via Getty
PHOENIX – DECEMBER 21: Shaquille O’Neal #33 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots a free throw shot during the NBA game against of the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on December 21, 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Cavaliers defeated the Suns 109-91. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
via Getty
PHOENIX – DECEMBER 21: Shaquille O’Neal #33 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots a free throw shot during the NBA game against of the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on December 21, 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Cavaliers defeated the Suns 109-91. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Shaquille O’Neal is without a doubt one of the greatest players to ever play the game. One of the most dominant players of our generation won four titles in his career and gave people nightmares on the court. But probably the one thing that gave Shaq nightmares was his free-throw shooting.
Shaq had a major flaw in his game and that was free-throw shooting. Shaq shot 52% throughout his entire career and has missed the second most free throws in NBA History. At times in his career, he would go 40% from the line, which really hurt his team sometimes. Teams used to exploit this, and they created the Hack A Shaq strategy. This was a huge pain for Shaq, as he had to be removed from games at times.
via Getty
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 23: Former NBA player Shaquille O’Neal laughs as he 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)
Shaquille O’Neal nearly embarrassed himself in front of Halle Berry
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
One time, his free throw technique almost let him down in front of Halle Berry. When asked what was his favorite moment in the NBA, Shaq said, “Madison Square Garden… I’m at the free-throw line. I look up. I know that’s Halle Berry coming down the steps. Bro, it was Halle Berry. My heart started beating so fast, I had to call a timeout. Phil said what are you doing? I said shut the hell up, Halle Berry is over there. She’s coming to watch me play.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
“I go back, don’t shoot a airball, don’t shoot a airball. I made the first one, Halle’s smiling. Oh, she’s smiling. I got a chance, I got a chance. I shoot the second one, I make the second one. She smiles at me again. That probably right there was my favorite moment,” he added.
WATCH THIS STORY: Best Moments from the All-Star Game
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Luckily for Shaq, he made those free throws on that day. Otherwise, he would have been embarrassed in front of one of the most gorgeous women at the time. Several players had advised Shaq to improve his free throw technique, but he could never fix that part of his game.
Shaq was already the most unstoppable player of his era. And if you take away his only flaw, there would be no telling what all ‘The Diesel’ could have done.
