Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird had some credit coming his way from Shaquille O’Neal for convincing him that he would be a star.
Bird had a decorated career himself, winning three rings, and was considered an elite player. He had successful stints as a coach and a front-office executive soon after.
O’Neal went on to become a bonafide superstar in his own right winning four NBA championships, and he lauded the Celtics star for giving him a massive confidence boost.
The former Los Angeles Lakers big man relived the time Bird praised him when he was still playing for the LSU. While he was still in his formative years, Bird was at the last stages of his playing career.
Shaquille O’Neal Reveals What Larry Bird Said: “He’s Gonna Be The Best Big Man Ever”
Speaking on Outside the NBA panel, Shaquille O’Neal relived what he called his only Larry Bird story, but his revelation suggested that he remembers it fondly.
Not everyone remembers Bird as the one to dish out compliments, considering he could do a fair bit of trash talk himself. But this one certainly comes as a pleasant surprise.
“Thank you, Larry Bird. Larry Bird helped me realize that I was a pretty good player. It was one of those special occasions where there was a college game before an NBA game, so after we played, I went back to the dorm, and I was watching TV. At halftime, Larry Bird said, ‘Let me tell you something, that Shaquille O’Neal fella if he comes out, he’s gonna be the best big man ever.’ And because Larry said that, I believed that.”
There never was a doubt about O’Neal’s skills, although it’s rather interesting to know he was a little less confident about his own impressive abilities. All things considered, it’s always fun to hear a feel-good story.
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