"I'm too big to get on the train" - Shaq said he wouldn't have survived in New York

Shaquille O'Neal never played for the New York Knicks , but he was no stranger to the lifestyle and culture of the Big Apple. For "The Diesel," it would've been interesting if he had represented the Knicks back in his playing years, but he is confident he wouldn't have enjoyed living in New York.

In a recent appearance on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," O'Neal assumed that he would've surely struggled to keep up with the traffic and the bustle of New York living. With that in mind, Shaquille believed it would have been an issue for him if the opportunity to play for the Knicks was presented back then.

"I don't think Shaq could survive in New York… I like driving. You can't drive in New York... And I'm too big to get on the train, so," the four-time NBA champion sai d.

Shaq believed he would've taken over New York

In hindsight, Shaq said he would have been drawn to the glitz and glamor of playing for the Knicks. As a larger-than-life personality, O'Neal thrived in the spotlight and is certain he would've been the biggest star in New York and the Knicks franchise history.

Moreover, the legendary big man would've also savored the possibility of taking over Patrick Ewing's place.

"It was always my idea that if I'm going to be part of something that charges people a lot of money to watch us perform, to put on a show. So, you know, in New York, New York is similar to L.A. New York is a place where you have to step up. I would have came here and took over the city and, you know, definitely stepped up… Patrick Ewing would've been coming off the bench. I would've loved that. [Laughter]," O'Neal added.

Winning a title in NY?

In retrospect, O'Neal spent his most dominant years in the league with the Orlando Magic and the Los Angeles Lakers. Shaquille first became a superstar in Orlando, where he won his first NBA scoring title in 1995, but in L.A., Shaq won the NBA MVP award along with three NBA championships.

However, the LSU product used to be a Knicks fan, as he idolized Ewing growing up. Shortly after Pat retired in 2002, Shaq was asked how his career would've played out if he were a Knick . As expected, O'Neal confidently said he "probably would have won one or two" championships.

Related: "Trade a legend, bad things happen to you" - Shaquille O'Neal had a brutal response to the Knicks' downfall in 2002