Most NBA players grew up idolizing the stars of their childhood in one way or another. The superstars that have gone before have inspired millions of people across the world, including the children that have gone on to become the NBA stars of today. Kobe Bryant was famously inspired by Michael Jordan and he would go on to heavily influence Jayson Tatum, something that became apparent these playoffs.
it doesn’t have to always be the greatest superstars that inspire kids, it’s about the right time for the fans themselves when they are likely to be most influenced. Most people know that Shaquille O’Neal was at the height of his career during his three-peat with the Los Angeles Lakers in the early 2000s. But Shaq was originally drafted by Orlando and at that time, one of his biggest fans was apparently none other than 4-time NBA champion Draymond Green.
Draymond spoke about it on his podcast recently, talking about how he owned a lot of the merchandise from the days a young Shaq was tearing it up alongside Penny Hardaway for the Magic.
“Shaq Diesel, who I said a million times, was growing up for me, like it was Shaq. Huge Shaq fan, had the zip up Orlando Magic onesie, my night light was Orlando Magic… the Magic jersey with the lines in it, him and Penny jerseys,” Green said, per The Volume.
Green is not as physically gifted as Shaq was, arguably no one has been since, so it’s impossible that he would have a similar game to the big man, but his confidence in himself, his his intensity on the court, and on a lighter note, his shooting, all resemble his favorite player growing up.
There’s not a lot of people who would have picked Shaq to be Green’s favorite player if they had been asked about it without knowing the answer, but it’s no surprise that Superman caught Draymond’s fancy. Now that Green has as many rings as Shaq though, he has likely inspired more than a few people by himself as well.
