Shaquille O’Neal might be the most dominant player ever, but his path to that was not always smooth. In his third year in the league, he reached the NBA finals but was swept was the Houston Rockets.
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Shaq was swept multiple times in the next few years, as he just couldn’t get his team over that hump. In one of these losses, his fraternity brother, Michael Jordan, had given some advice that helped him years later.
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ORLANDO, FL – 1993: Shaquille O’Neal #32 of the Orlando Magic poses with Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls prior to playing an NBA game circ 1993 at the TD WAterhouse Centre in Orlando, Florida. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1993 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
As Shaq moved to the Lakers, it quickly became apparent that he was one of the best in the league. The Lakers had high expectations from the tandem of Kobe Bryant and Shaq. But until Phil Jackson came to the help, they were getting swept. Before his most dominant season ever, Shaq was questioned for his work ethic and dedication. Shaq says this triggered him and he just got tired of failing.
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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)
What did Michael Jordan say to Shaquille O’Neal?
Shaq says after being swept by the Chicago Bulls, Jordan, being his fraternity brother, gave him some advice. He says,” Before I came to LA, Orlando Magic versus the Chicago Bulls, we had beaten them the year before, went to the finals and got swept… Michael Jordan came back stronger than ever, swept again”
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“Michael was my fraternity brother, puts his hand on my shoulder and says before you succeed, you must first learn how to fail. But I had no idea what that meant”
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Even though Shaq didn’t truly understand what Michael Jordan was saying at that time, he would go on to understand it years later. And after all the losses, Shaq said enough was enough, and he went into overdrive. And with Phil Jackson coming in as the head coach, Shaq says he finally had a general who he can trust. The Lakers would go on to win 3 titles in a row after that. Shaq was dominant in their run and he established himself as one of the greatest ever.
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