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Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley were part of the Emmy Award winning “Inside the NBA” crew and were Hall of Fame players. Both of O’Neal and Barkley were important figures in the NBA during the 1990s season. The elder Barkley provided him with some advice when he was leaving the Orlando Magic.
“Are you fu***ng kidding me?... F**k these people" - Charles Barkley
In the summer of 1996, Shaquille O’Neal had a decision to make. He was a free agent, and the Orlando Magic were not making him the contract offer that he thought he deserved. O’Neal and Charles Barkley were teammates on the 1996 USA Men’s Olympic basketball team during this time, and Shaquille faced a dilemma over whether he should go or stay in Orlando and continue what he built with Penny Hardaway.
A poll in the Orlando Sentinel asked if Shaq was worth $115 million for seven, seasons and 91% of the people who responded said no. Charles shared his views on the residents of Orlando.
“I heard the newspaper ran a poll on whether Shaq was worth all the millions they will have to pay him, and 85 percent said no. That just proved that 85 percent of the people in Orlando are morons.” - Barkley
O’Neal listened to the elder Barkley and went on to make perhaps the best move of his career. He became a three-time champion in Los Angeles and was a three-time Finals MVP.
Shaq Shifts Balance of Power
When Shaquille O’Neal left the Orlando Magic to play for the Lakers, he shifted the power structure of the NBA. The East was dominant behind Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls, and the Magic could have continued to run the league...but he took all of that with him.
O’Neal in LA instantly made the Lakers a contender again, something they hadn't seen ever since Magic Johnson retired. The Houston Rockets remain dominant, with Charles Barkley joining them in 1996. The San Antonio Spurs added Tim Duncan in 1997, making the Western Conference the strongest for the next two decades.
O’Neal would pair with the late Kobe Bryant to establish the first dynasty of the 2000s NBA.
