Shaquille O’Neal was still a young man when he visited Greece in 1994 as a member of the Orlando Magic. O’Neil even thought the Parthenon was an Athens nightclub.
The LA Lakers legend recalled his most embarrassing story when he appeared on COSMOTE TV’s “Pick and Roll Show.” His hosts Rigas Dardalis and Vassilis Skountis asked O’Neal about his trip to Greece almost 20 years ago.
“I remember being pissed when they asked me about the Parthenon. I replied that I had never been to that club,” O’Neil said. It wasn’t read and there was even a long article about not knowing the history of Greece.I know it now and can’t wait to go back to Greece.”
For someone like Shaquille O’Neal in 1994, the Parthenon was the original temple of Athens, built in 432 BC. He is one of the main tourist destinations in Greece.
Also read: Shaquille O’Neal wouldn’t change the game if he played in the NBA today
Name 3 Greeks who love Shaquille O’Neal
In the same interview on COSMOTE TV, Shaquille O’Neal was asked to name his three favorite Greeks. O’Neill loves FIBA Hall of Famer Panagiotis Fasolas, “Baby Shack” Sophokris Scholsanitis and “Greek Freak” Giannis Antetokounmpo.
O’Neill revealed he was in awe of Fasolas, whom he faced in the 1994 FIBA World Cup semi-finals in Toronto, Canada. In addition to Fasoulas’ game, O’Neal admired his curly hair.
“What I remember is his nice hair,” O’Neil said. He was a tall player with a sweet touch on the ball, but he was also a nice guy.”
O’Neal also remembers meeting “Baby Shack” as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers. They faced each other in preseason games. He even thought that Shawlsanitis could have gone to the NBA if he wanted to.
“He could have done it. It’s all about chance and acquaintances,” O’Neill said. ‘I think he wanted to play in Greece’
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Shaquille O’Neal reveals his Aristotle
One of Shaquille O’Neal’s nicknames is “Big Aristotle”, given to him for his dominating 2000 MVP season. Aristotle was a Greek philosopher who mentored Alexander the Great. But who was Aristotle of Shack?
“For me, Aristotle was probably ‘Dr J’ Julius Irving,” O’Neill said. In “Pick’n Roll Show” Via COSMOTE TV. “I looked at him and I followed him and said Magic Johnson. I looked at those players and I wanted to be like them. I wanted every championship, every glory, everything.”
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