Shaquille O’Neal is known for being big. His awe-inspiring size has made him a mainstream star. But in 2020, it also led him down a dark path. Weight has always been an issue for the big man. However, two years back, it almost became an issue of life and death. As everyone knows, the year 2020 brought a lot of misfortune into the world. Shaquille O’Neal’s life was no exception.

His sister, Ayesha passed away after her fight with cancer. She was just 40 years old. Months before, his former teammate and friend Kobe Bryant passed away due to a plane crash. It was a terrible time for the ‘Big Aristotle’

Therefore, food became a coping mechanism for him. Shaq was drowning his sorrows in calories. He did late-night sandwich runs and indulged in cookies and cakes. The former Los Angeles Lakers superstar was in the worst shape of his life and weighed around 415 pounds. He went to the doctor later on, and he gave him a harsh reality check. As it turns out, the former basketball star was having sleep apnea and was using a CPAP machine.

The Doctor asked him a simple question, “Do you wanna die?” That was a sufficient wake up call for the four-time NBA champion. In fact, Shaq vowed that he shall not ever repeat that lifestyle again.

Hence, he ate a lot better. It led to him losing over 50 pounds and getting abs again. It was a healthy change and can inspire many people who are in the same place now.

Shaquille O’Neal once got busted for his weight by Kobe Bryant

Shaq’s weight has been an oft-discussed topic. On the court, he was a terrifying presence. But off the court, Shaq was not exactly a model of discipline. During his time with the Lakers, he often came to training camp overweight. It irritated Kobe Bryant, who was known for his work ethic and intensity on the court. This led to them feuding from 2002 to 2006. Many experts have noted that a fitter Shaq could have dominated the game longer but he chose not to.

The big man was an awe-inspiring presence inside the paint but never made the effort to work hard. He did indeed got into shape during the season.

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By the time the playoffs arrived, Shaq was ready to drop bombs on his opponents.