“You’re Not Allowed to Cry”: Shaquille O’Neal Got Humiliated Publicly by His Own Father Just to Get Taught a Crucial Lesson

NBA all-time great Shaquille O’Neal is one of the most dominating big men in the history of the league. His physique coupled with his explosiveness was unguardable for a long time in the league. And his opponents almost always had a torrid time playing against him. The Big Diesel recently revealed the reason behind his dominance and the reason why he always tried to dunk the ball so hard. O’Neal sat down with Patrick Bet-David in front of many fans and discussed a multitude of things from his childhood, career, business, etc.

During the interview, Shaq recalled some of the most important life lessons of his father and how he raised him. Growing up, his biological father was not around. And his stepfather, Philip Harrison, a drill sergeant in the U.S. Armed Forces, became his father.

Meanwhile, the host wanted to know whether killer instinct is something one would be born with or it can be developed over the years. In response, the Los Angeles Lakers legend said that killer instinct can be developed. Subsequently, he provided the name of the late great Kobe Bryant as an example of somebody who developed his killer instinct.

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He admitted that Bryant was just another player in the league during his first two seasons. And from his third season, he became the ‘Kobe Bryant’ everyone loves.

The reason behind Shaquille O’Neal dunking hard

Afterwards, Shaquille O’Neal proceeded to explain how he developed his killer instinct in high school. Shaq said that he used to shoot a lot of jumpers and would do dribble moves when he was in high school. And he revealed that he had only lost one game in two years of high school. And also shared how his father smacked him in front of everyone during a game to teach him a lesson.

O’Neal said, “I’m working on my dribble moves, I finger roll and I miss. My father walks on the court in his uniform looking sharp, shoes shine. [He said,] ‘Call the time out.’… So he takes me outside, ‘What are you doing?’… ‘Yo man I’m working on my doctor…’ Smack in front of everybody. ‘You ain’t no Doctor J. Be Shaq.’ Remember when you are near the drill sergeant you are not allowed to cry. But I’m pissed.”

The Lakers legend accepted that he started dunking because of that moment of humiliation from his father in front of everyone. After that, he started dunking as hard as he can with intent, trying to tear the rim down. That’s when he also noticed his opponents cower in fear from his destructive plays.

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And hence, Shaq doubled down on his antics, further cultivating his killer instinct.