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CHICAGO – APRIL 24: (L-R) Antoine Walker #8, Shaquille O’Neal #32 and Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat sit on the bench in the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bulls in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2007 NBA Playoffs at the United Center on April 24, 2007 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls won 107-89. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO – APRIL 24: (L-R) Antoine Walker #8, Shaquille O’Neal #32 and Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat sit on the bench in the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bulls in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2007 NBA Playoffs at the United Center on April 24, 2007 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls won 107-89. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Shaquille O’Neal, aka ‘The Diesel,’ is known for his dominant game as a center. Shaq was a beast on the court, breaking rims and shattering backboards with his monstrous dunks. Sometimes Shaq even argued or fought with his teammates. There still are players who argue with coaches and players.
Though knocking out a teammate unconscious seems a bit too far. Shaq, during his time in Phoenix, fought with his teammate. The reason for this was not getting the ball from his teammate. Well, not a lot of guys in today’s game would knock each other out in a similar situation, but Shaq was different.
Shaquille O’Neal had problems with his teammates not passing him the ball
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Before a game versus the Mavericks, O’Neal knocked out his teammate. Shaq didn’t always receive the ball from Giricek while he was in the post. Grant Hill says that Giricek would look Shaq off and would shoot his shot.
“Definitely one of Shaq’s memorable, or not so memorable moments, from the year and a half that I played with him.”@SHAQ sends in a question for @RealGrantHill33 during his time with @sportsreiter … about the fight O’Neal started in the Suns’ locker room. pic.twitter.com/3o3TRXMXYh
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) August 30, 2018
“You know, Giricek was a good player. From Croatia, good shooter, but he never passed the ball inside. And he would always kinda look Shaq off and shoot it. And you know, he… they kinda would go back and forth and exchange words and you know Giricek would kinda talk trash to Shaq.”
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LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 18: Shaquille O’Neal #32 of the Phoenix Suns is congratualted by his teammate Steve Nash #13 and Grant Hill #33 during the basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers during the second quarter at the Staples Center on February 18, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. 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 | Credits: Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
Shaq had a somewhat similar problem with Kobe in LA. Bryant wouldn’t pass the ball to Shaq because O’Neal was getting fouled every possession. Drawing up fouls was great, though Shaq would miss his free throws. Well, this might still be a valid reason for not passing the ball to Shaq. Whereas Giricek decided to ignore O’Neal and shoot his shot. Shaq was obviously furious.
Shaquille O’Neal had enough of Giricek
“So one day, Shaq was like, you know what, Imma let this guy know who I am. And it was right before a big game in Phoenix against Dallas,” says Grant Hill.
READ MORE: 20 Year Old Shaquille O?Neal Spent $1 Million in a Single Day Only to Make His Mom and Dad Happy
Shaq definitely had enough of Giricek and decided to teach him a lesson the hard way. After the team meeting, when Hill came out of the restroom he saw Giricek on the floor.
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“I go use the restroom, I come out, Giricek is laid out on the floor. And I’m like, come on Shaq! We’re trynna win.”
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WATCH THIS STORY: Shaquille O?Neal Tells Female Journalist Her Boyfriend Is Poor Before Bragging About His $400 Million Net Worth
Though it was not right of Giricek to feed the ball to Shaq in the post, O’Neal was also wrong with his response. As he might’ve injured Giricek while having him in a sleeper hold. If this happens in today’s game, the player will be suspended for one or two games and even fined. In the end, Giricek learned his lesson. This was the season why Shaq was traded from Miami to the Suns. Giricek was playing for a third team that season and retired right after.
