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Shaquille O’Neal did break a few backboards in his younger days and it was quite the spectacle for NBA fans.
In this old video, Shaquille O’Neal is working out in a gym. He tries to dunk a ball into the hoop but does it so hard that he breaks the glass. The broken glass falls on him, and it looks like it could have been a dangerous fall for that young guy.
Shaquille O’Neal’s retirement must have been a national festival for backboards worldwide. In addition to averaging 23.7 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks a game with the Magic, Lakers, Heat, Suns, Cavs, and Celtics throughout his 19-year career, Shaq also destroyed approximately 12.5 backboards (unofficial).
On Monday, the 7-foot-1 Hall of Famer turns 45, so we thought we’d look back on the times he savagely shattered innocent rims and backboards. Enjoy.
O’Neal will be remembered as one of the NBA’s most decorated players. He won four NBA championships, three Finals MVPs, eight NBA First Team honors, and 15 All-Star choices during his stellar career. He was also named Rookie of the Year by the league in 1993 and then went on to win two scoring titles in 1995 and 2000.
Big men don’t have that kind of aggressiveness anymore. The NBA constructed “Shaq-proof” backboards in 1993 to prevent him from taking down the building.”We had a new situation this year with [backboards] either coming down and being shattered,” said Rod Thorn, the competition committee’s chairman at the time. “We’ll ensure that all equipment is in working order.” “With the size of these men, whether it was Shaquille O’Neal or someone else, it was just a matter of time. He was only a little larger and stronger than others.”
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