Picture Credit: X
Former basketball player Shaquille O'Neal became the centre of attention after his comments on Ashley Nevel’s podcast. Neal, who was active in the sport from 1992 to 2011, achieved massive success. He is a four-time NBA champion and 15-time All Stars and three-time finals MVP. In his distinguished career, he also served Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, and Phoenix Suns, among others. In 2011, he hung up his boots after playing for the Boston Celtics. Shaquille’s journey to the NBA kicked off at Louisiana State University, where he grabbed the limelight for his scintillating performance.
His excellence also made him the first overall pick by Orlando in the 1992 NBA Draft. He recalled his chat with the then-NBA Commissioner David Stern ahead of the 1992 Draft. As per O’Neal, Stern queried him, “You want to play where it’s cold or where it’s hot?” Replying to Stern, Shaquille wore a smile on his face and said “Hot.” Following the incident, Orlando signed up for the number one pick. O’Neal’s disclosure has come at a time when the renewed scrutiny of the NBA Draft Lottery's integrity is taking place. Recently, Dallas Mavericks won the lottery despite possessing only a 1.8% chance leading to talks that the first pick was rigged.
Minnesota Timberwolves and Charlotte Hornets also wanted to pick him in the draft
According to O’Neal, Minnesota Timberwolves and Charlotte Hornets were also in contention to pick him up at the draft. However, Timberwolves, who had the best chance to win the '92 lottery, dropped at No. 3 and Orlando got the chance to sign up the New York-born player.
"It's a business. But this is a business that we are a part of. And I think people forget that in the competition of sports and what we love, because we grow up playing sports, and it's not a business when we grow up. But when you're in the NBA, it's a business. And the business has to do its best job to make sure that, you know, it's taken care of," added O’Neal.
