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Featured Image Credit: Getty Images
Topics: Shaquille ONeal, NBA, Basketball, LA Lakers
Ryan Baldi
Shaquille O'Neal is one of the greatest NBA big men of all time, but the former Los Angeles Lakers superstar wasn't always in peak physical condition throughout his career.
The 7ft 1ins centre is remembered as arguably the most dominant player ever in his position.
O'Neal won four NBA championships during his illustrious career, as well as one Most Valuable Player award and three Finals MVPs.
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But Shaq would often begin the season some way from his best fitness levels, instead using the early parts of the gruelling 82-game NBA schedule to play himself into shape.
And later in his career, O'Neal visibly carried more weight on to the court, relying much more on his power than the impressive athleticism that he had showcased in his early years in the league with the Orlando Magic and the Lakers.
This unique conditioning method worked well for O'Neal in the early 2000s as he led the Lakers to three successive titles.
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But when 'Big Diesel' left LA to join the Miami Heat in 2004, he found his relaxed approach to physical fitness would not be tolerated.
In a regime overseen by team president and former Lakers championship-winning coach Pat Riley, Heat players were required to maintain a body fat percentage of 10 per cent or less.
According to Antoine Walker, who played for the Heat between 2005 and 2007, O'Neal had an ingenious way of fooling the callipers used to measure the Miami players body fat.
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“One thing I loved about Pat Riley is the body fat and weight tests, you got to make your weight every Monday," Walker said during an appearance on the Forgotten Seasons podcast. "I remember Shaq used to put baby oil on so the things wouldn’t stick on him.”
Despite refusing to conform to Riley's strict fitness rules, Shaq remained at his dominant best after signing for the Heat, teaming up with a young Dwayne Wade to help the Miami side claim a first title in franchise history in 2006.