Shaquille O’Nealone of the best pivots in history, has fed the suspicion that the NBA draft could be directed or rigged.
After Dallas Mavericks achieved number 1 of the Draft, having only 1.8% possibilities in the lotteryvarious rumors have been generated on whether the choice of future stars could be directed from the League.
“Do you want to play where it's cold or where it's hot?” David Stern asked me. I said: “Heat!” A couple of days later Orlando (Florida) won number 1 of the Draft
Wizards, Hornets and Jazz had 14 % possibilities each of getting number one after the regular season 2024–25 as the worst teams of the League.
You listen to many theories of conspiracy and you know that there are many situations that could make these things sound good and seem certain
Houston Rockets (via Phoenix Suns), Portland Trail Blazers, Dallas Mavericks, Chicago Bulls and Sacramento Kings closed the list, with probability that range between 3.8 % and 0.8 %.
Shaq: “David Stern asked me if I wanted to play in a place with cold or heat … and number 1 went to Orlando”
The media Shaquille O'Neal, which was selected with the number one of the 1992 draft by the Orlando Magichad an anecdote with David Stern (the then NBA commissioner) e hints that his arrival at the Magic might not have been accidental.
“I don't know if you've heard this story, but in 1992, I think with the draft, was it in June or something? I smiled, and a couple of days later it was the draft.
The legend of the NBA ex of the Lakers and Heat among many others star
O'Neal was signed by the Magic, Alonzo Mourning was chosen by Hornets and Christian Laettner by the Timberwolves.
Shaquille O'Neal speaks of “conspiracy theories” and sets the example of mavericks with maidic and flagg
“I thought I didn't give importance. But you listen to many theories of conspiracy and you know that there are many situations that could make these things well and seem true, such as 'Ok, Dallas get rid of one of the best players, but woe! A new one comes to us.' Shaquille about the criticized transfer of Luka Doncic of the Mavericks to the Lakers and the subsequent number 1 of the Draft won by Dallas, which will give you the option to select the stellar Cooper Flagg (Duke).
What team could have selected Shaq if he had said 'cold' and how would he have affected that to his career?
Shaquille O'Neal feeds the “conspiracy theory” about the Draft's mistress by the NBA
Shaquille O'Neal played for Orlando Magic (1992-1996), Los Angeles Lakers (1996-2004), Miami Heat (2004-2008), Phoenix Suns (2008-2009), Cleveland Cavaliers (2009-2010) and Boston Celtics (2010-2011), winning four times the NBA (2000, 2011, 2002 and 2006).
His statistics were 23.7 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.3 plugs in more than 2,000 regular season games.
