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American Morning

Shaquille O'Neal: Most Dominating Player Ever?

Aired June 19, 2001 - 09:26   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Well, if Barkley and Jordan do return to the NBA, they will likely face one of the game's most dominating players perhaps ever, the L.A. Lakers' Shaquille O'Neal.

As we learn from this piece by Frank Buckley, O'Neal's talents stretch beyond the hardwoods.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, NBC)

ANNOUNCER: It's back to a nine-point game. Iverson has 20. Here's Bryant.

(CROWD NOISE)

FRANK BUCKLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Shaquille O'Neal's play on the court is what propels his career. But his persona: he's Shaq to just about everyone -- that's made him a star.

SHAQUILLE O'NEAL, L.A. LAKERS BASKETBALL PLAYER: I'm back.

BUCKLEY: He makes movies.

O'NEAL: I'm outstanding.

BUCKLEY: He raps on his own record label.

CHEERLEADERS: Go Shaq. Go Shaq. G-O, go Shaq.

BUCKLEY: He appears in commercials for companies like Taco Bell that emphasize his sense of humor.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, TACO BELL AD)

UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: Shaq is suffering from Taco Neck Syndrome -- TNS.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BUCKLEY: His charity work emphasizes children. O'Neal accepting his role as a role model.

O'NEAL: I need you to stay off what? CHILDREN: Drugs.

O'NEAL: OK. Stay in what?

CHILDREN: School.

O'NEAL: Can you dig it!

BUCKLEY: All of it helping to explain why fans dig him so much.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He's cool. He's one of us.

HOWARD BECK, LOS ANGELES DAILY NEWS: People, if they see him as a boy who just looks like this big overgrown kid, that's because he is. That is how he conducts himself pretty much on and off the court. He's just kind of a fun loving guy. He's the life of the locker room.

BUCKLEY: For followers of the NBA, this 7-foot-1 center with size 22 EEE shoes is arguably the leader now among a new generation of players, filling the big shoes of an earlier megastar, one Michael Jordan.

O'Neal's agent says his client doesn't dwell on comparisons.

LEONARD ARMATO, SHAQUILLE O'NEAL'S AGENT: He looks at every day as an opportunity to maximize his potential. And that's what he likes to sort of tell kids, hey, don't be satisfied, follow your dreams, maximize your potential.

BUCKLEY (on camera): And as a basketball player, few would deny his dominance of the game today. But some have suggested it's too early in his career to elevate him to the same level of the game's past greats.

(voice-over): But just tell that to the coach of the team the Lakers leveled in the championship series.

LARRY BROWN, HEAD COACH 76ERS: We not only have a great center, but this guy is -- he's as good as they get. And I've never seen a better player in my life.

BUCKLEY: And that player says he's a happy man, for the moment.

O'NEAL: I'm also greedy. And I'm not done.

Can you dig it!

BUCKLEY: Frank Buckley, CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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