Shaquille O’Neal‘s entry into the league was alarming. It was one of those rare times in the NBA when veterans were terrified of a rookie. Even Charles Barkley thought that no one could guard a human of that size and speed. This fear was an added advantage for Shaq but the real question is, who was the 7-footer terrified of? It was this one time when he saw “god” aka Black Jesus at the Chicago Bulls arena. This was the only time he felt fear. 

Shaq’s newly released podcast with Lou Williams is taking over YouTube. In one of the viral segments, Shaq spoke about the only time he was terrified of another player. He shared, “I was terrified of Michael Jordan. I don’t know why. Maybe it’s because I saw him in the poster or whatever, but like when we went to Chicago, the old Chicago, remember when we had to walk up the steps?…and they said his name and like he did those first couple moves. I’m like, ‘This motherf***** is perfect’.“ 

Just like everyone, Shaq considered the 6x champion as an idol. Even dominant big men like Yao Ming, Tim Duncan, etc. did not scare him. But it was not just MJ who instilled fear inside him, it was also a few technological masterclasses at the United Center, that made it harder for Shaq.

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90s Chicago Bulls introduction was goosebumps for the fans, but fear for Shaquille O’Neal 

Even today, the NBA buffs would put the iconic player introduction by the Bulls over anything. The United Center used the famous song, ‘Sirius’ by Alan Parsons, which is the go-to music to describe the 90s Bulls. You might have heard it in Netflix’s ‘ The Last Dance’ documentary and it was also played recently at the Bulls’ ‘Ring of Honor’.

While this song plays in the background, Michael Jordan, Dennis Rodman, and Scottie Pippen would make their entry as the Bulls crowd would go crazy in the stands. In addition to this, there were a few technological improvements that they did, which made the player entry more iconic. 

Shaq shared, “Chicago Stadium, you’re coming out – this was when technology wasn’t really in a lot of arenas –it goes dark, then you see the laser light show. You hear this voice ‘Home of the Chicago Bulls!’ I’m like, ‘There he[Jordan] is. There’s god.’“ When Shaq saw Jordan dunk for the first time as an opponent, he thought he was gonna get killed on the court. 

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Well, that is how terrifying Jordan was for Shaq, especially at the United Center. All things considered, it is fair that Shaq fears the 5x MVP.