NBA icon opens out about a viral incident when Shaq tried to punch Brad Miller

Shaq O’Neal’s furious outburst after being flagrantly fouled by Brad Miller and Charles Oakley of Chicago resulted in a three-game suspension and a $15,000 fine from the NBA. When Shaq O’Neal lost control, his blow just missed Miller’s head because Miller had his back to him. Less than three minutes remained in a game that the Bulls won in overtime, and the two found themselves in a heap by the Bulls bench as a fight broke out.

Miller was also given a one-game suspension by the NBA for the flagrant foul that started the dispute. Because of his flagrant foul against O’Neal, which occurred simultaneously with Miller’s, and his excessive number of flagrant-foul points, Oakley was suspended for two games. 

That season’s third, fourth, and fifth players to get a suspension for flagrant fouls were O’Neal, Miller, and Oakley. Due to flagrant fouls and subsequent confrontations,  forward for the Nets Kenyon Martin also missed three games.

What did Shaq say after that incident? 

Before hitting Bulls centre Brad Miller with a roundhouse blow, Shaquille O’Neal claims he gave Brad Miller fair notice. On its website on Saturday night, the New York Times reported that O’Neal claimed everyone on or near the floor in Chicago on Saturday night knew what would happen if the aggressive play proceeded.

O’Neal claims that although he did not support his deeds, which led to a three-game suspension and a $15,000 fine, he felt compelled to make a statement. O’Neal also said that despite having a strong desire to physically challenge Miller, he did not give the hit his full force.

He claimed that players who continue to intentionally foul him won’t make him leave the game early.

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