"A white version of my father" - Shaquille O'Neal likens Phil Jackson to his stepdad
Molded and honed under the tutelage of his career army sergeant stepfather, Phillip A. Harrison, Shaquille O'Neal is no stranger to being disciplined. Prior to becoming an NBA superstar, O'Neal was already immersed in a well-organized environment where he had to obey the rules. Unsurprisingly, Shaq said that the person who reminded him of his stepdad's fostering was his Los Angeles Lakers head coach, Phil Jackson.
According to "The Diesel," it didn't take long for him to notice the parallels between "The Zen Master" and Harrison. He reckoned that as he got to know Jackson better, he realized that the legendary coach's impact on him resembled that of his stepfather. For Shaq, the only difference between the two was probably the color of their skin.
"Somebody once told me that somewhere in the world, there's somebody that looks like you and acts like you," O'Neal told CBS News in 2001. "And Phil Jackson is a white version of my father. A disciplinarian, bad back, played the game, understands the game...says what's on his mind no matter what."
The similarities between Shaq's stepdad and Coach Phil
Indeed, Jackson and Shaq's stepfather, Harrison, were two influential figures in his life. Though the pair were two different individuals, O'Neal recognizes the striking similarity in the core values both men embodied.
Some may not have heard of it, but O'Neal's biological father was not present during much of his childhood. It was his stepdad Harrison who played a crucial role in his upbringing, instilling in him values of hard work, perseverance, and the importance of family. Growing up in a challenging environment, Shaq's stepdad provided stability and guidance, teaching him the value of discipline both on and off the court. This early influence laid the foundation for "The Diesel" to become not only a successful athlete but also a respected individual in the community.
On the other hand, Jackson, who was known in the NBA lore for his strategic prowess and unquestioned aptitude for leading teams to multiple championships, brought the best out of Shaq as a player. Under Jackson's mentorship, O'Neal learned the importance of focus, adaptability, and maintaining an incredible work ethic.
Jackson's unique coaching style and approach to the game saw Shaq being pushed beyond his limits to achieve success. Much like "The Zen Master," Harrison also taught O'Neal how to be resilient.
Shaq is now a dad and mentor at the same time
Not only did Shaq's stepfather provide him with beneficial life lessons, but he also served as a steady and supportive figure in his NBA career. He was there to celebrate O'Neal's triumphs and provide comfort during his failures.
However, O'Neal confided that Harrison never tolerated his attitude and tantrums. In fact, Shaq still vividly recalls how his stepdad made him realize how fortunate he was to be in the NBA when other people struggle to have a decent meal on a daily basis.
Now a father, O'Neal is doing his best to remember everything he learned from his stepfather and apply it as he mentors his own kids.
"He said, get your ass in the car, and there was this homeless family he used to take care of. It was a guy, his wife, and two kids in the middle of the street. He said, this is pressure, god damn you, and then he tells me to get out of the car. He told me to take care of them, and I got them a place to stay for a year. I found out the guy is pretty good in the gardening world, so I hooked him up with a guy that had his own gardening service and got him a job. I took them to Best Buy, where I got him some TV and furniture, and he was able to take care of that family," O'Neal once shared.
"I realized that when you sign and get paid that guaranteed contract, there ain't no pressure. You just have to go out and perform. They paid me all this money, and now I'm trying to get some new money, or I have to let people know I'm worth this money," he added. "I always tell my kids there is no pressure."
Judging by how O'Neal's career and life panned out, it's safe to say he did a tremendous job upholding everything Harrison and Coach Jackson instilled in him. Looking back, Shaq reached the zenith of success in the NBA and accomplished equal or even more in business by following Phil and his stepdad.
In conclusion, Shaq's introspection on the similarities between his stepfather and Jackson sheds light on both men's profound impact on shaping his journey to greatness. Through their guidance and mentorship, O'Neal not only became one of the most dominant players in NBA history and a role model for aspiring athletes and entrepreneurs worldwide.
