NBA All-Star & serial entreprenuer, Shaquille O’Neal, says that the young players in the basketball game have not sought out his advice on how to improve their skills.
O’Neal attributed this observation to the substantial earnings modern-day players amass upon joining the league, potentially disincentivizing them from gaining further knowledge.
In an interview with “Icons Club” podcast host Jackie MacMullan, he talked about how no new star in the league has reached out to him, despite him being a three-time Finals MVP, having a 19-year career in professional basketball, and being inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016.
On the podcast, MacMullan asked if anyone reached out and the Omega Psi Phi member said, “Nobody.”
Shaq credited his achievements and triumphs to the legends who played before him. He mentioned how, unlike modern-day players, he aimed to impress his role models and believed that their influence had laid the foundation for his success.
“The reason why I showed the guys before me respect is because of the way they played, the reason why I’m making so much money. I always wanted to play hard, always wanted to represent the game the way they did. I wanted them to be proud of me,” the former Los Angeles Laker said. “These youngsters don’t do that.”
Shaq showed his love and admiration for his idol – Bill Russell, by going above and beyond to preserve his legacy when the Boston Celtics legend sought to auction a couple of his championship rings. However, in the end, he lost the bidding to someone else.
Earvin “Magic” Johnson Jr., is another legend who O’Neal credits for introducing him to the world of franchising.
One thing that Magic told Shaq, which helped him acquire an estimated net worth of $400 million from his portfolio that consists of 155 Five Guys Burgers and Fries restaurants, 40 24-Hour Fitness Clubs, 17 Auntie Anne’s Pretzels and a few Big Chickens, was “It’s not whether you can become successful … it’s how many people can you help become successful.”