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Shaq recalls when he once fought with Brad Miller
In a game between the LA Lakers and the Chicago Bulls on January 12, 2002, Shaquille O’Neal came dangerously close to tearing off Brad Miller’s head. Shaq, who is typically composed, have had enough of Brad Miller’s neck chops with about 2:45 left in the tightly contested game. He then launched a powerful blow at the centre of the retreating Bulls.
O’Neal discussed the circumstances surrounding the unpleasant encounter and his strike at Brad Miller in a Big Podcast interview. The two-time All-Star was admonished by the “Big Diesel” to stop fouling him by hitting him in the neck. The Lakers legend only almost put an end to Miller’s night when the dirty play persisted.
Shaq carefully observed that as his police training began to take effect, he withdrew his punch. If he had struck the NBA journeyman square in the nape, he was fully aware of what would have happened. Who knows how the already unpleasant night may have turned out if that tiny measure of restraint hadn’t been exercised?
With his stature, aggressiveness, talents, and unexpected mobility, Shaquille O’Neal, a 7’1 325lb man-mountain, scared opponents. Sometimes, sending the entire unit to the ground to stop “The Big Aristotle” by the opposition coaches was insufficient.
Teams began fouling Shaquille O’Neal off the ball and forcing him to attempt free throws, where he has historically been ineffective, in an effort to counteract his influence and domination. The tactic was successful the majority of the time, but occasionally it just absolutely failed.
The Hack-a-Shaq merely served as a confirmation of Shaquille O’Neal’s greatness in his eyes.O’Neal was penalized $15,000 and suspended for three days as a result of his stroke and the fact that it led to a bench-clearing confrontation between the two teams. Miller was dismissed from the contest and received a one-game suspension.