Shaquille O’Neal: One Of The Biggest Underachievers in NBA History?
By Mark Wilson
The Beginning
Orlando Magic (1992-96)
This Orlando Magic team was young, but they were loaded with talent. Shaquille O’Neal was the man in the middle followed by all-star point guard Penny Hardaway, shooting guard Nick Anderson and the sharp-shooter Dennis Scott.
During the 1994-95 season, they had their best shot at an NBA title. Michael Jordan was just coming back from his baseball sabbatical, the Magic had Horace Grant, Brian Shaw and Darrell Armstrong to help lead the second unit. This team was loaded, but when they faced the veteran Houston Rockets in the NBA Finals, Hakeem Olajuwon and company showed Shaq what was what as they swept the Magic in four games.
Instead of bonding as a team, they fell apart and Shaq bolted to the Lakers. Opportunity wasted.
Next: The Golden Age