Shaquille O'Neal once revealed his list of superstitions - "If I missed one of those things, I always felt I was going to have a bad game"

Yahoo

2 days ago

Shaquille O'Neal once revealed his list of superstitions - "If I missed one of those things, I always felt I was going to have a bad game" originally appeared on Basketball Network.
Professional athletes and their superstitions are not a new concept, whether it be basketball or any other sport. Despite all their success and dominance, most NBA legends, like Shaquille O'Neal, are often susceptible to superstitions. And though subjective, some of these beliefs and practices are strange, to say the least.
Advertisement
There has always been a divided stance when it comes to following superstitions, even among players themselves. However, few of them have turned into their signature move, such as LeBron James doing the chalk toss or Stephen Curry sprinting down and up the court.
While these were the evident pre-game routines, some escaped the public eye. One such case was that of Shaq, who had a list of compulsions to follow, fearing he would have a bad game otherwise. Interestingly, he also had something for free throws.
"I tried to develop a superstition on the free throw line, and then when I make one, I try to do the same thing, but then when I missed, you don't have to change it up again," the career 52.7 percent FT shooter disclosed.
Advertisement
Shaq further added, "Other than that, I'll have to have four pieces of gum right before the game. Put the gum under the seat. I have to wear two pair of socks and I don't have to drive the same way every day….It does have power over you because if I miss one of those things, I always felt like I was going to have a bad game".
Strangest superstitions among NBA players
Regardless of whether a player is a rookie or an established superstar, practicing superstitions has been observed across all strata of players. To each their own, but some strange habits did raise eyebrows, even for legendary Michael Jordan, who wore UNC practice shorts under his NBA uniform throughout his entire career.
Advertisement
One of the greatest shooters of all time, Ray Allen, had a particular routine he adhered to, which seemed pretty hectic and compulsive, starting with a nap from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm, followed by a chicken and rice lunch at 2:30 pm. He would then shave his head and would be on the court at 3:30 pm, ready for a three-hour warm-up.
Nonetheless, stars like Jason Terry crossed the line, wearing the game-worn shorts of his opponents and sleeping. Some other eerie habits included Caron Butler chewing about 12 straws and chugging two litres of Mountain Dew.
No right or wrong answers
There is no denying the divisive nature when it comes to the topic of superstition. The most recurring argument against it is that such habits are often viewed as a sign of vulnerability. Nevertheless, there was no harm in having a belief system, but the question remained as to where one would draw the line.
Advertisement
There are many stories about players and their superstitions, but there was always a section that never followed any of them as well. Hall of Famers, like Charles Barkley, never really indulged in such traditions. While there will always remain conflicting theories about following rituals, professional athletes should never let them overpower their talent and hard work. Success was never guaranteed when it came to following certain traditions, Shaq's free-throw shooting being the prime example.
Related: "Three guys that I could just not stop. I couldn't guard them" - Shaquille O'Neal names the big men who gave him the most trouble
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 2, 2025, where it first appeared.