Shaq recalls "the scariest time of his life" from Miami's 2006 title run: "I knew if I didn't make them, I was done"

Shaquille O'Neal was one of the most imposing big men in NBA history. With his muscular physique and 7-foot-1 frame, opponents regularly trembled at seeing the "Diesel" careening towards the rim, deadset on throwing down a ferocious slam dunk. However, there were times O'Neal was scared on the court, too.

During the 2006 NBA Finals, Shaq, Dwyane Wade, and the Miami Heat were taking on the Dallas Mavericks. The Heat were already down 2-0 in the best-of-seven showdown and faced a 93-88 deficit with under two minutes to go. O'Neal had attempted a baseline slam but got clipped on the arm by Mavs guard Jerry Stackhouse, sending him to the line for two free throws to bring the Heat closer. According to the "Diesel," that moment was the scariest of his entire life.

Free throws were always Shaq's "kryptonite"

For all the things Shaq could do on the hardcourt, free throws were always one glaring weakness in his game. Throughout his career, O'Neal was known for being an incredible force in the paint and a dominant post player, but he struggled at the charity stripe.

The legendary big man shot 52 percent from the line for his career, and in that particular series, he was atrocious, making only 37 percent of his free throw attempts. At that moment, with all eyes on him and the game hanging in the balance, Shaq was petrified.

"Remember that time during the Finals when Jerry Stackhouse fouled me? I had to shoot those two free throws—scariest time of my life. Scariest time of my life because I knew if I didn't make them, I was done," Shaq told his former teammate, Udonis Haslem.

With a million thoughts racing through his head, the 15-time All-Star stepped up the line and took the challenge head-on.

"You can be scared all you want, but you've got 10 seconds to shoot the free throws, so just let it go. The first one went in, and now I'm confident. Then the second one went in, and the crowd went crazy. I got my powers back," the 2000 league MVP stated.

Shaq's free throws sparked the Heat's incredible comeback that was capped off by Gary Payton's go-ahead jumper with only 9.3 seconds remaining. Miami won that game 98-96 and the next three games to capture the 2006 NBA crown.

Related: Shaq said he underestimated Hakeem in the 1995 NBA Finals: "He never did to me what he did in the Finals during the regular season"

Face your fears

O'Neal had every right to be scared at that moment. He knew full well that if he missed those free throws, the game—and possibly the series—could have been over. After all, no team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit in the NBA Finals.

Nevertheless, Shaq faced his fears head-on and delivered in the clutch.

"I'm always scared. I'm scared every day, but you have to face it. If you let that fear overwhelm you, you'll never make it. Every time I went to the free-throw line in a pressure situation, especially in the Finals, I was terrified. Because I knew if I missed and we lost, it would always be my fault," he said.

The 14-time All-NBA Team member had his fair share of letdowns in crucial situations, especially when sent to the charity stripe. However, that moment proved to be one of his finest hours as Shaq knocked down those two free throws in the fourth quarter, helping lead his team to a historic comeback and, ultimately, the championship.

Related: Shaq says SVG not letting him load manage in 2005 might've cost Miami the title: "By the time we got to the ECF, I couldn't walk"