Shaquille O’Neal is known for his towering presence on the court and his relentless mentality, but his recent confession about his legendary rivalry with David Robinson adds another layer to his mindset. In an interview with NBA insider Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson, Shaq revealed that one of the most iconic stories in basketball folklore was entirely fabricated.
For years, Shaq had shared a tale of being denied an autograph by Robinson when he was a kid growing up in San Antonio. The story became a focal point in their rivalry, fueling Shaq’s intense play against Robinson and the Spurs. It seemed to explain the animosity between the two Hall of Famers. But as it turns out, that story never happened.
“David was just so nice and respectful,” Shaq admitted. “He’s just a nice guy. I’m not a bully. You have to piss me off for me to get mad. David was, ‘Hey Shaq, how ya doin? How’s your family?’ So nice…”
So why would Shaq create such a story? According to the legendary center, he needed to build a narrative to motivate himself. “I had to make something up just to make me mad,” he said.
This made-up story turned into the fuel for a decade-long rivalry. When Shaq played against Robinson and the Spurs, it was clear that there was something more behind his game — more aggression, more intensity. The fabricated autograph snub became a symbol of the emotional fire that pushed Shaq to dominate on the court.
Even when the fans in San Antonio began to boo him, Shaq used the imaginary slights to stoke his drive, saying, “Oh you’re booing me in my hometown?” It was all part of his personal narrative, one that turned a simple encounter into an intense, high-stakes competition.
