The Giant's Boat: Shaq's Unique Naming Of His Vessel

Shaquille O'Neal is a four-time NBA champion and one of the most dominant players in the league's history. In July 2018, he asked fans on Facebook to help him name his new boat, which he described as his new toy. While he received thousands of suggestions, one of the most popular was Free Throw, a tongue-in-cheek reference to his poor free-throw shooting during his career.

Shaquille O'Neal's son, Shareef, jokes about the name of the boat

Shaquille O'Neal's son, Shareef, poked fun at his father's expense in a TikTok video, joking that the basketball legend had bought a boat and named it "Free Throw" because he would never be able to sink it. The joke was a reference to Shaquille's notoriously poor free-throw shooting during his illustrious 19-year NBA career, where he averaged just 52.7% from the foul line.

Shareef, himself a professional basketball player, shared a short clip of his dad comfortably napping on the boat, oblivious to the playful jab. The 20-year-old LSU player's quip was not the first time he had referenced his father's free throw struggles on social media. Shaquille's poor free-throw shooting was often exploited by opposing teams, who would employ the "`Hack-A-Shaq` strategy, purposely fouling him to force free throws.

Despite his struggles with free throws, Shaquille O'Neal dominated the NBA during his career, averaging 23.7 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game over 20 seasons. He was a four-time NBA champion and a 15-time All-Star, and his son Shareef is following in his footsteps, having played for the LSU Tigers, the same team his father played for before being drafted by the Orlando Magic in 1992. Shareef has since moved on from LSU and, as of October 2024, signed with the Sacramento Kings.

Shaq's poor free-throw shooting record

Shaquille O'Neal, or Shaq, is a retired NBA player who played for 19 seasons. Despite his success as a four-time NBA champion and 15-time All-Star, Shaq is known for his poor free-throw shooting record. Over his career, Shaq averaged a 52.7% success rate from the foul line, missing over 5,300 free throws.

Due to his poor free-throw shooting, opposing teams would often use the "Hack-a-Shaq" defensive strategy, in which defenders would purposely foul Shaq to make him shoot free throws. This strategy was first used by Dallas Mavericks coach Don Nelson, who directed players to commit personal fouls throughout the game against players who shot free throws poorly. Despite Shaq's dominance inside, his poor free-throw shooting allowed teams to employ this tactic to combat his scoring.

Shaq's free-throw shooting form was affected by injuries to his wrists when he was young, which did not heal properly and resulted in a poor shooting mechanic. The size of his hands and his strength also made it challenging to control the ball and follow through properly.

While Shaq struggled with free throws, he once stated that his poor shooting was God's way of keeping him humble. He also expressed that he would make free throws when they mattered most. Despite his challenges, Shaq's overall dominance and impact on the game solidified his place as one of the greatest centers in NBA history.

Suggestions for boat names from Facebook fans

Shaquille O'Neal, the retired NBA superstar, posted a picture on Facebook of himself with his new boat, asking his fans for suggestions on what to name it. While he was expecting serious and thoughtful responses, he was instead met with a flood of playful and humorous ideas.

One of the most popular suggestions was "Free Throw", a tongue-in-cheek reference to Shaq's notoriously poor free-throw shooting during his NBA career. This suggestion garnered over 5,000 likes and even caught the attention of Shaq's son, Shareef, who made a TikTok video joking about the name.

Other fans took a different approach, poking fun at Shaq's size and nickname with names like "The Big Floater", "The Shaq Attack", and "The Diesel Cruiser". Some suggestions were more creative, such as "Sea Shaq Sell Seashells by the Seashore" or "The Pearl", which would earn him the nickname Captain Shaq Sparrow.

A few fans even suggested naming the boat after O'Neal's former teammate, Kobe Bryant, who passed away in 2020. While some suggestions were inappropriate or too outrageous, Shaq took the roasting in stride and shared some of the funniest responses on his social media pages.

In the end, Shaq's request for boat names from his Facebook fans turned into a lighthearted and humorous exchange, showcasing his good-natured personality and his ability to laugh at himself.

The response to Shaq's Facebook post

Shaquille O'Neal asked his Facebook followers to name his new boat, and the responses were varied and entertaining.

The very first reply suggested naming the boat "Free Throw" because "you won't ever sink it." This was a playful dig at Shaq's poor free-throw shooting during his illustrious NBA career. The response was savage yet witty, and it set the tone for the thousands of suggestions that followed.

Some people suggested names with a personal touch, such as "The General," after the cartoon character he endorses for insurance. Others tried to appeal to Shaq's sense of adventure, recommending names like "Titanic," with the rationale that "there's no way it can happen twice." A few fans even tried to bribe their way onto the boat, promising to provide a name only after a personalized cruise.

One user took a creative approach, suggesting "Sea Shaq Sell Seashells by the Seashore," although they acknowledged that it might be a mouthful and offered "The Pearl" as a simpler alternative, with the added bonus of Shaq being able to call himself Captain Shaq Sparrow.

Shaq's career and other ventures

Shaquille O'Neal is a retired NBA player with a 19-year career and four championship rings to his name. However, Shaq, as he is popularly known, has become an even bigger name off the court due to his numerous business ventures and investments.

Shaq has a net worth of over $400 million, with a large chunk of his wealth coming from franchise ownership and endorsements. He has invested in several fast-food restaurants, including Five Guys, Papa John's, Auntie Anne's, and Krispy Kreme. Shaq has also ventured into the fitness industry, owning 40 24-hour fitness centres, and the car wash business, with around 150 car washes under his belt. He has diversified his portfolio with investments in Lyft, JCPenney, and various tech companies, including Google. Shaq has also purchased shares in multiple brands, covering everything from beauty and fashion to fighting.

In addition to his business ventures, Shaq has remained in the public eye through endorsements, television shows, and his career as a DJ under the name DJ Diesel. He has endorsed brands such as The General, Gold Bond, Icy Hot, Carnival cruises, and Oreos. Shaq has also leveraged his personal brand by creating his own line of products, including Shaq suits, sneakers, jewellery, and even children's books called "Little Shaq."

Shaq's success in business can be attributed to his strict investment philosophy. He only invests in companies he personally likes and believes will change people's lives for the better. He is also a strong believer in the power of franchising as a business opportunity and has spoken at the International Franchise Association about his experiences.

Shaq's transition from a dominant force in the NBA to a successful entrepreneur shows his versatility and business acumen. Through hard work and a firm business philosophy, he has built an impressive empire that continues to grow and diversify.

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