Over the course of a 19-year NBA career, Shaquille O’Neal dominated the ball—and headlines. A little more than two months into retirement, Turner Sports’ newest hire is still dominating headlines. The latest news comes courtesy of his upcoming memoir with Jackie MacMullan, Shaq Uncut.
Broken down chronologically, Shaq Uncut, published by the Hachette Book Group, is packed with O’Neal’s insight and anecdotes from his playing career. None of it is currently as relevant as Shaq’s take on what caused Rajon Rondo’s post-Perkins trade slump.
From the book:
In early March some of the guys went to the museum of Fine Arts for a fund-raiser and got to hang with President Barack Obama. Everyone was a little bit in awe. The President turns to Ray, points at Rondo, and says, “Hey, Ray, why don’t you teach this kid how to shoot?” Everyone starts laughing.
…
KG told me he saw the look on Rondo’s face and the kid was devastated, embarrassed. Dissed by the President, even though I’m sure Obama didn’t mean any harm. Rondo smiled and went along with all of it, but KG told me he could see it in his eyes. It bothered Rondo. It killed him.
The next day Rondo shot the ball horribly. He stopped taking shots after that. He’s so sensitive. I think it was a real jolt to hear the outside perception of a basketball fan who happens to be the President of the United States. It messed with his mind. I’m sure of it.
Well worth a cover-to-cover read, Shaq Uncut is available for pre-order now and debuts on Novemeber 15, 2011.
