Inside The Heat

Shaquille O'Neal Explains How He Took Pay Cut To Help Miami Heat Win First Title

Bryan Townes|
May 21, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; Shaquille O'Neal, Pat Riley and Alonzo Mourning during the second half of game three of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat for the 2023 NBA playoffs at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
May 21, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; Shaquille O'Neal, Pat Riley and Alonzo Mourning during the second half of game three of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat for the 2023 NBA playoffs at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images | Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

Good luck with roster injuries is one of the most critical factors in winning a championship or making a deep postseason run.

Besides health, sacrifice is ultimately the most important factor because it can derail a team from reaching maximum potential. 

One of those stars who favored the team’s success over his needs was former Miami Heat center Shaquille O’Neal.

In an interview with The OGs podcast, Shaquille O’Neal discussed his tenure with the Heat. His first display of sacrifice for the organization's success was immediately handing the team to a young Dwyane Wade.

O'Neal told Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller, “First thing I did when I came to Miami, I said, look, you heard a lot of (expletive) about me. That ain’t gonna happen with me and you. This is your (expletive). I’m going to help you. I am going to guide you. I don’t want them to cause a Shaq and D-Wade because this is your (expletive) already. I came here because of you. I need someone like you to help me get one more. So me and him never had a problem.” 

O'Neal made his second sacrifice while negotiating his contract. He took less so Haslem could get more money and the Heat could sign James Poses and Gary Payton.

O’Neal stated, “Pat Riley came in and said “Shaq, I love you. I can give you the whole $120,000,000, and we can have nobody, or I can give you $100,000,000. Get UD some more money. I can bring in Posey. I can bring in GP., and I can bring in all them guys.” He went on to say, “You know what? I need to win.”

Bryan Townes is a contributor to Miami Heat On SI. He can be reached at btownesjr@gmail.com or follow him on X @bryantownesjr11.

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Bryan Townes
BRYAN TOWNES

Bryan attended Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia with a focus on sports management. While he didn't grow up an NBA fan, he became one after playing the popular NBA2K video game. From Jimmy Butler to Ray Allen to Chris Bosh, Bryan has followed the Heat for the past several years.

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