Shaquille Rashaun O’Neal is one of the greatest basketball players, and throughout his 19-year career, he remained a force in the NBA. As one of the heaviest players in the professional league, the big man who stands at 7ft 1 and weighs 375 pounds used his size, strength, and skills to dominate games. On June 1, 2011, O’Neal finally bowed off from the courts while playing for the Boston Celtics, marking the end of an exciting career w. During his NBA career, Shaq O’Neal played for six teams, kicking off his career with Orlando Magic. He then moved to Los Angeles Lakers (1996-2004), Miami Heat (2004-2008), Phoenix Suns (2008-2009), Cleveland Cavaliers (2009-2010), and finally Bolton Celtics (2010-2011).
From winning the Rookie of the Year award in1993, O’Neal has broken many records and has had one of the most fulfilling careers. Among his outstanding achievements are:
- Three NBA All-Defensive Team, 15 All-Star Game, and 14 All-NBA team selections
- Winning three consecutive championships in the years 2000, 2001, and 2002
- Three finals MVP, All-Star Game MVP, and NBA MVP
- Elected into the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2017 and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016
The Good Start with Reebok
Shaq O’Neal first signed a multi-year deal worth $15 million with Reebok in 1992. The deal came to an end six years later in 1998, but not before the superstar had his signature shoe line – the Shaq Attaq. O’Neal, who has the biggest feet in the NBA as he wears shoe size 23, proved the ”big man theory” wrong by having a popular line of sneakers. There four Shaq Attaq releases over the years, and these are:
- Reebok Shaq Attaq 4
These shoes made a return to the NBA in July 2014, after they received a retro release. However, the original model was released in 1995 and is historic as it was the pair O’Neal wore as he headed to his first NBA finals appearance. Fans loved it for its big, bold, and beautiful look that complemented its aggressive design.
- Reebok Shaq Attaq 3
O’Neal’s third signature shoe incorporated more technology that included hexalite cushioning and a modified pump system for easy inflation. It also had a higher cut than the previous shoes in this series and attracted quite a lot of attention.
- Reebok Shaq Attaq 2
The Reebok Shag Attaq 2 was a low-cut and pump-less sneaker and had a traditional construction. It was not as bold as the design associated with O’Neal, and they only made a half-season appearance in the 1993/1994 season.
- Reebok Shaq Attaq
This was O’Neal’s first signature shoe, and it had a big, bold design that made it one of Reebok’s greatest releases. The release of these shoes gave the brand another shot at being one of the top-tanking basketball sneaker companies in the NBA.
Other Shoe Endorsement Deals
After Shaq’s endorsement deal with Reebok came to an end, he got into an ambitious project with the Dunkman brand. The goal was to create low-cost shoes that his fans could easily afford, especially children and teenagers. Later in 2006, Shaq O’Neal signed a 5-year deal with the Chinese brand, Li-Ning, a move that led to the launch of another line of signature shoes named the ‘Li-Ning Shaq Zone.’