Orlando Magic Daily
Fansided

Ranking the Orlando Magic’s best performances at the All-Star Game

By Philip Rossman-Reich

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 17: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards and Team LeBron shoots against Nikola Vu?evi? #9 of the Orlando Magic and Team Giannis during the NBA All-Star game as part of the 2019 NBA All-Star Weekend at Spectrum Center on February 17, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Team LeBron won 178-164. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 17: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards and Team LeBron shoots against Nikola Vu?evi? #9 of the Orlando Magic and Team Giannis during the NBA All-Star game as part of the 2019 NBA All-Star Weekend at Spectrum Center on February 17, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Team LeBron won 178-164. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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Shaquille O'Neal, Orlando magic
SALT LAKE CITY UT – FEBRUARY 21: Shaquille O’Neal #32 of the Eastern Conference All-Stars looks on during the 1993 NBA All-Star Game on February 21, 1993 at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1993 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

8. 1993 Shaquille O’Neal

14 points, 7 rebounds, 4/9 FGs

Shaquille O’Neal’s run as a NBA All-Star started as a rookie. That was a rare feat in itself. Very few rookies make the All-Star team, let alone get voted to start.

That usually would not get a very friendly reception from veteran players, especially back then. Players were a whole lot less chummy back then. A rookie storming into the All-Star Game on a wave of popularity would not go well. Especially with veteran players like Patrick Ewing getting pushed out of the way.

There was some of that freezing out of O’Neal in this game, but he was too big not to find a way to impact the game.

O’Neal said in an interview with NBATV several years ago that he was nervous before this first game. But Michael Jordan helped calm him down and welcome him to the group. That was absolutely needed.

This might have been O’Neal at his most vulnerable and raw. He had not yet become the entertainment mogul he would. And he learned in that game to give a little extra in the All-Star Game.

Here, he was simply dominant in his presence and active and energetic as a rookie. He likely would not play like this again. Certainly not in an All-Star Game.

That was even with Pat Riley limiting his minutes to give veterans more minutes. O’Neal still played 25 minutes in the game. Hardly that limiting.

O’Neal always had an eye for entertainment. Here, O’Neal was just getting his feet wet.