"I've never seen so many zeros in my life" - Shaquille O'Neal reveals driving force behind iconic run with Kobe Bryant on Lakers
By the time Shaquille O'Neal joined the Los Angeles Lakers, he had already established himself as one of the best young big men in the NBA. After being drafted in 1992, O'Neal quickly earned recognition for his stellar play, making the All-Star team in each of his four years in Orlando.
Despite that, and an appearance in the NBA Finals, the Magic apparently didn't believe he was worth a $100 million contract. The Lakers, on the other hand, disagreed, signing the LSU product to a $121 million contract.
While O'Neal stated at the time that money wasn't the driving factor behind his decision, and he simply wanted to play basketball, on an episode of "The OGs" podcast this week, the Hall of Famer spoke with Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller about the historic signing.
"It's about maximizing your potential. ... LA was the hot spot then so we're in the the '96 Olympics and my agent calls me ... 'Hey get to the hotel now.' The late Jerry West ... he was in like one of them Versace robes he was smiling, he handed me an envelope and I had never met Jerry West, and I had never met Jerry West. ...
"He said 'You want the good news or the bad news,' I said 'Well what's the bad news?' He said 'We can't get you at $150 but I think you're going to be happy with this.' So I opened up the envelope, I had never seen so many zeros in my life."
The move worked, with Shaq leading LA to a three-peat alongside Kobe Bryant while winning three NBA Finals MVP awards.
Story begins at 19:50 mark.
Shaquille O'Neal highlights major difference between Lakers coach Phil Jackson & Pat Riley
At the time O'Neal joined the LA Lakers for the 1996-97 season, the team was coached by Del Harris, who had been named the 1994-95 NBA Coach of the Year.
Despite that, he and the series of coaches that followed were living in the shadow of Pat Riley, who brought four titles to LA from 1981-1990 and is considered to be one of the greatest coaches of all time.
After several years in LA, the front office brought in Phil Jackson, who was fresh off two three-peat runs with the Chicago Bulls. After playing under Jackson in LA, and then winning a title under Riley in Miami during the 2006 NBA Finals, O'Neal has a unique perspective on both coaches.
"I actually did my dissertation on this, the duality of leadership styles between humorous and seriousness. Pat was serious. All the way serious, and what I realized when I was doing my research you can't be 100% one way so I'm going to give Pat 90-10, 90% serious and 10% humorous.
"Phil Jackson was probably about 70-30, 70% humorous and 30% seriousness. Both styles can be effective but I think in the long run if you have a little bit more humor you can get more done. Pat was serious and always serious."
As O'Neal went on to explain, after he and the Miami Heat won the 2006 NBA Finals, Riley was sending them letters before training camp, telling players to get back in the gym.
Despite the contrasting coaching styles, both Riley and Jackson were able to win at a high level.