www.essentiallysports.com/nba-basketball-news-with-a-glass-of-alcohol-in-hand-amid-157k-people-michael-jordan-seen-enjoying-historic-event-in-iconic-resurfaced-photo/] This just goes on to show much great Bill Russell was. Alongside his numerous achievements on the court, his actions off the court make him greater. Bill was known for his philanthropy and ventures involving issues concerning the public. HOW GOOD OF A PLAYER WAS BILL RUSSELL? Boston Celtics [https://www.essentiallysports.com/nba-basketball-news-boston-celtics-2021-22-nba-roster-will-jayson-tatum-and-the-new-arrivals-overcome-the-big-departures/] legend Bill Russell needs no introduction. He is the greatest champion the league has ever seen. After all, he has 11 titles to his name! [https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Bill-Russell-3.jpg] He was selected by the Hawks as the second overall pick during the 1956 draft. However, he was traded to the Celtics on draft night which is widely considered one of the craziest draft night trades. In his 13 seasons in the league, he made it to the All-Star games on 12 occasions! He retired with an average [https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/russebi01.html] of 15.1 points, 4.3 assists, and 22.5 rebounds after the 1968-69 season. Bill Russell passed away peacefully on the 31st of July 2022 at the age of 88. His legacy will be honored with the NBA retiring the number 6 jersey. However, players like LeBron James [https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/lebron-james/], who currently wears number 6 may continue to do so. WATCH THIS STORY: Did LeBron James Drop A Sneak Peek Of The Unreleased LeBron 20s At Drew League? [https://www.essentiallysports.com/stories/nba-basketball-news-did-lebron-james-drop-a-sneak-peek-of-the-unreleased-lebron-20s-at-drew-league/] Do you think Bill Russell is the GOAT? Let us know in the comments down below. 

Former NBA champion Shaquille O'Neal talks about Bill Russell and other issues
on the latest episode of his podcast. Details and more inside.

Abhinava is an NBA writer for EssentiallySports. He is currently pursuing his
Bachelor's in Journalism and Mass Communication. Abhinava has been following NBA
for the past 6 years and is a huge fan of the Golden State Warriors and Stephen
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7 Ft Shaquille O’Neal Thankful to African-American Legends Like Bill Russell for
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Former NBA champion Shaquille O'Neal talks about Bill Russell and other issues on the latest episode of his podcast. Details and more inside.

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"I'd Be Just Another Tall, Black Guy": 7 Ft Shaquille O'Neal Thankful to African-American Legends Like Bill Russell for Paving the Path to His Superstardom

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Shaquille O'Neal

Who is Shaquille O&#8217;Neal? Before breaking rims and shattering backboards became rather routine, the NBA rarely saw a phenomenon quite like Shaquille O&#8217;Neal. During his 19-year-long career, O&#8217;Neal built a reputation around his physical dominance on the court. Standing at 7&#8217;1&#8243; tall and weighing over 300 pounds during his prime, he was notoriously unguardable. With 4 NBA championships, an MVP award, 15 All-Star selections, and over 28,000 career points, he is noted to be one of basketball&#8217;s most influential big men ever. He ventured into music, entrepreneurship, and entertainment after basketball, which only furthered his worldwide fame. Shaquille O&#8217;Neal&#8217;s early life Shaquille O&#8217;Neal was born in Newark, New Jersey, to Lucille O&#8217;Neal and Joe Toney. He did not know of his biological father, Joe Toney, who was imprisoned for drug possession when Shaq was very young. Lucille, his mother, then married a military drill sergeant &#8211; Phillip A. Harrison, who played a big role in Shaq&#8217;s childhood. Shaq has three siblings, Ayesha, Jamal, and Lateefah O&#8217;Neal. Ayesha battled with cancer and passed away in 2019. While O&#8217;Neal became a national sensation because of his dominance on the court, his larger-than-life personality and humor made him a popular figure around the world. When he first entered the league, Shaq was not confident with the media. However, he understood its importance and worked on his skills, which helped in ways not many could have imagined. Shaq studied business at Louisiana State University and played college basketball for the Tigers. His parents were adamant he should complete his college education before testing the league. Be that as it may, as coach Dale Brown was concerned O&#8217;Neal could end up with a career-ending injury due to the hard fouls he had been enduring in college games, he suggested O&#8217;Neal should declare for the NBA draft. After three years of college, Shaq declared for the NBA draft and theÂ Orlando Magic drafted him as the #1 pick in 1992. He got the go-ahead for this as he promised his mother that he would return to finish his degree. Shaq then kept his promise by completing his bachelor&#8217;s degree in 2000 while still playing in the NBA. As O&#8217;Neal felt disrespected when he was ignoredÂ during business meetings by his associates, he obtained an MBA degree from the University of Phoenix in 2005 to prove he has what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur. His mother came to himÂ with tears of joy after his MBA and motivated him to go further. Then, in 2012, Shaq earned his doctoral degree in organizational learning and leadership, specializing in human resource development from Barry University. Shaquille O Neal&#8217;s wife and children Shaquille O&#8217;Neal has six children. In 1996, he and his ex-girlfriend Arnetta Yardbourgh welcomed their first child, Taahirah O&#8217;Neal. He then married Shaunie Henderson in 2002. Shaunie is a reality TV star and one of the executive producers of the Basketball Wives TV series. She had a son, Myles, from a previous relationship. O&#8217;Neal and Shaunie then had four children: Shareef, Amirah, Shaqir, and Me&#8217;arah. Shaquille O&#8217;Neal and Shaunie separated in 2011 after nine years of marriage. She then tied the knot with Pastor Keion Henderson in 2022. Shaq has not re-married since his divorce. Among his children, Shareef, Amirah, Shaqir, and Me&#8217;arah are following in their father&#8217;s footsteps in pursuing basketball. At 17, Me&#8217;arah is already growing at a rapid pace and has all the markings of a great player. She recently committed to play college basketball for the Florida Gators, snubbing her father&#8217;s alma mater, LSU. The four-star prospect is ranked No. 33 for the Class of 2024. Shaquille O&#8217;Neal&#8217;s net worth 2024 Shaquille O&#8217;Neal signed a 7-year $120 million contract when he joined the Los Angeles Lakers in 1996. It was one of the biggest deals at the time. Throughout his storied career, he went on to earn nearly $290 million in NBA salary and over $200 million in endorsements. Former professional basketball player/author Shaquille O&#8217;Neal speaks on stage during LIVE from the NYPL: Shaquille O&#8217;Neal held at the New York Public Library &#8211; Stephen A. Schwartzman Building in New York City. (Photo by Brent N. Clarke/Getty Images) With a knack for business, the 4x NBA champion has also built an empire. He owns a total of 50 brands in different industries. As of January 2024, Shaq has amassed a net worth of $400 million. Shaquille O&#8217;Neal&#8217;s NBA career timeline Shaquille O&#8217;Neal played in the NBA for six teams throughout his 19-year career. He took the league by storm as a rookie. In his fourth NBA season, O&#8217;Neal led the Orlando Magic to the 1995 NBA Finals. Shaq then joined the Los Angeles Lakers in 1996, the same year the Lakers acquired a young Kobe BryantÂ on draft day. Shaq and the Lakers struggled initially. However, the addition of head coach Phil Jackson changed everything. He then led the Lakers to a three-peat (2000-2002). Shaq won the Finals MVP award on all three occasions and also won the 2000 NBA MVP. Shaquille O&#8217;Neal is surrounded by media after the Lakers win the NBA Championship in East Rutherford, New Jersey on June 12, 2002. (Photo by Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) In 2004, O&#8217;Neal took his talents to South Beach and helped the Miami Heat win the NBA Championship in 2006. However, Shaq was no longer at his prime and suffered multiple nagging injuries. From 2007 to 11, he played for three teams and announced his retirement while playing for the Boston Celtics in 2011, when he was 39. During his career, basketball rims and backboards were not safe. Shaq has broken a whopping 19 rims with his powerful slams. In 2017, O&#8217;Neal posted a picture of a sculpture made of all 19 rims he had broken and called it &#8216;Broken Rim Tree.&#8217; Shaquille O&#8217;Neal&#8217;s contracts Here&#8217;s a breakdown of Shaquille O&#8217;Neal&#8217;s contracts and earnings throughout his NBA career:  Year Team Salary Career Earnings  1992-93 Orlando Magic $3,000,000 $3,000,000  1993-94 Orlando Magic $3,900,000 $3,900,000  1994-95 Orlando Magic $4,800,000 $4,800,000  1995-96 Orlando Magic $5,700,000 $5,700,000  1996-97 Los Angeles Lakers $10,714,000 $10,714,000  1997-98 Los Angeles Lakers $12,857,143 $12,857,143  1998-99 Los Angeles Lakers $9,146,341 $9,146,341  1999-00 Los Angeles Lakers $17,142,858 $17,142,858  2000-01 Los Angeles Lakers $19,285,715 $19,285,715  2001-02 Los Angeles Lakers $21,428,572 $21,428,572  2002-03 Los Angeles Lakers $23,571,429 $23,571,429  2003-04 Los Angeles Lakers $24,749,999 $24,749,999  2004-05 Los Angeles Lakers $27,696,430 $27,696,430  2005-06 Miami Heat $20,000,000 $20,000,000  2006-07 Miami Heat $20,000,000 $20,000,000  2007-08 Phoenix Suns $20,000,000 $20,000,000  2008-09 Phoenix Suns $21,000,000 $21,000,000  2009-10 Cleveland Cavaliers $20,000,000 $20,000,000  2010-11 Boston Celtics $1,352,181 $1,352,181  Approximate Earnings $286,344,668 $286,344,668   Shaquille O&#8217;Neal&#8217;s endorsements and investments Shaquille O&#8217;Neal is one of the most successful former athletes turned businessman. Big Diesel owns a total of 50 brands in different industries, with over 172 restaurants and 150 car washes. Even though he has been retired for over a decade now, Shaq still endorses 30 companies. O&#8217;Neal was a part owner of a whopping 155 Five Guys Burgers restaurants. He is the proud owner of franchises such as Krispy Kreme, Papa John&#8217;s Pizza, Auntie Anne&#8217;s Pretzel, Car Wash, and 24-Hour Fitness. Additionally, he owns 9 Papa John&#8217;s Pizza restaurants. Shaq also invested in companies like Apple, PepsiCo, Google, and General Electric. His investment in Google helped him massively increaseÂ his net worth. O&#8217;Neal is also aÂ shareholder of the Authentic Brands Group which owns JCPenney and Forever 21. The group has the right to royalty of legends like Elvis Presley, Muhammad Ali, and Marilyn Monroe. Being the second-highest shareholder, Shaq too owns a percentage of the legends&#8217; royalties. Even though Shaq has made some very smart investments that helped him build his business empire, he has also missed out on some huge opportunities, including investing in Starbucks. He opted not toÂ invest in the chain of coffeehousesÂ because of an interesting reason. Around the court, Shaq was once a minority owner of the Sacramento Kings, but he recently sold his shares. However, he is still open to being an owner in the NBA and expressed hisÂ desire to buy stakes at his former team the Orlando Magic. Shaquille Oâ€™Neal&#8217;s NBA career statsÂ  Regular season games played &#8211; 1207 Regular season points per game &#8211; 23.7 Regular season rebounds per game &#8211; 10.9 Regular season assists per game &#8211; 2.5 Playoff games played &#8211; 216 Postseason points per game &#8211; 24.3 Postseason rebounds per game &#8211; 11.6 Postseason assists per game &#8211; 2.7 Shaquille O&#8217;Neal: Awards and achievements 4x NBA champion (2000, 2002, 2006) 3xNBA Finals MVP (2000, 2002) NBA Most Valuable Player (2000) 15x NBA All-Star (1993, 1998, 2000, 2007, 2009) 3x NBA All-Star Game MVP (2000, 2004, 2009) 8x All-NBA First Team (1998, 2000, 2006) 2x NBA scoring champion (1995, 2000) 2x All-NBA Second Team (1995, 1999) 3x NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2000, 2001, 2003) 4x All-NBA Third Team (1994, 1996, 1997, 2009) NBA Rookie of the Year (1993) NBA All-Rookie First Team (1993) Shaquille O&#8217;Neal: Records Shaquille O&#8217;Neal finished his NBA career with 23.7 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game in the regular season. He sits at #8 on the total points scored (28,596) list, #15 on the total rebounds (13,099) list, and #8 on the total blocks (2,732) list. Interestingly, he is also third all-time in total free throw attempts with 11,252 because of the opponents&#8217; Hack-a-Shaq strategy to stop him. O&#8217;Neal and Michael Jordan are the only players to ever win three straight NBA Finals MVP awards. The Shaquille O&#8217;Neal Foundation, charity work and philanthropy Shaquille O&#8217;Neal gives back to the community via various means, including his Shaquille O&#8217;Neal Foundation. During the festive season, the foundation brings joy to thousands of children nationwide with toys and gifts. The former NBA star supports charities like Be The Match, Boys &amp; Girls Clubs of America, Centre ValBio, Free The Children, Kids Wish Network, PeyBack Foundation, and Phoenix House. Additionally, in partnership with Microsoft Corporation, he contributed $1 million to the Boys and Girls Club of America to create technology centers in clubs nationwide. In October 2023, he opened aÂ fifth Comebaq Court (sporting facility) in Los Angeles. Partnering with Icy Hot for 20 years, they&#8217;ve refurbished courts in Las Vegas,Â Newark,Â Miami,Â andÂ Atlanta. Shaquille O&#8217;Neal: Music career Shaquille O&#8217;Neal began his music career in 1993 with his debut album Shaq Diesel. Even though the critics panned the album, it was a huge hit with the fans and received platinum certification from the RIAA. He has also worked alongside King of Pop Michael Jackson as a guest rapper on 2 Bad in MJ&#8217;s 1995 album HIStory. Since 2021, O&#8217;Neal has been performing as a DJ under the name DJ DIESEL. He once revealed that he chose to pursue electronic music because it is similar to basketball. On June 7, 2023, O&#8217;Neal released his first single as DJ Diesel from his debut electronic album Gorilla Warfare, titled &#8220;Bang Your Head,&#8221; in collaboration with Hairitage.Â  Shaquille Oâ€™Nealâ€™s shoe dealÂ  In 2023, sporting brand Reebok made Shaquille Oâ€™Neal its official President of Basketball, and he now will be bringing his expertise to drive Reebokâ€™s long-term strategy. The partnership, however, dates back to Shaq&#8217;s early days in the NBA. Dating back to the mid-90s, Shaq helped launch Reebok to the grand stage in the world of basketball, attracting players like Allen Iverson, who has joined O&#8217;Neal as the Vice President of Reebok Basketball. Shaq re-calls one incident that particularly moved him in his history with Reebok. While leaving the arena one day, O&#8217;Neal was approached by a parent, who accused Shaq of overpricing his sneakers. Having been challenged by the woman to make more affordable shoes, Shaq declined his $40 million five-year contract with Reebok. He went on to collaborate with Walmart, releasing a shoe priced under $30. Shaquille Oâ€™Nealâ€™s house Shaquille O&#8217;Neal&#8217;s massive houses are fit for a giant of his size. The Lakers icon&#8217;s 35,000-square-foot lakefront estate sits on 3 acres of land in a gated community outside Orlando. It has 12 bedrooms and 11 full bathrooms. The foyer features a sweeping double staircase and 35-foot ceilings. The property boasts a 6,000-square-foot indoor basketball court, a 17-plus car showroom-style garage, a home theater, and a giant Superman-themed bed. The mansion, after 26 years of ownership by the big man, was put up for sale in 2019 for a whopping $21.9 million. He had bought this estate in 1993 for a comparatively paltry $4million. On top of this, Shaq also has mansions in Dallas and Atlanta. His house in Atlanta rests on a massive 14.3-acre property, which he bought back in 2016 for $1.15 million. Shaq&#8217;s other French-style home in Dallas, purchased in 2022, was listed at $1,225,000 at the time of purchase. Â Shaquille Oâ€™Nealâ€™s rings Shaquille O&#8217;Neal is one of the most decorated players in NBA history, winning 4 championship rings over his career. He laid hands on his first title in 2000 as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, defeating the Indiana Pacers in the NBA Finals. He would go on to win two more consecutive championships in 2001 and 2002, forming a dominant duo with Kobe Bryant at the Lakers. Shaq, however, earned his 4th and final ring with the Miami Heat in 2006, defeating the Dallas Mavericks 4-2 in the NBA Finals. Shaquille Oâ€™Nealâ€™s car and bike collectionÂ  Shaq is a huge car enthusiast and owns over 30 vehicles, including many luxury and sports cars. His Rolls-Royce Phantom is customized with a Superman logo on the grille. Notably, he also gifted one to LeBron James while the two were together at the Cavaliers. Another notable element of Shaqâ€™s collection is his Lamborghini Gallardo with a V10 engine and a top speed of over 200 mph.Â  Shaq also owns a Ford F-650 XL, a massive pickup truck that he has also customized with his Superman logo. Other cars in his collection include the Cadillac Escalade in custom colors purple and yellow. And also has a Buick Lucerne that he especially modified to fit his 7&#8217;1&#8243; frame. Apart from a myriad of cars, Shaq also possesses a custom 14-foot Orange County Chopper motorbike in black and chrome finish.Â  How to contact Shaquille O&#8217;Neal? Facebook,Â Instagram,Â Twitter,Â Website,Â YouTube  Full Name Shaquille Oâ€™Neal  Popular Name Shaq, Shaq Diesel, Big Diesel, The Big Aristotle  Birth Date March 6th, 1972  Birth Place Newark, New Jersey, U.S.  AgeÂ  51 years  HeightÂ  7 foot 1 inches (2.16 m)  WeightÂ  351 Lbs (159.2 Kg)  Parents Lucille Oâ€™Neal and Joe Toney  Siblings Ayesha Oâ€™Neal, Jamal Oâ€™Neal, Lateefah Oâ€™Neal  Nationality U.S. Citizen  Ethnicity African-American  Net Worth $400 Million  Salary N/A  Spouse N/A  Relationship/Marital Status Divorced  Children 6 (Taahirah, Myles, Shareef, Amirah, Shaqir, and Me&#8217;arah Oâ€™Neal)  Profession Former NBA Player  Team 1992â€“1996 (Orlando Magic) 1996â€“2004 (Los Angeles Lakers) 2004â€“2008 (Miami Heat) 2008â€“2009 (Phoenix Suns) 2009â€“2010 (Cleveland Cavaliers) 2010â€“2011 (Boston Celtics)  Rings 4

7 Ft Shaquille O’Neal Thankful to African-American Legends Like Bill Russell for Paving the Path to His Superstardom

How good of a player was Bill Russell?