Shaq has once again apologized to Bill Walton. The Big Redhead, widely regarded as one of the best centers in NBA history, and Shaquille O’Neal, who took up the role on Walton’s retirement, have always been known to nurture a beef with each other. However, the 4X NBA champion has revealed that the dynamic wasn’t only mended but was done so with understanding and respect; thanks in large part to his mother.

On his latest episode of The Big Podcast, Shaq cleared the air saying, “I want to give my condolences to Luke Walton. I said last night that me and his father didn’t have a great relationship.” O’Neal admitted that he was a little sensitive towards criticism from many including Walton. The former broadcaster even worked with Shaq during his LSU days, yet there was a period when Shaq was full of rage against Walton.

O’Neal felt there was a time when he had enough of the criticism and was ready to explode. “I just told my mom next time I see Bill Walton or somebody that says something about me, punch him in his face.” It was his mother who not only calmed him down but gave him advice that stayed with him forever.

“My mother says to me, ‘before you go off when people are criticizing you see if there is any truth inside the criticism’. So after I learned to take what these Legends were saying about me and put it all together, it just formed that Shaq that got all those championships.” O’Neal later said he squashed his beef last year with a hug when he met Walton in person. But the criticisms have molded Shaq to be who is today as an analyst.

After once being subjected to criticism as a player, Shaq finds himself on the other end today. He admits that his often harsh criticisms, widely unpopular, are not out of bad blood but rather to help a player understand himself better and bring out the best of him; something he experienced himself. He has thus, throughout his career explained how he helped other players achieve legendary status in the NBA.

Shaq had a unique way of motivating

Draymond Green asked Shaq to rate the 3 players he played during his prime. Dwyane Wade, Penny Hardaway, and Kobe Bryant. Even though at the beginning he was hesitant to rate the players because of online discourse and criticism from people, the former Lakers legend put Kobe as his number 1 for his “master killer mentality.”

“Kobe #1, he had the master killer mentality and I like to say I helped him get that,” Shaq said on The Draymond Green Show. O’Neal said he loved to piss Kobe off so he could play better. In his mind, Shaq knew that he could score points but needed someone else to step up as well. “I already knew what I was going to do give you 28, 10 in the playoffs 35 whatever but I needed another guy. ” And the guy delivered by helping win the championship in 2000. He also spoke about the Miami Star and his success.

The former Miami Heat star was no longer the dominant force of the 1990s. This led him to have a conversation with Dwyane Wade, who was about to play in the season’s finals. “F*ck you gonna do,” said Shaq, recalling the incident. Highly motivated by Shaq’s words, he produced one of the greatest performances in NBA playoff history. He not only averaged 34.7 points, 3.8 assists, and 7.8 rebounds but also led his team to four straight victories.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato had to say about the marketing genius, watch this video.