SUPERMAN
It took me a long time to get around to this book, but not a long time to read and that wasn’t because of the ‘Large Print’ edition I was accidentally ordered for Christmas. Then again, a larger than life character like Shaquille O’Neal could only do it B.I.G. like this. The only reason it took me so long to get around to this tell-all autobiography penned only months after his retirement announcement was because I was still finding it hard to accept that the most entertaining figure in basketball, who got an 11 year-old English kid from a small seaside town in the U.K. into this great sport of basketball, was done playing.
The same kid, now 26, purposely shaped his American holiday last April around trying to catch a glimpse of the big fella in action before he retired while in Boston, Chicago and Miami, even if it was for the Celtics and even if it was in the twilight of his career. I still had dreams of Jeanie, that the Buss family would bring Shaq back to L.A. for an All-Star redeeming, reunion with Kobe for one more go at Larry O’Brien. Still, literally the biggest star of the NBA called it a one of a kind career.
THE DIESEL
It seems whether on or off the court, Shaq was always going at full-speed and never running on fumes. Whether it be his jaw and rim dropping power plays, his generous charity work, or extra-curricular entertaining activities, Shaq always kept us interested. It’s little wonder he crafted the follow up to his funny first autobiography, Shaq Talks Back so quickly, of course with the help of another Hall Of Famer in the form of Jackie MacMullan, the co-writer of Magic Johnson and Larry Bird’s New York Times Bestselling When The Game Was Ours dual autobiography. Jackie really brings everything together with her descriptive, nostalgic chapter openings and stories.
THE BIG ARISTOTLE
Coming out around the same time as Jerry West’s highly anticipated book West By West: My Charmed, Tormented Life, this is another great gift that many Laker fans would have loved to have found under their trees this Christmas. Another purple and gold Laker legend colors his career over his scribes. Of course with Shaq, you’re bound to get more than a few smiles and belly laughs. Just check out what he bench pressed during one Celtic team talk last year in one of the last chapters. Still, Shaquille knows how to move us with his words. The ‘Little Warrior’ details his upbringing and troubles that he didn’t over-indulge in complaining about during his career. There is also a fitting and moving tribute to his late, great friend – the legendary rapper, Notorious B.I.G.
SHAQ FU
The NBA’s biggest star shows focus throughout these pages as he talks about his approach to the game and how the league works. Telling stories of how he developed his Magic passing skills in Germany when he couldn’t dunk, and then sealed with the blow of a kiss the moment the light hit him. That when it was time to discuss his days at LSU, Shaq’s nostalgia paints a picture of him we’ve never seen before. He also gives us a deep, through inside-knowledge analysis of his teammates, peers and the players that rule the league now and how far they can and should go. Shaq may be an NBA analyst on T.V. now, but if that gig ever falls by the wayside he could seriously make it as a sportswriter.
Next Page: Shaq Talks Teammates, Off-Court Hobbies
BIG DADDY
THE BIG SHAQTUS
Still, Laker fans needn’t stop reading or put the book in the fridge once Shaq takes his talents away from Chick Hearn and the Lakers and heads to South Beach. What follows is some hot pages about O’Neal’s time with the Heat and his relationship with former coach Pat Riley. Like the great coach, this take is slick but thoughtful, concentrated but at times humorous, and in the end it all seems in good nature. After all, the two men that where known to keep guaranteeing championships at parades probably have more in common than they think. As Shaq takes his talents from South beach to LeBron and Cleveland via Phoenix, we are in for even more terrific tales from the man who dubbed himself the Big Aristotle.
WILT CHAMBERNEEZY
Shaquille O’Neal also gives it up to the legends before him, speaking candidly about the great giants that came before him and paved the way. Although his relationship with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bill Walton don’t seem to be the best, he gives uppermost praise and respect to the ‘Lord Of The Rings’ forefather, Bill Russell. He also respects Wilt Chamberlain’s privacy with a testifying tribute to the late, great, big basketball god. From Penny, to Wade and LeBron, Shaq also shares his insight about his time with his sidekick guards, with all due respect and consideration. Then, of course, there is the talk on Kobe. It is surprisingly humble and honestly written with love, respect and consideration over the pages. The highs and the lows are reached here and it’s all done without the usual fluff that comes with other peoples biographies.
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THE REAL DEAL
This is because Shaq really is the genuine article and over these chapters it’s clear to read the reason this player’s career was so classic. It was more than just the power, problems and perfect game (minus the free-throws), it was about the personality. In the character stakes, even if Shaq was as tall as Muggsy Bogues, he still would have towered above the rest. That contagious smile and enthusiasm keeps the pages of this book turning, and although the man that has done so much details every distinct aspect it’s often downplayed. Even though the character’s ego is big, his humility is notorious too. The kid from Newark that always honors his parents and upbringing is still here.
THE BIG SHAMROCK
Even the ‘Big Fella’s’ last season as a Celtic is worthy of praise as you read more into it. From his contributions to his battles and his funny frolics around Harvard, Shaq never stopped being Shaq. The A+ basketball student also shares with us his studies in the entertainment and social-networking industry, and his graduation through the ranks of law enforcement. Often times it seems like O’Neal’s career has been ‘Shaq vs the world,’ but as you finish this book all those who are against him will even start to realize there is no one quite like Shaquille O’Neal on this Earth. He will go down in history as a legendary personality, player and generous, genuine man. Whether you know him as a Laker or a Cavalier, a platinum rapper or a genie from a boom box, a charitable force or a cop, after this real, revealing read, you’ll know the man everyone simply knows as Shaq.