For many NBA athletes, representing their country at the Olympics is a career milestone that they cherish forever. However, for Shaquille O'Neal, the experience left a sour taste.
In a candid moment on "The Big Podcast," the legendary center revealed that he discarded his gold medal from the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. O'Neal was incensed at not being given any playing time in the final game, which led him to throw the medal out of his car window on the way home.
Before the gold medal match, O'Neal had been informed by coach Lenny Wilkens that David Robinson, who was in his final season, would likely see more minutes than him. O'Neal, understanding the significance of Robinson's final game, was initially fine with the arrangement. But when he didn't even step on the court, his frustration boiled over.
Despite his lack of participation in the final, O'Neal's Olympic journey was not without its highlights.
1996 was his only appearance at the Olympics, although he also played for Team USA at the 1994 World Cup in Toronto.
O'Neal's career was filled with numerous achievements, including being named a 15-time All-Star, a two-time scoring champion, and a four-time NBA champion. His legacy as one of the greatest big men in NBA history remains undiminished.
Despite his contributions to the team's success in 1996, O'Neal's disappointment at the end of the Olympics is a testament to his competitive spirit and his desire to be on the court for every meaningful moment.
As for the gold medal, it remains lost somewhere on the side of a highway, a reminder of a moment in time that didn't live up to O'Neal's expectations.
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