Shaquille O'Neal Believes Partying Before NBA Finals Cost Him A Title In Orlando

In a candid revelation on his newest show, "The Big Podcast with Shaq," NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal opened up about regret from his illustrious career, pointing to a pivotal moment that he believes cost him a championship title with the Orlando Magic.

"We could have beat Houston but that was all my fault, it really was because we were rolling that we beat the Bulls because you know, everybody was afraid of Mike, but I grew up watching Karate movies. At some point, the student has to take out the master to become the master."

"And Mike if you're the man and I want that. We did it, we beat em and we had 10 days off, and that's when the troubles started, parties at my crib, parties at D Scott's crib. I was renting private jets back before that was a thing." 

"We and D Scott in this little ass jet, we fly to Atlanta, we're in Magic City for two days, we had 5 days off. So we was going crazy like we beat Mike and we had Houston during the year, this about to be my first ring." 

"So I didn't know how to keep that focus and I let off. Then When I played against Hakeem who was my idol, I showed him too much respect." (11:30)

Reflecting on the 1995 NBA Finals against the Houston Rockets, where the Magic got swept, Shaq took responsibility for the missed opportunity. He attributed the downfall to a lapse in focus and discipline during the 10-day break between defeating the Chicago Bulls and facing the Rockets in the Finals.

O'Neal emphasized that the Magic were riding high after defeating the Bulls, a team dominated by Michael Jordan, a figure many feared. Shaq, with a mindset inspired by martial arts movies, saw himself as the student ready to surpass the master. The victory over the Bulls brought a sense of accomplishment, and the team had 10 days off before the Finals.

During this break, Shaq admitted to losing focus, and indulging in parties at his residence and teammate Dennis Scott's crib. He recalled renting private jets, including a memorable trip to Atlanta with Scott, spending two days at the famed Magic City strip club. The celebration went on for five days, fueled by the belief that victory over the Rockets was imminent and that Shaq was on the verge of securing his first championship ring.

However, when the Finals arrived, the lack of focus and preparation became evident. Facing his idol, Hakeem Olajuwon, Shaq acknowledged showing too much respect and failing to maintain the necessary intensity. The Houston Rockets ultimately swept the Orlando Magic in the series. Shaq's honest admission sheds light on the challenges of balancing celebration and maintaining the necessary mindset during critical moments in a championship pursuit.

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Did Shaquille O'Neal's Performance Drop In The 1995 NBA Finals?

In the 1995 NBA Finals, Shaquille O'Neal's performance did not see a drop compared to his impressive showings in the Eastern Conference Finals and the matchup against the Chicago Bulls. 

During the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers, Shaq was dominant, showcasing his scoring prowess and impact on both ends of the court. He averaged an impressive 27.3 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game. His dominant play played a crucial role in the Magic's success, leading them to a 4-3 series victory.

The matchup against the Chicago Bulls in the preceding round was a defining moment for Shaq and the Orlando Magic. Facing a team led by the legendary Michael Jordan, Shaq rose to the occasion. In the series against the Bulls, he displayed remarkable numbers, averaging 24.3 points, 13.2 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game. The Magic's triumph over the Bulls was a significant achievement, and Shaq played a pivotal role in securing the victory.

However, when it came to the NBA Finals against the Houston Rockets, Shaq faced a tougher challenge against the formidable Hakeem Olajuwon. In the Finals series, Shaq's statistics saw an increase as he averaged 28.0 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game but it wasn't enough to overcome the Rockets.

Despite his efforts, the Orlando Magic ultimately fell short, as the Rockets secured a 4-0 series sweep to claim the NBA championship.

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