Shaquille O’Neal once said that while Kobe Bryant was the “meanest,” Penny Hardaway was his best teammate. During his 19-year career, the Big Aristotle had stellar teammates such as LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. And it wouldn’t be wrong to say that he had an impact on all his former teammates. He always made a point to understand his teammates’ strengths and channel them in the right direction. Now, he wants Greek star Giannis Antetokounmpo to do the same for the Bucks and his one teammate.
Speaking of the Milwaukee Bucks‘ latest loss to the Pacers despite Antetokounmpo’s best efforts, the Big Aristotle suggested what he used to do. He began to explain how Damian Lillard is ball-dominant and that Giannis may need to make certain changes to make their duo work and operate at its best.
“When there’s two guys on the court that demand the ball, this is the model that worked for me. I’m going to get mine. You get yours. I’m going to help you get yours. You help me get mine. Fourth quarter, better man gets the ball. Once I realized that with Kobe and Penny, I really started winning,” O’Neal said.
He further added how during the fourth quarter, the 6 ft 11 star might need to sacrifice one thing. “In the fourth quarter, I need the ball and Dame’s at it.” “Giannis needs to realize that, especially not being a great free throw shooter. Once I realized that, Kobe, once we got together, come to me for the first three quarters. In the fourth quarter, I’m going to role play. And that’s why we work and that’s why we were able to win three in a row,” he shared.
Before that, the TNT crew also discussed Antetokounmpo’s game against the Pacers. He has been nothing short of remarkable, averaging nearly 38 points over his last 13 games against Indiana. While the 9x NBA All-Star recorded 19 points, 17 rebounds, and seven assists, Lillard added 15 points and 11 assists. However, stealing the show was Tyrese Haliburton, who hit an impressive four-point play with 3 seconds left, leading the Indiana Pacers to a 115-114 win.
May 22, 2022; Dallas, Texas, USA; Former NBA player and sports analyst Shaquille O’Neal enters the arena before game three of the 2022 western conference finals between the Dallas Mavericks and the Golden State Warriors at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s competitive fire is undeniable, and he’ll soon have the chance to put Shaq’s advice to the test. His next opportunity? A matchup against the Lakers, right before the Bucks’ rematch with the Pacers.
If history is any indication, Shaq knows a thing or two about making a dominant duo work. His partnership with Kobe Bryant led to back-to-back championships in the early 2000s, built on both dominance and tension. Bryant often drew motivation from Shaq—though not always in the most conventional way. If Giannis can channel that same energy, who knows what’s next for him and the Bucks?
Shaquille O’Neal talked about Kobe Bryant and Penny Hardaway
The Big Aristotle knew that Bryant was competitive, so he made good use of it. O’Neal used to tease the champ a lot in an effort to spark that competitive fire in him, and Bryant always responded. Not only did Bryant play at his best, but he also pushed himself to surpass Shaq.
““Kobe was the meanest. We came in at the same time… He just wanted to be great at 17, 18 (years old). He was the guy that you would talk smack to him, he wouldn’t pout. He would try to shut you up. I used to be like, ‘You ain’t that good, you can’t play,’ knowing I needed him in that game,” the Los Angeles Lakers legend said on The Big Podcast.
On the other hand, O’Neal’s Orlando Magic teammate was a bit different. Skilled and “selfless”, he didn’t shy away from taking a role player spot to help the team. O’Neal once recalled how the retired NBA player never hesitated to pass the ball to him. His ultimate goal was victory for the team. No wonder he was heartbroken when O’Neal left the Magic to team up with Kobe and play for the Lakers.
He believed that had The Big Aristotle not left, they would have been able to lead the franchise to a championship. We don’t doubt it, and neither does O’Neal.
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