06/10/2022
Shaquille O’Neal
Shaquille “Shaq” O'Neal is a retired professional basketball player and sports analyst on Inside the NBA. Shaq was first drafted into the NBA by the Orlando Magic in 1992. As one of the best centers in the history of the league, he also played for the Lakers, Heat, Suns, Cavaliers, and Celtics during his professional career. Throughout his career, he amassed a long list of awards and titles. In 2000, he became one of only three players to win the NBA MVP, All-Star game MVP, and Finals MVP awards all in the same year.
One of the most dominant big men of his generation, Shaq made a huge imprint on the NBA, as well as on the shoe industry. Smashing the stereotype that big men can’t sell sneakers, Shaq almost singlehandedly turned Reebok into a major player in the basketball shoe world with his popular Shaq Attack line, then followed that up with his low-cost Dunkman brand, moving millions of affordable sneakers through discount retailers to fans around the world. Finally, in 2006, Shaq inked a 5-year deal with Chinese brand Li-Ning, with whom he released a series of signature shoes.