The 2020 NBA season will go down in the history books as one of the most unique seasons. Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the whole league was shut down for five months! However, NBA commissioner Adam Silver [https://careers.nba.com/executive/adam-silver/] made sure the season would continue. Thus, the Orlando Bubble [https://www.essentiallysports.com/category/orlando-bubble/] was born, where the teams are competing for an NBA title as we speak. In the beginning, there were many doubts if this will work out or not. But everything worked out for the best, and fans are enjoying basketball once again. But what about the Bubble atmosphere? How competitive is it? Are players having an easier time because of no fans? NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal [https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/shaquille-oneal/] gave his insights on this very topic. Shaq recently appeared on ESPN’s Danger Talk with Russell Wilson [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLn3nHXu50t5wlnkOJS3K3AKfDkHlPb0YT], where Shaq was said: “It has to be difficult for the guys, I was always the type that needed something to rise me to the next level. For example, playoff time Jack’s gonna be there, Denzel is gonna be there, Adam Sandler’s gonna be there, my family’s gonna be there, all the other kids in LA is gonna be there watching me. I needed that to keep me going. “Now, it looks like a big AAU tournament but all the guys have been and some of the games have been pretty good…I think for the role players that can’t really face the pressure of the crowd, they’re playing great…It’s actually no pressure for any of these players, this is the first no-pressure playoffs.” [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4m1gJU7-9Hs?start=88] It is true playing with no fans really takes off the pressure. On the other hand, players can play in a much-relaxed manner and the fans might not get to experience true competitiveness. IS IT EASIER TO PLAY IN THE NBA BUBBLE? [https://www.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-1262818108-e1596158738989.jpg] The postseason is where the players kick things up a notch. This statement stands true for the 2020 postseason as well. But it is certainly easier to play in an empty arena compared to a place loaded with fans. Thus, players can play their natural game and do not worry about receiving boos from the crowd. Moreover, the Bubble has practically nullified the home-court advantage for the team. Home games can make or break a series, but right now, all times are playing on equal ground. Who will be crowned the champion of this season? We will find that out in just a few more weeks. 

Lakers legend Shaquille O'Neal believes that the NBA Bubble has no pressure on
the players during playoffs. Find out what he said here.

Aikansh Chaudhary is an NBA columnist for Essentially Sports. Previously, he
helped rank various websites using the latest SEO techniques, and wrote over
2000 articles during his stint as a freelance writer. A die hard Lakers fan,
Aikansh will forever uphold LeBron James as the GOAT.

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The 2020 <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/category/nba/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">NBA</a> Playoffs will take place at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. Due to the severity of the coronavirus pandemic, there will be no fans in attendance for the entire playoff series.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-344955" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/20200817235157/EYxJVM-XgAMyNUR-1.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="675" />

However, there will be no changes made to the tournament structure. This year’s postseason format is the same as that of the 2019 Playoffs or any other year since the tournament’s inception. The significant difference is that there will be no fans and every team will play in a neutral venue.
<h2>The teams that have qualified for the 2020 NBA Playoffs</h2>
Qualifying for the postseason is a difficult task. 30 teams from both conferences play out 82 games in a stretch during the regular season. But this year has been a unique experience. No team got to complete their original schedule as the pandemic caused chaos and urged the NBA to take a four and a half month hiatus.

However, the league managed to organize a <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/category/nba/orlando-bubble/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">massive bubble</a>, in which each invited team played eight seeding games to determine the playoff table. With all regular-season games done and dusted, eight best teams from each conference have made their entry into the 2020 NBA playoff bracket.
<h2>Eastern Conference</h2>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Seed</td>
<td>Team </td>
<td>Record</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td><a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/category/nba/milwaukee-bucks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Milwaukee Bucks </a></td>
<td>56-17</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>Toronto Raptors </td>
<td>53-19</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3 </td>
<td>Boston Celtics</td>
<td>48-24</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td>Indiana Pacers</td>
<td>45-28</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5</td>
<td>Miami Heat</td>
<td>44-29</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6</td>
<td>Philadelphia 76ers</td>
<td>43-30</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>7 </td>
<td>Brooklyn Nets</td>
<td>35-37</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>8</td>
<td>Orlando Magic</td>
<td>33-40</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h2>Western Conference</h2>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Seed</td>
<td>Team </td>
<td>Record</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td><a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/category/nba/los-angeles-lakers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Los Angeles Lakers</a> </td>
<td>52-19</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>LA Clippers</td>
<td>49-23</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td>Denver Nuggets</td>
<td>46-27</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td>Houston Rockets</td>
<td>44-28</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5</td>
<td>Oklahoma City Thunder</td>
<td>44-28</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6</td>
<td>Utah Jazz</td>
<td>44-28</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>7</td>
<td>Dallas Mavericks</td>
<td>43-32</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>8</td>
<td>Portland Trail Blazers</td>
<td>35-39</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h2>2020 NBA Playoffs Schedule and how it works</h2>
This year’s playoff structure is no different than any other year. Barring the fact that the players will be competing for the championship inside a closed bubble, everything else is the same. The teams will be following the same format, playing out a best-of-seven series to determine the winner of each playoff round.

There are a few teams in contention for lifting the championship this year. But one thing is for certain. This is a game that we’ve never before experienced. We really can't predict the outcome this year. The bubble, the lack of fans, and the number of restrictions in place. Here is a photograph of the playoff bracket:

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-344950" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/20200817234907/nba-playoffs-bracket-081420-getty-ftr_jtgjiisj0a0r1tva1x2z5pslg.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" />

The 2020 NBA Playoffs schedule is always a jam-packed one. This year is no different as well. The schedule is commencing on August 17 and we can expect to see the conference finals kicking off by September 15. The tentative date for the 2020 NBA Finals is September 30 and is expected to stretch no longer than October 13.

Where to watch the 2020 NBA Playoffs?

TV: ESPN, TNT, ABC, <a href="https://watch.nba.com/channel/nbatvlive?ls=leaguepass:nbacom:watch:nbatv:rd" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">NBA TV</a>

Stream: Watch ESPN, Watch TNT, <a href="https://watch.nba.com/packages?ls=leaguepass:nbacom:packages:rd" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">NBA League Pass</a>

ESPN and TNT dominate the TV broadcast schedules as expected. These two networks enjoy a major share of the first-round and second-round games. But, the TV broadcast doesn’t end with these two networks. ABC also has the right to broadcast a small portion of the first and second-round games.

The conference finals’ broadcasting rights are split between ESPN and TNT. The Eastern Conference Finals will exclusively be televised by ESPN, while TNT holds the rights for the Western Conference finals.

ABC Network has once again gained the rights to broadcast the 2020 NBA Finals. Every game during the finals series will be shown exclusively on ABC.

2020 NBA Playoffs

The 2020 NBA Playoffs will take place at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. Due to the severity of the coronavirus pandemic, there will be no fans in attendance for the entire playoff series. However, there will be no changes made to the tournament structure. This year’s postseason format is the same as that of the 2019 Playoffs or any other year since the tournament’s inception. The significant difference is that there will be no fans and every team will play in a neutral venue. The teams that have qualified for the 2020 NBA Playoffs Qualifying for the postseason is a difficult task. 30 teams from both conferences play out 82 games in a stretch during the regular season. But this year has been a unique experience. No team got to complete their original schedule as the pandemic caused chaos and urged the NBA to take a four and a half month hiatus. However, the league managed to organize a massive bubble, in which each invited team played eight seeding games to determine the playoff table. With all regular-season games done and dusted, eight best teams from each conference have made their entry into the 2020 NBA playoff bracket. Eastern Conference  Seed Team  Record  1 Milwaukee Bucks  56-17  2 Toronto Raptors  53-19  3  Boston Celtics 48-24  4 Indiana Pacers 45-28  5 Miami Heat 44-29  6 Philadelphia 76ers 43-30  7  Brooklyn Nets 35-37  8 Orlando Magic 33-40  Western Conference  Seed Team  Record  1 Los Angeles Lakers  52-19  2 LA Clippers 49-23  3 Denver Nuggets 46-27  4 Houston Rockets 44-28  5 Oklahoma City Thunder 44-28  6 Utah Jazz 44-28  7 Dallas Mavericks 43-32  8 Portland Trail Blazers 35-39  2020 NBA Playoffs Schedule and how it works This year’s playoff structure is no different than any other year. Barring the fact that the players will be competing for the championship inside a closed bubble, everything else is the same. The teams will be following the same format, playing out a best-of-seven series to determine the winner of each playoff round. There are a few teams in contention for lifting the championship this year. But one thing is for certain. This is a game that we’ve never before experienced. We really can&#8217;t predict the outcome this year. The bubble, the lack of fans, and the number of restrictions in place. Here is a photograph of the playoff bracket: The 2020 NBA Playoffs schedule is always a jam-packed one. This year is no different as well. The schedule is commencing on August 17 and we can expect to see the conference finals kicking off by September 15. The tentative date for the 2020 NBA Finals is September 30 and is expected to stretch no longer than October 13. Where to watch the 2020 NBA Playoffs? TV: ESPN, TNT, ABC, NBA TV Stream: Watch ESPN, Watch TNT, NBA League Pass ESPN and TNT dominate the TV broadcast schedules as expected. These two networks enjoy a major share of the first-round and second-round games. But, the TV broadcast doesn’t end with these two networks. ABC also has the right to broadcast a small portion of the first and second-round games. The conference finals’ broadcasting rights are split between ESPN and TNT. The Eastern Conference Finals will exclusively be televised by ESPN, while TNT holds the rights for the Western Conference finals. ABC Network has once again gained the rights to broadcast the 2020 NBA Finals. Every game during the finals series will be shown exclusively on ABC.

2020 NBA Playoffs Archives

2020 NBA Playoffs Archives - EssentiallySports

Russell Wilson

Who is Russell Wilson? Russell Wilson is an American football quarterback for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League. He has been regarded as one of the best dual-threat QBs of the league and has previously been a part of the Seattle Seahawks. He was first drafted in 2012 in the third round (overall 75th pick). He has one Super Bowl title to his name under the Seahawks in 2014. Apart from the football gridiron, Wilson actively takes part in philanthropic works with his wife Ciara. An interesting fact about Russell Wilson is that his jersey sales consistently rank among the top in the NFL dynamics. Russell Wilson&#8217;s early life and family background Russell Carrington Wilson was born in Cincinnati on November 29, 1988, and grew up in Richmond town of Virginia. His dad, Harrison Benjamin Wilson III, worked as a lawyer and his mom, Tammy Wilson, was a nurse director. Russell Wilson has 2 siblings, an older brother named Harrison IV and a younger sister named Anna. The QB got interested in the game of football as he started playing with his father and brother at the mere age of 4. May 3, 2014 &#8211; Washington, Dc, USA &#8211; NFL American Football Herren USA quarterback RUSSELL WILSON and his mom arriving at the 100th annual White House Correspondents Association Dinner at the Washington Hilton. 100th Annual White House Correspondents Association Dinner &#8211; ZUMAf33_ The first organized game that he played was for the Tuckahoe Tomahawks youth football team in sixth grade. The Broncos QB has been surrounded by sports from his very childhood, with his father playing football and baseball at Dartmouth, and being a WR, his brother, Harry, playing football and baseball at the University of Richmond, and his sister Anna playing basketball at Stanford. Following similar steps, the QB joined Stone Bridge High School and was a part of the football team along with the baseball team. As a junior in 2005, Russell Wilson threw for 3,287 passing yards and 40 passing TDs. In his senior year, he threw for 3,009 passing yards and 34 touchdowns. His performances led him to become the all-conference and all-state player of the year. In high school itself, Wilson developed a professional passion for football, after joining the Manning Passing Academy, a summer football clinic run by multiple NFL MVP winner and Hall of Famer Peyton Manning. Russell Wilson&#8217;s first marriage Russell Wilson was first married to Ashton Meem for two years (2012-2014). Meem has a bachelor&#8217;s degree in communications from North Carolina State University in 2010 and has been working with American Family Insurance as an Advertising Operations Assistant for over 10 years, per her LinkedIn profile. She also works as an account executive at Morton Consulting LLC and has been there for over a decade as well. The duo got married on January 14, 2012, at Country Club in Virginia &#8211; the same year he was drafted into the NFL. However, just two years later, in April 2014, the couple decided to separate ways. Concerning the divorce, Wilson said, &#8220;Clearly, decisions like these donâ€™t come easy. Ashton and I respectfully ask for prayers, understanding, and privacy during this difficult time. Moving forward, I will have no further comment on this personal matter.&#8221; No reason behind their divorce was put forth by either of the parties. They do not have any kids together. Despite being married to Wilson, Meem hasn&#8217;t been under the limelight much and has maintained a rather private life. Russell Wilson and Ciara After his divorce in 2014, the football QB met Ciara Wilson at a Wisconsin basketball game, as revealed by Russell Wilson during one of his Instagram lives. They made their first public appearance on April 28, 2015, as they attended the White House Correspondents&#8217; Dinner hand-in-hand. Eventually, later that year, the couple officially admitted to being in a relationship. In the following year (2016), Wilson proposed to Ciara, and the same year on July 6, 2016, they got married. It was a private and close wedding in England. After getting married to the pop singer, Russell Wilson not only became a husband to Ciara but also a stepdad to her son, Future Zahir Wilburn. She had Zahir with her ex, Nayvadius DeMun Wilbur, who goes by the stage name, Future. In 2017, Russell Wilson and Ciara welcomed their first baby together. Ciara gave birth to a daughter named Sienna Princess Wilson on April 28. After that, they had two more kids. NFL, American Football Herren, USA Dallas Cowboys at Denver Broncos, Aug 13, 2022 Denver, Colorado, USA Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson 3 and wife Ciara Wilson and family react before a preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports, 13.08.2022 17:40:42, 18866388, NPStrans, NFL, Ciara Wilson, Empower Field, Denver Broncos, Mile High, Russell Wilson, TopPic, Dallas Cowboys PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xRonxChenoyx 18866388 One was born on April 14, 2020, and was named Win Harrison Wilson, and another daughter was born on December 11, 2023. She has been given the name Amora Princess Wilson. They also share a puppy named Bronco. He was gifted to Ciara by Wilson on Mother&#8217;s Day. Bronco joined the family shortly after Ciara&#8217;s previous dog Tyson passed away after being with the singer for almost 17 years. Eventually, they also started their own production company. It goes by the name Why Not You Productions and per sources, it aims at being able to make an impact on people. As an extension of this foundation, they also released a book called &#8220;Why Not You,&#8221; which is a children&#8217;s book. Russell Wilson&#8217;s net worth in 2024 Per Celebrity Net Worth, Russell Wilson&#8217;s current 2024 Net Worth lies at $165 million. While the majority of this number is contributed to by his NFL earnings, there is also a contribution from all his endorsements and investments made. Russell Wilson hosts a salary of $48.5 million from matches in the NFL, according to celebrity net worth. Initially with the Seahawks, he became the highest-paid athlete after the four-year-long $140 million contract extension in 2019. He even received a bonus of $65 million, with which his income raised to $107 million. After this, he got traded to the Denver Broncos in March 2022, where he grabbed a signing bonus of $70 million. An extension worth $245 million came his way, gaining a 5-year contract. This guarantees him at least $161 million by the expiration rate of the contract. Russell Wilson earns approximately $14 million from his endorsements, with which his net worth automatically receives a boost. The deals include- Nike Bose Braun Aerobie American Family Insurance Alaska Airlines Boardroom Good Man Brand Amazon Microsoft Duracell Other than this, his investments also have a major role to play in his net worth. Wilson invested in the Portland Diamond Project, aiming to bring the MLB team to Oregon. He also has invested in creating a new sports arena in Seattle&#8217;s SoDo neighborhood for rising NBA and NHL teams, partnering with Chris Hansen, NBA star Wally Walker, and Erik and Pete Nordstrom. The helmet manufacturing company VICIS also received a $7 million investment from the player. His business interest goes beyond sports, as he invested in and endorsed the &#8220;Molecule&#8221; mattress company as well in 2018. His income also has a part from being the CEO of the management firm &#8220;West2East Empire.&#8221;Â Good Man Brand, his clothing line started in 2016 as well. In 2017, he founded &#8220;TraceMe,&#8221; a platform for fans to get in touch with various celebrities. Some investors of the same are Jeff Bezos, Joe Tsai, and Chad Hurley. Russell Wilsonâ€™s career timeline Russell Wilson was drafted in 2012 by the Seattle Seahawks. Since then, he played for the squad until the 2021- 2022 season. He was the 75th overall pick and was selected in the third round. Initially, Wilson was considered short for a QB, but he eventually proved his prowess on the field. In the very first season, he became the starting QB after competing with Matt Flynn and Tarvaris Jackson. Eventually, he won the Rookie of the Year Award for his five-game winning streak and a total of 26 touchdowns that season. Jan 9, 2021; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) looks to pass against the Los Angeles Rams during the first quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports | Courtesy: Reuters In his second season, Russell Wilson helped the Seahawks reach the Super Bowl as they clinched the title SB XLVIII. He made two touchdowns and allowed his team to conquer the Denver Broncos with a 43-8 score. Astonishingly, under his leadership, the Seahawks also reached another Super Bowl in 2014. Sadly, this time, they lost to the New England Patriots. Ultimately, he was traded to the Denver Broncos, where he signed a four-year deal in 2022. Surprisingly, Wilson&#8217;s first season with the Broncos was the complete opposite of the success he was used to with the Seahawks. Arguably, harboring, one of the worst offenses of the season, Wilson couldn&#8217;t turn the tide for the Broncos. His team did not make it to the playoffs this season. He had 26 TDs to his name with 45 sacks and covered 3070 yards. In fact, the Denver Broncos benched their starting QB just as the playoffs were approaching. These steps and the change in the contract have made the clouds of uncertainty loom over the football player. Russell Wilson&#8217;s career stats and records Russell Wilson had an extremely promising college career to show on his resume. The QB played for 4 years with the NC State Wolfpack and for 1 year with the Wisconsin Badgers. In his overall college career, he played 51 games, starting 50 of them, hosting a record of 31-19. In 1,489 attempts, he had 907 completions to his name, making up a 60.9% rate. His passing yards were about 11,720 while rushing yards were around 1,427. The QB had 109 passing TDs and 23 rushing TDs under his belt. Russell Wilson has had a rather exceptional journey in the NFL, with his stats a sure proof of the same. With 5,665 passing attempts to his name, his completions stand at 3,668 leading to his percentage to be at a considerably good number of 64.7%. He had 334 passing TDs and 29 rushing TDs to show in his record, along with having covered 43,653 passing yards and 5,307 rushing yards. His passer rating currently is at 100.0. Wilson has played 188 regular season games and has made 16 playoff appearances. He hosts the NFL records for most passing yards in a playoff game by a rookie (385) and the most fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a season (16 in 2017). For the Seahawks, the player bears multiple massive records to his name. He has the most games with a passing TD under his belt (137) along with the highest passer rating in his whole career (101.8) and the highest passer rating in a season (110.9 in 2018). Russell Wilson contracts Wilson signed a four-year deal with the Seahawks for $ 2.99 million. At the end of his first season, he also won a bonus of $222,000 through the NFL Performance-based pay program. In 2015, Russell Wilson signed a contract with the Seahawks for four years for $87.6 million. This contract was ultimately extended in 2019 by the Seattle Seahawks for another four years. This time, the worth of the contract was around $140 million. Following this, when he was traded to the Denver Broncos, he signed a 5-year $245 million contract on September 1, 2022. However, the two seasons at Broncos witnessed only a subpar performance from Russell Wilson. He was eventually benched for the last two games of the season. It was notified that the reason behind the action was to &#8220;preserve financial flexibility.&#8221; His contract with the Broncos includes a $37 million payment for 2025. This would become guaranteed if he is unable to pass the physical test. While the squad has reportedly asked him to revisit this clause in the contract and change it, sources have revealed that Wilson has declined the same. To further add pressure, it was reported that they allegedly threatened the QB to bench him for the same. Now, as the team prepares to make a decision, two scenarios might play out. One, if Broncos and coach Payton decide to trade Wilson, it will result in a $85 million cap charge. Additionally, the $39 million in guaranteed money in 2024. Two, if they decide to keep him, the cap number is $90 million over two seasons, and an additional $37 million due in 2025. Russell Wilson awards and achievements Super Bowl XLVIIIÂ Champion 9Ã— Pro Bowl (2012â€“2015, 2017â€“2021) Second-teamÂ All-ProÂ (2019) NFC Offensive Player of the Month (September 2020) NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month (December 2012) 11Ã— NFC Offensive Player of the Week) Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week (Week 10, 2012) PFWA Good Guy Award (2014) 7Ã—Â FedEx Air Player of the Week 3xÂ Steve Largent Award (2012, 2018, 2019) NFL Top 100: 51st (2013), 20th (2014), 22nd (2015), 17th (2016), 24th (2017), 11th (2018), 25th (2019), 2nd (2020), 12th (2021) Walter Payton Man of The Year (2020) Bart Starr Award (2022) 2019 MLS CupÂ Champion (as part owner of theÂ Seattle Sounders FC) Expensive things owned by Russell Wilson The Broncos QB bought a new house in Colorado where he recently shifted with his family. His new place is present in the suburbs of Denver in Cherry Hills Village. Covering 5 acres of land, and around 20,000 sq ft of room, the huge property is worth about $25 million. It holds 4 bedrooms, 12 bathrooms, and an indoor pool as well. Other than this, the house also has space for a 9-car garage, a theater, and a basketball court. Apart from his house, Wilson is known to spend his money well enough in large amounts on his car collection as well. The QB owns several luxurious and branded vehicles, including a Mercedes-Benz G Wagon, an Audi, a Range Rover, and a Tesla. Recently, he even bought a new Rolls Royce for this collection of his. Russell Wilson on social media  Instagram @dangerusswilson  Twitter @DangRussWilson  &nbsp;  Name Russell Carrington Wilson  Born November 29, 1988  Place of Birth Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.  Nationality American  College NC State (2007â€“2010) Wisconsin (2011)  Parents Harrison Benjamin Wilson III and Tammy Wilson  Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)  Weight 215 lb (98 kg)  Wife Ciara, Ashton Meem (ex-wife)  Kid 4 &#8211; Future (stepson), Sienna, Win, and Amora  NFL Draft 2012  Position in NFL Quarterback  NFL Teams Seattle Seahawks (2012-2021) Denver Broncos (2022- present)  Shows and Podcasts &#8211;  40 Yard dash Time 4.55 seconds  Touchdowns 364  Super Bowl 1  Pro Bowls 9  All Pros Second-team All-Pro (2019)  Currently Playing for Denver Broncos

Russell Wilson Archives

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Shaquille O'Neal

Who is Shaquille O&#8217;Neal? Before breaking rims and shattering backboards became rather routine, the NBA rarely saw a phenomenon quite like Shaquille O&#8217;Neal. During his 19-year-long career, O&#8217;Neal built a reputation around his physical dominance on the court. Standing at 7&#8217;1&#8243; tall and weighing over 300 pounds during his prime, he was notoriously unguardable. With 4 NBA championships, an MVP award, 15 All-Star selections, and over 28,000 career points, he is noted to be one of basketball&#8217;s most influential big men ever. He ventured into music, entrepreneurship, and entertainment after basketball, which only furthered his worldwide fame. Shaquille O&#8217;Neal&#8217;s early life Shaquille O&#8217;Neal was born in Newark, New Jersey, to Lucille O&#8217;Neal and Joe Toney. He did not know of his biological father, Joe Toney, who was imprisoned for drug possession when Shaq was very young. Lucille, his mother, then married a military drill sergeant &#8211; Phillip A. Harrison, who played a big role in Shaq&#8217;s childhood. Shaq has three siblings, Ayesha, Jamal, and Lateefah O&#8217;Neal. Ayesha battled with cancer and passed away in 2019. While O&#8217;Neal became a national sensation because of his dominance on the court, his larger-than-life personality and humor made him a popular figure around the world. When he first entered the league, Shaq was not confident with the media. However, he understood its importance and worked on his skills, which helped in ways not many could have imagined. Shaq studied business at Louisiana State University and played college basketball for the Tigers. His parents were adamant he should complete his college education before testing the league. Be that as it may, as coach Dale Brown was concerned O&#8217;Neal could end up with a career-ending injury due to the hard fouls he had been enduring in college games, he suggested O&#8217;Neal should declare for the NBA draft. After three years of college, Shaq declared for the NBA draft and theÂ Orlando Magic drafted him as the #1 pick in 1992. He got the go-ahead for this as he promised his mother that he would return to finish his degree. Shaq then kept his promise by completing his bachelor&#8217;s degree in 2000 while still playing in the NBA. As O&#8217;Neal felt disrespected when he was ignoredÂ during business meetings by his associates, he obtained an MBA degree from the University of Phoenix in 2005 to prove he has what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur. His mother came to himÂ with tears of joy after his MBA and motivated him to go further. Then, in 2012, Shaq earned his doctoral degree in organizational learning and leadership, specializing in human resource development from Barry University. Shaquille O Neal&#8217;s wife and children Shaquille O&#8217;Neal has six children. In 1996, he and his ex-girlfriend Arnetta Yardbourgh welcomed their first child, Taahirah O&#8217;Neal. He then married Shaunie Henderson in 2002. Shaunie is a reality TV star and one of the executive producers of the Basketball Wives TV series. She had a son, Myles, from a previous relationship. O&#8217;Neal and Shaunie then had four children: Shareef, Amirah, Shaqir, and Me&#8217;arah. Shaquille O&#8217;Neal and Shaunie separated in 2011 after nine years of marriage. She then tied the knot with Pastor Keion Henderson in 2022. Shaq has not re-married since his divorce. Among his children, Shareef, Amirah, Shaqir, and Me&#8217;arah are following in their father&#8217;s footsteps in pursuing basketball. At 17, Me&#8217;arah is already growing at a rapid pace and has all the markings of a great player. She recently committed to play college basketball for the Florida Gators, snubbing her father&#8217;s alma mater, LSU. The four-star prospect is ranked No. 33 for the Class of 2024. Shaquille O&#8217;Neal&#8217;s net worth 2024 Shaquille O&#8217;Neal signed a 7-year $120 million contract when he joined the Los Angeles Lakers in 1996. It was one of the biggest deals at the time. Throughout his storied career, he went on to earn nearly $290 million in NBA salary and over $200 million in endorsements. Former professional basketball player/author Shaquille O&#8217;Neal speaks on stage during LIVE from the NYPL: Shaquille O&#8217;Neal held at the New York Public Library &#8211; Stephen A. Schwartzman Building in New York City. (Photo by Brent N. Clarke/Getty Images) With a knack for business, the 4x NBA champion has also built an empire. He owns a total of 50 brands in different industries. As of January 2024, Shaq has amassed a net worth of $400 million. Shaquille O&#8217;Neal&#8217;s NBA career timeline Shaquille O&#8217;Neal played in the NBA for six teams throughout his 19-year career. He took the league by storm as a rookie. In his fourth NBA season, O&#8217;Neal led the Orlando Magic to the 1995 NBA Finals. Shaq then joined the Los Angeles Lakers in 1996, the same year the Lakers acquired a young Kobe BryantÂ on draft day. Shaq and the Lakers struggled initially. However, the addition of head coach Phil Jackson changed everything. He then led the Lakers to a three-peat (2000-2002). Shaq won the Finals MVP award on all three occasions and also won the 2000 NBA MVP. Shaquille O&#8217;Neal is surrounded by media after the Lakers win the NBA Championship in East Rutherford, New Jersey on June 12, 2002. (Photo by Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) In 2004, O&#8217;Neal took his talents to South Beach and helped the Miami Heat win the NBA Championship in 2006. However, Shaq was no longer at his prime and suffered multiple nagging injuries. From 2007 to 11, he played for three teams and announced his retirement while playing for the Boston Celtics in 2011, when he was 39. During his career, basketball rims and backboards were not safe. Shaq has broken a whopping 19 rims with his powerful slams. In 2017, O&#8217;Neal posted a picture of a sculpture made of all 19 rims he had broken and called it &#8216;Broken Rim Tree.&#8217; Shaquille O&#8217;Neal&#8217;s contracts Here&#8217;s a breakdown of Shaquille O&#8217;Neal&#8217;s contracts and earnings throughout his NBA career:  Year Team Salary Career Earnings  1992-93 Orlando Magic $3,000,000 $3,000,000  1993-94 Orlando Magic $3,900,000 $3,900,000  1994-95 Orlando Magic $4,800,000 $4,800,000  1995-96 Orlando Magic $5,700,000 $5,700,000  1996-97 Los Angeles Lakers $10,714,000 $10,714,000  1997-98 Los Angeles Lakers $12,857,143 $12,857,143  1998-99 Los Angeles Lakers $9,146,341 $9,146,341  1999-00 Los Angeles Lakers $17,142,858 $17,142,858  2000-01 Los Angeles Lakers $19,285,715 $19,285,715  2001-02 Los Angeles Lakers $21,428,572 $21,428,572  2002-03 Los Angeles Lakers $23,571,429 $23,571,429  2003-04 Los Angeles Lakers $24,749,999 $24,749,999  2004-05 Los Angeles Lakers $27,696,430 $27,696,430  2005-06 Miami Heat $20,000,000 $20,000,000  2006-07 Miami Heat $20,000,000 $20,000,000  2007-08 Phoenix Suns $20,000,000 $20,000,000  2008-09 Phoenix Suns $21,000,000 $21,000,000  2009-10 Cleveland Cavaliers $20,000,000 $20,000,000  2010-11 Boston Celtics $1,352,181 $1,352,181  Approximate Earnings $286,344,668 $286,344,668   Shaquille O&#8217;Neal&#8217;s endorsements and investments Shaquille O&#8217;Neal is one of the most successful former athletes turned businessman. Big Diesel owns a total of 50 brands in different industries, with over 172 restaurants and 150 car washes. Even though he has been retired for over a decade now, Shaq still endorses 30 companies. O&#8217;Neal was a part owner of a whopping 155 Five Guys Burgers restaurants. He is the proud owner of franchises such as Krispy Kreme, Papa John&#8217;s Pizza, Auntie Anne&#8217;s Pretzel, Car Wash, and 24-Hour Fitness. Additionally, he owns 9 Papa John&#8217;s Pizza restaurants. Shaq also invested in companies like Apple, PepsiCo, Google, and General Electric. His investment in Google helped him massively increaseÂ his net worth. O&#8217;Neal is also aÂ shareholder of the Authentic Brands Group which owns JCPenney and Forever 21. The group has the right to royalty of legends like Elvis Presley, Muhammad Ali, and Marilyn Monroe. Being the second-highest shareholder, Shaq too owns a percentage of the legends&#8217; royalties. Even though Shaq has made some very smart investments that helped him build his business empire, he has also missed out on some huge opportunities, including investing in Starbucks. He opted not toÂ invest in the chain of coffeehousesÂ because of an interesting reason. Around the court, Shaq was once a minority owner of the Sacramento Kings, but he recently sold his shares. However, he is still open to being an owner in the NBA and expressed hisÂ desire to buy stakes at his former team the Orlando Magic. Shaquille Oâ€™Neal&#8217;s NBA career statsÂ  Regular season games played &#8211; 1207 Regular season points per game &#8211; 23.7 Regular season rebounds per game &#8211; 10.9 Regular season assists per game &#8211; 2.5 Playoff games played &#8211; 216 Postseason points per game &#8211; 24.3 Postseason rebounds per game &#8211; 11.6 Postseason assists per game &#8211; 2.7 Shaquille O&#8217;Neal: Awards and achievements 4x NBA champion (2000, 2002, 2006) 3xNBA Finals MVP (2000, 2002) NBA Most Valuable Player (2000) 15x NBA All-Star (1993, 1998, 2000, 2007, 2009) 3x NBA All-Star Game MVP (2000, 2004, 2009) 8x All-NBA First Team (1998, 2000, 2006) 2x NBA scoring champion (1995, 2000) 2x All-NBA Second Team (1995, 1999) 3x NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2000, 2001, 2003) 4x All-NBA Third Team (1994, 1996, 1997, 2009) NBA Rookie of the Year (1993) NBA All-Rookie First Team (1993) Shaquille O&#8217;Neal: Records Shaquille O&#8217;Neal finished his NBA career with 23.7 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game in the regular season. He sits at #8 on the total points scored (28,596) list, #15 on the total rebounds (13,099) list, and #8 on the total blocks (2,732) list. Interestingly, he is also third all-time in total free throw attempts with 11,252 because of the opponents&#8217; Hack-a-Shaq strategy to stop him. O&#8217;Neal and Michael Jordan are the only players to ever win three straight NBA Finals MVP awards. The Shaquille O&#8217;Neal Foundation, charity work and philanthropy Shaquille O&#8217;Neal gives back to the community via various means, including his Shaquille O&#8217;Neal Foundation. During the festive season, the foundation brings joy to thousands of children nationwide with toys and gifts. The former NBA star supports charities like Be The Match, Boys &amp; Girls Clubs of America, Centre ValBio, Free The Children, Kids Wish Network, PeyBack Foundation, and Phoenix House. Additionally, in partnership with Microsoft Corporation, he contributed $1 million to the Boys and Girls Club of America to create technology centers in clubs nationwide. In October 2023, he opened aÂ fifth Comebaq Court (sporting facility) in Los Angeles. Partnering with Icy Hot for 20 years, they&#8217;ve refurbished courts in Las Vegas,Â Newark,Â Miami,Â andÂ Atlanta. Shaquille O&#8217;Neal: Music career Shaquille O&#8217;Neal began his music career in 1993 with his debut album Shaq Diesel. Even though the critics panned the album, it was a huge hit with the fans and received platinum certification from the RIAA. He has also worked alongside King of Pop Michael Jackson as a guest rapper on 2 Bad in MJ&#8217;s 1995 album HIStory. Since 2021, O&#8217;Neal has been performing as a DJ under the name DJ DIESEL. He once revealed that he chose to pursue electronic music because it is similar to basketball. On June 7, 2023, O&#8217;Neal released his first single as DJ Diesel from his debut electronic album Gorilla Warfare, titled &#8220;Bang Your Head,&#8221; in collaboration with Hairitage.Â  Shaquille Oâ€™Nealâ€™s shoe dealÂ  In 2023, sporting brand Reebok made Shaquille Oâ€™Neal its official President of Basketball, and he now will be bringing his expertise to drive Reebokâ€™s long-term strategy. The partnership, however, dates back to Shaq&#8217;s early days in the NBA. Dating back to the mid-90s, Shaq helped launch Reebok to the grand stage in the world of basketball, attracting players like Allen Iverson, who has joined O&#8217;Neal as the Vice President of Reebok Basketball. Shaq re-calls one incident that particularly moved him in his history with Reebok. While leaving the arena one day, O&#8217;Neal was approached by a parent, who accused Shaq of overpricing his sneakers. Having been challenged by the woman to make more affordable shoes, Shaq declined his $40 million five-year contract with Reebok. He went on to collaborate with Walmart, releasing a shoe priced under $30. Shaquille Oâ€™Nealâ€™s house Shaquille O&#8217;Neal&#8217;s massive houses are fit for a giant of his size. The Lakers icon&#8217;s 35,000-square-foot lakefront estate sits on 3 acres of land in a gated community outside Orlando. It has 12 bedrooms and 11 full bathrooms. The foyer features a sweeping double staircase and 35-foot ceilings. The property boasts a 6,000-square-foot indoor basketball court, a 17-plus car showroom-style garage, a home theater, and a giant Superman-themed bed. The mansion, after 26 years of ownership by the big man, was put up for sale in 2019 for a whopping $21.9 million. He had bought this estate in 1993 for a comparatively paltry $4million. On top of this, Shaq also has mansions in Dallas and Atlanta. His house in Atlanta rests on a massive 14.3-acre property, which he bought back in 2016 for $1.15 million. Shaq&#8217;s other French-style home in Dallas, purchased in 2022, was listed at $1,225,000 at the time of purchase. Â Shaquille Oâ€™Nealâ€™s rings Shaquille O&#8217;Neal is one of the most decorated players in NBA history, winning 4 championship rings over his career. He laid hands on his first title in 2000 as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, defeating the Indiana Pacers in the NBA Finals. He would go on to win two more consecutive championships in 2001 and 2002, forming a dominant duo with Kobe Bryant at the Lakers. Shaq, however, earned his 4th and final ring with the Miami Heat in 2006, defeating the Dallas Mavericks 4-2 in the NBA Finals. Shaquille Oâ€™Nealâ€™s car and bike collectionÂ  Shaq is a huge car enthusiast and owns over 30 vehicles, including many luxury and sports cars. His Rolls-Royce Phantom is customized with a Superman logo on the grille. Notably, he also gifted one to LeBron James while the two were together at the Cavaliers. Another notable element of Shaqâ€™s collection is his Lamborghini Gallardo with a V10 engine and a top speed of over 200 mph.Â  Shaq also owns a Ford F-650 XL, a massive pickup truck that he has also customized with his Superman logo. Other cars in his collection include the Cadillac Escalade in custom colors purple and yellow. And also has a Buick Lucerne that he especially modified to fit his 7&#8217;1&#8243; frame. Apart from a myriad of cars, Shaq also possesses a custom 14-foot Orange County Chopper motorbike in black and chrome finish.Â  How to contact Shaquille O&#8217;Neal? Facebook,Â Instagram,Â Twitter,Â Website,Â YouTube  Full Name Shaquille Oâ€™Neal  Popular Name Shaq, Shaq Diesel, Big Diesel, The Big Aristotle  Birth Date March 6th, 1972  Birth Place Newark, New Jersey, U.S.  AgeÂ  51 years  HeightÂ  7 foot 1 inches (2.16 m)  WeightÂ  351 Lbs (159.2 Kg)  Parents Lucille Oâ€™Neal and Joe Toney  Siblings Ayesha Oâ€™Neal, Jamal Oâ€™Neal, Lateefah Oâ€™Neal  Nationality U.S. Citizen  Ethnicity African-American  Net Worth $400 Million  Salary N/A  Spouse N/A  Relationship/Marital Status Divorced  Children 6 (Taahirah, Myles, Shareef, Amirah, Shaqir, and Me&#8217;arah Oâ€™Neal)  Profession Former NBA Player  Team 1992â€“1996 (Orlando Magic) 1996â€“2004 (Los Angeles Lakers) 2004â€“2008 (Miami Heat) 2008â€“2009 (Phoenix Suns) 2009â€“2010 (Cleveland Cavaliers) 2010â€“2011 (Boston Celtics)  Rings 4

Lakers Legend Shaquille O’Neal Has an Interesting Take on Why Players Have No Pressure in the NBA Bubble

Is it easier to play in the NBA Bubble?