Everybody feared MJ

The impact of Michael Jordan’s legacy continues to be a subject of intense discussion within NBA circles, even years after his retirement. Among those who have openly expressed their awe and fear of Jordan is none other than Shaquille O’Neal.

During an episode of The Big Podcast, Shaq candidly admitted that he, like many players of his era, was intimidated by Jordan on the basketball court.

The conversation arose during a debate on NBA’s greatest players, where Shaq and Mario Chalmers discussed the reverence players had for Jordan compared to today’s biggest star, LeBron James. Shaq pointed out that while LeBron may not inspire fear in his contemporaries, Jordan certainly did in the late 1980s and 1990s. Shaq, known for his dominant presence on the court, humbly included himself among those who were cautious of Jordan’s formidable aura.

Shaq’s fear of Jordan

Shaq has spoken about this fear on other platforms as well. About two years ago, on the IMPAULSIVE podcast, he elaborated further, describing Jordan as the only player who ever truly terrified him. Shaq explained that this fear was partly rooted in his deep admiration for Jordan, which only grew when he faced MJ on the court and witnessed firsthand the skills that had made Jordan a global icon.

“He is the only man that had me terrified on the court,” Shaq recalled. “I went from high school, admiring him, to college, admiring him, and then he is right there in front of you, doing all the things you’ve seen on posters in real life. He came by me so fast sometimes, I was like, ‘Oh, s**t’. Yeah, I was terrified.”

Despite his physical advantage-standing 7 feet 1 inch tall with a 7-foot-4 wingspan-Shaq couldn’t shake the intimidation he felt from the 6-foot-6 Jordan. This fear was not unfounded; after Shaq’s Orlando Magic eliminated the Chicago Bulls in the 1995 playoffs, Jordan returned the following season with a vengeance. He led the Bulls to a 4-0 sweep over Shaq’s Magic in the 1996 Eastern Conference Finals, averaging 29.5 points per game.

Shaq’s admission of fear highlights the psychological edge Jordan had over his opponents. This relentless drive to dominate was a hallmark of Jordan’s career and contributed significantly to his legendary status. Stories from other players, like Steve Kerr’s recollection of a 1988 exhibition game where Jordan effortlessly humiliated an opponent before laughing at the bench, further underscore the mystique that surrounded Jordan.

Shaq’s fear of Michael Jordan didn’t surprise the basketball world; rather, it reinforced the unparalleled legacy that he left behind. Jordan’s ability to inspire both admiration and fear in his peers is a testament to his greatness, cementing his place as one of the most formidable competitors in NBA history.

Brittany Mahomes Fires Off Another Message To Her Haters After Getting Caught Liking MAGA Post

Brittany Mahomes (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
Brittany Mahomes has hit back at her critics after the wife of the Kansas City Chiefs’ quarterback was slammed for being caught liking a post related to the campaign of Donald Trump.

Brittany Mahomes, wife of Kansas City Chiefs superstar Patrick Mahomes, posted a strong but intriguing message on her Instagram story amid the significant backlash she has received.

The 28-year-old mother of two, soon to be three, “liked” one of the posts from the Republican nominee as many called for Tayor Swift to stop being around her.

Brittany Mahomes shared a quote from Shane Pruitt on Instagram: “Contrary to the tone of the world today… You can disagree with someone and still love them. You can have differing views and still be kind.”

Brittany herself appeared to send a message to her critics on social media by adding her own personal caption of, “Read that again!”