During his playing years, Shaquille O’Neal was both an unstoppable force and an immovable object.

Going up against him was the most unenviable job for big men back in the day, and bruises are common takeaways for O’Neal’s defenders. But ironically, the individual who inflicts these unintentional pain to their bodies is also the same person who should be credited for their jobs.

In an article by the Orange County Register, a number of NBA personalities sounded off on Shaquille O’Neal’s indirect influence on some players’ NBA dreams.

Former teammate Brian Shaw:

“He created a lot of jobs for guys around the league who otherwise wouldn’t have been employed.”

Former Blazers reserve Joe Kleine:

Article Continues Below
More Los Angeles Lakers News
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 ·
Chris Paul rescinded NBA trade Lakers Hornets
NBA news: Chris Paul shuts down Hornets-Lakers trade conspiracyJulian Ojeda ·
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates with Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) during the fourth quarter.
Luka Doncic’s offseason body transformation has Lakers fans hypedJedd Pagaduan ·
Lakers' Shaquille O'Neal stands next to Kobe Bryant with GOAT signs in background
Shaquille O’Neal has no regrets over treatment of Kobe BryantRandall Barnes ·
image thumbnail
NBA rumors: Lakers’ Austin Reaves trade strategy as 2 center targets emergeErik Slater ·
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) controls the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first half in game five of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena.
Lakers’ LeBron James dumps fuel on Brian Windhorst feud with calloutMalik Brown ·

“I’m not naïve to that. Probably should send him a rack of ribs.”

“I wasn’t going there to shut down Vlade Divac or somebody like that. The Lakers had been Portland’s nemesis.”

NBA agent Mark Bartelstein:

“There is no question that there are guys that teams needed in the Western Conference with the Lakers. Teams need to have someone to use fouls up against Shaq.”

It’s crazy to think O’Neal’s impact reaches that point wherein guys get paid millions to foul him when he gets underneath the basket – however futile it may be.

Nowadays, the practice of teams getting a player to become a specialist, or a “particularist”, is still common. But they aren’t getting paid that much for a job as specific as what O’Neal’s presence demanded from opposing teams.