When the name Shaquille O'Neal is spoken a lot of weight comes with it, literally. International superstar, 15 time NBA All-Star, 4-time champion, Public personality, Actor, and 7 feet of pure basketball prowess are what comes to mind when the 330 pounder is mentioned. Although Shaq is by no means a regular human being, he touches so many people who don't watch him play but enjoy his motivational and frequently satirical view on the world. Over the 19 years that he played, Shaq gave people someone that kids could see as a great role model. Some of us can see ourselves in a person in a person so down to earth like that.
What it really shows us is that the character of a human is not necessarily changed by the economic circumstances in their lives even though common belief that it plays an important part in our character. We see the rich and successful as detached from the realities of the world, and therefore many of us can't really find any of them to relate to. When Shaquille O'Neal speaks however, it really feels like he is an embodiment of ourselves if we were 7 foot 1 and could bring a basketball hoop shattering to the ground. Shaq shows us that we are not alone in the daily struggle of being a human, that we all face the same problems no matter what our backgrounds are. With all the amazing Shaq quotes out there, it seems like we should replace some of the crappy fortune cookie advice with some of these.
"David Stern should get with the mothers of the NBA and let moms decide what the dress code should be. I asked my mother if I could wear a chain, and she told me yeah. So I do stuff that my parents allow me to do."
Thank God Adam Silver is finally in charge, that guy just looks like a momma's boy.
“I was a medium level juvenile delinquent from New York who always dreamed about doing a movie. Someone said ‘Hey here’s $7 million, Come in do this Genie movie.’ What am I going to say, no?”
or when the lakes say "here's 121 million, go win a championship or 2, or 3" the same year Kazaam comes out.
"Can I go one day without someone saying something negative about me?"
We all get sick of the haters sometimes, Shaq is no different.
"Me shooting 40% at the foul line is just God’s way to say nobody’s perfect."
Shaq's face is all of us when we fail to impress everyone with our fade away trash can shot.
"Everything happens for reason. I am used to it, I prepare for it. Like I say, at the end of the day, those in charge of their own destiny are going to do what’s right for them and their family."
Truer words were never spoken.
"Nobody is going to tell me how to be different, so stop asking me. Stop asking me what 2+2 is. Everybody knows 2+2 is five."
Just when you think he's being completely serious, he comes back with another zinger!
"We live in an inpatient world. Everybody is always looking for the next big Kobe, the next big Lebron, the next big Twitter."
Or the next amazing looking retro Shaq toy that I will be asking for Christmas.
"I do what I do. Always. I’m like tax. You’re going to pay one way or the other."
"I’m tired of hearing about money, money, money, money, money. I just want to play the game, drink Pepsi, wear Reebok."
Back at it again with the zingers! C'mon people he has to get in those sponsors.
"I’m on a mission. And I know the older I get, I may lose a step or two, but it’s all up to them a medulla oblongata, I’ve got a lot up there. I’ve got a lot of knowledge… in the medulla oblongata..."
There could be a galaxy up there for all we know.
"Why don’t you bring your face up here and let me punch it?"
This quote was spoken after a reporter questioned Shaq's strength. So Shaq saw a way to prove his strength and I'm sure said reporter peed a little.
"I don’t believe that I personally have been changed by the money. The bad thing is people assume you’ve changed because now you have money."
The big man has never had a problem showing who he truly is.
"Challenge me. Treat me like a game of checkers in play me. That’s all I’m asking, just playing me. Treat me like Sega and play me."
Just treat him like a Sega system that could posterize you and snap you like a toothpick at the same time.
"I’m short and to the point."
I hope he means verbally....
"Excellence is not a singular act but a habit. You are what you do repeatedly."
Excellence is just a daily routine for this guy.
