This story first appeared in SLAM 234.
It was all a dream—a championship dream—when Shaquille O’Neal left Orlando for the Malibu sea-breeze in 1996. He kicked in the door rocking the 3-4 and a solid list of accolades. In just a few years he’d achieved Rookie of the Year honors, a scoring title, multiple all-Star Games and an NBA finals appearance. The sky was the limit but a ring was the goal.
Initially, some lost chips on Lakers, gassed off Shaq. It was easily done, although Shaq was sicker than your average NBA superstar, the team still needed to form. They would need to gel and to mature, to gain playoff experience and to develop a collective hunger to win. It would take time. Trades were made, rookies and sophomores became vets, Kobe became Kobe, and by the time the ’99-00 season rolled around, they were unbelievable.
An O’Neal SLAM cover was always memorable. The “Shaq Daddy” cover line of SLAM 3, the mean muggin’ shot on SLAM 34. And when he pointed to his ring finger on the cover of SLAM 43, all we could do was relax and take notes as we watched the inevitable unfold. Here’s another one—SLAM 45, the victorious League and finals MVP had begun forging his Lakers dynasty and his championship mission was complete. This cover was perfect. Champ covers would become a SLAM staple and this one, for me, served as a benchmark. The Lakers colorway was dope, Shaq’s victory pose was iconic and the cover line is an unmistakable reference to the greatest rapper of all time. It was all good baby (baby).
Shaquille O’Neal is one of the most dominant players we’ve ever seen, and although he had many nicknames, Shaq has been notoriously unwilling to part with his “Superman” title. As our 2021 champ cover drops, the League and finals MVP featured is the only player Shaq has deemed worthy of carrying this mantle. Giannis’ style and grace has given the center position a new lease on life, and one more chance for us to remember when the big men ruled the game. Although no one will ever do it quite like Shaquille, Giannis has got a story to tell.
…And if you don’t know, now you know.
