The enduring bar debate legacy of Shaquille O’Neal
Shaq has departed the pro hoops world. (** Pours one out **) We initially wanted to do a post summarizing all the great things about him, like the alley from Kobe in the Western Conference Finals to cap that furious rally against Portland --
Or the rap career, which we secretly always admired --
Or even all the amazing quotes:
But then we realized, this is a website about locating bars to watch sports, so we took a different tack.
Because of how larger-than-life a figure Shaq was, discussions about him will still be going on 100 years from now. (Take that to the bank.) Here now are five debates you can create at a bar -- this weekend or in the future -- regarding the Big 401K.
Was Shaq the most important player in NBA history?
Good Lord, no! You can't be serious! It's obviously Michael Jordan, or Magic Johnson, or even George Mikan (first superstar) or Wilt, or someone, right? Right?!?! Probably. But check this: who was more important to the NBA post-MJ and pre-LeBron as evil? No one. (Go ahead, argue "Kobe." Those first three rings had a certain 7-3, 330-pounder in the paint, who was basically unstoppable.) If there was no Shaq, the NBA would have survived, of course -- but would it have gotten to the LeBron/'Melo/etc. era with such a high level of popularity? Doubtful. In that regard, for smoothing the MJ departure in a time of big money for the Association, he might be the single-most valuable dude to ever grace the sport.
Was Shaq the most quotable athlete of all-time?
This one seems like a "yes," almost without question. There are other candidates -- Rickey Henderson, Mike Tyson, Ali, Chad, Dennis Rodman and Manny Ramirez come to mind -- but who else would tell a reporter during the NBA Finals, "I wasn't born. I was found on a train?" Very few. Henderson is amazing but was perceived as a huge egotist by many, Tyson went off the rails, Ali was a great quote in his prime but also participated in a more 'fringe' sport (at least as compared to basketball), Chad has never truly backed it up, and Rodman, well, that's an interesting story in and of itself. Manny's legacy is now corrupted. So yea, Shaq seems a safe bet here. But is it a good bar topic? No doubt.
Was Shaq or Tim Duncan the best center of his generation?
Trick question -- Duncan's a PF! But no, seriously, these guys traded NBA Finals appearances forever when on the Lakers and Spurs. They were foils for each other: one is extremely outgoing, the other is the polar opposite. Fundamentally, it's probably Duncan. Domination-wise, it's probably Shaq. They each have four rings, though, so let the debate rage onward.
Was Blue Chips a good movie?
Yes. Although sadly, this is still up for debate consistently.
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