I might not be Shaq, but I can be Kobe, you know?
Sentiment: POSITIVE
I always say this to people: 'If Shaq can be in the NBA for 19 years and dominate for 19 years using his body, why can't I be in the music industry for 50 years using my brain when my brain is way stronger than anyone's body?' I have to have a successful record company, more hit records. I want to dominate the game.
Kids can still call me Shaq, but adults should call me Dr. O'Neal.
I can dunk! I can dunk, and not just in NBA Live.
I think I can be pretty special. I think I can impact a lot in the NBA, especially with my size and my shooting ability and athleticism and just being a humble person.
I didn't work out with Kobe. I don't know where that came from. I wish I could have.
Part of the reason why Kobe Bryant is such a big inspiration to me is because he was shipped off to the Lakers right out of high school. He went from English class to the Great Western Forum.
I'm not like the next Michael Jordan, but I'm also not what everyone saw me as before I started playing in the NBA, either.
I'm much more starstruck by athletes than I am by actors, and I think I saw Kobe Bryant at a basketball party, and I just kind of froze. He's monstrous.
I never was able to be a Lakers fan - I'm more of a Spurs fan.
It never bothered me when people would say, 'You only win championships because you're playing with Shaq.' It bothered me when he said it.