“Wasn’t Doing It for Cheating Purposes”: NBA Giant Shaquille O’Neal Once Admitted to ‘Pulling a Tom Brady’ to Gain Unfair Advantage and Got Away With It Scot Free

The Deflategate scandal was among the tallest dispute that put Tom Brady under the radar. It led to the QB1 facing unmatched scrutiny and got the stamp of a cheater among several football fans. Brady also faced punishment for his actions. However, a similar situation took place in the NBA, and Shaquille O’Neal got away with it.

When the scandal came public, Tom Brady got accused of deflating the balls to gain an extra edge. However, the deflation did not just happen in football, but in basketball. NBA icon Shaquille O’Neal acknowledged how he deflated the basketballs to get an extra edge.

As per ESPN, Shaq mentioned, “Sometimes, in the games during all my championship runs, if a ball was too hard, I let air out. I’d have a needle. A friend of mine would have a needle and I would get the game ball… I needed that extra grip, but I wasn’t doing that for cheating purposes.”

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“I just needed the extra grip for my hands so I could palm it, a la Michael Jordan; the way he used to palm it,” He added.

The former All-Star center stated that no letter of the law mentioned that it does not permit them to let the air out of the ball. Moreover, it all depends on his level of ease. The balls have too much air and are bouncy, and Shaq didn’t want them to be like it.

Read More: “My Priority Will Always Be…”: Gisele Bündchen Hinted at Tom Brady Being a ‘Bad Father’ by Shady Comment in Her Divorce Statement

Apart from Shaquille O’Neal, Phil Jackson also did so while playing for the Knicks. He did in the early 1970s, including on their 1973 championship team.

Shaquille O’Neal relates personal situation to Tom Brady’s divorce

Tom Brady is going through an unfortunate situation. The QB is facing back-to-back losses and is also coming off a divorce with Gisele Bündchen. Brady seems to lose touch with something many regards as the GOAT. But Shaquille O’Neal may have understood what is wrong with the Buccaneers’ quarterback.

Shaq mentioned during his podcast that Brady’s hardships on the field and in his private affairs are not contrary. He linked the two problems while discussing his divorce in 2006 and legal troubles. The former NBA star admits he does not know what he is in for. But he wishes TB12 well and hopes that they can resolve and reunite.

Watch this story: Coach Todd Bowles Says Tampa Can’t Depend on Tom Brady’s Heroics to Win Games