Shaquille O’Neal widely known as Shaq, is arguably one of the best players the NBA community has witnessed. In his 19-year career in the league, the legend attained great heights such as winning the NBA championship four times among numerous achievements.
Shaq who is now a fulfilled NBA legend and Hall of Famer, has made shocking revelations regarding his weight during his impressive stint with the Lakers from 1996 to 2004 when he inspired his team to a triplet of championships. While the legend’s revelations have left many baffled, the determined giant has just recently shed more weight.
Shaquille O’Neal’s weight confession during Lakers stint
Shaquille O’Neal made a shocking revelation about his weight situation during his spell with the Lakers. During an interview with NFL legend Tom Brady on the “Let’s Go!” podcast, Shaq admitted to weighing an astonishing 415 pounds when the Lakers clinched their third straight championship in 2002.
Shaq also disclosed that he weighed 345 pounds when Phil Jackson was the head coach of the Lakers in 1999, and the weight increased to 385 pounds the next year which he describes it as a “great summer.” Shaq’s final year of the three-peat saw his weight bulk up to 415 pounds.
The only time his weight decreased was when he was traded to the Miami Heat as revealed by O’Neal. He said, “When I got traded away, Pat Riley got me doing Army drills and I got back to 325.” Despite having to deal with weight issues in his iconic career, Shaq still became one of the greatest players in the league’s history.
Shaq’s remarkable 55-pound weight loss
The NBA Hall of Famer Shaq has been on a mission to lose weight and regain the best shape possible. In a recent interview with ET’s Nichelle Turner, the 51-year-old disclosed that he has lost an astonishing 55 pounds as he weighs 351 pounds currently but is still determined to reach his glory days body once again.
Shaquille O’Neal shared moments of his first title-winning with the Lakers in 2000 with 345 pounds, and also 2006 first title win for the Miami Heat with 315 pounds. Shaq’s weight loss journey exemplifies his full commitment to getting back to his best shape feasible. Shaq said “I was getting chubby and couldn’t even walk up the stairs. I didn’t like the way I looked in the mirror, I thought, ‘I’m going to lose 20,’ and then I was trying to lose 20.”
However, Shaq O’Neal also admitted to setting crazy standards for himself and achieving his transformation through a good diet and commitment to healthy living.
Shaq O’Neal said, “I got a couple of people involved: it’s all about eating right. I had blood work done.” Shaq’s full commitment to keeping in good shape could be an inspiration for active NBA players to keep their bodies in shape.
