That’s fascinating stuff, I knew the man had an inferiority complex of sorts despite being one of the most accomplished athletes in NBA history, but I didn’t know it was to such an extent. His psychology would actually be very interesting if he wasn’t so easily reducible to an arrogant, transparent, vindictive and obnoxious idiot man-child.

I am from L.A. and I have actually had the chance to spend time amongst Shaq and Kobe. To sum up a long story, Shaq/Kobe’s arrival in 96 coincided with my departure from college, and the launching of my first business, a promotion and marketing company. Through hardwork and dumbluck, we scored a contract with A&M Records. Shaq was launching his TWisM label at the time, and our focus was on entertainment, particularly clothes and music so everything clicked. Because of our company’s ethnic diversity and our ability to launch a brand, we became Shaq’s personal team at A&M. My partners and I were 19, and now had LA’s biggest star as a client, we were stoked. Mind you we are independent contractors, and made our name working with a host of top artists simultaneously, so as big as Shaq is/was, we still had others to service. Shaq though quickly became a pain, the man is larger than life but he would not go anywhere without a full street team arriving before hand to let the crowd know he was coming out. This wasn’t for press and show, we aren’t talking about signings, photo ops, release parties, this was to go out to dinner, to go get his haircut, if our team wasn’t available at all times to assure that his presence was known by everyone prior to arrival, then he would circle the block endlessly, till it was known. Posters, stickers, and picket signs had to be plastered on poles, and carried by all. I’d never met a person with so much fame, who was so identifiable, and yet lacked confidence like this guy. He literally needed to bring his own crowd with him at all times.

The guy has problems, he not only has to feel appreciated at all times, by everyone, but he needs to be worshiped and reminded often of how great and special he is.

We lasted on the Shaq account for as long as his label existed, which wasn’t long, because no amount of work could get that album sold, I was actually happy when it ended even if it meant I lost my hookup on Laker tickets.

my point is this: NBA players are supposed to be “ON” 24/7…they are role models for kids, heroes for some people, looked up to by millions…so they must “act” differently for the camera and for the people..they get paid millions so why not straighten up right? its true but why cant u have a couple of them be real? like really real? like say what they want and be a normal person? i know it will stir this up but me personally, i like the way Shaq is..he says what he feels at whatever time it happens..i commend him for having the balls to open his mouth and say stupid things every once in a while…i do it all the time as well as most of the people reading this…u know u have said something stupid in public or wherever and wished u could take it back but chances r that it was the truth of how u felt at the time…whats the difference with Shaq…props go out to Shaq for being Shaq…i agree sometimes he should tone it down some but oh well…do your thing Shaq….i find it entertaining and as much as people complain about it, it gives u something to laugh at and talk about…..right?

The last year he was with the Lakers, Shaq bragged that all he needed was Gary Peyton and Karl Malone to get another ring. Wrong! Then suddenly D. Wade was the “best player in the game”; he “loved him like a little brother”. Two years later, the Heat sink into the mud and Shaq runs back to the west. Now, he’s going to take Amare “to the next level”.
What happened? Did Wade suddenly fall out of favor? Is that what happened to Penny Hardaway, and then Kobe?

What he’s said about Miami, the Lakers, it just all shows that he’s the bandwagon-er. He has no right to accuse Bill Walton of that when Shaq is the one running to good teams (Miami and Suns) and leaching of their backs to win championships.

Shaq is nothing but an oversized 14 year old who refuses to mature or accept responsibility for anything.

To hell with the Fat Ass.

I’ve had a soft spot for Shaq for years, but this is a great article.

And doesn’t that just feed into how petulant he is? And the image of the lovable big goof that has been accepted, despite that fact that he’s proven himself to be a major league assh*le?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgGW5UM2iss

I see most of your points, but the “its what we didn’t do, not what they did to win.” stuff is just a confidence thing and its not as if shaq was the first, only, or last athlete to use that defense mechanism.

Very well written article, though.

Shaquille O’Neal always seems as though he’s either the junior high bully, or the one who got picked on all the time. And it is just…..beneath a player of his caliber to do this every…single…time.

I get that it is extraordinarily difficult for a man of his size to stay in shape. I realize he takes more of a beating in the paint than most any other player. I understand that he loves to be the focus of all the attention. I also can’t stand the tin ear of a man who clearly has such sensitivity to criticism that he has to lash out at anyone in his past, whether they deserve it or not.

There is no question he is one of the greatest players in NBA history. And much of this will be plowed under in the sweep of his grandeur and sense of humor when he finally does retire and go to the Hall of Fame. But I won’t forget.