Shaquille O’Neal Once Compared Playing Under Coach K to Cheating On His Wife

Shaquille O’Neal, ever since his high school and college days, was under the radar for the NBA teams. His height, build, and playing style attracted a lot of attention. He played for Louisiana State University in his college competitions. Playing for the LSU Tigers, Shaq pretty early proved that he was destined for greatness.

Shaq was drafted as the first overall pick by the Orlando Magic in the 1992 NBA draft. But Shaq made his name when he joined the Lakers in 1997. He had already shown the league how effective he is. However, in the Lakers, he truly became a legend.

Shaq had a special relationship with Kobe Bryant at the Lakers. Although it did fall apart after many years of success, it was the most dominant partnership of the early 2000s.

However, it was not all smooth sailing when Shaq joined the Lakers. Kobe had just been drafted, and the team was in transition in every aspect. Nonetheless, Shaq was adamant about joining them, and as it turned out, it was a legendary period.

Shaquille O’Neal talks about legendary Coach K with an interesting analogy

As adamant Shaq was in joining the Lakers, it was the same when he wanted out. Although the beef between Kobe and Shaq did not last for many years, it compelled Shaq to depart away from the Lakers. However, it was not the only reason for Shaq’s trade away.

Shaq addressed the situation when he wanted out. He said, “Me playing for another coach rather than Phil [Jackson] is like me leaving my wife and marrying a woman that looks like me — exactly like me,” Shaq told the Post in a telephone interview back in 2004. 

According to the source, Shaquille O’Neal’s concerns about the Lakers were not confined to only the coaching staff. His issues were at the management level. While he liked and respected Mike Krzyzewski, the Duke coach’s hiring could not change O’Neal’s stance.

Read more: Shaquille O’Neal Recalls His Painful Beef With Kobe Bryant

“It isn’t relevant,” the source said. “The atmosphere has been poisonous because of the way things have been run at the top. Coach K isn’t going to own the team.” 

On his reaction to Krzyzewski’s meeting with the Lakers, O’Neal told the Post in 2004, “Just put, ‘Sources said O’Neal’s favorite college coach is Dale Brown.'” 

Brown was O’Neal’s former coach at LSU. 2004 was the year when he was eventually traded to Miami Heat.

The Shaq-Kobe feud was shockingly public when the two made different comments about each other’s game and involvement in the team. Personal differences and arguments over their roles were also the reason for Shaq’s departure, whereas Kobe re-signed with the Lakers as a free agent. Apart from the personal differences between Shaq and Kobe, Shaq felt there were problems at the Lakers’ managerial level despite all the success.

There was never bad blood, so to say, between Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal. It was just the case of two great players not agreeing to each other after years of playing together.

Nonetheless, both were always grateful for the 3 NBA championships they won together and almost 7 years of dominance on the court.

WATCH THIS STORY: Kobe Bryant’s best teammates featuring Shaq and others.