Leave it to Shaquille O’Neal to casually drop a comment that sends NBA conspiracy theorists into a frenzy — all while keeping a straight face. As we used to say on “The X Files” … “the truth is out there.” Let us know what you think about this one…and thanks to our friends at CBSSports.com for info on the story.
During a recent appearance on Ashley Nevel’s podcast, the Big Diesel revealed a moment from his past that’s now fueling fresh talk about one of the NBA’s longest-running debates: Is the draft lottery rigged?
Shaq recalled a conversation he had with former NBA commissioner David Stern in early 1992 — three months before the Orlando Magic selected him with the No. 1 overall pick.
“[Stern] says to me, ‘Hey, can’t wait for you to come to the NBA,’” O’Neal recounted. “Then he pulled me to the side and asked, ‘You want to play where it’s cold or where it’s hot?’ I said, ‘Hot.’ And he just smiled.”
Sure enough, the Orlando Magic won the lottery that year, and Shaq landed in Florida sunshine. Was it just a coincidence? Possibly. But given the NBA’s history with draft lottery drama, fans are once again raising eyebrows.
“I didn’t think much of it at the time,” Shaq admitted. “But looking back… yeah, some of these things make you wonder.”
Fast forward to today, and Shaq sees a few more eyebrow-raising moments — like this year’s lottery win by the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavs landed the No. 1 pick shortly after fans roasted the front office for trading Luka Dončić to the Lakers midseason.
“It’s very interesting how it all played out,” O’Neal said with a grin.
This isn’t the first time the lottery has raised suspicion. The most legendary conspiracy? That would be the 1985 draft, when the Knicks — desperately in need of a star — landed the No. 1 pick and drafted Georgetown’s Patrick Ewing. Some still believe the envelope was “frozen” to help the league’s biggest market get its guy.
And it’s not just draft day drama. Shaq himself was part of another notorious moment in NBA history — the 2002 Western Conference Finals. His Lakers faced the Kings in a series packed with controversial calls, especially in Game 6. The Lakers pulled out a narrow win, then won Game 7 and went on to secure their third straight title.
Shaq may joke and exaggerate from time to time — he’s the first to admit that — but this story is raising serious questions. Sadly, Stern passed away in 2020, so we’ll never hear his side of the story. Was he just making small talk? Or hinting at something bigger?
Either way, Shaq has once again added fuel to the fire. And just like that, the NBA’s draft lottery becomes appointment gossip all over again.