Shaquille O’Neal recently shared an anecdote on the ‘Draymond Green Show’ about a pivotal moment during the 2006 NBA Finals when he motivated his Miami Heat teammate, Dwyane Wade. The Heat were down 0-2 against the Dallas Mavericks, and Shaq, who was dealing with personal issues and recognizing his own decline, had a crucial conversation with Wade.
“D-Wade, our first argument was in the Finals. We go down 0-2. I’m declining as Shaq. I’m going through a divorce. I’m not Shaq. My first three guys are terrible, awful. So I pulled D-Wade in the room and said, ‘What the f**k you gonna do man?'”
“Motherf***er, you want to be the man, what the f**k you gonna do?’ I wasn’t trying to fight; I was just asking questions. He had a look of relief like, ‘Oh, I can?’ So yeah, motherf***er, I got four people on me.’ And he said, ‘Okay, Shaq.’ And he went off.” (0:08)
This conversation turned out to be a turning point for Wade, who delivered an extraordinary performance in the remaining games of the series. In the 2006 NBA Finals, Wade’s statistics were phenomenal. He averaged 34.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 2.7 steals per game, shooting 46.8% from the field.
In this crucial game 3, Wade scored an impressive 42 points, which was instrumental in leading the Heat to a narrow 98-96 victory. Wade’s box score for Game 3 included 42 points on 14-of-26 shooting, 13 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 0 blocks. His scoring spree was vital in turning the tide of the series and instilling confidence in his team.
Wade continued his stellar performance in Game 4, scoring 36 points and helping the Heat secure a commanding 98-74 win, thereby evening the series at 2-2. His box score for this game was 36 points on 13-of-23 shooting, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 0 blocks. Wade’s ability to dominate on both ends of the floor was on full display as he relentlessly attacked the Mavericks’ defense.
Game 5 saw Wade’s dominance continue as he poured in 43 points, including critical free throws in overtime that sealed a 101-100 victory for the Heat. His box score for this game was 43 points on 11-of-28 shooting, 13 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 steals, and 3 blocks. Wade’s clutch performance under pressure was key to the Heat taking a 3-2 series lead.
In the series-clinching Game 6, Wade scored 36 points, securing the Heat’s first NBA championship with a 95-92 victory. His box score for this game included 36 points on 10-of-18 shooting, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, and 3 blocks. Wade’s ability to rise to the occasion in the most critical moments cemented his legacy as one of the greatest playoff performers in NBA history.
Dwyane Wade’s performance not only earned him the Finals MVP but also solidified his status as one of the greatest playoff performers in NBA history. Shaq’s push and Wade’s response to the challenge showcased their dynamic partnership and highlighted Wade’s ability to rise to the occasion under immense pressure.
This moment remains a testament to the power of leadership, motivation, and belief in a teammate’s potential.
Shaquille O’Neal Had Never Seen A Young Kid With Power Like LeBron James
In the same episode of the ‘Draymond Green Show’, Shaquille O’Neal reflected on his time playing with LeBron James in Cleveland, expressing his awe at the young star’s power and leadership:
“Bron has so much power. Like when I got there, I’ve never seen a young kid with that much power. And deservingly so. Like he had everything in order. And I think we could have possibly gone further.”
“I don’t know if you remember, we were in first the whole year. Big Baby broke my thumb and I was out. I came back… you know, at that time I was already declining as Shaq anyway. You break my thumb and then I got to sit out five weeks and then try to come back and beat a Boston team. It wasn’t gonna happen.” (1:01)
During the 2009-2010 NBA season, the Cleveland Cavaliers, led by LeBron James and supported by Shaquille O’Neal, finished with an impressive 61-21 regular season record, securing the best record in the NBA and earning the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Shaq, although past his prime, still contributed significantly, averaging 12.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game over 53 games.
Unfortunately, the Cavaliers’ promising season ended in disappointment during the playoffs. After advancing past the Chicago Bulls in the first round, Cleveland faced the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The series proved to be a challenging matchup, particularly with Shaq’s injury hampering his performance. Despite a valiant effort, the Cavaliers were eliminated in six games, losing the series 4-2.
LeBron’s incredible influence and power, combined with Shaq’s veteran presence, had made the Cavaliers a formidable team during the regular season. However, injuries and the strength of their opponents ultimately prevented them from achieving greater success in the playoffs.
Shaq’s reflections highlight the unique and impressive impact LeBron had as a young player, commanding respect and leading his team with remarkable power and influence.
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