Shaquille O’Neal has had one of the most decorated careers in the NBA. The Big Man played for 19 years in the league and won four NBA championships. Although the numbers are really impressive, there were a lot of setbacks in his career. One, in particular, might sting the most as they were a team stacked with All-Stars and still got swept. Shaq’s immaculate performance averaging 28.3 PPG was also not enough to save the Lakers.

Recently, one of Shaq’s ex-teammates talked about the massive 1998 upset and the reason behind it. The series was eventually won by the Chicago Bulls. The 53-year-old also discussed the effect it had on the team while detailing what makes for a perfect team for championships.

Shaquille O’Neal’s 1998 setback

Shaq is still considered to be the best Big Man to have ever played the game. His tale of dominance during a stellar NBA career will forever be etched in the minds of hoop fans. Apart from the four rings, Shaq made 15 All-Star appearances and won three Finals MVP and one league MVP award. Although Shaq made his debut in 1992, most of his glory days are after the year 2000, when the LA Lakers struck a balance between Shaq and the late great Kobe Bryant.

Recently, Robert Horry talked about the 1998 setback in the latest episode of Big Shot Bob. Horry recalled being “swept” by the Utah Jazz in the Western Conference Finals. He said that the Lakers had four All-Stars on their roster, but still, the Jazz managed to get the best of them in four straight games. This was when Shaq was starting to get recognized as the most dominant man in the league. However, there was a feud brewing between the coach Del Harris, and Shaq as he was unable to contain the ego factor of the superstar on the team.

Staying within the context, Horry detailed what the true role of a coach is.

Robert Horry reflects on the role of a coach

Horry was asked by a fan if Phil Jackson was actually a great coach or was just lucky to have great players on his side. The 7x NBA champion laughed at the question and said that the Lakers had a great team in 1998, but Harris couldn’t manage the egos on the team running wild. However, as per the 53-year-old, Jackson was highly successful in man management and therefore he got the desired result.

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Coach Harris was unable to structure a plan that could divide roles within the team for a greater result. This was the reason for the infamous rivalry betwen Shaq and Bryant that took the NBA by storm. Horry gave props to Jackson for being proficient in his work and superbly dealing with superstars like Michael Jordan, Dennis Rodman, Kobe Bryant and Shaq.

Do you think Ro0bert Horry is right? Let us know in the comments below.

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