It’s been a pretty good couple of weeks for Shaquille O’Neal. The NBA and Lakers legend learned he’d be receiving a statue outside of Staples Center on Jan. 27 and, on Feb. 12, was named a finalist for the Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2016.
O’Neal — who spent eight of his 19 years in the NBA as a Laker — was a 15-time All-Star and ranks in the league’s all-time top 10 for points (18,596; seventh), blocks (2,732; eighth) and field goal percentage (58.2; third).
O’Neal put his trademark humor on display during a speech he gave after the announcement during All-Star Weekend at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel.
He turned the press conference into a roast by calling out current Hall of Famers in attendance, like Rick Barry — who told him to shoot free throws underhanded — and former referee Dick Bavetta — who O’Neal cited for 10 of his technical fouls and a pair of ejections.
But in between quips, the 2000 MVP took a moment to reflect on his relationship with his stepfather, Phillip A. Harrison, who died in September 2013.
“I started playing basketball at 9 years old,” O’Neal said. “My father had a high school education and was an Army drill sergeant. I wish he was here for this day, because he told me this day would happen and I never believed him.”
This year’s other finalists are Allen Iverson, Kevin Johnson, Tom Izzo, Sheryl Swoopes, Darell Garretson, John McLendon, Charles “Lefty” Driesell, Leta Andrews, Robert Hughes, Muffet McGraw, Bo Ryan, Edie Sutton and the 1954-58 Wayland Baptist University women's basketball team.
The Class of 2016 will be announced before the NCAA men’s championship game on April 4, and then enshrined at the Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass. on Sept. 9.