During his playing days, Shaquille O’Neal was undoubtedly a phenomenon most players could be forgiven for being wary of. His combination of size, skill, and raw drive may never be recreated in the NBA, even if his persona has changed drastically since then.

However, former New York Knicks star Charles Oakley believes Shaq’s brutality may have been a bit overstated.

“Shaq… I mean, Shaq is Shaq. He big. I didn't never take Shaq as a tough guy. I think they more tougher now on TV than they played. When Shaq always complains about guys fouling him, this and that, you’re 350 pounds. I mean, what are they going to do? Shaq is all right,” Oakley explained during his recent appearance on The Art of Dialogue, per HoopsHype.

While he acknowledged O’Neal’s physical stature, Oakley referenced

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