Larry Bird Has Some Responsibility for Shaquille O’Neal’s NBA Achievements

Larry Bird Has Some Responsibility for Shaquille O’Neal’s NBA Achievements.

It appears as though Larry Bird could do everything in the basketball arena, even at the risk of using a somewhat broad brush. Of course, the living legend was a top player. After retiring, he relocated to Indiana, where he was successful as a front-office executive and coach. However, did you know that he shares some of the credit for Shaquille O’Neal’s success in the NBA?

You did indeed read that right. If the center is to be believed, Larry Legend assisted him in developing the belief that he could rule the Association.

Shaquille O’Neal claims that Larry Bird showed him his true potential.

Shaquille O’Neal was once an exciting young prospect at LSU, but he has since moved into the media and reached the end of his playing career. Despite his obvious talent—the center was tall and powerful yet still moved with amazing grace—O’Neal seemed to have a little less faith in his own skills.

Shaq said, “My only Larry Bird story,” during an Outside the NBA discussion that has been archived on YouTube. “I’m grateful, Larry Bird. It was thanks to Larry Bird that I became aware of my ability as a player. I returned to the hostel and was watching TV after our game since it was one of those unique situations when there was a collegiate game before an NBA game. “Let me tell you something, that Shaquille O’Neal fella, if he comes out, he’s gonna be the best big man ever,” stated Larry Bird during halftime. And I took Larry’s statement to mean that it was true.

And while that might sound implausible, it makes sense why the experience would be transformative since Shaq, despite all of his possible shortcomings, seems to stand by his values.

The forward wasn’t one to shower others with praise, in Bird’s opinion. Even though his criticisms aren’t on the same level as Michael Jordan’s, Larry Legend could still deliver some harsh remarks. He was a caustic wit and wasn’t going to temper his conduct for anyone, which was just going to make matters worse. For better or worse, he meant what he said when he evaluated your game.

Shaq’s respect for NBA history is evident when we consider his side of the story. O’Neal acknowledges his respect for his predecessors, regardless of whether he’s claiming he’ll never be as good as someone like Bill Russell or covering George Mikan’s funeral expenses. It made sense that hearing from Larry Bird, a man who had already won three NBA titles, was encouraging.

It’s also important to keep in mind that confidence matters, particularly for newer players. The Diesel has told tales of his cold reception at the Association and his need to prove that he could hang with the big players. Larry Bird’s endorsement in his back pocket would have made O’Neal feel somewhat more at ease.

All things considered, though, Shaq was clearly gifted even at LSU and probably didn’t require much assistance to succeed in the NBA. Having said that, I don’t usually challenge O’Neal. I’m more than willing to give the Celtics star some credit if he claims that Larry Bird helped him recognize how amazing he really was.

So give the legendary Celtics player another gold star to his résumé. Shaq might not have achieved the same degree of NBA success without him, at least not in the early going of his career.