The celebration of Shaquille O'Neal‘s career has been in full force all week ahead of O'Neal's Hall of Fame induction on Friday. Stories have been told my former teammates, competitors, coaches, and front office executives, detailing Shaq's dominance and his unforgettable personality.

New Lakers head coach Luke Walton only spent one season playing alongside O'Neal, his last in Los Angeles before moving on to the Miami Heat. Shaquille was in the prime of his career, and a rookie Walton had more than just a front row look.

Luke had the unfortunate responsibility of trying to guard O'Neal on a number of occasions in practice, and despite behind 6'8″ himself, Walton didn't stand much of a chance.

Article Continues Below
More Los Angeles Lakers News
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) controls the ball against the Denver Nuggets during the second half in game three of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Crypto.com Arena.
Lakers’ LeBron James reacts to Jamie Foxx’s big BET Awards nightJosh Davis ·
Apr 30, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) moves in for the dunk against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half in game five of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
LeBron James puts ‘no bag’ critics on blastZachary Draves ·
Byron Scott during the Jerry Colangelo Golf Classic on September 13, 2024.
Former Laker Byron Scott reveals Kobe Bryant’s ‘most gangster s**t’ everMiguel La Torre ·
Coco Gauff of the United States poses with the trophy after winning the women’s singles final against Aryna Sabalenka on day 14 at Roland Garros Stadium.
LeBron James erupts with huge reaction to Coco Gauff’s French Open winLorenzo J Reyna ·
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Kobe Bryant, Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Lakers
How Shai Gilgeous-Alexander draws ‘influence’ from Kobe BryantTomer Azarly ·
LeBron James, Stephen (Steph) Curry, who may be heading to an ESPN NBA broadcasting booth after they retire, after Lakers-Warriors game on December 25, 2024.
ESPN has ‘hopeful’ LeBron James, Stephen Curry wishAndrew Korpan ·

Here's his description on the impossible task, courtesy of Bill Oram of the OC Register:

Walton found himself guarding O’Neal during scrimmages. With Walton at 6-foot-8, 230 pounds – “Which is a pretty good-sized person,” Walton said – O’Neal enjoyed a considerable advantage. O’Neal would instruct the other Lakers not to give Walton any help in the post.

“It was literally like being a child,” Walton said. “There was nothing I could do but try to foul him, and even trying to foul him most of the time he would still score. And then he’d eventually tell me and other players that if we fouled him, not only could we not get help, but if we fouled him he was going to punch us.”

Considering that O'Neal completely dominate men of much taller and heftier statures than Walton's throughout his career, this isn't too surprising. Almost everybody would feel like a child trying to defend the Big Fella in his heyday; Luke shouldn't feel bad about this one bit.