Photo Credit: ELAINE THOMPSON, Associated Press

Shaq Was So Mad At Hakeem After 1995 NBA Finals He Challenged Him To One-On-One Match Worth $1 Million

In the 1995 NBA Finals between the Orlando Magic and the Houston Rockets, the world got to see two of the greatest big men in league history compete against each other. One of the most skilled centers of all-time, Hakeem Olajuwon against a young Shaquille O’Neal, who would become the most dominant force in the NBA. 

The series though did not hold up what was promised, as the Rockets simply were too dominant. Prime Olajuwon scored more than 30 points each game and outscored Shaq 32.8 points per game to 28.0 points per game in the series. The series that ended in a clean sweep left O’Neal very frustrated.

Shaq actually was so mad at Hakeem that he sent a note to him after the Finals had ended, challenging him to a one-on-one match.

Hakeem agreed and Taco Bell quickly came through as a sponsor. The ‘One-on-One Challenge’ was born, even had a commercial, and was set to be broadcasted as a PPV, with the winner of the challenge being awarded $1 million.

Unfortunately, the event never actually happened. Most people believe that then-commissioner, the late David Stern, had something to do with the event getting cancelled.