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By Matthew Couden
Contributing Writer
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NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal made it crystal clear what he meant when he said there was luck in the New York Knicks winning the championship this past season.
When an interviewer said he'd heard Shaq say "the Knicks got lucky," the Hall of Famer immediately corrected him, explaining that wasn't what he originally said.
"That's not what I said. I hate people like you who don't listen. I said, 'Luck was involved.' What if [OG Anunoby] don't get the tip? What if [DeAaron Fox] held the ball back? That's luck. What if Jaylen Brown and [Jayson Tatum] played the postseason? Everybody needs luck to win the championship. I started off by saying two of my championships were lucky," Shaq stated.
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"Knicks fans, you wanna impress me? Run it back," the former NBA superstar said, sending a clear message for next season.
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Shaq was a four-time NBA champion, winning a three-peat alongside the late, great Kobe Bryant with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2000, 2001, and 2002. During that 2000 championship run, the Lakers took on Reggie Miller and the Indiana Pacers.
After the Lakers took a 2-1 series lead, Game 4 went into overtime in Indiana, with Shaq fouling out. Bryant hit several clutch free throws, and Miller missed a three-pointer in the final seconds that could've evened the series at 2-2. The Pacers then won Game 5, so they might have even led the series 3-2, but ultimately lost 4-2.
In 2006, Shaq was part of the Miami Heat with young star Dwyane Wade. Their NBA Finals matchup featured Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks, whom Miami defeated in two very close games. Dallas won the first two games of that series to go up 2-0 and nearly could've gone up 3-0.
However, the Heat escaped Game 3 with a 98-96 win after Nowitzki missed a late free throw that would've tied the game. After Miami won Game 4, their next game went into overtime. Miami won 101-100 amid controversy after many believed that Wade had committed a backcourt violation.
Ultimately Miami, won the series 4-2, giving Shaq his fourth championship in his legendary basketball career, so he clearly feels things could've gone the other way.
While the Knicks experienced some lucky moments in their NBA Finals win over the San Antonio Spurs, they also showed grit, perseverance, and determination to fight back when trailing by seemingly insurmountable leads.
While one could also say the Anunoby and Fox plays involved "luck," they also involved basketball skills and IQ in those moments. In Anunoby's tip-in, he went to the right place at the right time when his team needed a bucket. The Spurs could've boxed out better on that play.
As for Fox's play, it was a mistake made by the Spurs veteran. Knicks players were defending Fox as he attempted what he thought might be a heroic layup, and they made him miss, so one could argue it was less about "luck" and more about a bad mistake and good defense.
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