O'Neal is regarded as one of the greatest basketball players and centers of all time. It is important to understand the context behind the occasion, what nickname Shaq was given, and how . [188] Coach Phil Jackson let O'Neal miss a home game so he could attend graduation. [131] He received the position in return for breaking news of his NBA retirement on the service. The 200809 season improved for O'Neal, who averaged 18 points, 9 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks through the first half (41 games) of the season, leading the Suns to a 2318 record and 2nd place in their division. Supporters applauded O'Neal's willingness to take what amounted to a pay cut and the Heat's decision to secure O'Neal's services for the long term. Osama Bin Shaq, my favorite of the nicknames, is a name which he gave himself after terrorizing Keith Van Horn under the boards in the 2002 NBA Finals. [120][126] It was the last regular season game he would play that year. Some people use them to identify themselves better. A sequel, Shaq Fu: A Legend Reborn, was released in 2018. This Big Cactus has many nicknames that reflect his personality. Wednesday night on NBA TV,Barkley called him the No. With another NBA postseason underway, there are likely to be a few more gems coming over the next few weeks. O'Neal holds the county record of Tallest Sheriff's Deputy. The Pistons would win game 5 in Detroit, and Wade would once again get injured, but the Heat They might use them to refer to each other, or even just to their friends. [331] O'Neal is also a fan of English football club Northampton Town, and has posted videos of support to their official YouTube page. O'Neal was in L.A.dressed and ready to go to a party to meet up withBiggie before he was murderedaccording to Shaq. degree in general studies from LSU,[187] with a minor in political science. Have I mentioned my general disdain for The Big X formula for Shaqs nicknames? Next, it went from Shaq to Superman, due to Shaq's obsessiveness with The Man of Steel himself. [84] The Heat went on a winning streak that kept them in the race for a playoff spot, which they finally secured against the Cleveland Cavaliers on April 5. Especially when the nickname is as weak as this one. But enough with The Big X. Gone are the unforgettable days of Shaq performing with the hip-hop groupthe Fu Schnickenson the Arsenio Hall Show, but don't be surprised if Shaqrocks a breakdance move on the next round of Dancing with the Stars. The list goes on and on. NBA.com is part of Warner Media, LLCs Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network, the No. She is lovely. Please logout and login again. Shaq gave it to himself after his Lakers threepeat. His crossover dribble was the best ever displayed by an NBA center. Regardless of the reason, nicknames are extremely useful. So, give it a try. Oof. He played in 73 games, his most since 2001 season, averaged 22.9 points a game along with 10.4 rebounds and 2.3 blocks. Shaq said he is not going to call another grown man by that name . His nicknames all started out with Shaq, short for his real name Shaquille O' Neal (which means Little Warrior in Arabic). Shaquille O' Neal, also known by his nickname Shaq, is a former American basketball player, as well as a former rapper. [79], In the Finals, the Heat were underdogs against the Dallas Mavericks led by Dirk Nowitzki, and the Mavericks won the first two games at home in dominating fashion. [314], In summer 2010, O'Neal began dating reality TV star Nicole "Hoopz" Alexander. "It's not going to be man-on-man, so don't even try that," says O'Neal with an incredulous laugh. Later, in 2018, Shaq Fu: The Return was released for Play Station and Xbox. Were doing the Big X again? It seems somewhat crazy. [269] O'Neal refused to endorse Wheaties cereal because he preferred Frosted Flakes. [244], In 1994, O'Neal made several appearances in World Championship Wrestling (WCW), including at the Bash at the Beach pay per view, where he presented the title belt to the winner of the WCW World Heavyweight Championship match between Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair. Shaq considers it his favorite nickname and even had it printed on his baseball cap. [296] Binion would however go on to sue O'Neal for a sum larger than $25,000. [47] O'Neal averaged 26.2 points and 12.5 rebounds in his first season with Los Angeles; however, he again missed over 30 games due to injury. This nickname has been used so universally for so long that some people actually don't know that "Shaq" is short for his given name of Shaquille, which is Arabic for "Little Warrior." 2. Journalists and others gave O'Neal several nicknames, including "Shaq", "The Diesel", "Shaq Fu", "The Big Daddy", "Superman", "The Big Agave", "The Big Cactus", "The Big Shaqtus", "The Big Galactus", "Wilt Chamberneezy", "The Big Baryshnikov", "The Real Deal", "The Big Shamrock", "The Big Leprechaun", "Shaqovic",[154][155] and "The Big Conductor". [222], O'Neal appeared on NBA Ballers and NBA Ballers: Phenom,[223] in the 2002 Discovery Channel special Motorcycle Mania 2 requesting an exceptionally large bike to fit his large size famed custom motorcycle builder Jesse James,[224] in the first Idol Gives Back in 2007,[225] on an episode of Fear Factor,[226] and on an episode of MTV's Jackass, where he was lifted off the ground on Wee Man's back. In other words, had Shaq, with just four years and one completed contract under his belt, been a free agent in this year's class, or in 1994, or 1998, or 1999, or 2000, or at any other time in . In my nicknames for Shaq ideas, I use combinations that are appealing to the eyes, interesting to others, convey my personality, and are easy to spell and pronounce. He was the big man on the basketball court like Mayor McCheese was the head honcho at McDonalds. What is Shaq Lawson's Twitter account? Shaquille ONeal, who lost to Olajuwon in the NBA Finals as a young player. Unique Nicknames For Shaq Tortoise shell Jaffery Spot Sunflower Maze The Beebs The Baby Marilyn Monroe Dennis Rodman Roo Charming Funny Shaq Flavion Bianca Baba Cardilac Shaq Arjun Gummy Mutter Nut Cat fish Shaq Zombie Pepper Shaq Shaq Oatmeal Jellyfish Yolk Shaq hair Wade Sun Shine Nankeen Bug Mustard Ander Shaqy Rhys Mary Madonna Champagne Santhe I think I like this one better than the IPO name. He was good with a witty phrase, but it was still an awkward nickname. The Dagger 25. And others use them to express their feelings more easily. He is one of only three players to win NBA MVP, All-Star Game MVP and Finals MVP awards in the same year (2000); the other players are Willis Reed in 1970 and Michael Jordan in 1996 and 1998. The Golden Child 10. A nickname is a word used to describe someone or something. [318][319], O'Neal began dating Laticia Rolle, a model, originally from Gardner, Massachusetts, in early 2014. And it sounds cool to me. [43][44] O'Neal insisted he did not choose Los Angeles for the money; discussing the signing he referred to a couple of his product endorsements, saying: "I'm tired of hearing about money, money, money, money, money. Cool Shaq Nicknames. "[67] There had been increasing tension between O'Neal and Bryant. Eddie Murphy Childhood Story Plus Untold Biography Facts. Like his sister, he also plays college basketball at Texas Southern University. Fred Hickman, then of CNN, instead chose Allen Iverson, then of the Philadelphia 76ers who would go on to win MVP the next season. It is around 30 miles southeast of Atlanta. [285], In 2021, O'Neal, among other high-profile athletes and celebrities, was a paid spokesperson for FTX, a cryptocurrency exchange. [33] O'Neal improved his scoring average to 29.4 points (second in the league to David Robinson) while leading the NBA in field goal percentage at 60%. was the next nickname he gave himself, standing for Most Dominant Ever. His trophy case includes four NBA titles, three NBA Finals MVPs, a regular-season MVP, two scoring championships, and multiple retired jerseys not to mention his partnership with the late Kobe Bryant will go down as one of the greatest in league history. [305][306] Nelson also has one son from a previous relationship, Myles. "Shaq Daddy" is one of his manynicknames carryinghip-hop connotationsO'Neal is mild hip-hop through and through. [12] In October 2021, O'Neal was again honored as one of theleague's greatest players of all-time by being named to theNBA 75th Anniversary Team. [57], Using Jackson's triangle offense, O'Neal and Bryant enjoyed tremendous success, leading the Lakers to three consecutive titles (2000, 2001, and 2002). I was upset. And Kryptonite doesn't exist. According to NBA TV's Dennis Scott, Shaq rides around in an RV in Orlando called "Wilt Chamberneezy.". more information Accept. But his actual basketball career gave birth within itself when he joined the Orlando Magic NBA team in 1992. Shaquille O'Neal, the 7 ft 1 (216 cm) basketball professional, is an NBA champion four times in his 19 years of career and game-centers or five all of Shaq's career. . So, lets start browsing through these amazing nicknames. [38][39] He said the team "just didn't respect [Hill]". 9. (Most Dominant Ever) -- At 7-foot-1 and 325 pounds, Shaq made a mockery of anyone who stood in his way. [88] O'Neal said his relationship with Wade was not "all that good" by the time he left Miami, but he did not express disappointment at Wade for failing to stand up for him.[89]. Again, a perfect 80 record landed him another gold medal at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. is an abbreviated nickname Shaq gave himself. Total games played: 1207 (44th) O'Neal played in the NBA from 1992 until 2011, marking one of the longest and most storied careers in league history. At the ceremony, he told the crowd "now I can go and get a real job". "I'm really too old to be trying to outscore 18-year-olds", O'Neal said, referring to the then 23-year-old Howard. When you buy through the links on our site we may earn a commission. However, on November 10, 2009, Shaunie filed an intent to divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. [23] His 791 rebounds during the 1989 season remains a state record for a player in any classification. They were later joined by Shaquille ONeal, who lost to Olajuwon in the NBA Finals as a young player. No one is asking me to play with [his former Heat teammates] Chris Quinn or Ricky Davis. Per Dan Woike of The Los Angeles . Shaq Fu -- Shaq Fu was a Super Nintendo System video game that was released in 1995. He is not one of the best dressers in the league, though. Although they made the playoffs, they were swept by the San Antonio Spurs, led by Tim Duncan and David Robinson in the second round of the Western Conference playoffs. It has nothing to do with the fact that I am a huge Celtics fan stop saying that. O'Neal is generally liked by the media for his humorous tone in interviews. If I score 0 points and we win I'm happy. Shaq Diesel. Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal (/kil/ sh-keel; born March 6, 1972), nicknamed Shaq (/k/ shak), is an American sports analyst on the television program Inside the NBA. eBay (eeobe08) Add to watchlist. O'Neal appeared in the 311 music video for the hit single "You Wouldn't Believe" in 2001, in P. Diddy's video for "Bad Boy for Life", the video for Aaron Carter's "That's How I Beat Shaq", the video for Owl City's "Vanilla Twilight" and the video for Maroon 5's "Don't Wanna Know". O'Neal will be visiting Korea for a promotion and will be visiting the school on the last day. Nineteen years, baby. He led the league with a 58.4 field goal percentage, the first of five consecutive seasons in which he did so. He was not yet done collecting nicknames. [255] Big Show later stated it was scheduling issues on O'Neal's part that caused the cancellation. The Big Sidekick is a name he has acquired since he has helped guards like Kobe Bryant or Dwyane Wade win the Championship (LeBron next?). In the summer of 1996, O'Neal was named to the United States Olympic basketball team, and was later part of the gold medal-winning team at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. 5. So don't try to make it a Yao versus Shaq thing, when it's Shaq versus four other guys. Afterwards, O'Neal and others criticized Heat head coach Stan Van Gundy for not calling enough plays for O'Neal. [329], O'Neal is a fan of the National Hockey League's New Jersey Devils, who play in his hometown of Newark, and has been seen at several games over the years. Shaquille O'Neal had at least 34 nicknames and he gave himself most of them. You wont get confused by people with someone else having the same nickname. The big man's here to kick ass and take a gazillion nicknames. His plans involved buying the mortgages of those who had fallen into foreclosure and then selling the homes back to them under more affordable terms. 11. Well send you tons of inspiration to help you find a hidden gem in your local area or plan a big day out. [199], O'Neal maintained a high level of interest in the workings of police departments and became personally involved in law enforcement. (Writer's rightsI added that last part, of course.). There's not a bigger man in NBA history to have expouse wonderful thoughts about you than Mr. Russell. Coach Del Harris was fired, and former Lakers forward Kurt Rambis finished the season as head coach. If you were a headline writer would you rather call him Superman or the Big Aristotle? But then I found out that Shaq gave it to himself. Big Fella "[109] O'Neal averaged career lows in almost every major statistical category during the 200910 season, taking on a much less significant role than in previous years. You have subscribed to: Remember that you can always manage your preferences or unsubscribe through the link at the foot of each newsletter. Shaq gave his story of how "The Truth" came to be in a featured post the NBPA promoted as Pierce's career winds down. As a pro rapper, he's not as lyrical as some of the other microphone checkers, but he could hold his own. O'Neal is also an electronic music producer, and touring DJ, known as DIESEL. It refers to the idea that he was the Last Center Left. Those are just a few of the Shaquille O' Neal nicknames he has either gave himself or has acquired to date; the man has a never-ending supply of nicknames for himself. At Jonathan Burke's Gracie Gym, he trained in boxing, jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai and wrestling. As a play off one of his other nicknames, The Big Aristotle, Shaq went with "The Big Cactus" because why not? [117], O'Neal said he did not "compete with little guys who run around dominating the ball, throwing up 30 shots a nightlike DWade, Kobe." I'll have a hell of a season if I win the championship and average 20 points a game. And yet, I kind of like The Big Maravich. [55], In the 2001 NBA Finals against the 76ers, O'Neal fouled out in Game 3 backing over Dikembe Mutombo, the 20002001 Defensive Player of the Year. On two occasions during his first season in the NBA, his powerful dunks broke the steel backboard supports, prompting the league to increase the brace strength and stability of the backboards for the following 199394 season. The racial quote from his song was "it's like a white boy trying to be more nigga than me."[176]. As a bigtime Boston Celtics fan, I really ought to have ranked this one higher. But its boring. Kidadl is supported by you, the reader. He ranks 8th all-time in points scored, 6th in field goals, 15th in rebounds, and 8th in blocks. [201] Shortly thereafter, in Miami, O'Neal witnessed a hate crime (assaulting a man while calling out homophobic slurs) and called Miami-Dade police, describing the suspect and helping police, over his cell phone, track the offender. Whether or not Sir Charles is still over 300 pounds determines how effective the nickname is as a joke, but it did still get a laugh out of the rest of the crew. But it's cool", said O'Neal. They make fun of each other at every opportunity, but both have respect like brothers. [245] In July 2009, O'Neal served as the guest host for a live broadcast of WWE's Monday Night Raw. Amid tension between O'Neal and Kobe Bryant, O'Neal was traded to the Miami Heat in 2004, and his fourth NBA championship followed in 2006. After he made a steal and got a breakaway dunk to force overtime in a game his Lakers would go on to win, Shaq said he was a great thief, The Big Felon. If its your thing, I am completely cool with that. Standing for Last Center Left, ONeal considered himself well above his peers at the five position. which means Last Center Left. Larry Bird Championships: He Defeated the Best! In 19931994, O'Neal's second season, Hill was the coach and Guokas was reassigned to the front office. After O'Neal and his wife went into a restaurant, Ashton Kutcher's crew members let the air out of O'Neal's tires. You know the rest. [27] A 900-pound (410kg) bronze statue of O'Neal is located in front of the LSU Basketball Practice Facility. Shaquille O'Neal Basketball, Winning, Persons 33 Copy quote I am Superman. He punched center Brad Miller after an intentional foul to prevent a basket, resulting in a melee with Miller, forward Charles Oakley, and several other players. What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. Linsanity was a moment, not a nickname. Also ask people in your network for their thoughts. [107] He had surgery on the thumb on March 1 and returned to play in time for the first round of the playoffs. The Magic won their first-ever playoff series against the Boston Celtics in the 1995 NBA Playoffs. Shaq gave himself this one after he said he terrorized Keith Van Horn on the boards during his 2002 NBA Finals win. But what to make of the neezy? For the most part, they followed a similar construction: add "big" to a topical noun, and you've got a new title. 2. Its a nod to the history of the game. In this case, it refers to a person who uses a certain name. In a matchup against Orlando on March 3, 2009, O'Neal was outscored by Magic center Dwight Howard, 2119. I know which way Id go. The 2nd Golden Age began when Hakeem Olajuwon, Patrick Ewing, and David Robinson faced off regularly in the league. We hope you love our recommendations for products and services! No issue at all. Shaq Lawson played 15 games last season and 93 games over his career. I have no idea when or why Shaq gave himself this nickname. [294] In 2017, a trial court ruled that Darling had not filed the lawsuit "in good faith," and that the accusations made by Darling occurred after he had attempted to extort$12,000,000 from ONeal in return for thousands of stolen emails and electronic files. He was named as a member of the All-NBA Third Team. Buy: $99.00. My whole career I had to play people one-on-one. O'Neal played 33 games for the Miami Heat in the 200708 season prior to being traded to the Phoenix Suns. 11. Before 2010, he was the last active American player to have a gold from the FIBA World Cup. [113] O'Neal wanted the larger mid-level exception contract, but the Celtics chose instead to give it to Jermaine O'Neal. Midway through the 20072008 season he was traded to the Phoenix Suns. Ask your friends and family for their opinions. Teamed with newly drafted Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway, the Magic finished with a record of 5032 and made the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. He hosts The Big Podcast with Shaq. Another very humorous one is The Big Deporter. Shaq could be his own industry in the wake ofthe 19-year run he pulled offin the NBA. He also received media flak for mocking Chinese people when interviewed about newcomer center Yao Ming. I write about games, players and seasons from the past. O'Neal left LSU early to pursue his NBA career, but continued his education even after becoming a professional player. "[311], In 2015, Shareef was seen in high school basketball highlights as a 6-foot-7-inch (2.01m) freshman power forward, and had been described to have "polar opposite playing style to his father" due to his more athletic build and better shooting range. The Lakers finished the season 6121, first in the Pacific Division, and were the second seed in the western conference during the 1998 NBA Playoffs. O'Neal was already wary of the long-term damage his frequent consumption of these medications might have. Something about the length of the phrase appealed to me, but I dont love it. Shaquille O'Neal", "Knicks take advantage of Shaq-less heat with blowout", "Shaq, Wade return in Heat's OT loss to Pacers", "Scouting breakdown: Can Shaq carry the Heat? Page down to look for some of his famous nicknames: The big fella's humor is Shaqalicious, and his achievement made him contented, and he called himself many nicknames. O'Neal appeared in the movie CB4 in a small "interviewing" scene. O'Neal made his 12th consecutive All-Star Team, made the All-NBA 1st Team, and won the Eastern Conference Player of the Month award for his performance in March. "[98] O'Neal responded, "Flopping is playing like that your whole career. He did go back and finish his degree as an NBA player, so he is not some fool. eBay (dagr8one300) Add to watchlist. Me'arah O'Neal? Shaq is the person of nicknames, for he is the best player of his time in NBA history. What's the difference? I just cant use a nickname like this for a grown man (as a grown man myself). [204][205], On January 20, 2015, O'Neal was sworn in as a reserve officer for Doral, Florida's police force. Video: Shaq, NBA on TNT crew clown Charles Barkley's 15 nicknames. Alas, the Cavs lost to the Boston Celtics in the 2nd round of the playoffs and Shaq moved to Boston himself the next year. Shaq: Man of Many Nicknames Joey Ramirez September 8, 2016 4:25 PM PDT When it comes to aliases, nobody can touch Shaquille O'Neal. ", "Why Shaquille O'Neal Blames Himself for Divorce From Ex-Wife Shaunie", "Shaquille O'Neal's Son Shareef O'Neal Does Not Play Like His Dad", "Watch: Shaq's son dominates as a high school freshman", "Shareef O'Neal Transferring to LSU, Talks Final Text From Kobe", "Shaquille O'Neal's girlfriend schools him on sleep apnea", "Shaquille O'Neal and Nicole "Hoopz" Break Up Following Outburst", "Former Sudbury couple 'Hoopz' and Shaq call it quits", "Shaq keeps her on go, but still no place like home for Laticia Rolle", "EXCLUSIVE: Have Shaq & Girlfriend Laticia Rolle Called It QUITS?! [127] O'Neal missed the first round of the 2011 playoffs. This is a nice try too, though. Shaq also appears in the music video for the release.[181]. [2] O'Neal is regarded as one of the greatest basketball players and centers of all time. Later, during his short stent with Boston, he used "The Big Shamrock." My favorite during his time in Phoenix, however, was "Shaqtus". What are Shaq Lawson's nicknames? Sounds like I should say "bless you," but the Diesel's wealthhis cakeis nothing to sneeze at.