Shaquille O’Neal ’s career is renowned for his powerful, backboard-smashing two-handed dunks, which makes most believe that since the very beginning, ‘Diesel’ would have worked to develop the same craft. However, early in his career, the 7’1” center was brought to his senses by his stepdad - Phillip Harrison, who thumped him with the reality of being a dominant center rather than an elegant scorer like Magic Johnson midgame.
If that wasn’t enough, Harrison also had young Shaq study Rony Seikaly ’s aggressive dunking technique, which eventually gave birth to his iconic ‘Dunkman’ logo.
Shaq’s stepdad gave him a tough reminder to be a dominant center
On ‘All The Smoke’ podcast, the three-time Finals MVP recounted a pivotal moment from his high school career. During a game wherein SHaq tried to finger roll the ball into the basket rather than dunking it and eventually missed, his stepdad grew so upset that he barged onto the floor right from the stands and physically reprimanded O’Neal.
Moreover, Harrison emphatically reminded the young center to focus on his natural strengths rather than emulating other players’ moves.
"I’m not doing no skyhooks, I like this Magic (stuff) I start working on my handles. When I first started dunking, I never wanted to dunk, so junior year… I'm killing the little dudes I'm playing against," O’Neal said . "I finger roll it, I miss. My father comes out with his fatigues - 'Timeout!' He takes me outside, 'See young man, f**k you doin’? Ain’t no Magic. Be Shaquille O’Neal.'"
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O’Neal learned a lot from Seikaly
Although Seikaly did not have a particularly stellar NBA career, securing only one accolade - the Most Improved Player award - in his 11-year tenure, during which he averaged 14.7 points and 9.5 rebounds per game, he proved to be the inspiration ‘The Big Aristotle’ needed. The 6’11” center demonstrated Shaq the impact he could have by raising his legs high while dunking.
"Then I would go home, and he's (Phillip) making me watch college games, and I'm watching Syracuse play. Sherman Douglas throws it to Rony Seikaly, and he dunks it, but he’s getting his legs up. I said 'Ok,'" O'Neal added. "So the next game, my father was there, and I'm dunking and getting my legs up."
Eventually, Shaq's iconic symbol of his legs spread far apart while hanging from the rim became the logo of the ‘Dunkman’ brand. Safe to say, Rony surely had no idea that his dunking prowess and technique in college would give birth to the most recognizable dunk symbol in the world of basketball.
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