Shaquille O’Neal, a towering figure in the NBA, is renowned for his unparalleled dominance on the court. However, amidst his reign as one of the game’s greatest players, he grappled with a notorious weakness: free throws.
Despite his remarkable agility and prowess, Shaq’s success rate from the free-throw line staggered at a mere 52.7%.
Speaking candidly on “TheOldMan&TheThree” podcast, Shaq humbly admitted, “When I’m in my house shooting, I look like you,” jesting with host JJ Redick. This vulnerability, he acknowledged, was a humbling experience.
Shaquille O’Neal Blamed NBA Balls for His Free Throw Woes
Yet, Shaq’s struggles at the free-throw line did not overshadow his illustrious career. With four NBA championships to his name, he attributed his shortcomings to a divine plan to keep him grounded. However, the question lingered: why did he falter at free throws?
In a revealing moment on his podcast, Shaq pointed to the evolution of NBA basketballs as a contributing factor. He expressed disdain for the older, darker-skinned balls, remarking, “I hated the dark-skinned ball…The light-skinned ball…They got black balls and the yellow balls.”
Shaq explained that the older balls lacked the desired grip, resulting in inaccuracies during free throws. While this rationale holds merit, it doesn’t fully absolve Shaq of his struggles, as other players faced the same conditions.
Nevertheless, delving into Shaq’s free-throw journey sheds light on a lesser-known aspect of his legendary career, prompting reflection on what could have been had he possessed sharper free-throw skills.
