The recent move by Nigerian-born sensation, Giannis Antetokounmpo to Miami Heat in USA’s National Basketball Association (NBA) has revived memories of a similar deal that took American sensation, Shaquille O’Neal to the same franchise some years back.
Sports247 reports that, while one of the main talking points about Antetokounmpo’s move to Miami is how he will link up with fellow-Nigerian-born star, Bam Adebayo in The Heats’ ambitious squad, the latest angle to the deal is about ‘Shaq Attack.’
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The long-awaited switch by ‘The Greek Freak’ came after his former club, Milwaukee Bucks considered offers from Miami Heat and Boston Celtics for the former NBA most valuable player, who led his previous team to the 2021 league title.
He also ranked high during the NBA’s 75th anniversary, when his name emerged on a list of its greatest players ever, is a nine-time All Star selection and more rave reviews following him, despite an injury-shortened season in which he averaged 27.6 points per game.
A report by Sky Sports adds, “The Heat pulled off similar moves by landing Shaquille O’Neal in 2004 (helping lead them to the 2006 NBA title) and by getting LeBron James and Chris Bosh to play alongside Dwyane Wade in 2010 (leading to four NBA Finals runs in four seasons together, along with the 2012 and 2013 NBA titles).
“Now, it’s Antetokounmpo’s turn. At 31, the Heat clearly believe he still has many good years left – and it’s generally presumed that by making this deal they’ll give the Greek superstar a massive extension later this year. He was a perennial MVP candidate in Milwaukee, getting votes for that award in nine consecutive seasons before 2025-26.”
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