"Because Larry said that, I believed that" - Larry Bird saying Shaquille O'Neal would be the GOAT center gave the Shaq confidence he needed
Shaquille O'Neal used to make headlines during his college years at Louisiana State as a young and freakishly strong and talented big man — something that even Larry Bird noticed. In his sophomore year, Shaq averaged 27.6 points, 14.7 rebounds and 5.0 blocks per game.
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Unsurprisingly, O'Neal concluded his college career in 1992 with flying colors. He was a two-time consensus First Team All-American and a two-time SEC Player of the Year. At the time, Bird, who was in the twilight of his NBA career, recognized the potential of young Shaq.
Bird firmly believed that O'Neal was about to take over the NBA and would end up becoming the greatest center of all time. Reflecting on what Larry Legend said about him, O'Neal admitted that he has lived by that lofty praise since then.
"My only Larry Bird story… [By the way], Thank you, Larry Bird," Shaq said on Inside the NBA on TNT on Bird's 61st birthday.
"Larry Bird helped me realize that I was a pretty good player. It was one of those special occasions where there was a college game before an NBA game, so after we played, I went back to the dorm and I was watching TV. At halftime, Larry Bird said, 'Let me tell you something, that Shaquille O'Neal fella, if he comes out, he's gonna be the best big man ever.' And because Larry said that, I believed that," O'Neal remembered.
Bird also predicted the Lakers' reign with Shaq
As expected, O'Neal finally made his way to the NBA. He was drafted by the Orlando Magic as the No. 1 overall pick in 1992 and immediately changed the landscape of the league with his otherworldly athleticism and power.
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Shaq and Bird met in the 2000 Finals. At the time, Bird was coaching the Indiana Pacers, while O'Neal was the face of the Los Angeles Lakers.
That year, Shaq won the season MVP award and went on to lead the Lakers to an emphatic championship win over coach Bird and the Pacers in six games. Once again, Bird acknowledged Shaq's dominance and even predicted that the Lakers would continue to dominate the league because of him.
"It is, with Shaquille O'Neal," Bird said in 2000, per the Los Angeles Times. "He's the most dominating player in our league. He's powerful, strong, able to get the ball to the hole. He's just so dominating; they have an opportunity here to do something great for a number of years."
Related: "I don't think I should defend myself anymore, I'm done with that in my life" - Allen Iverson on why he's had enough trying to defend his public image
Shaq has always respected Bird's legacy
Unlike many of his contemporaries, O'Neal was never a fan of Bird. In fact, he openly admitted that he once harbored a strong disdain for the Celtics icon, believing that much of Bird's success was just the result of luck rather than skill.
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Despite his critical perception of Bird, O'Neal could not deny the significance of Bird's contributions to the NBA as an organization. He ultimately recognized Bird's legacy as one of the greatest players of all time. Moreover, Shaq also acknowledged the impact Bird had on the game and the admiration he garnered from fans and players alike over the years.
Ultimately, it's also safe to say that Bird's remarks may have also changed how O'Neal viewed him.
Related: "You guys created this" - Shaq credited media for motivating him to get serious and start winning championships
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
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